BleedGopher
Well-known member
- Joined
- Nov 11, 2008
- Messages
- 60,763
- Reaction score
- 16,153
- Points
- 113
Per Marcus’ “5 Things We’ve Learned” article on Gopher hoops’ season:
Freshmen roles
There might be more impactful freshmen individually in the Big Ten, but no team in the conference has relied on freshmen more than the Gophers. Johnson had the only Big Ten team with three freshmen averaging at least 20 minutes per game in the first 11 games. Braeden Carrington (24.8), Pharrel Payne (21.2) and Jaden Henley (19.6) average the most minutes for the U freshmen, but Joshua Ola-Joseph (17.7) isn't far behind. Carrington, who had 20 points vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff, carries a mature demeanor and high basketball IQ that gained Johnson's trust quickly with 24 minutes or more in eight of his 10 games. But Ola-Joseph, who has started the last five games, was the most consistent scorer recently by averaging 10 points in the five games he played double digits in minutes.
Henley showed flashes of his potential, starting the first nine games, but his role changed (18 minutes combined in last three games) when grad transfer Taurus Samuels became a starter. Payne played fewer than 20 minutes in four of the last seven games, but he has as much upside as any freshman in the Big Ten. The 6-9 big man leads the U freshmen with five double figure scoring games and leads all Big Ten freshman in field goal percentage (72.2) and blocks (1.25).
m.startribune.com
Go Gophers!!
Freshmen roles
There might be more impactful freshmen individually in the Big Ten, but no team in the conference has relied on freshmen more than the Gophers. Johnson had the only Big Ten team with three freshmen averaging at least 20 minutes per game in the first 11 games. Braeden Carrington (24.8), Pharrel Payne (21.2) and Jaden Henley (19.6) average the most minutes for the U freshmen, but Joshua Ola-Joseph (17.7) isn't far behind. Carrington, who had 20 points vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff, carries a mature demeanor and high basketball IQ that gained Johnson's trust quickly with 24 minutes or more in eight of his 10 games. But Ola-Joseph, who has started the last five games, was the most consistent scorer recently by averaging 10 points in the five games he played double digits in minutes.
Henley showed flashes of his potential, starting the first nine games, but his role changed (18 minutes combined in last three games) when grad transfer Taurus Samuels became a starter. Payne played fewer than 20 minutes in four of the last seven games, but he has as much upside as any freshman in the Big Ten. The 6-9 big man leads the U freshmen with five double figure scoring games and leads all Big Ten freshman in field goal percentage (72.2) and blocks (1.25).
Five Gophers men's basketball takeaways from nonconference and early Big Ten play
Ben Johnson's Gophers established Dawson Garcia as their go-to guy, but inconsistencies with youth and on offense led to several losses.
Go Gophers!!
.
