Game Day Essentials: Game #16 at Minnesota

Minnesota Info

Head Coach: Ben Johnson
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Conference: B1G
Nickname: Golden Gophers

Mascot: Goldie the Gopher

Line: Nebraska by 3.5
Typical Rotation Depth: 8+

KenPom rank: 191

A couple of Famous Alumni: Kevin McHale, Bobby Jackson

Other:  

• Blaise Keita is a game time decision
• Ben Johnson spent one year as an assistant coach at Nebraska under Tim Miles

KenPom Analysis: Like Nebraska, Minnesota defends without fouling. Gophers are sloppy with ball and a team Nebraska should out rebound.

Player to watch: C Dawson Garcia

Ben Johnson got Minnesota native Garcia back in state after stops at Marquette and North Carolina. The big center is a 3 level scorer but has struggled from outside this season. 

Player to watch: F Jasmison Battle

Minnesota's leading returning scorer is a threat from both levels; turnover prone

KenPom most used lineup

Others to watch

• PG Ta'Lon Cooper has been an efficient scorer, will likely draw Emanuel Bandoumel
• Joshua Ola-Joseph is an undersized, high-energy 4 man
• Dartmouth transfer guard Tarus Samuels hasn't translated well to the B1G
• Freshman shooter Braeden Carrington has struggled against high level opponents
• 6'9" 255# Pharrel Payne is a rim protector, can pass, and is an inside bucket; also foul and turnover prone
• Raw F Treyton Thompson is matchup dependent

Probable starters for Nebraska
5    Sam Griesel    G    6-7
25  Emmanuel Bandoumel    G    6-4

0   C.J. Wilcher    G    6-5

4   Juwan Gary  F  6-6

13  Derrick Walker    F    6-9

Bench

15   Blaise Keita C   6-11

30  Keisei Tominaga    G    6-2

32  Wilhelm Breidenbach    F    6-10

10  Jamarques Lawrence - G  6-3

12  Denim Dawson - F  6-6

33  Oleg Kojenets    F    7-0
12   Sam Hoiberg    G    6-0

31  Cale Jacobsen  G  6-4

35  Henry Burt  F  6-6

24  Jeffrey Grace III  G  6-3

Injured

3   Quaran McPherson   G   6-3 - Out for the Year

Griesel and Hoiberg Presser

After going through the tape Hoiberg was happy with the defensive effort as Michigan St made a bunch of mid-range shots. Though lack of ball movement was the problem behind the lack of offense in the first half

The Skinny: 

Ben Johnson wasn't exactly a popular choice with Minnesota fans and this season looks to be another losing one while watching former coach Rick Pitino start out 14-1.  Johnson has a young squad and next season, year 3, is probably his make or break year.

This Minnesota team turns the ball over which coupled with their lackluster shooting has them struggling to score. If Nebraska brings its normal defensive intensity, it should be a long day for the Gopher offense.  Minnesota has been stout with their interior defense but Nebraska between Walker, Griesel, and company should be able to figure out how to generate good looks.  Neither team likely shoots many FTs which is great for everyone as they're two of the worst FT shooting teams in D-1 at the moment.

Nebraska should be able to win as long as Minnesota doesn't get hot from outside. Expect this to be a low scoring slog.

Prediction: Nebraska 67 - Minnesota 62