If we can get two really good guards and Ben allocates the minutes among the many forwards to the guys that fight the hardest and play D, we might have a pretty good and hungry squad next year. Best guy plays. If you aren't the best - get better- no need to worry about their feelings as long as the coach talks them through how to reach their goals.It's almost impossible to figure it out because we know nothing about Fox and Ihnen either. I'd guess Betts best position is also PF.
IMO - Payne plays 20 minutes per game at C and the other 20 minutes go to Evans. Payne then plays another 5 as a PF with Evans. Battle's minutes will come at the 3.
So the rest of the PF minutes will be between Garcia, Olo-Joseph, Fox, Ihnen, and maybe even Betts.
There is also a chance we panic and play Ihnen at the wing. If that happens, we're in serious trouble.
Plus the Summit league is a couple notches below the big ten. TT would be fine but if he wants to be a deep reserve here, don't mind him being guy 11-13 on the bench. If anything I want local guys who embrace being here in those spots, better for team chemistry than an out of state kid whose mad they moved hundreds of miles from home or more to ride the pine. After 8-9 guys not everyone gets to play on most teams so you might as well have guys at the end of the bench who can fill in in a pinch that want to be here. That's why I don't dog dudes like Michael Hurt or Travis BuschUST has 2 main needs: 1) Another PG (just like the gophers) who is really fast and a 6'10" guy with beef...while TT checks the box on being 6'10"+...he lacks the beefs to guard bigs that UST comes across...and UST has probably seen his defense.
But in saying that, I'm sure UST could find a way to utilize him in a non-center role. TT has offensive skills that are non-traditional for a 7-footer, it's just that the Gophers haven't used them.
Wow...the delusion among the crybabies is very strong.Ben inherited this disaster season? Good God my eyes just rolled so far back in my head they can see behind me. He’s 4-20 in conference over his first two seasons. Pitino’s last season was terrible and even then he was 6-14, then Ben lost virtually everyone on the roster. No, this disaster is of his own making, and people need to stop making excuses for him.
Wow...the delusion among the crybabies is very strong.
Ben absolutely 100% inherited this mess. He inherited a completely empty roster. To suggest otherwise is simply delusional.
And it was a true Year Zero. That's not an excuse...that's a FACT.
It is an excuse. The roster situation was a direct byproduct of his hiring. Those players either left of their own volition or were told to look for other opportunities. Either way, that roster was not empty when he was hired, it became empty because players either didn’t want to play for him or he didn’t want them playing for him.Wow...the delusion among the crybabies is very strong.
Ben absolutely 100% inherited this mess. He inherited a completely empty roster. To suggest otherwise is simply delusional.
And it was a true Year Zero. That's not an excuse...that's a FACT.
Mashburn Jr. would look pretty good right now.It is an excuse. The roster situation was a direct byproduct of his hiring. Those players either left of their own volition or were told to look for other opportunities. Either way, that roster was not empty when he was hired, it became empty because players either didn’t want to play for him or he didn’t want them playing for him.
Players waited to be contacted but eventually leftIt is an excuse. The roster situation was a direct byproduct of his hiring. Those players either left of their own volition or were told to look for other opportunities. Either way, that roster was not empty when he was hired, it became empty because players either didn’t want to play for him or he didn’t want them playing for him.
The reality is Evans will be a skinny, Freshman with very little offensive game, playing in the B1G. He's got all sorts of potential, but we should limit our immediate expectations.Ya know the only thing that is too bad about next year is that we will only have Evans for one year. I mean just based off a few people on here he is going to be easily the #1 overall pick. Something like 30 points 28 rebounds 9 blocks a game?? Man its going to insane to watch!
Listen I like Evans, but uff people need to chill with "who cares about this year EVANS EVANS EVANS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
He took a bad team and made it older and worse.Wow...the delusion among the crybabies is very strong.
Ben absolutely 100% inherited this mess. He inherited a completely empty roster. To suggest otherwise is simply delusional.
And it was a true Year Zero. That's not an excuse...that's a FACT.
I don't think Evans will be the Messiah next year, but Payne went from about 225 to 255 between the end of his senior year and the start of the season. I think our trainer knows what he's doing. Evans Dad is about 7 feet and must be about 320, he's huge. If Evans can put on 25-30 lbs as well, and combine that with a quick jump, a good shot-blockers timing, and a 7-7 wingspan, I'd like to see how he does against a guy like Walker from Nebraska. I think you'll see plenty of him starting right from the beginning next year, and can we ever use it!The reality is Evans will be a skinny, Freshman with very little offensive game, playing in the B1G. He's got all sorts of potential, but we should limit our immediate expectations.
I don't expect him to be a starter next season, but I do think he can play a nice role as a defensive specialist, and rim protector as he gets stronger, and learns the game.
And exactly how do you know this to be true?It is an excuse. The roster situation was a direct byproduct of his hiring. Those players either left of their own volition or were told to look for other opportunities. Either way, that roster was not empty when he was hired, it became empty because players either didn’t want to play for him or he didn’t want them playing for him.
You're a liar. And I doubt if you're even Gophers fan.No he didn't, it's not a fact, and you are a liar.
