***OFFICIAL NORTH DAKOTA AT MINNESOTA IN-GAME THREAD!!!***

[goldenboy]

Durkin is the biggest disappointment so far for me. From the early recruiting opinions, I thought he might start, with Tyson off the bench. It’s turned out to be the opposite, and not even close. Durkin looks slow on defense, loose with the ball, and his shot looks rushed. I hope he settles in as well need him to contribute. I didn’t know much about Omot, but wanted a pleasant surprise. Just not seeing it.
The pleasant surprise has been Grove, who I thought would be buried on the bench. He’s a willing banger, works hard on D and is a pretty good passer. If he can hit the 10 footer when he finds himself open in the high post, he could really help.
Our weakness all year is going to be lack of size.

 

[60's Guy]

First time seeing this new squad.

Top 2:
Tyson looks and plays like the real deal. He’s a nice all around player.

Willis Jr. is a nice, crafty player, quick and strong. 8 nice assists, needs to take a little better care of the ball, but he is generating a lot of our offense.

Next 2:
JCJ: Big body, decent hands and runs the court well. Would like to see him much more active on the boards.

Reynolds: He was very efficient and quietly put up 17 on 6-6 shooting and 5-5 on the line.

Next 2 (Pretty big drop)
Asuma: Very similar to last year, he looks like he should be really good with his strength and physicality, but he just kind of floats around and really doesn’t do a whole lot with or without the ball. Only 1 assist and pretty poor shooting.

Vaihola: He’ll be good taking up space and grabbing boards. Probably a ~20 minute type of guy to foul and grab rebounds.

Next 3:
Durkin, Omot and Grove: All 3 look uncomfortable with the ball. Durkin and Omot just look awkward. Grove hustles, but somehow did not even put up a shot attempt in 12 minutes despite having the ball deep in the paint multiple times. I think you can only have one of these three on the floor at the same time to eat minutes. Durkin can be a pick and pop guy, but shouldn’t put the ball on the floor.

Overall, I think we will rely heavily on Willis Jr and Tyson all year. Depth past the first 6 is pretty weak based on first impressions, but it’s super early.

I have not been watching with undivided attention but I'd swap Vaihola and JCJ.
I'm afraid we are going to get outscored often, but we did play two exhibition games versus Summit opponents...credit Niko there. Just not sure how far away they are from Big Ten teams...seems like a long ways?

 

[60's Guy]

Durkin is the biggest disappointment so far for me. From the early recruiting opinions, I thought he might start, with Tyson off the bench. It’s turned out to be the opposite, and not even close. Durkin looks slow on defense, loose with the ball, and his shot looks rushed. I hope he settles in as well need him to contribute. I didn’t know much about Omot, but wanted a pleasant surprise. Just not seeing it.
The pleasant surprise has been Grove, who I thought would be buried on the bench. He’s a willing banger, works hard on D and is a pretty good passer. If he can hit the 10 footer when he finds himself open in the high post, he could really help.
Our weakness all year is going to be lack of size.

Along with quickness, defense and lack of firepower.
I agree on Durkin but my Biggest disappointment is Turner...he had a closing stretch of 20 and 30 point games last year...I do not care at what level...with the same sluggish approach twenty feet from the hoop and lack of quickness he wouldn't get near those numbers in a high school game.
What's going on there?

 

[howeda7]

If “pretty meh” outings result in 20 point wins I’ll take those any day of the year! Seriously though, I know what you mean. Gives me a little reason for optimism when we’re thoroughly beating D1 opponents despite not necessarily playing that well yet.

Mostly just based on a closer margin against an allegedly inferior team to NDSU. It's irrelevant really. Games count now.

 

[MissouriGopher]

First time seeing this new squad.

Top 2:
Tyson looks and plays like the real deal. He’s a nice all around player.

Willis Jr. is a nice, crafty player, quick and strong. 8 nice assists, needs to take a little better care of the ball, but he is generating a lot of our offense.

Next 2:
JCJ: Big body, decent hands and runs the court well. Would like to see him much more active on the boards.

Reynolds: He was very efficient and quietly put up 17 on 6-6 shooting and 5-5 on the line.

Next 2 (Pretty big drop)
Asuma: Very similar to last year, he looks like he should be really good with his strength and physicality, but he just kind of floats around and really doesn’t do a whole lot with or without the ball. Only 1 assist and pretty poor shooting.

Vaihola: He’ll be good taking up space and grabbing boards. Probably a ~20 minute type of guy to foul and grab rebounds.

Next 3:
Durkin, Omot and Grove: All 3 look uncomfortable with the ball. Durkin and Omot just look awkward. Grove hustles, but somehow did not even put up a shot attempt in 12 minutes despite having the ball deep in the paint multiple times. I think you can only have one of these three on the floor at the same time to eat minutes. Durkin can be a pick and pop guy, but shouldn’t put the ball on the floor.

