Busting Brackets
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Big Ten Basketball: Breaking down each program’s 2018 recruiting class

By Lukas Harkins

EAST LANSING, MI - JANUARY 26: General view of the Breslin Center. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - JANUARY 26: General view of the Breslin Center. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /
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MILWAUKEE, WI – MARCH 16: Head coach Pitino of Minnesota. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WI – MARCH 16: Head coach Pitino of Minnesota. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

Minnesota Golden Gophers

Class rankings: 8th in Big Ten, 37th nationally

Commitments: Daniel Oturu (49), Jarvis Omersa (183), Gabe Kalscheur (186)

Quite frankly, nobody was more disappointing in the Big Ten last year than Minnesota. The Golden Gophers were not only expected to reach the NCAA Tournament but also compete for a regular-season conference title. However, the team went just 4-14 in conference play. While plenty of the roster is set to return for next season, they have the lost the trust factor of potentially being a good team.

In terms of recruiting, Daniel Oturu is an excellent snag. A top-50 recruit, the 6’10” big man should instantly see minutes in the frontcourt for the Gophers. The team desperately needs a true big man who can score and protect the basket. Oturu should help solidify that center position and slide next to Jordan Murphy in the frontcourt.

Speaking of Murphy, he only has one year left of college ball. With that being said, Jarvis Omersa is an incoming freshman who could be the future of the power forward position at Minnesota. Omersa has a college-ready body at 6’8″ and 225 pounds with plenty of talent. In addition, he is the third-best recruit coming out of Minnesota.

The last recruit in the class, Gabe Kalscheur should also play immediate minutes. Nate Mason is graduating and that leaves a large scoring hole on the Gophers. Kalscheur is a true shooting guard who has no trouble filling up the basket. He is a top-notch shooter and an AAU teammate of the previously mentioned Omersa.

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