What you need to know about the Minnesota Golden Gophers

[B1GPonyFan]

Hope we're all excited about what's been happening. This season has been exceptional. I couldn't be more proud. (Yes, this Big10PonyFan/George S. Patton/Mitch McConnell)

But we have one more step to take to cut down the nets at The Garden. And while some of you may know of my ties to Minnesota and my passion for the Gophers, this will be the ONLY time I will NOT stand with them. SMU is my school. Everything is a distant second.

Having said that, I never thought this day would come. Admittedly, it will be weird. But if this is the road we have to take, then so be it. Let's get this done.

So here's what you need to know about Minnesota....

This is a team that has lived all year from the perimeter with suspect support inside. Richard Pitino, Rick's son, took over for the fired Tubby Smith and collected a roster that was devoid of really any solid post action. The strength of schedule was great but this team has been a streaky scoring all year. They played at the Maui Invitational and went 1-2 beating Chaminade but losing to Arkansas and Syracuse.

At times, they've looked great. They beat Wisconsin, Ohio State and Iowa (all ranked at the time) at The Barn. But they've also had some really bizarre losses -- at home to Northwestern and at home to Illinois. Those 2 losses probably kept them out of the tournament. If they win those two, they're probably in The Dance.

Defensively, Pitino really likes to switch defenses. He will press and then switch to traps and fall back into a zone if he feels like the opposing team is cold. This team will create a lot of turnovers for transition points.

In the NIT, I think their offense has really been up and down -- like you saw vs. FSU. Defense has been better but Wisconsin just took them apart in the Big 10 tournament. Although their nerves were frayed at the end, they are a really good free throw shooting team -- 75%.

The Gophers likely will be without P Elliot Elliason. He sprained his ankle in the quarterfinals vs. Southern Miss. and didn't play against Florida State. The post play is so suspect that junior forward Oto Osenieks, who had not played in the last 7 games and already announced he was done after this year (he was recognized on senior day) because of a knee injury, was pressed into duty. That changed the Gophers rotation. Usually, they started Elliason and brought Tuesday's starter Mo Walker off the bench.

So here's the deal on the players

Austin Hollins, Sr., G -- was really bad for most of the Big 10 season where he picked it up in the last 10-11 games. He's a solid shooter and playing his best basketball right now. Really hot right now.

Dre Hollins, Jr. G (no relation) -- He's my favorite player on this team but a year that started really strong has become a fizzle. He's lost his shot and just playing a poor floor game right now. He's in a huge slump.

Mo Walker, Jr. F -- He got into it with Pitino in the offseason but he dropped 50 pounds so he could be a legit player. He's been pretty solid since the Big 10 season.

Deandre Mathieu, Jr. G -- He's SMU's Nic Moore in game and size. He's only 5-9. Minnesota signed him out of a JUCO. He actually walked on at Middle Tennessee St before going JUCO. Good shooter, solid ballhandler. Will make some really poor decisions. Moore is a better offensive player than Mathieu.

Joey King, Soph. F -- Transferred in from Drake. Prior to his performance against the Noles, he had been hot as he was in double figures for the last 4 games. At 6-9, he can shoot the 3.

The Bench
It's kind of a hodge podge. Malik Smith is a senior came with Pitino from Florida International and has been credible coming off the bench averaging 7 points but I don't he's a thread. Maverick Ahanmisi is a senior and really adds nothing. His shot really looks weird at times.

What I think will happen

I think this is the better matchup for SMU. But the defense on the 3-point line has to be the focus early. Minnesota has too many shooters. If Austin Hollins gets hot, look out.

The press will be an issue but Moore, Manuel and Nick Russell have been better handling the ball better. I think the LSU experience will serve them well. Plus, LSU had more athletes than the Gophers. And you can't compare Minnesota's press to Louisville because the Cardinals have better players.

SMU should have the advantage in the block. I just think Kennedy is too agile for Walker or King and can have his way. If LB wants to double post with Kennedy and Cunningham/Ben Moore, all Nic Moore or Manuel or Nick Russell have to do is feed them and they'll get quality looks.

What we (SMU) have to do is just be a little better on our jumpers and hit some free throws. I expect Russell to take Austin Hollins. I think Nick Moore gets Mathieu, Kennedy matches up with Walker, Shawn Williams gets King and Sterling Brown gets Dre Hollins (big assignment)

Our bench is deeper but we just have to secure the ball. I think we'll take care of business.

SMU wins by 7-9 points.

Peace and Pony Up!

[mrydel]

Welcome back. Just a short prayer to your father asking him to let us have this one. Need to hear more from you.

[ponyboy]

I knew you'd be back if Minnesota won last night. Great to hear from you.

[Rebel10]

How would you compare Minnesota's press to Arkansas's press since they have played each other?

[B1GPonyFan]

How would you compare Minnesota's press to Arkansas's press since they have played each other?

I don't think it's as physical as Arkansas' but I do think they're pretty good when forcing the ball to the sideline, trapping out of it and making the sideline the third defender.

We just have to make a conscious effort of keeping the ball in the middle of the floor.

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

Nice breakdown of the game. Thanks!

[mrydel]

From what I have seen, Larry Brown knows how to break a press. Sometimes we have been out athleted. Louisville for one. If our players match up to their athletic ability, we should be able to get them out of pressing fairly quickly.

[sadderbudweiser]

Why did King start and only play seven minutes last night?

[B1GPonyFan]

Why did King start and only play seven minutes last night?

He has been starting but he fouled out with about 8 minutes to play. He was pretty bad last night because Florida State was pretty physical with those 7-footers. And I think he's going to have a problem with Cannen or whoever. I would go right at him. But somebody better watch him from long distance.

[OhioBrownFan]

Dre and Austin are gonna be a load on the perimeter.

[SMU1523]

I used to love that children's arcade game "bop the gopher on the head." As a young child, my parents would take me into the arcade to watch people play the game. Every time a person would smack the gopher on the head, I would laugh uncontrollably. Tomorrow, I hope I get to relive those precious childhood memories.

[sadderbudweiser]

Why did King start and only play seven minutes last night?

He has been starting but he fouled out with about 8 minutes to play. He was pretty bad last night because Florida State was pretty physical with those 7-footers. And I think he's going to have a problem with Cannen or whoever. I would go right at him. But somebody better watch him from long distance.

Do you think they start against us pressing or do they sit back in zone, pack it in and hope we try to shoot over? What does little Rick do about us?

[sadderbudweiser]

I used to love that children's arcade game "bop the gopher on the head." As a young child, my parents would take me into the arcade to watch people play the game. Every time a person would smack the gopher on the head, I would laugh uncontrollably. Tomorrow, I hope I get to relive those precious childhood memories.

Whack a mole! I love it. We need a sign.

[ojaipony]

Seems like a pretty typical game plan. Play solid perimeter D and pound the rock inside on O. Simple plan, but it's all in the execution.

Again, I like our chances but our guys have to come out and play with high energy consistently.

[B1GPonyFan]

Why did King start and only play seven minutes last night?

He has been starting but he fouled out with about 8 minutes to play. He was pretty bad last night because Florida State was pretty physical with those 7-footers. And I think he's going to have a problem with Cannen or whoever. I would go right at him. But somebody better watch him from long distance.

Do you think they start against us pressing or do they sit back in zone, pack it in and hope we try to shoot over? What does little Rick do about us?

I don't think the Gophers will sit in zone all night. That's not who they are. They can fall back into it after their press.

Also, to someone's point on the Hollins' boys....if it were me, I would go after Austin (he's been the hotter of the two) and force Dre to beat them.