BleedGopher
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per Marcus:
Mathieu was the team most valuable player last season and arguably the best player in nonconference play this season. But his struggles during an 0-5 Big Ten start led to second-year Minnesota coach Richard Pitino benching him for freshman Nate Mason.
That was hard to swallow for the senior captain. But he accepted his new role the last two games, including Saturday’s 89-80 win against Rutgers.
“Whatever my role can be to help this team win, I’m going to do it,” said Mathieu, who finished with eight points and three assists Saturday. “I just want to play basketball. Sitting on the bench is never fun. But if it’s got to be done to help this team win games, then I’m with it.”
The 6-foot-1, 185-pound Mason played over the 5-9, 170-pound Mathieu because it also helped the Gophers get bigger for defensive and rebounding purposes, which both had been weaknesses.
.
“But he brought a great spark off the bench,” Pitino said of Mathieu. “He showed great attitude off the bench. It’s hard for a kid who started every single game and then he comes off the bench. But he didn’t pout. He had great leadership. He was engaged. He provided great production off the bench.”
http://blogs.twincities.com/gophers...hieu-disappointed-accepted-role-coming-bench/
Go Gophers!!
Mathieu was the team most valuable player last season and arguably the best player in nonconference play this season. But his struggles during an 0-5 Big Ten start led to second-year Minnesota coach Richard Pitino benching him for freshman Nate Mason.
That was hard to swallow for the senior captain. But he accepted his new role the last two games, including Saturday’s 89-80 win against Rutgers.
“Whatever my role can be to help this team win, I’m going to do it,” said Mathieu, who finished with eight points and three assists Saturday. “I just want to play basketball. Sitting on the bench is never fun. But if it’s got to be done to help this team win games, then I’m with it.”
The 6-foot-1, 185-pound Mason played over the 5-9, 170-pound Mathieu because it also helped the Gophers get bigger for defensive and rebounding purposes, which both had been weaknesses.
.
“But he brought a great spark off the bench,” Pitino said of Mathieu. “He showed great attitude off the bench. It’s hard for a kid who started every single game and then he comes off the bench. But he didn’t pout. He had great leadership. He was engaged. He provided great production off the bench.”
http://blogs.twincities.com/gophers...hieu-disappointed-accepted-role-coming-bench/
Go Gophers!!