Thoughts on PSU?

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This will be a very tough one. Gophers probably slight underdogs, but hopefully we shoot FTs well and pull out a close one.
 

We've had pretty good success there lately, haven't we? One good thing about playing there is the crowd is rarely a factor. It's usually a morgue unless they're playing one of the top teams in the league. I don't think playing the Gophers riles the masses in Happy Valley like when an MSU or OSU comes to town.
 

SelectionSunday said:
We've had pretty good success there lately, haven't we? One good thing about playing there is the crowd is rarely a factor. It's usually a morgue unless they're playing one of the top teams in the league. I don't think playing the Gophers riles the masses in Happy Valley like when an MSU or OSU comes to town.
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Looks like we're won 6 of our last 7 trips there (lost 68-63 two years ago), so that bodes well, most were close games though. Sometimes that dead crowd can affect in the wrong way too. Poor atmosphere leading to low energy, which is not always good for us. But yeah, I'd rather play there than Kohl Center any day of the week lol.

This would be a good win to kinda steer momentum in the right direction before a couple of nice home win opportunities against the Michigan schools. I think we can beat them, one plus is that three point shooting isn't exactly their specialty, so if we play similarly active zone against them (keep those hands up in the passing lanes), we should be able to hold them offensively. Plus, they seem to be coming down from their high earlier in the year when they were taking out top 25 teams.
 

The key is matching up with Brooks who is very athletic. I wonder if Tubby will put RW on him or TM? Battle will get his and we need to keep him under 20. Maybe we will see a box or diamond and one although I am not sure if Tubby has ever used that D.

Otherwise, we need to put together a solid game as PSU is very capable squad.
 

They are short and can't shoot the three or defend the three. Sounds good to me.
 


Penn State is one team that we are deeper than. They don't get much from the bench.
 

Like most Big Ten teams, we are bigger than they are. Much bigger. Use that to our advantage (like we did against NU and Mich), and work harder on contesting the threes. Then cross your fingers that Battle doesn't get off shooting 8-12 from 3-pt!
 


Hey guys, I'm Conor and I'm new to this board. I think the Gophers have a good shot against Penn State, but the key will be limiting Brooks effectiveness and don't forget about David Jackson. He's very capable of knocking down big threes, as he did against Purdue.

I just started my own page, www.bigtenhoopstalk.blogspot.com and twitter.com/bigtenhoopstalk. Check out "Penn State's season may be slipping away" for a more in depth look at the Nittany Lions. I'm open to positive and negative feedback. Thanks guys.
 



cmo5041 said:
Hey guys, I'm Conor and I'm new to this board. I think the Gophers have a good shot against Penn State, but the key will be limiting Brooks effectiveness and don't forget about David Jackson. He's very capable of knocking down big threes, as he did against Purdue.

I just started my own page, www.bigtenhoopstalk.blogspot.com and twitter.com/bigtenhoopstalk. Check out "Penn State's season may be slipping away" for a more in depth look at the Nittany Lions. I'm open to positive and negative feedback. Thanks guys.
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Nice start to your blog, although looking like a Wisconsin-sycophant is no way to earn readers here. I understand that they just beat #1 OSU, and some kudos are warranted, but tone down your Badger-love if you want to endear yourselves to the 'Hole readers...
 

I think this game will be a real test as to how this team is adjusting with Nolen (sp) out. They have now had a decent amount of time to practice and adjust. It was hard to tell from the OSU and Iowa games since one was very tough and the other was having a poor season.
 


When battle has to do it by himself Penn State doesn't have a great record. The way we play Battle is going to have to do it by himself from distance. I think Battle will score 30+ and we will win a close game.
 



In the past Westbrook and Nolen had held Talor Battle down and stopped the other guys in their lineup. I saw the highlights from PSU's last game and Battle was taking Jimmer-like shots.

If we're smart we bludgeon them down low and slow Talor Battle. That's usually the formula against PSU.
 

I'm worried about who is going to guard Battle (effectively) if/when he thrashes our zone. It is really tough to win without a PG. Hopefully, Williams or Hollins can d-up Battle if need be.
 

Defense against Penn St.

Penn St. is not a great 3pt shooting team 31% as a team. Battle makes about 3 a game, Brooks and Jackson are decent. The zone will have to be effective as we don't want Battle beating his man into the lane and finding wide open 3pt shooters. I don't think anyone can guard him. I would be open to a box and one on him as they have so little inside.
 

DontHassleTheHoff said:
Agreed. Better dead than red!
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Why? I know I'm gonna get ripped for this but Minnesota should strive to be like Wisconsin's athletic department. Right?

And for the dude writing thel new blog: It looks very nice. You have every right to praise the Badgers...its your opinion. don't let the blind Gopher freaks on here hate on you for that.
 

MaroonGopher said:
Why? I know I'm gonna get ripped for this but Minnesota should strive to be like Wisconsin's athletic department. Right?

And for the dude writing thel new blog: It looks very nice. You have every right to praise the Badgers...its your opinion. don't let the blind Gopher freaks on here hate on you for that.
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RedBadger has a point.
 


Silvio said:
I think this game will be a real test as to how this team is adjusting with Nolen (sp) out. They have now had a decent amount of time to practice and adjust. It was hard to tell from the OSU and Iowa games since one was very tough and the other was having a poor season.
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Agreed, but remember that adjustments are made by the opposing teams as well. Iowa was often bringing a second defender from the blind side on Hoff(trapping him on the perimeter) with success. I expect other teams to do the same.
 

via bracketology101:

In power conference bubble action, Washington State plays at Arizona, Clemson plays at N.C. State, Minnesota plays at Penn State, and Alabama plays at LSU. Minnesota is the safest of those bubble because of their impressive OOC wins over North Carolina and West Virginia, but the Gophers have seen their seed slip in recent weeks because of what they've done - or haven't done - in Big Ten play. They only have one quality conference win (vs. Purdue) and they've lost four of their last five overall. They're going to need to finish 9-9 in conference to get a bid, and if they lose to the Nittany Lions tonight, they'll have to win three of their last four to get there.

http://bracketology101.blogspot.com/
 

ulmer

Watching Purdue last night I can`t help but think that the time has come for the maturation of this team. At the beginning of the season we were mentioned alot and obviously we`ve had all the injuries but Trevor and Rodney can carry this club. There was a quote from Rodney after Iowa that he felt it was time for someone to step up, uh yeah. Go get em fella`s.
 

fryguy22 said:
via bracketology101:

They're going to need to finish 9-9 in conference to get a bid.

http://bracketology101.blogspot.com/
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That's pretty much spot on. Can't see any scenario where the Gophers get left out with a 9-9 regular-season Big Ten mark, even if they lose their first game in Indianapolis & even if there are a ton of upsets during Championship Week.

A couple weeks ago it looked like 10-8 was needed to make them safe, but I think that number's dropped to 9-9.
 

im terrified for the game tonight for some reason, i can't even enjoy this nice weather we got here in Ohio because I'm paranoid. Not sure what to do to kill time, I can either A) Start drinking B) go for a run C) go hit some tennis balls or D) sit on Gopher Hole all day.....i'm thinking about combining A and D.
 

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