South Dakota State coming in 1-0 after 82-76 win over Western Michigan

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Wow, nice game for Wolters. Also no turnovers in 39 minutes. I found it a little surprising he's the only Minnesota kid on their roster. Not a very tall team. Thanks for posting the link.
 

Western Michigan's center dropped 32 on 14-16 shooting. Doesn't bode too well for their defense against Mbakwe and company.
 

This is an interesting match up, SDSU isn't a great defensive team to say the least(they have very limited depth in their front court). At times they have Dykstra at the five, playing out of position.

That said, SDSU can get hot and score a ton of points. Wolters is a tremendous talent and Dykstra is pretty good as well.
 




The past couple years Wolters has really hurt the Gophers and been the catalyst for SDSU. If they get hot from outside early it could be a nerve racking game but I like to think Mbakwe and Sampson will dominate inside. SDSU was 9-28 on 3's in their first game (32%) and with such a small lineup will likely rely on the 3 to stay in the game.

This is the game that Big Mo got hurt in last year and was uncomfortably close for most of it (tied at 64-64 with 6:30 to go in the game) but luckily for the Gophers Clint Sargeant graduated (23 pts last year, KILLED the Gophers from the outside). This is a must win game and it would be nice to see the Gophers hammer someone by 30 or so during the non-conference schedule...why not do it tonight?
 

This has the potential to be a close contest is SDSU shoots well and it won't surprise me to see that considering how poorly the Gophers defend the 3.

IMO, the key is RS who needs to put up 16-18 points and grab a dozen boards. If he is in a funk, we could lose.
 

khoffman43 said:
The past couple years Wolters has really hurt the Gophers and been the catalyst for SDSU. QUOTE]

False. 6-15 shooting and 7 turnovers is pretty ghastly, even if he did manage to have 16 points and 11 assists.

The previous years he had 14 pouints and 7 rebounds but another 5 turnovers in a 30 point loss.

He has had some big games, but not against the Gophers.
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Based on MN's inability to defend the three point shot, any team with three point shooters could be a problem for the Gophers. Hopefully the Gophers come out strong and play better than they have in their first three games.
 

You're right, the 12 turnovers is a lot but when you're the only ball handler on the team playing against superior talent it makes it tough. He played 71 minutes in those 2 games. Also, he was a freshman playing against one of the best on the ball defenders the Gophers have ever had (Al Nolen) and will likely be much better against an inexperienced back-court this year. Lets see how this game plays out but I like Wolters to have a huge game.

They were very competitive against a more experienced Gopher team last year. I think this is a tough game for the Gophers and wouldn't be surprised to see them lose this one. With a less experienced back court, less depth upfront and a senior big man RS3 who can disappear for a month at a time its no guarantee. I think they will win only because Mbakwe should dominate but when he gets in foul trouble (I'll go with when, not if) the Gophers will be forced to make some jump-shots which could be an ugly display if the 3 games this season are anything to go on. Final score Gophers 71 Jackrabbits 66
 

Jordan Dykstra,one of the two big men the Jacks have was on crutches after the game on Saturday - supposedly has some type of minor fracture in his foot.
 

CDH27 said:
Based on MN's inability to defend the three point shot, any team with three point shooters could be a problem for the Gophers. Hopefully the Gophers come out strong and play better than they have in their first three games.
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CDH27- I have been likewise critical of our 3 point defense. However, in the Bucknell game we did a good job of it. They would have taken 3's alll night if we let them and they were limited to 16 attempts. They did make 7 but at least 2 makes that I remember were ridiculous rabbit's foot in your pocket shots.
 



I thought the three point defense was quite good against Bucknell when I watched the replay. Johnson was hot in the 1st half, and they kinda let him get loose, but overall, I was happy with it. There weren't many good looks given up at all.

My main concern coming from the Bucknell game is most definitely the shooting. And really, the three point shooting is publicized most, but the interior misses were especially concerning. Hopefully they can get that straightened out cause if they do, we could have a pretty solid team on our hands cause the offense actually ran okay IMO. They were getting good looks at the basket, they just gotta put them in. If they're doing that in practice (which by accounts they are), then I just hope at some point it begins to translate.
 

bigticket1 said:
Jordan Dykstra,one of the two big men the Jacks have was on crutches after the game on Saturday - supposedly has some type of minor fracture in his foot.
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Jacks fans are real concerned about this development. I've heard Dykstra will play but minutes will be limited.
 

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