Big Ten Preview – #8 Minnesota Golden Gophers
By Eric Smith
Apr 3, 2014; New York, NY, USA; The Minnesota Golden Gophers players celebrate after defeating the Southern Methodist Mustangs 65-63 in the 2014 NIT Tournament championship game at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Minnesota did something last year that not many college basketball players have the chance to do: end their season with a win. Coach Richard Pitino had his team firing on all cylinders, finishing as victors of the NIT. This year, Minnesota will look to make the tournament and finish in the top half of the Big Ten, but it will not be easy.
Key Losses
- Austin Hollins, Malik Smith, Oto Osenieks
The Golden Gophers biggest loss this season will be from the graduation of their leader in minutes per game last season, Austin Hollins. Hollins provided Minnesota with scoring, rebounds, defense, and senior leadership. The 6’4 guard will be missed in Minneapolis. In addition to Hollins, the Golden Gophers lose key bench players Malik Smith and Oto Osenieks to graduation.
New Faces
- Bakary Konate (#24 C), Nate Mason (#32PG ), Josh Martin (#58 PF), Carlos Morris (JC SF) and Gaston Diedhiou (#90 C)
Team Structure
Projected Starters:
C
SR Elliot Eliason 6’11” 240 lbs
More from Big Ten
- Nebraska Basketball: Projected starters and depth chart for 2023-24 season
- Big Ten Basketball: Ranking all 18 programs after adding Oregon, UCLA, USC, and Washington
- Iowa Basketball: Projected starting lineup and depth chart for 2023-24 season
- Purdue Basketball: Projected depth chart and rotation for 2023-24 season
- Minnesota Basketball: Projected depth chart and rotation for 2023-24 season
Minnesota’s starting lineup may be the most experienced in the Big Ten. Led by 3-year starter Andre Hollins, the Golden Gophers will be a tough matchup for every team they play this year. Hollins and former Morehead State transfer Deandre Mathieu both scored in double digits last season and will look to do the same again. The 5’9” Mathieu was one of the Big Ten’s biggest surprises last season, with an impressive stat line of 12 points per game, 4.2 assists per game, 51% field goal shooting and 49% 3 point shooting.
In addition to their returning perimeter scorers, Minnesota returns one of the Big Ten’s better defensive centers in Elliot Elliason. After teaming up with fellow big man Maurice Walker, the two Golden Gophers combined for over 11 rebounds per game in only 40 minutes per game last season.
The fifth and final spot is up in the air. Richard Pitino could choose to play a 3rd guard at the 3 spot, or he could play a more traditional small forward like junior college transfer Carlos Morris. This may be a potential position of weakness for the Golden Gophers, but the rest of their starting lineup should be able to make up for it.
Conclusion
This year’s Minnesota team will have high expectations, but will most likely stay under the radar for most of the season. They have the scoring and senior leadership to make the tournament, but it will only be enough to be upper middle of the conference at best. If Minnesota wants to succeed in the Big Ten this season, they are going to need inexperienced players to step up. This leads us to the Gopher’s biggest weakness this year, which is that they only have 5 players with significant experience. Outside of that they are unproven. Depth is key in the Big Ten, and if Richard Pitino cannot find the right players to come of the bench then Minnesota may struggle in conference play.