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Game Preview: Gophers vs. Florida 3/24/13
By J.B. Bauer
Gophers Try to Extend Season Against Talented Gators
The South region's No. 11 seed Minnesota Golden Gophers (21-12, 8-10) take on the well balanced and experienced No. 3 seed Florida Gators (27-7, 14-4 SEC) for the right to advance to the Sweet 16. Tipoff is expected at approximately 5:10pm CT Sunday afternoon and the game can be seen on TNT.
http://www.gopherhole.com/news_article/show/241391?referrer_id=388419
Game Preview: No. 3 Florida Gators (27-7, 14-4 SEC) vs. No. 11 Minnesota Golden Gophers (21-12, 8-10 Big Ten)
Minnesota captured an NCAA tournament victory in convincing fashion Friday night, beating the UCLA Bruins 83-63. Andre Hollins led the way with 28 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists while Austin Hollins scored 16, assisted on 7 field goals and earned 4 steals.
UCLA’s offense had its second worst game of the season with respect to both effective field goal percentage and turnover rate. Between the Jordan Adams injury, early foul trouble and off court distractions, the Bruins were barely going through the motions.
Despite being a lesser seed, Minnesota was the clear favorite to win and they handled business. From a historical perspective Friday’s win was nice for fans.
The quality of opponent on Sunday is exponentially higher. A win would be very impressive for this year’s team and the program overall.
Florida has multiple weapons on both offense and defense and are the most well rounded opponent Minnesota will have faced this season. One glimmer of hope is that the Gators haven’t been consistently strong away from Gainesville. Florida lost four of their last five SEC road games.
If Andre Hollins gets into one of his scoring zones and Florida misses shots, then an upset is possible. My prediction, however, is that the Gators are able to handle the Gophers in this one.
PLAYERS
Kenny Boynton
6’2”, 190, SR
12.3 pts, 3.0 reb, 2.9 ast, 32.9% 3FG
Boynton’s usage is down from past years, but he’s still shoots a lot (23.5 %Shots) and is a near-guarantee to make a 3-pointer every game (has not hit a triple only 4 times this season). The senior guard is 69/210 3FG for 32.9%. That percentage is down considerably from last year’s 40.7%. Don't be fooled by the 32.9% - he can shoot.
Patric Young
6’9”, 250, JR
10.5 pts, 6.3 reb, 1.6 blk, 60.2% FG/eFG, 48.8% FT
Another NBA prospect, Young is most special on defense. Like the Gophers’ Trevor Mbakwe, when people first see him they often comment, “that’s a grown man right there.” With a 7’1” wingspan and good leaping ability Young can block and alter shots well. He’s a very good offensive rebounder and shoots better than 60% from the field. He does his scoring close to the basket and does not shoot 3-pointers.
Erik Murphy
6’10”, 240, SR
12.8 pts, 5.5 reb, 65.5% eFG, 46.1% 3FG, 17% DR%
Murphy is an NBA prospect because of his excellent shooting combined with size. An extremely efficient offensive player, the face up four man not only knocks down 3-pointers but also shoots around 60% 2FG. He’s not the most agile player on the court but doesn’t present a match up challenge for most defenses.
Mike Rosario
6’3”, 185, SR
12.2 pts, 2.5 reb, 52.3% eFG, 35.8% 3FG
Rosario started his career at Rutgers where he was an extremely high usage player. He’s still an offense-first type of player, but at Florida he’s just one of many options. The result is that while his usage has fallen, his offensive efficiency has risen nicely.
Scottie Wilbekin
6’2”, 175, JR
9.1 pts, 2.9 reb, 4.9 ast, 54.2% eFG, 36.4% 3FG
A strong perimeter defender, Wilbekin’s will be hassling Minnesota’s Andre Hollins throughout the game. The point guard is carrying a 2.4-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio. Wilbekin is the least likely to shoot the ball among the Gator starters, but certainly can score as well as pass.
Others
Off the bench we’ll likely see a lot of Will Yeguete, a 6’7”, 240 pound athlete who excels as a defender and rebounder. He’s undersized in some match ups, but Yeguete has an OR% of more than 12% and a DR of more than 21%. If the Gophers are having success scoring inside, Yeguete should see extended minutes.
Casey Prather is another good defensive option off the bench. At 6’6” he’s a strong rebounder and while not a big scorer he does have a good mid-range game. Freshman guard Michael Frazier is a dangerous scorer off the bench who has made 46.7% of his 3-point attempts. Frazier has also posted an impressive 18% DR%.
