This one feels different

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MaroonGopher

MaroonGopher

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After taking in three non conference blowouts and analyzing the Gophers, I have to say: This team looks "different." And by different, I mean confident. Coming out and destroying teams u are supposed to beat is what good teams do, and that's exactly what the Gophers have done thus far. As a fan, i find myself much less stressed out listening or watching them so far this year. Their depth and athleticism is top notch and their shooting appears to have improved. I think both Hollins boys, Williams and Mbakwe could contend for all conference honors. I find myself less frustrated with the substitution pattern because guys like walker, Ingram, Oto and even Mav can contribute. Yes, it's three games and yes the competition hasn't exactly been all that rugged but Minnesota crushed those guys. Richmond and then the tournament is going to be similar to the stretches of games we will see in league play. Healthy competition is on the way.
 

It sure looks different having a healthy team. Injuries/transfers have really plagued us over the past few years. If we can hold it together, I could see a few NCAA wins, but let's not get too far ahead.
 

MaroonGopher said:
After taking in three non conference blowouts and analyzing the Gophers, I have to say: This team looks "different." And by different, I mean confident. Coming out and destroying teams u are supposed to beat is what good teams do, and that's exactly what the Gophers have done thus far. As a fan, i find myself much less stressed out listening or watching them so far this year.
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Halftime margins this year so far: 30, 24, and 18. Last year, I don't recall a ton of halftime leads like that, cause it felt like every game (outside of Mount St. Mary's) was a little bit of a fight, even the ones we won by like 20. That's why you are much less stressed lol.
 

Monty519 said:
Halftime margins this year so far: 30, 24, and 18. Last year, I don't recall a ton of halftime leads like that, cause it felt like every game (outside of Mount St. Mary's) was a little bit of a fight, even the ones we won by like 20. That's why you are much less stressed lol.
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Big leads eliminate stress, but also prevent us from learning much about the team. I saw both games this week, and saw improvement in shooting and interior play from the first to second game, but little to make me think we will knock off two big boys in the Bahamas. I hope so and there is a chance we get one napping. Trevor is clearly not 100% yet and Mo still looks tentative on his knee as well. Rodney is playing confidently and here is hoping he can replicate his performance against better competition. As always, the need to handle the ball better if they expect to win in Atlantis.
 

Monty519 said:
Halftime margins this year so far: 30, 24, and 18. Last year, I don't recall a ton of halftime leads like that, cause it felt like every game (outside of Mount St. Mary's) was a little bit of a fight, even the ones we won by like 20. That's why you are much less stressed lol.
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Non-conference teams can't contend with the Gophers defense. The defense is just swarming, especially on the ball. I was extremely impressed with Austin Hollins defensively last night. If he can make the leap to dominant on-the-ball defender this year, look out.

I'm a little concerned about the Gophers interior half-court defense. It isn't an issue now but it looks like it could be an issue against bigger, more skilled teams. Defensive rebounding didn't look great last night. I noticed several times, Mbakwe mostly, where a defender would end up under an offensive rebounder rather than skying to get the ball.
 


In brief spurts Tennessee State gave the Gophers some trouble with full-court pressure. I suspect (quality) teams that play exclusively/primarily man to man are really going to get after our guards. There was some vulnerability there.
 

I've been to the first 3 games and one thing that stands out to me is it looks like the team has done their job in the weight room. Pretty much everyone looks more physical than before. So far the new strength coach is paying early dividends.
 

Rodney's post-game quotes were pretty insightful: http://www.gophersports.com/sports/m-baskbl/recaps/111512aad.html

On Andre Hollins "getting his game back":

"It's definitely good to see some shots come down for Andre. He's been talking about how he doesn't want his sophomore slump to start. We just keep being positive with him. He's got confidence in himself. You've seen that out there too."

On Andre Hollins being both a point guard and a shooter:

"He's our point guard but he's also our scorer, too. We're just going to stay on him about shooting those open shots because, like you've seen tonight, he can knock them down."

On starting slow on offense but keeping up defensively:

"There's going to be times where the offense isn't going great, but you always have defense to hang on. That's what coach preaches all the time. In these past three games we've been able to really shut teams down on defense."

On if he lost track of how many dunks he had tonight:

"I wasn't paying too much attention to it, I try not to."

On the one dunk he kept simple:

"I thought about doing something, but then I thought about the consequences of missing. I just had to put it in the hole."

I think it really shows his maturity.
 

There are a lot of positives with this team right now. My primary concerns after watching 3 games are ball handling, turnovers and free throw shooting. If the team can address those areas, this could be a very successful season.
 



Heber said:
Non-conference teams can't contend with the Gophers defense. The defense is just swarming, especially on the ball. I was extremely impressed with Austin Hollins defensively last night. If he can make the leap to dominant on-the-ball defender this year, look out./QUOTE]

Good point. Look at our starting line-up, they all play great D.

C-Elliot is an athletic 7'er who rebounds, blocks shots & mixes it up underneath.

PF-Rodney is a stud on D, especially man-D. He's long, athletic & now finally strong. Last night's defensive performance is a case in point.

SF-Coleman is undersized but plays good team defense & has a real knack for stepping into passing lanes for the steal & stripping the ball.

SG-People say Austin's our best defender which is high praise considering he plays on the same team as Rodney.

PG-Dre is still learning but he's got the quicks to dominate less athletic opponents right now & is athletic enough to keep the quickest
guards in the B1G in front of him.
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Have a better idea after next week, can they make shots when they absolutely need one, can they get a stop in key situations, do they have any obvious weeknesses on defense that can be exploited, the competition hasn't been good enough at this point to find out one way or the other, they aren't a 6-12 team this year that is for sure, can they make the transition to the high end of the B1G is a question.
 

Monty519 said:
Halftime margins this year so far: 30, 24, and 18. Last year, I don't recall a ton of halftime leads like that, cause it felt like every game (outside of Mount St. Mary's) was a little bit of a fight, even the ones we won by like 20. That's why you are much less stressed lol.
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I'd like to ban "ones we won" from the English language, or at least on Friday afternoons.

Oh, basketball thoughts? Tubby D and occasionally O can be too complicated to be learned quickly. Everyone who has taken the floor has been through the ringer for a full season, and isn't learning the basics anymore. Experience matters.
 

It's only been three games, BUT.........the last time I remember a Gopher hoops team consistently hammering opponents they were superior to on paper, the team had Bobby Jackson.

(FTB, did you like my consecutive propositions? :))
 



Good defense not great. I was at the game last night and I saw both Austin and Andre get beat by a right handed guard to the right. Clean layup against Austin and we fouled the guy who beat Andre. Maybe Saul should be explaining to them the merits of making the opposing player drive with their weak hand.
 

GopherJake said:
It's only been three games, BUT.........the last time I remember a Gopher hoops team consistently hammering opponents they were superior to on paper, the team had Bobby Jackson.

(FTB, did you like my consecutive propositions? :))
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Be prepared to hear about Bobby Jackson never played for the Gophers.
 


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