Reusse 1500 column: Goal for Gophs should exceed 'Top 4'

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Patrick makes some good points. The Gophers have plenty enough experienced talent to be a factor in the Big Ten. If they want to be a legitimate contender, it'll come down to the same old thing. ... will they be "tough enough" to grind out a couple/few road wins against the upper echelon of the league?

The first 2 games will tell us a lot about the Gophers. If they go 0-2, then I think it's safe to say the Gophers will simply be headed for the middle crust of the Big Ten again. For the record, I think they'll find a way to win at least 1 of the 2, more likely against Sparty than Bucky.
 

SelectionSunday said:
Patrick makes some good points. The Gophers have plenty enough experienced talent to be a factor in the Big Ten. If they want to be a legitimate contender, it'll come down to the same old thing. ... will they be "tough enough" to grind out a couple/few road wins against the upper echelon of the league?

The first 2 games will tell us a lot about the Gophers. If they go 0-2, then I think it's safe to say the Gophers will simply be headed for the middle crust of the Big Ten again. For the record, I think they'll find a way to win at least 1 of the 2, more likely against Sparty than Bucky.
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I agree. I think they will find a way to get one. 7-on-5 in the Izzone is probably a bit easier that 8-on-5 at the Kohl Center. There's a reason it's so hard to win on the road in the Big 10, and so especially hard to win at Wisconsin.
 

I think the Wisconsin game comes down to how well they are shooting. I'm not too worried about Leuer doing major damage, since he'll have to move away from the basket to get quality looks. If Taylor and the gang are hitting the 3's (ala Virginia) we will be in trouble.
 

I'm not too worried about leuer either, I think rodney is a great option to defend him. Nolen will be able to shut down taylor as well. we just have to be careful not to get into their snail pace.
 


No doubt the Gophers are improved...but so is the rest of the Big10. That would be my only caveat to Pat's assertion. A top 4 finish will likely mean you are one of the top 10-12 teams in the country.
 

Kudos to the "Fulda Flash". This was one of his well-written articles/commentaries. Every year he has three or four, which make you wonder why he "mails it in" so often.
 

I'm just glad Al will be back to defend Taylor. Devoe trying to defend him all game with a little Maverick would be a nightmare.
 

Pat is on target.

Tubby and his charges should place no worse than 3rd in the conference. Anything less would be disappointing.
 



I don't get people's expectations for this team. Sure, this is best squad we've had in Tubby's era but OSU is the best team in the country and MSU, despite their struggles, is still more talented than us. That leaves us in a group with Purdue, Illinois, and Wisconsin. 3-6 could go in any order and I cannot say that we are for sure more talented than any of those three teams. Now, if we fall below anyone else, then we have a right to be disappointed. I think UW is probably the most likely for the 6 spot, while Purdue is most likely for the 3. The Gophers are going to probably start in a 1-4 hole. I think 4th, after that, is a pretty fair season. Also, we all know the season will be judged on how they do in the post-season. A 5th place finish will be forgotten if they make the Sweet 16 the same way a 2nd place finish will be forgotten with a first round exit. Pat, as usual, is setting up future columns where he can rip the Gophers. I bet he's already written the one he plans to publish after their "slow" start to the Big 10 season.
 

GopherHomer said:
I don't get people's expectations for this team. Sure, this is best squad we've had in Tubby's era but OSU is the best team in the country and MSU, despite their struggles, is still more talented than us. That leaves us in a group with Purdue, Illinois, and Wisconsin. 3-6 could go in any order and I cannot say that we are for sure more talented than any of those three teams. Now, if we fall below anyone else, then we have a right to be disappointed. I think UW is probably the most likely for the 6 spot, while Purdue is most likely for the 3. The Gophers are going to probably start in a 1-4 hole. I think 4th, after that, is a pretty fair season. Also, we all know the season will be judged on how they do in the post-season. A 5th place finish will be forgotten if they make the Sweet 16 the same way a 2nd place finish will be forgotten with a first round exit. Pat, as usual, is setting up future columns where he can rip the Gophers. I bet he's already written the one he plans to publish after their "slow" start to the Big 10 season.
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1-4? Come now, my good man.

This is year 4 for Tubby, and he has his troops in place. GH'ers have raved about the players and the coaching. Blake and Al are leftovers, and damn good ones at that.

There is no reason to be 1-4. None.

This is year 4 for Tubby - anything less than 3rd place in conference and Sweet 16 inclusion would be disappointing.
 

BarnBurner said:
1-4? Come now, my good man.

This is year 4 for Tubby, and he has his troops in place. GH'ers have raved about the players and the coaching. Blake and Al are leftovers, and damn good ones at that.

There is no reason to be 1-4. None.

This is year 4 for Tubby - anything less than 3rd place in conference and Sweet 16 inclusion would be disappointing.
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Yeah, I just double checked the schedule and I think I meant 1-3. That fourth game is Purdue at home...no gimmie, but yeah, we should win that. I will stand by 1-3, though. We could play well and end up there.
 

And that's why it gets on my nerves to hear the program's faithful offering this as an optimistic gush:
"I'm telling you, Tubby's got his best club. I'm predicting a top four finish in the Big Ten.''
What's wrong with the customers _ paying those exorbitant prices for worthless non-conference games at Williams Arena - looking at the size and experience on this club and saying:
"If you don't win it Tubby, we're going to be disappointed.''

It sounds like Ruesse wants Brewster to coach the basketball team. He could offer "optimistic gush" by stating we're going to win the Big Ten and go to the Final Four. He could also toughen up the non-conference schedule so the fans are not paying "exorbitant prices for worthless non-conference games". Then Ruesse would constantly rip Gopher fans and coaches for being delusional.

The truth is as follows, this is Tubby's best Gopher team so far(previous best was 9-9 in the Big Ten) and they will probably finish in the top 4 in the Big Ten if Nolan is healthy. There is nothing wrong with a team improving from year to year, I'm guessing they will win 1 or 2 games in the tournament. Gopher ticket holders don't need Ruesse telling them how they should think.
 




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