Minnesota Golden Gophers (Overall: 23-8, Conf: 11-7)
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Team Strengths:
Point-blank shots are usually gimmes but not against the Golden Gophers. Minnesota’s interior defense is unforgiving, as the team is No. 1 in the nation in blocks per game with 6.8. The Gophers block shots at a high rate, swatting away 10.6 of their opponents’ shots at the rim. Big man Reggie Lynch is second in the Division I with 3.5 BPG. He had a 27 blocks in a span of five games this season.
Team Weaknesses:
Three-point shooting isn’t a strong suit of Minnesota. The Gophers are just making 6.2 threes per game. Outside shooting hasn’t really been a point of emphasis for the team, as Minnesota launches a mere 17.8 three-point attempts game, 297th in the nation. A team that isn’t much of a threat beyond the arc doesn’t spread opposing defenses well and that could be a problem for Minnesota, especially when it finds itself playing catchup basketball.
Team Stats:
| Category | Stat | Ranking |
|---|---|---|
| Points Per Game | 75.3 | 107 |
| Rebounds Per Game | 39.9 | 13 |
| Blocks Per Game | 6.8 | 1 |
| 3-Point Percentage | 34.5 | 190 |
| Free Throw Percentage | 70.7 | 156 |
Starting Lineup:
| Position | Name | PPG |
|---|---|---|
| C | Reggie Lynch | 8.4 |
| PF | Amir Coffey | 12.1 |
| SF | Jordan Murphy | 11.2 |
| G | Akeem Springs | 9.5 |
| G | Nate Mason | 15.5 |
Writer’s Prediction:
Minnesota reaches the Round of 32.
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