STrib: Gophers coach Ben Johnson searches for answers to better backcourt play

[BleedGopher]

Per Marcus:

Opponents might just have to accept Garcia getting his baskets, but the Gophers also need their backcourt to put pressure on defenses as well.

“Can you get by your guy and create for others?” Gophers coach Ben Johnson said. “Can you be another threat like Dawson to kind of be a playmaker?”

Entering Tuesday’s game at Penn State, the Gophers (11-11, 3-8 Big Ten) are trying to answer those backcourt questions. They need to unlock consistent playmaking from Femi Odukale and Isaac Asuma — and that hopefully helps fellow guards Lu’Cye Patterson and Mike Mitchell Jr., end their shooting slumps.

Patterson and Mitchell, the top two scorers in the Gophers backcourt, went from combining for 42 points in a Jan. 16 overtime win against Michigan to just 10 points together in Saturday’s disappointing 71-68 loss to last-place Washington at home.

“Now it’s not losing your confidence in what you do and what we do,” Johnson said. “It’s just doing it with aggressiveness to just go make a play within the system. Don’t be hesitant and don’t shy away to still attack and be aggressive.”

Gophers men's basketball coach Ben Johnson is searching for answers to better backcourt play

The Gophers need Femi Odukale and Isaac Asuma in attack mode Tuesday at Penn State to help end the shooting woes for Mike Mitchell Jr., and Lu’Cye Patterson.

www.startribune.com

Go Gophers!!

 

[howeda7]

It's a little late to start searching for answers now, Ben.

 

[GopherBlood777]

There's no offense so everyone needs to do everything. Start asuma if you want a playmaker on the floor with Garcia.

 

[TD12]

Start recruiting…..pay more money

 

[FinnGopher]

Per Marcus:

Opponents might just have to accept Garcia getting his baskets, but the Gophers also need their backcourt to put pressure on defenses as well.

“Can you get by your guy and create for others?” Gophers coach Ben Johnson said. “Can you be another threat like Dawson to kind of be a playmaker?”

Entering Tuesday’s game at Penn State, the Gophers (11-11, 3-8 Big Ten) are trying to answer those backcourt questions. They need to unlock consistent playmaking from Femi Odukale and Isaac Asuma — and that hopefully helps fellow guards Lu’Cye Patterson and Mike Mitchell Jr., end their shooting slumps.

Patterson and Mitchell, the top two scorers in the Gophers backcourt, went from combining for 42 points in a Jan. 16 overtime win against Michigan to just 10 points together in Saturday’s disappointing 71-68 loss to last-place Washington at home.

“Now it’s not losing your confidence in what you do and what we do,” Johnson said. “It’s just doing it with aggressiveness to just go make a play within the system. Don’t be hesitant and don’t shy away to still attack and be aggressive.”

Gophers men's basketball coach Ben Johnson is searching for answers to better backcourt play

The Gophers need Femi Odukale and Isaac Asuma in attack mode Tuesday at Penn State to help end the shooting woes for Mike Mitchell Jr., and Lu’Cye Patterson.

www.startribune.com

Go Gophers!!

Yawn

Ben recruited a handful of seniors who are one dimensional and he expects them to "get by their guy and create for others"? You have to be kidding me. If Ben had any sense, he'd be running some sort of Princeton offense that gets the players moving off ball and then finds his one dimensional players in their spots to score. Instead of dribbling the ball dead to the end of the shot clock, how about trying some movement. Good night, Ben's comments show he is dreaming of things his guys cannot do.

 

[ShushPush]

It's a little late to start searching for answers now, Ben.

So your advice is for him to quit in place. Nice. Should we make a trophy for you?

 

[howeda7]

So your advice is for him to quit in place. Nice. Should we make a trophy for you?

So many socks, Pilgrim.

My advice is for Ben to stop talking and Marcus to quit writing "Poor Ben" fluff pieces.

 

[Spottedmuskie]

What does he have to lose in starting Asuma

 

[atsgopher]

Yawn

Ben recruited a handful of seniors who are one dimensional and he expects them to "get by their guy and create for others"? You have to be kidding me. If Ben had any sense, he'd be running some sort of Princeton offense that gets the players moving off ball and then finds his one dimensional players in their spots to score. Instead of dribbling the ball dead to the end of the shot clock, how about trying some movement. Good night, Ben's comments show he is dreaming of things his guys cannot do.

Yup, he wants free creative gaurd play, but doesn’t have the horses. Got to match the system to what you have. Also, given turnover, it takes too long in the season to click.