Preseason means nothing..... there is a lot to prove this year that's for sure. With that being said, there aren't many other teams backcourts/front courts that I would take over the gophers right now.
**Nate Mason, McBrayer, Washington, and Coffey are all going to be to the free throw line this year. That is going to put a lot of pressure on the interior defense of a lot of teams. Gone are the days where we had troubles getting to the lane on offense. Outside of Mason/Coffey I worry a bit about TO's at times but that is part of being always on the attack.
**Jordan Murphy and Reggie Lynch both bring experience, toughness, and wild hair. They both have something they do VERY well. Reggie's skill is defending with both arms. He can block shots with his left better which actually matches up with a right handed player. Murphy is a monster on the glass. I predict him to lead the big10 in rebounding. He gets rebounds that aren't just in his direct area but outside of it as well. HOWEVER, we know the worry with these 2 and it's foul trouble.... this will be a reason we lose some games I believe.. hopefully it's minimal.
XFACTOR:
Davonte Fitzgerald is the x factor. We know he is athletic, but can he be physical? When he went head to head vs Murphy in the scrimmage I thought he held is own which is a telling sign he will be able to fill in at 4.
Stay tuned for BIG10 predictions as we get more of an idea with this team outside of the conference, hopefully no injuries, and what sort of on court chemistry we have
**Nate Mason, McBrayer, Washington, and Coffey are all going to be to the free throw line this year. That is going to put a lot of pressure on the interior defense of a lot of teams. Gone are the days where we had troubles getting to the lane on offense. Outside of Mason/Coffey I worry a bit about TO's at times but that is part of being always on the attack.
**Jordan Murphy and Reggie Lynch both bring experience, toughness, and wild hair. They both have something they do VERY well. Reggie's skill is defending with both arms. He can block shots with his left better which actually matches up with a right handed player. Murphy is a monster on the glass. I predict him to lead the big10 in rebounding. He gets rebounds that aren't just in his direct area but outside of it as well. HOWEVER, we know the worry with these 2 and it's foul trouble.... this will be a reason we lose some games I believe.. hopefully it's minimal.
XFACTOR:
Davonte Fitzgerald is the x factor. We know he is athletic, but can he be physical? When he went head to head vs Murphy in the scrimmage I thought he held is own which is a telling sign he will be able to fill in at 4.
Stay tuned for BIG10 predictions as we get more of an idea with this team outside of the conference, hopefully no injuries, and what sort of on court chemistry we have
