Minnesota Basketball: 2018-19 season preview for the Golden Gophers
Golden Gophers Projected Starting Lineup
G, 6’1, 190, Sophomore, Isaiah Washington
Isaiah Washington emerged nicely as a great backup point guard for Minnesota last season. He was just one of three Gophers to play in all 32 games. Washington only made four starts, but that’s because Nate Mason was the lead man. He’s gone and the 2017 four-star recruit will be the floor general this season. The freshman was 13th at the point guard position a year ago. He averaged 8.7 points per game, 2.3 assists and made 21 three-pointers. All of those numbers will certainly go up now that he’ll be the primary point guard.
G, 6’4, 175, Senior, Dupree McBrayer
Dupree McBrayer was expected to be a nice role player in the Minnesota backcourt. I like to compare him to Joshua Langford for Michigan State or what P.J. Thompson was for Purdue. He’ll average right around 10 points per game and one three-pointer per game. McBrayer missed five games last season with multiple injuries, more specifically his leg. He should return to doing a little bit of everything. The senior has had a full offseason to recover and will be poised for his final year as a Gopher.
G, 6’8, 205, Junior, Amir Coffey
Amir Coffey missed the most time out of any Gopher last season because of an injury. He injured his shoulder 18 games in and never returned. The former four-star was averaged over 12 points per game in his freshman year. He was exploding for 14 per game last season before getting hurt. Unfortunately, he played too many games in order to get a medical redshirt, but it’ll be nice to have him back. He’s a lengthy guard who will find his place back into the starting lineup.
F, 6’9, 235, R-Sophomore, Eric Curry
Eric Curry injured his knee in camp and missed the entire season. He was a four-star the same year Amir Coffey came in. Curry came in as an undersized power forward. He added 25 pounds and will have to play the four for Minnesota. Curry averaged over five points and five rebounds during his freshman campaign. He made two starts while playing in all 34 games. There’s no doubt he will be in the starting lineup and will have to really step it up after missing an entire season.
F, 6’6, 250, Senior, Jordan Murphy
Jordan Murphy would have been in serious conversation for Big Ten Player of the Year if Minnesota had won more games. Being a Wisconsin fan it kills me to say that on multiple counts including my love for Ethan Happ. But seriously. Murphy averaged a double-double with 16.8 points per game and 11.3 boards. He averaged one block per game, 1.2 steals, 1.4 assists and hits the occasional three-pointer. I guess the only knock on him is that he’s only 6’6. Kind of undersized to play a four or five for a Big Ten team. There’s no doubt though that he can stuff the stat sheet.