Game Day Essentials: Game #31 at Minnesota

Minnesota Info

Head Coach: Richard Pitino
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Conference: B1G
Nickname: Golden Gophers

Mascot: Goldie the Gopher

Line: Minnesota by 16
Typical Rotation Depth: 8-9

KenPom rank: 31

Offensive Style: To the rim

Defensive Style: Guarding the 3

Players to watch:       Daniel Oturu

Sophomore center Orturu is one of the best in a conference full of dominant post players. Leads the team in scoring and rebounding, averaging a double-double. Is also a dominant shot blocker

Players to watch:      Marcus Carr

The former Pittsburgh Panther has been a steady hand at PG for the Gophers. In addition to leading the team in assists, he's second on the team in scoring in addition to being elite at getting to the line.

Roster points

Minnesota doesn't play a lot of bench minutes

• Kalscheur was an elite shooter as a freshman but has struggled this year
• Vanderbilt transfer Willis has been a serviceable outside shooter
• Drexel transfer Demir is a veteran stretch 4. Ihnen is the less experienced version
• 6'5" freshman Tre' Williams is the future at the 3 but hasn't shot well enough to pry the job away from Willis
• 6'6" PF Jarvis Omersa is a high energy off the bench post player
• Little used senior PF Michael Hurt will probably see some senior day minutes

The Skinny:

Minnesota has played one of the toughest schedules in Div 1 and has suffered some brutal losses which sees them as one of the best 13 win teams in the country. Their young core of Oturu, Carr, and Kalscheur should be dangerous next year if they all stick around. The Gophers are content to become an outside team if you try and take away Oturu which is probably what Nebraska will do as it's what they always do. Defensively, Minnesota will run you off the 3pt line towards Oturu. 

Nebraska is of course without Cam Mack and Dachon Burke so they'll roll with 7 scholarship players. Foul trouble could make things dicey here as while the Huskers typically defend without fouling, Oturu and Carr will generate contact. While it's nice to think that maybe the Huskers can hang in there this Minnesota team is very motivated to come in and punish this Nebraska team even though they're locked into 12th place in the conference regardless.

Prediction: Minnesota 83 - Nebraska 64