Overall, I think we will rely heavily on Willis Jr and Tyson all year. Depth past the first 6 is pretty weak based on first impressions, but it’s super early.

I think you’re underselling Vaihola. Sure these were summit league opponents but he does so many of the little things - screening, rebounding, sealing off driving lanes. He was so, so good today.

 

[Ski-U-Ham]

I think you’re underselling Vaihola. Sure these were summit league opponents but he does so many of the little things - screening, rebounding, sealing off driving lanes. He was so, so good today.

I really like how he handles the high post. Guys cut off of him and can get open, and he can turn and face and find guys cutting to the basket. I also like his touch around the basket. He's not the tallest 5, but he's a wide body and I think he fits the Niko system to a tee.

Hopefully he can hold down most of the minutes at the 5, and I'd love to see Turner do whatever he needs to do to get 10 minutes a game. That would allow JCJ and Grove to hold the 4 down and leave Tyson and Durkin (I think he'll be better than he has been in the two exhibition games; he's a much better player than he's shown) at the 3, and a bunch of guards with different skill sets. I hope Omot gets right and factors in somewhere as well.

 

[golf]

I am really excited for the season.

Win or lose, feels like we will play the right way and this team will therefore be easy to get behind.

Recruiting will of course eventually make or break the new regime, but really nice to feel we are at least pointed in the right direction.

 

[Gold Vision]

I have not been watching with undivided attention but I'd swap Vaihola and JCJ.
I'm afraid we are going to get outscored often, but we did play two exhibition games versus Summit opponents...credit Niko there. Just not sure how far away they are from Big Ten teams...seems like a long ways?

I think you’re underselling Vaihola. Sure these were summit league opponents but he does so many of the little things - screening, rebounding, sealing off driving lanes. He was so, so good today.

Hope you’re right! That was just my initial impression watching live, but I definitely wasn’t keyed in on watching any 1 player.

 

[Tully55]

Even More random: How many days in our lives do we know what we were doing on a particular date in history years ago?
On December 6th 1969 I was at the Pasadena Bowl at the Rose Bowl. San Diego St beat Boston College 28 to 7. Head Coach Don Coryell completed his third undefeated season at San Diego St.

The PA at the Rose Bowl, in Jules Perlt style, said: In college basketball in overtime Minnesota 71 UCLA 72 and the crowd audibly gasped. Hours later when I could get to a phone, I called my brother to get a full report on the Gophers game because I knew he witnessed it.
UCLA under Wooden won another National Championship at season's end.

 

[bga1]

I am really excited for the season.

Win or lose, feels like we will play the right way and this team will therefore be easy to get behind.

Recruiting will of course eventually make or break the new regime, but really nice to feel we are at least pointed in the right direction.

I feel like this season, team and coach are going to be less about whether a Garcia or other player makes plays for himself, gets hot and more about how we play as a team. Sure Tyson appears to be the key scorer but I think he has to make it off of other guys doing work and moving the ball, instead of one on one action.

 

[FinnGopher]

I feel like this season, team and coach are going to be less about whether a Garcia or other player makes plays for himself, gets hot and more about how we play as a team. Sure Tyson appears to be the key scorer but I think he has to make it off of other guys doing work and moving the ball, instead of one on one action.

We are distinctly undersized and that will be a problem in the B1G. Tyson can make shots when he gets a wide open catch and shoot. He won't be able to create his shot. After two exhibition games, I don't know if we have anyone who can create a shot when it has to be done. Willis Jr may have the quickness to draw the defense and pass to an open shooter, but that still needs to be seen when he plays top teams instead of lower D1 teams.
After two exhibition games, I think the pick of the Gophers being 16 in the B1G is probably warranted. Our lack of height is going to be an issue.

 

[Gold Vision]

We are distinctly undersized and that will be a problem in the B1G. Tyson can make shots when he gets a wide open catch and shoot. He won't be able to create his shot. After two exhibition games, I don't know if we have anyone who can create a shot when it has to be done. Willis Jr may have the quickness to draw the defense and pass to an open shooter, but that still needs to be seen when he plays top teams instead of lower D1 teams.
After two exhibition games, I think the pick of the Gophers being 16 in the B1G is probably warranted. Our lack of height is going to be an issue.

How can you watch that past game and say that Tyson and Willis Jr. don’t have the ability to create their own shot? Very strange take.

 

[Ski-U-Ham]

We are distinctly undersized and that will be a problem in the B1G. Tyson can make shots when he gets a wide open catch and shoot. He won't be able to create his shot. After two exhibition games, I don't know if we have anyone who can create a shot when it has to be done. Willis Jr may have the quickness to draw the defense and pass to an open shooter, but that still needs to be seen when he plays top teams instead of lower D1 teams.
After two exhibition games, I think the pick of the Gophers being 16 in the B1G is probably warranted. Our lack of height is going to be an issue.