This is a rebuild. Ben was hired to recruit & rebuild. He wasn't hired to coach-up Pitino's leftovers or to bring in transfers for immediate winning.It is an excuse. The roster situation was a direct byproduct of his hiring. Those players either left of their own volition or were told to look for other opportunities. Either way, that roster was not empty when he was hired, it became empty because players either didn’t want to play for him or he didn’t want them playing for him.
Great information! Thanks.This is a rebuild. Ben was hired to recruit & rebuild.
You're welcome.Great information! Thanks.
He brought in tons of transfers did he bring in these guys for immediate losing?This is a rebuild. Ben was hired to recruit & rebuild. He wasn't hired to coach-up Pitino's leftovers or to bring in transfers for immediate winning.
Our freshmen are his first recruits.
You guys just can't stand to hear the truth. Because it exposes you as temper-tantrum-throwing crybabies.
When was hopium legalized in Minnesota?A. This season wins-losses is a disaster.
B. The future is bright.
1. Next season elite DENNIS EVANS plays for the Gophers!!!
Evans is the highest rated prospect to join the Gophers since 2004!
Evans is the highest rated out-state prospect since 1995!
Evans is an eventual top-5 NBA pick according to analysts. Evans is a "rare" defense talent and flashes many different looks to his offense including 3"s.
The future is bright.
2. Because the wins-losses do not matter this disaster season that Ben Johnson inherited, Johnson is giving heavy playing time to freshman for a BIG payoff ahead.
Freshman Joshua Ola-Joseph is getting 30+ minutes a game.
Freshman Pharrel Payne is getting 20+ minutes.
Freshman Jaden Henley is getting 10+ minutes.
Freshman Braeden Carrington is Mr. Minnesota Basketball 2022 and getting minutes. He already scored 20 in a game.
They are freshmen and need time and playing time to develop.
Based on minutes played, the Gophers are about the youngest team.
THEY ARE GETTING INVALUABLE MINUTES PLAYING.
The future is bright.
3. Complainers will nag and nag about the bad season now. It is bad.
I chose to look at what is developing.
Doom fibbers will say the future is bad. Do not listen to them because they are wrong. Not true!
I am real excited about this team!!!
Gophers basketball freshman Joshua Ola-Joseph emerges as surprise starter
The Gophers have a five-game losing streak, but the former Osseo standout has become a consistent starter for Ben Johnson's team.www.startribune.com
Braeden Carrington’s career-high 20 points helps Gophers end five-game losing skid
The Gophers men’s basketball team hadn’t scored a bucket in more than six first-half minutes against Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Wednesday, and the U’s five-game losing streak was looming inside Williams Arena. Then Braeden Carrington made it look like “NBA Jam.” The freshman from Park Center High...sports.yahoo.com
Park Center's Braeden Carrington named Mr. Basketball
The official home of Minnesota boys' high school basketball.www.mnbasketballhub.com
Where do they groom you?I'm a French poodle.
You're a liar. And I doubt if you're even Gophers fan.
Although it's hard to tell amongst all the petulant children here.
I haven't lied about anything, yet you do in almost every single post. It's pretty obvious you're not a Gopher fan and are here just to just troll and spread lies.
I'll try to keep most of my comments in the positive-headline threads. To keep the headlines I agree with on top.
Of course you guys are free to disagree. You can blast away at Coach Johnson...ridicule the team...and keep making disparaging headlines for all to see. But I'm not going to wade through all of that manure.
When was hopium legalized in Minnesota?
I knew itYou're welcome.
But seriously LOL...if you think all this blasting away at Coach Johnson indicates knowledge of a rebuild...then I'm a French poodle.
Some yes, some not, in many ways it was a by product of how the roster was built by Pitino at the time.It is an excuse. The roster situation was a direct byproduct of his hiring. Those players either left of their own volition or were told to look for other opportunities. Either way, that roster was not empty when he was hired, it became empty because players either didn’t want to play for him or he didn’t want them playing for him.
Mashburn was out no matter what. He was following Pitino. Ihnen was out too. Otherwise well said.Some yes, some not, in many ways it was a by product of how the roster was built by Pitino at the time.
1) Carr was leaving no matter what the hire was, that's on Pitino
2) Mashburn was probably leaving no matter what, after Pitino was hired at New Mexico it would not have mattered at all.
3) Liam Robbins wasn't staying unless his uncle was rehired no matter who the new coach was.
4) Kalschuer was leaving no matter who the hire was, who's fault who knows, certainly not Johnson's.
Gach and Johnson may have been impacted by the hire.
Wiliams, Freeman, and Mitchel might have been asked to leave.
More of an issue of not building the roster from day one in the transfer portal, Coyle new this would be an issue at the start and it wasn't going to impact his decision. From here on he will be building the roster mostly from new high school grads with a few transfers mixed in. I'm guessing that is what he sold Coyle on.
Unless I'm missing something, those are the only options.And exactly how do you know this to be true?
Show me the documentation where Coach Johnson told people on the roster to take a hike. I will wait for the evidence.Unless I'm missing something, those are the only options.