The 2025-26 Gophers basketball season will be a success if?...

[BleedGopher]

Year 1 is tough as it's hard for me to place specific win/loss standards, so here is how I view a successful season...

- There is more excitement at the end of the season for the following year, than there is now.
- We retain the players we see as important building blocks for next year and beyond, and aren't losing the top of the roster to the Portal.
- We have 2 Top 25 wins at The Barn (lofty yes, but I want and expect the Barn to rock again, knowing it will take time)
- There is a collective "we are on the right path, we have a system on both ends of the floor" feeling from the die-hards (us).
- There is a "hey, this guy can coach" feeling from the casual fans.

Go Gophers!!

 

[MonikerSchmoniker45]

I think it's already a success because I didn't feel sad watching the exhibitions.

 

[restovich]

Well, there is hope now. Haven't had that for "awhile". Picking off one top 25 team at Williams would be a worthy goal for this year.

 

[Beerculees]

I understand it is the first year, but I'd like to see us on at least bubble watch at some point this year.

 

[MNVCGUY]

Year 1 is tough as it's hard for me to place specific win/loss standards, so here is how I view a successful season...

- There is more excitement at the end of the season for the following year, than there is now.
- We retain the players we see as important building blocks for next year and beyond, and aren't losing the top of the roster to the Portal.
- We have 2 Top 25 wins at The Barn (lofty yes, but I want and expect the Barn to rock again, knowing it will take time)
- There is a collective "we are on the right path, we have a system on both ends of the floor" feeling from the die-hards (us).
- There is a "hey, this guy can coach" feeling from the casual fans.

Go Gophers!!

Think you hit most of the key points.

Need to see signs that what Nico is trying to implement is going to work here and the off season from season one to season two is a massive one for keeping some pieces in place and continuing to build on it.

 

[Bad Gopher]

I think it's already a success because I didn't feel sad watching the exhibitions.

Here, here. Not beating Bemidji state by 40 was always a bad omen at this time in the past few years.

 

[GophersInIowa]

The feeling that we're building towards something sustainable. Win some games they aren't supposed to. Look organized and largely keep contributors they can so it's not a whole new team next year.

 

[Bad Gopher]

...if at no time during the home schedule does the head coach cross his arms with his hands in his armpits. I swear, I'll get immediate PTSD if that happens.

Seriously, Bleed covered it pretty thoroughly. To add to that, I'd say if there's a buzz in the general local community about how the team plays. That would, of course, flow from the top-25 wins in Bleed's list. It would be nice if the town were excited about the team. That'll get you momentum, more butts in the seats and noise in the arena, and local recruiting opportunities. For Clem, that kind of excitement didn't happen until his third season, but when it took off, it took off.

 

[Unregistered User]

And depending on how the Wolves season progresses (Ant out at least two weeks with a hammy) there may be more available casual fans to take the time to get to know the Gophers. Probably won't become rabid fans, but may be able to swing some over.

 

[topos]

Great list, Bleed!

Kind of a unique one for me, involving Niko in the "hey, this guy can coach" category.

I want to see stretches in Big Ten games where we use smallball effectively and force the other team to sub to match us.

Smallball worked in the MW. Can it work in the Big 10?

I remember vividly the Maryland team during Pitino's last year may not have had a guy taller than 6'7" play the entire game, and it gave us fits (and we had legit B10 height). I don't think Maryland was even good that year.

I want to see the tables turned!