Busting Brackets
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Big Ten Basketball: Badgers to turn NCAA Tournament momentum into Big Ten title

By Bryce Bennett

Dec 28, 2014; Madison, WI, USA; The Big Ten Conference logo on the Kohl Center Court during pre-game warm-ups before the Wisconsin Badgers take to the floor to play the Buffalo Bulls at the Kohl Center. Mandatory Credit: Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 28, 2014; Madison, WI, USA; The Big Ten Conference logo on the Kohl Center Court during pre-game warm-ups before the Wisconsin Badgers take to the floor to play the Buffalo Bulls at the Kohl Center. Mandatory Credit: Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 2, 2014; Winston-Salem, NC, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers head coach Richard Pitino calls out during the second half against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Minnesota defeated Wake Forest 84-69. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 2, 2014; Winston-Salem, NC, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers head coach Richard Pitino calls out during the second half against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Minnesota defeated Wake Forest 84-69. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /

12. Minnesota Golden Gophers

2015-16 record:  8-23 overall, 2-16 in Big Ten

Head coach: Richard Pitino

Notable departures: Joey King, Carlos Morris, Kevin Dorsey, Charles Buggs

Notable returnees: Nate Mason, Jordan Murphy, Dupree McBrayer, Bakary Konate

Notable newcomers: Four-star SF Amir Coffey, three-star PF Eric Curry, three-star PF Michael Hurt, Illinois State transfer C Reggie Lynch, Milwaukee GS G Akeem Springs 

It is a “make-or-break” year for coach Richard Pitino. The Gophers have been a mess under his tenure. Last season alone saw the program deal with an 8-23 record and a nasty scandal that forced three players to deal with long term suspensions, including the team’s leading scorer.

The Gophers project to be better this season, but enough for Pitino to keep his job? That will be the question.

As mentioned, leading scorer Nate Mason comes back from suspension. Also, sophomore Jordan Murphy was a young bright spot last season and the Gophers have one of the best projected freshman in the Big Ten this year in Amir Coffey.

Even with these improvements, Minnesota will struggle in the front court and on the defensive end. The only programs worse on defense in the Power Five in 2015-16 were Rutgers, Washington State, Missouri and DePaul. The Gophers have not proven to be disciplined enough to contain the dribble and do not have enough skill to stop players at the rim. There is little evidence of this changing this season.

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