Busting Brackets
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Big Ten Basketball: Ranking the team offenses for 2022-23 season

By Trevor Sinodhinos

Mar 10, 2022; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Hoosiers forward Trayce Jackson-Davis (23) celebrates a basket in the second half against the Michigan Wolverines at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 10, 2022; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Hoosiers forward Trayce Jackson-Davis (23) celebrates a basket in the second half against the Michigan Wolverines at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Big Ten Basketball Jamison Battle Minnesota Golden Gophers (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)
Big Ten Basketball Jamison Battle Minnesota Golden Gophers (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images) /

14. Minnesota Golden Gophers

2021-22: 65.5 points per game

Head Coach Ben Johnson and Minnesota Basketball saw a huge overhaul of their roster going into the 2021-22 basketball season. The 2022-23 season will see more of the same, as the only starter returning is forward Jamison Battle. Albeit, if Coach Johnson were to have his choice, it would be his leading scorer Battle who averaged over 17 points per game last season to return.

The new look starting line-up may not be a detriment to the Golden Gophers as their 65.5 points per game placed them in a tie for the thirteenth in the conference last season. As transfers Taurus Samuels (Dartmouth), Ta’Lon Cooper (Morehead State) and Dawson Garcia (North Carolina) all move directly into the starting line-up alongside Battle and third-year center Isaiah Ihnen, there is going to be a period of adjustment for the Golden Gophers.

As it was last season, Battle is going to be the primary option on offense by replacing the almost 16 points and play-creating abilities of Payton Willis. Coach Johnson will continue to use Battle to create screening action with the ballhandler in order to force a mismatch on a switch. Last season Battle played a lot of the power forward position and even as a decoy screen, his defender would have to give Willis room, which was often used to hit outside shots.

With Cooper shooting just above 33 percent and Samuels at 31 percent from beyond the arc, they will not be able to compensate for the departure of EJ Stephens’ 39 percent or Willis’ 43 percent. The Golden Gophers will implement a lot of overloads, incorporating Garcia in the low post and Battle on the perimeter.

Also, look for Battle to use his post-up skills on the low block versus opposing small forwards while Garcia provides an entry pass from the high post. The addition of Garcia at power forward will allow the 6’7 Battle to play his natural position and increase his versatility. If Cooper can increase his average to two made three-pointers per game, while improving to above 35 percent, the Golden Gophers will be more than just clearing out for Battle when the overload does not bear fruit.

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