Remember, next year we have 3 NEW ADDITIONS AS FRESHMEN NOT JUST 2. Kadyn Betts was a redshirt this year and will be joining Dennis Evans and Cameron Christie. I think all 3 have the potential to be impact players.
I do think we have seen improvements in Dawson Garcia. Talon Cooper is proving to be more of a combo guard than a true point guard. I like the improvements of 2 of our freshmen in Pharrell Payne and Joshua Olu Joseph. Both have Big Ten bodies and are improving though with freshman, that can be 2 steps forward and 1 step back. I admittedly am a bit disappointed in the play of Braden Carrington and Jaden Henley. They dont seem to be making strides forward though injury has played a part in their stunted development, I admit. A lot needs to happen in the off season for these men and I hope we can get former Gopher players to help these guys in half court situations where they need to hit shots and make better decisions. Carrington and Henley both need to shoot 100s of shots, every day, in the off season so their shooting percentages improve. That, and gain better strength and fitness.
Jameson Battle has taken a step back though a lot has to do with him having more athletic defenders guarding him this year as opposed to last year. Battle has actually done a decent job of defending though his offense has struggled often this year. I dont know the future of Treyton Thompson but we need his body at this point. The additions of Isaiah Ihnen and Parker Fox in whatever they can give will be welcome additions. May not be much but at least give us a few minutes.
If a scholarship opens up, we have to get a quick PG that is good defensively and a good leader. Not easy to get. I am not worried so much about points per game but would like that quickness and hopefully help with communication on the FLOOR, especially on defense. That is desperately needed.
I do think we have seen improvements in Dawson Garcia. Talon Cooper is proving to be more of a combo guard than a true point guard. I like the improvements of 2 of our freshmen in Pharrell Payne and Joshua Olu Joseph. Both have Big Ten bodies and are improving though with freshman, that can be 2 steps forward and 1 step back. I admittedly am a bit disappointed in the play of Braden Carrington and Jaden Henley. They dont seem to be making strides forward though injury has played a part in their stunted development, I admit. A lot needs to happen in the off season for these men and I hope we can get former Gopher players to help these guys in half court situations where they need to hit shots and make better decisions. Carrington and Henley both need to shoot 100s of shots, every day, in the off season so their shooting percentages improve. That, and gain better strength and fitness.
Jameson Battle has taken a step back though a lot has to do with him having more athletic defenders guarding him this year as opposed to last year. Battle has actually done a decent job of defending though his offense has struggled often this year. I dont know the future of Treyton Thompson but we need his body at this point. The additions of Isaiah Ihnen and Parker Fox in whatever they can give will be welcome additions. May not be much but at least give us a few minutes.
If a scholarship opens up, we have to get a quick PG that is good defensively and a good leader. Not easy to get. I am not worried so much about points per game but would like that quickness and hopefully help with communication on the FLOOR, especially on defense. That is desperately needed.
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