Busting Brackets
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Big Ten Basketball: 2020-21 power rankings heading into league play

By Ryan Kay

ANN ARBOR, MI - FEBRUARY 08: Marcus Bingham Jr. #30 of the Michigan State Spartans battle for position against Austin Davis #51 of the Michigan Wolverines in the first half of the game at Crisler Arena on February 8, 2020 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MI - FEBRUARY 08: Marcus Bingham Jr. #30 of the Michigan State Spartans battle for position against Austin Davis #51 of the Michigan Wolverines in the first half of the game at Crisler Arena on February 8, 2020 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /
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Big Ten Basketball
Marcus Carr Minnesota Golden Gophers (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /

. 6-1. . Golden Gophers . 7. team. 487

Wins

*Green Bay
*Loyola Marymount (Twice)
*North Dakota
*Boston College
*UM Kansas City

Losses

*@No. 13 Illinois

KenPom ranking: 55

Reasons for Hope: The Gophers began off the season 6-0 and they have a quality win as they defeated Boston College. Minnesota’s defense has been stellar with the exception of two games. They are undefeated on their home court and losing at Illinois who are contenders to win the Big Ten, is not bad.

Reasons to be Pessimistic: Minnesota lost on the road at Illinois. Usually, a loss at Illinois is not devastating but losing by 27 points as they had no fans in the stand, is why the Gophers are not ranked higher. Their offense has struggled in four out of the six games that they have played thus far.

Brief Overview of the Season

The Gophers lost some key players from last season.  Losing their leading scorer from last year  Daniel Oturu hurt Minnesota’s chances of being a top-echelon Big Ten team for this season but Minnesota did bring back key returning players in Marcus Carr and Gabe Kalscheur. Both Carr the Gophers leading scorer this season and Kalscheur have played well thus far this season.

Minnesota is overall a fairly young team and they can beat a good team or two at home like they did when they defeated Boston College but they just don’t have enough pieces to compete for a Big Ten title this season. They can be a dangerous team this season and if all goes well they have a shot at making the NCAA tournament again this season. The Gophers next play Saint Louis on Sunday.

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