Link to College Basketball Today Podcast
Big Ten Preview
Great stuff here to get fans a taste of what is to come in the Big Ten this season. "Minnesota has to handle being a marquee game on every team's schedule."
3. How will Minnesota handle expectations?
What a difference a year makes. Twelve months ago the Golden Gophers were on the heels of an eight-win season and many wondered if Richard Pitino would be able to turn the corner at Minnesota. That question was answered when this team went 24-9 and earned a 5-seed in the NCAA Tournament.
Pitino returns the bulk of his core from last season sans veteran guard Akeem Springs and has five players — Nate Mason, Amir Coffey, Dupree McBrayer, Jordan Murphy, and Reggie Lynch — who have a chance to earn All-Big Ten honors in 17-18. Add top-100 freshman Isaiah Washington and reliable reserve Eric Curry, and this group has a chance to become one of the best teams in the history of Minnesota’s program.
The question now becomes how this team will handle being a marquee game on every opponent’s schedule. Last season, the Gophers weren’t necessarily viewed as a real threat to do national damage until they won at Purdue on New Year’s Day. Pitino’s squad will travel to Arkansas and Providence (Gavitt Games), hosts Miami in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge, and also plays Alabama in the Barclays Center Classic before it kicks off play in the Big Ten.
Big Ten Preview
Great stuff here to get fans a taste of what is to come in the Big Ten this season. "Minnesota has to handle being a marquee game on every team's schedule."
3. How will Minnesota handle expectations?
What a difference a year makes. Twelve months ago the Golden Gophers were on the heels of an eight-win season and many wondered if Richard Pitino would be able to turn the corner at Minnesota. That question was answered when this team went 24-9 and earned a 5-seed in the NCAA Tournament.
Pitino returns the bulk of his core from last season sans veteran guard Akeem Springs and has five players — Nate Mason, Amir Coffey, Dupree McBrayer, Jordan Murphy, and Reggie Lynch — who have a chance to earn All-Big Ten honors in 17-18. Add top-100 freshman Isaiah Washington and reliable reserve Eric Curry, and this group has a chance to become one of the best teams in the history of Minnesota’s program.
The question now becomes how this team will handle being a marquee game on every opponent’s schedule. Last season, the Gophers weren’t necessarily viewed as a real threat to do national damage until they won at Purdue on New Year’s Day. Pitino’s squad will travel to Arkansas and Providence (Gavitt Games), hosts Miami in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge, and also plays Alabama in the Barclays Center Classic before it kicks off play in the Big Ten.
