Minnesota Preview

I started working on previews of all of the B1G basketball teams, but then was not able to continue over the Christmas break.  So I will pick up where I left off. 

After playing 2 conference games, it is easier to see how the B1G will likely shape up but there are still a lot of unknowns.

Like I said in my Michigan game recap, Minnesota lost their best player for the year.  He led the team in scoring and rebounding, and would have likely been a first team All-American. 

Even after losing Mbakwe for the season, Minnesota will still be a tough game. They are more perimeter oriented now using a small athletic forward to play the 4 position to create some mismatches.  Offensively, the Gophers are led by Rodney Williams and Julian Welch.  Their lone inside presence is from Ralph Sampson III.  He has a pretty decent jump hook shot, but plays very weak at times and gets pushed out to the 15 foot range.  Their offense is a standard inside-out style, where Sampson will be the focal point of most set plays.  Whether he gets the ball on the block with the intention of a skip pass, or he sets a top ball screen.  Against Michigan, they passed the ball to the block, then set many backside screens to free up shooters for 3 point shots.  They attempted and made the most 3s of the year (8-19), and it was the main reason they stayed in the game as long as they did. 

Defensively, Tubby Smith likes to run a 3-2 zone on occassion.  Michigan attacked the zone well at times, and Minnesota was forced to go back to man to man.  Their point guard is very aggressive, and over-plays a lot to try to get a steal.  When he doesn't, Trey Burke's 27 points happen.  The defense is funneled to Sampson who is a 7 footer with a huge wingspan to alter the shot.  Minnesota is a pretty bad defensive rebounding team, and Michigan exploited this for 15 offensive rebounds.  Since the Gophers are undersized now, they play a high pressure defense to try to create turnovers. 

Their first two games have been on the road against Michigan and Illinois, and both games went down to the wire. Minnesota will likely be tough at home like usual.  I think they can scrap for one of the last B1G tournament selections and finish with 7-9 conference wins.