***OFFICIAL MINNESOTA VS BAYLOR COLLEGE BASKETBALL CROWN ELITE 8 IN-GAME THREAD!!!***



Worrisome...without Tyson and Reynolds next year we don't have much to prime the pump from this group.
 










I'd gladly trade having JCJ or Willis back for Reynolds. Niko will have to find a Tyson replacement in the portal.
Well, Reynolds was our only sorta shut down defender, leader in assists, 2nd leading scorer...the guy who organized us, the only guy tough enough to drive and finish consistently. The guy who created some worry with his penetration to give some open 3 looks. He did a lot....he has short comings but absolutely important. If we had toughness mentality as a team...he was why.
 






3 for 23 from 3 disagrees we had shooters.
Certainly true. But some degree of play making ability would have opened up the three point shooting that we’ve seen elsewhere this year. The Goophs were exposed tonight by a lack of penetration/play making when the relatively reliable 3 point shooting was failing. Late in the game we started to attack the rim, but it was too little too late.
 



I ain't gonna make the end of this one..... 1 whiskey in and the game hasn't started yet!!!
I had a double espresso. Then I made something new I just invented: a Vulcan Mind Fusion. I needed it.
 

Worrisome...without Tyson and Reynolds next year we don't have much to prime the pump from this group.
It's important to not overreact to one game. The 1995-96 season ended with a thumping at home at the hands of Tulane in the NIT. I remember a lot of overreaction to that game, like yours here.

I'll repeat it again: the Gophers will be allowed by the NCAA to replace Tyson and Reynolds with new additions to the roster. Once that process plays out, we will see what things look like.
 



It's important to not overreact to one game. The 1995-96 season ended with a thumping at home at the hands of Tulane in the NIT. I remember a lot of overreaction to that game, like yours here.

I'll repeat it again: the Gophers will be allowed by the NCAA to replace Tyson and Reynolds with new additions to the roster. Once that process plays out, we will see what things look like.
You’re right. It was a sour end to the season: starting with the NCAA tourney snub of a 10-8 Big Ten team which went 7-2 the second half of the conference schedule which ended with Sam Jacobson’s game winning shot at Champaign—Lou Henson’s last game at Illinois. Losing to Cal at the Metrodome cost us the tourney berth. IIRC, we played the Tulane game without Cortney James.
 

I agree with that...the question is why didn't these athletes with two NBA first rounders not win more games?
See Rutgers last year.....great athletes but if the mix on the team isn't good they can under preform.
 



Ran out of gas. Still managed 4-5 without Crocker-Johnson.

Seven game losing streak in the middle of the season was the difference in gaining some major momentum

Seven game stretch with losses to

USC by 1 in OT
Wisconsin by 3 at the buzzer
Illinois by 10 to final 4 team on road
tOSU by 8 in OT on the road
Nebraska by 19 to Sweet 16 team.
Wisconsin by 4 late
Penn State by 2.

8-10 in conference and 10-10 Iowa was the cut off for tournament.

Big portal season needed to fill hole left by Tyson
 

You’re right. It was a sour end to the season: starting with the NCAA tourney snub of a 10-8 Big Ten team which went 7-2 the second half of the conference schedule which ended with Sam Jacobson’s game winning shot at Champaign—Lou Henson’s last game at Illinois. Losing to Cal at the Metrodome cost us the tourney berth. IIRC, we played the Tulane game without Cortney James.
I'm still dumbfounded about how we were left out of the tourney. It didn't help that Wisconsin-Green Bay lost in their conference tournament but still got an at-large invite, thereby stealing a bid.

I vividly remember the overreaction to that NIT loss. My favorites were people saying the Gophs weren't athletic enough to match up with teams like Tulane. Even though they lost Mark Jones to transfer in the off season, they still did plenty decently the following year.
 

See Rutgers last year.....great athletes but if the mix on the team isn't good they can under preform.
Not all teams with one and done's do well. It's also about having veteran role players willing to play their roles and buy in.
 

Gophers came out flat and Baylor played with more intensity. Not the best way to end the season, but it was a fun bonus game nonetheless. Now, let's get cookin in the portal!!
 

Well, Reynolds was our only sorta shut down defender, leader in assists, 2nd leading scorer...the guy who organized us, the only guy tough enough to drive and finish consistently. The guy who created some worry with his penetration to give some open 3 looks. He did a lot....he has short comings but absolutely important. If we had toughness mentality as a team...he was why.
People who don't realize how important Reynolds is to this team is beyond me. Yes he forces things and sometimes looks bad. But next year if we don't replace him, good luck having someone late in games able to drive it for a decent shot or to get to the free throw line. Many games he was the only gopher as athletic as the top 5 of the opposing team! Willis is 6-2 and also cannot shoot outside. He isnt a replacement for a 6-4 powerful guard.
 

This team seriously overachieved given the talent level and injuries. Where would this team have finished if healthy? Niko can coach as well as any in the big ten and beyond.
Can he consistently recruit in the NIL era? If the answer to that is yes, then gophs truly have something.
 




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