For charts and more analysis go to this link:
http://www.gopherhole.com/news_article/show/241391?referrer_id=388419
By J.B. Bauer
Gophers Try to Extend Season Against Talented Gators
The South region's No. 11 seed Minnesota Golden Gophers (21-12, 8-10) take on the well balanced and experienced No. 3 seed Florida Gators (27-7, 14-4 SEC) for the right to advance to the Sweet 16. Tipoff is expected at approximately 5:10pm CT Sunday afternoon and the game can be seen on TNT.
http://www.gopherhole.com/news_article/show/241391?referrer_id=388419
Game Preview: No. 3 Florida Gators (27-7, 14-4 SEC) vs. No. 11 Minnesota Golden Gophers (21-12, 8-10 Big Ten)
Minnesota captured an NCAA tournament victory in convincing fashion Friday night, beating the UCLA Bruins 83-63. Andre Hollins led the way with 28 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists while Austin Hollins scored 16, assisted on 7 field goals and earned 4 steals.
UCLA’s offense had its second worst game of the season with respect to both effective field goal percentage and turnover rate. Between the Jordan Adams injury, early foul trouble and off court distractions, the Bruins were barely going through the motions.
Despite being a lesser seed, Minnesota was the clear favorite to win and they handled business. From a historical perspective Friday’s win was nice for fans.
The quality of opponent on Sunday is exponentially higher. A win would be very impressive for this year’s team and the program overall.
Florida has multiple weapons on both offense and defense and are the most well rounded opponent Minnesota will have faced this season. One glimmer of hope is that the Gators haven’t been consistently strong away from Gainesville. Florida lost four of their last five SEC road games.
If Andre Hollins gets into one of his scoring zones and Florida misses shots, then an upset is possible. My prediction, however, is that the Gators are able to handle the Gophers in this one.
PLAYERS
Kenny Boynton
6’2”, 190, SR
12.3 pts, 3.0 reb, 2.9 ast, 32.9% 3FG
Boynton’s usage is down from past years, but he’s still shoots a lot (23.5 %Shots) and is a near-guarantee to make a 3-pointer every game (has not hit a triple only 4 times this season). The senior guard is 69/210 3FG for 32.9%. That percentage is down considerably from last year’s 40.7%. Don't be fooled by the 32.9% - he can shoot.
Patric Young
6’9”, 250, JR
10.5 pts, 6.3 reb, 1.6 blk, 60.2% FG/eFG, 48.8% FT
Another NBA prospect, Young is most special on defense. Like the Gophers’ Trevor Mbakwe, when people first see him they often comment, “that’s a grown man right there.” With a 7’1” wingspan and good leaping ability Young can block and alter shots well. He’s a very good offensive rebounder and shoots better than 60% from the field. He does his scoring close to the basket and does not shoot 3-pointers.
Erik Murphy
6’10”, 240, SR
12.8 pts, 5.5 reb, 65.5% eFG, 46.1% 3FG, 17% DR%
Murphy is an NBA prospect because of his excellent shooting combined with size. An extremely efficient offensive player, the face up four man not only knocks down 3-pointers but also shoots around 60% 2FG. He’s not the most agile player on the court but doesn’t present a match up challenge for most defenses.
Mike Rosario
6’3”, 185, SR
12.2 pts, 2.5 reb, 52.3% eFG, 35.8% 3FG
Rosario started his career at Rutgers where he was an extremely high usage player. He’s still an offense-first type of player, but at Florida he’s just one of many options. The result is that while his usage has fallen, his offensive efficiency has risen nicely.
Scottie Wilbekin
6’2”, 175, JR
9.1 pts, 2.9 reb, 4.9 ast, 54.2% eFG, 36.4% 3FG
A strong perimeter defender, Wilbekin’s will be hassling Minnesota’s Andre Hollins throughout the game. The point guard is carrying a 2.4-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio. Wilbekin is the least likely to shoot the ball among the Gator starters, but certainly can score as well as pass.
Others
Off the bench we’ll likely see a lot of Will Yeguete, a 6’7”, 240 pound athlete who excels as a defender and rebounder. He’s undersized in some match ups, but Yeguete has an OR% of more than 12% and a DR of more than 21%. If the Gophers are having success scoring inside, Yeguete should see extended minutes.
Casey Prather is another good defensive option off the bench. At 6’6” he’s a strong rebounder and while not a big scorer he does have a good mid-range game. Freshman guard Michael Frazier is a dangerous scorer off the bench who has made 46.7% of his 3-point attempts. Frazier has also posted an impressive 18% DR%.
For charts and more analysis go to this link:
http://www.gopherhole.com/news_article/show/241391?referrer_id=388419
