Richard Pitino capped off a strong spring recruiting period with his biggest move yet. Utah transfer Both Gach committed to the Gophers on Monday.
Gach, an Austin, Minn. native, brings much-needed experience to Minnesota’s backcourt. The 6-foot-7 guard can handle the ball or play on the wing. His versatility, athleticism and shooting ability will make an instant impact in the team’s rotation.
Last year, the Gophers struggled in transition. Gach was a weapon in this area and occasionally popped trailing threes. He averaged 10.7 points per game and shot 39.7 percent for Utah. When Gach handled the basketball, he made dynamic plays at the rim. I expect him to play the same type of role Amir Coffey did. Like Coffey, Gach can threaten teams off the wing by cutting and coming downhill off the dribble. If foul trouble or injuries hit, he also has the skills to handle the basketball.
Gach will play a large role in Minnesota’s offensive system. He perfectly complements Gabe Kalscheur, Marcus Carr and Tre’ Williams in the backcourt. The addition of Gach also allows the Gophers to slowly ease Jamal Mashburn Jr. into the rotation.
Gach originally declared for the NBA Draft, but is now transferring instead. He also hired an attorney to help secure a waiver for immediate eligibility, according to KSTP’s Darren Wolfson.
If Gach can play right away, the Gophers’ starting lineup just improved significantly.