THE MURPH FACTOR
Dec. 12, 2017
by Tommy Sletten, Athletic Communications Student Assistant
In the last decade, only two players in Division I men’s basketball have started the season with 12 consecutive double-doubles: Kansas State’s Michael Beasley during the 2007-2008 season, and this season, Gophers junior Jordan Murphy.
Beasley, a future No. 2 overall pick in the NBA Draft, went on to be the Big 12 Player of the Year that season, and Murphy has similarly found success and accolades.
Murphy leads the Big Ten in points and rebounds, with 20.3 and 13, respectively. Murphy’s 13 rebounds per game is also good for first in the nation. His 12 double-doubles is also atop the national leaderboard.
The 6-6 junior dominates opponents inside, and uses his superior athleticism and length to leap over his adversaries and grab seemingly impossible boards.
With just under two minutes to play in Minnesota’s 68-67 win over Drake, Murphy snatched the momentum from the Bulldogs with a powerful offensive board with three defenders around him, and put the ball back up for a quick two points.
That's just one example of Murphy’s high-motor this season. Twelve double-doubles passes the statistics test. But what is seen on the court paints an even clearer picture of how Murphy has impacted the Gophers on both ends of the court.
“I think he’s been terrific,” head coach Richard Pitino said after Minnesota’s 86-74 win at Providence. “What I love about him is he understands that if he plays hard, how good it makes him look. And he’s not a selfish kid, he wants to win.”
Murphy’s drive to win has been hugely impactful for his team, leading Minnesota to a 9-3 record to start the season, and has been a spark plug for his team, opposed to last season.
As a sophomore, Murphy posted averages of 11.3 points and 8.8 rebounds per game, which are solid numbers worthy of respect.
But, at times, Murphy’s effort on the court for the full 40 minutes was questioned, earning him the nickname “Low-Motor Murph.”
With Murphy’s renaissance this season, Pitino says the nickname may have reached its end.
“He’s just confident right now, he’s saying all the right things, he’s taking the coaching, so yeah, we might have to retire that one,” Pitino said.
Dec. 12, 2017
by Tommy Sletten, Athletic Communications Student Assistant
In the last decade, only two players in Division I men’s basketball have started the season with 12 consecutive double-doubles: Kansas State’s Michael Beasley during the 2007-2008 season, and this season, Gophers junior Jordan Murphy.
Beasley, a future No. 2 overall pick in the NBA Draft, went on to be the Big 12 Player of the Year that season, and Murphy has similarly found success and accolades.
Murphy leads the Big Ten in points and rebounds, with 20.3 and 13, respectively. Murphy’s 13 rebounds per game is also good for first in the nation. His 12 double-doubles is also atop the national leaderboard.
The 6-6 junior dominates opponents inside, and uses his superior athleticism and length to leap over his adversaries and grab seemingly impossible boards.
With just under two minutes to play in Minnesota’s 68-67 win over Drake, Murphy snatched the momentum from the Bulldogs with a powerful offensive board with three defenders around him, and put the ball back up for a quick two points.
That's just one example of Murphy’s high-motor this season. Twelve double-doubles passes the statistics test. But what is seen on the court paints an even clearer picture of how Murphy has impacted the Gophers on both ends of the court.
“I think he’s been terrific,” head coach Richard Pitino said after Minnesota’s 86-74 win at Providence. “What I love about him is he understands that if he plays hard, how good it makes him look. And he’s not a selfish kid, he wants to win.”
Murphy’s drive to win has been hugely impactful for his team, leading Minnesota to a 9-3 record to start the season, and has been a spark plug for his team, opposed to last season.
As a sophomore, Murphy posted averages of 11.3 points and 8.8 rebounds per game, which are solid numbers worthy of respect.
But, at times, Murphy’s effort on the court for the full 40 minutes was questioned, earning him the nickname “Low-Motor Murph.”
With Murphy’s renaissance this season, Pitino says the nickname may have reached its end.
“He’s just confident right now, he’s saying all the right things, he’s taking the coaching, so yeah, we might have to retire that one,” Pitino said.