I think one of the strengths of Niko's offense is that we won't have to rely as much on guys creating their shots, more shots should come within the flow of the offense. I get what you're saying though, I'm just hoping we'll need shot creation less than we've needed it in a while.

 

[topos]

I think one of the strengths of Niko's offense is that we won't have to rely as much on guys creating their shots, more shots should come within the flow of the offense. I get what you're saying though, I'm just hoping we'll need shot creation less than we've needed it in a while.

Exactly this. The offense, the motion, the screens, and the back cuts will get guys open. That’s why a guy like Cade Tyson came here to play in the first place.

Having a really competent PG in this system is a huge asset and should keep us in a lot of games. Willis looks special.

 

[FinnGopher]

How can you watch that past game and say that Tyson and Willis Jr. don’t have the ability to create their own shot? Very strange take.

Because, that game was against a team that didn't play defense like a B1G team will play defense. Every cut will be contested. Every pick will be guarded. Every roll off a pick will have help. The open shots that we, the Gophers, got against NDSU and UND will not often be there when playing in the B1G.

If Tyson were adept at creating his own shot, he would still be at North Carolina and he would have been a starter. It is clear that Niko is going to get Tyson open off from screens and inside-out action.

Willis is quick against mid-level Summit league players, but he had turnovers against them. The guards of the B1G will be equally quick, and bigger, than the two exhibition teams he played against. He won't get the good looks or drives we saw in these two games.

That's my answer. Does this help you so my take doesn't seem so strange to you?

 

[minnyrules11]

Because, that game was against a team that didn't play defense like a B1G team will play defense. Every cut will be contested. Every pick will be guarded. Every roll off a pick will have help. The open shots that we, the Gophers, got against NDSU and UND will not often be there when playing in the B1G.

If Tyson were adept at creating his own shot, he would still be at North Carolina and he would have been a starter. It is clear that Niko is going to get Tyson open off from screens and inside-out action.

Willis is quick against mid-level Summit league players, but he had turnovers against them. The guards of the B1G will be equally quick, and bigger, than the two exhibition teams he played against. He won't get the good looks or drives we saw in these two games.

That's my answer. Does this help you so my take doesn't seem so strange to you?

Willis had 12 points against Michigan St last year with 7 boards, 6 assists and couple of steals with only 3 turnovers. Granted it was in an 18 point loss and missed all 4 free throws but don't think quickness or looks are going to be an issue.

May be right on Tyson.

 

[Gopher_In_NYC]

Willis had 12 points against Michigan St last year with 7 boards, 6 assists and couple of steals with only 3 turnovers. Granted it was in an 18 point loss and missed all 4 free throws but don't think quickness or looks are going to be an issue.

FACTS, not fiction.

May be right on Tyson.

Time will tell, as it does with all things, Hopefully he finds his groove here
I’m going to hope for the best

 

[Spaulding!No!]

Glad to see Parker Sux doing the Medved interview after the game.

 

[fan of Ray Williams]

Vaihola is a better player than I had suspected. They really like running the offense through him.
Tyson looks confident shooting.
Team seems unselfish.
Appears he's trying to develop some depth.
Willis and Reynolds look like players.
Way too many turnovers in this 2nd game.
Groves seems willing and runs well.
Wish Asuma shot it better.
Omot looks rusty. Said he was just cleared to play in September.
Crocker-Johnson kind of escaped my eye.
Nehemiah does not look in good shape. Total of 2 minutes in the 2 exhibition games.
Did Eli King tear up his knee at Iowa State?

 

[Beerculees]

FACTS, not fiction.


Time will tell, as it does with all things, Hopefully he finds his groove here
I’m going to hope for the best

I think Tyson will be much better here than at UNC. We have an offense that caters to his skills. Medved was successful getting his guys open looks at CSU with ball movement and off ball movement. What exactly does Hubert Davis and his teams do well? They rode a RJ Davis and Caleb Love heater one time. His teams have typically underperformed for the talent they have.

 

[Gopher_In_NYC]

I think Tyson will be much better here than at UNC. We have an offense that caters to his skills. Medved was successful getting his guys open looks at CSU with ball movement and off ball movement. What exactly does Hubert Davis and his teams do well? They rode a RJ Davis and Caleb Love heater one time. His teams have typically underperformed for the talent they have.

Great detailed response and positivity.

Go Gophers

 

[Gopher_In_NYC]

Vaihola is a better player than I had suspected. They really like running the offense through him.
Tyson looks confident shooting.
Team seems unselfish.
Appears he's trying to develop some depth.
Willis and Reynolds look like players.
Way too many turnovers in this 2nd game.
Groves seems willing and runs well.
Wish Asuma shot it better.
Omot looks rusty. Said he was just cleared to play in September.
Crocker-Johnson kind of escaped my eye.
Nehemiah does not look in good shape. Total of 2 minutes in the 2 exhibition games.
Did Eli King tear up his knee at Iowa State?

IIRC King wasn’t grabbing many minutes and TJ recruited many guards better than him.