Scouting the Goophers

[Hungry Jack]

I watched a good chunk of their home game vs. Indiana, where they battled back to take a lead, only to let it slip away in the final 90 seconds.

The Goophs were without their starting center, and TJD feasted with 25 points (11/19) and 21 boards. He is a phenomenal athlete, as evidenced by a jarring alleyoop dunk where he elevated WELL ABOVE the rim (he could have touched the backboard at its vertical center) and flushed it straight down like a Whack-a-Mole champion.

Hood had an off shooting night (2-11,0-3), and still the Gophers could not win at home.

Dawson Garcia is a stretch 4 who can hit a 3 (35%career). He has had some big games against conference teams (28 and 9 vs. OSU, 19 and 15 vs. Nebby). Jamison Battle can also shoot (44.7% this season) and penetrate. These are the two guys to watch. Talon Cooper (Morehead transfer) can shoot the 3.

I like our chances. Minny has lost games to Illinois, Nebby, Indiana, and Wisconsin, as well as getting spanked by DePaul. They are offensively challenged, failing to exceed 60 points in their last 5 conference games.

I am guessing we might see a lot of the smaller lineup against Minny, with Beran at the 5.

Re Jamison Battle, isn't he a cousin of our Talor Battle? I'd welcome Jamison on this team as a transfer (thought certainly not expecting that).

 

[Username Not Available]

We might be the game they need, given how often we offer open threes to defend the paint. A couple of them get hot and we could be in trouble.

Consider that something like 30 of Wisconsin's points against us were from three.

I like our chances, but I think it depends on how we deal with their zone defense and how we guard our own perimeter.

 

[Alan Smithee_rivals156293]

We might be the game they need, given how often we offer open threes to defend the paint. A couple of them get hot and we could be in trouble.

Consider that something like 30 of Wisconsin's points against us were from three.

I like our chances, but I think it depends on how we deal with their zone defense and how we guard our own perimeter.

Yes I think it’s time we acknowledge (and even accept) that we’re going to continue to give up open three shots given our policy to double down low and the overall determination to contest everything inside. At least it’s working, considering our overall record and our 2-point % allowed, which entering last night was #1 in the country.

It’s one of the reasons we might have a Cam Spencer or a Tominaga go off for a career night against us. That’s the poison we’ve picked, but more often than not it’s worked for us. Either that one player having a career night isn’t enough, or that player starts missing some of the open looks, or we patch the hole well enough.

Those times it hasn’t worked we know about. I still think we have the ability to further improve, and hope our legs stay fresh enough to keep rotations crisp and close on on shooters quickly enough.

 

[PurpleWhiteBoy]

if Dawson Garcia can play for Minnesota, they have a chance. If not, they don't.

But regarding the "small lineup" that people have been talking about...
Beran at the 5, Barnhizer, Berry, Audige and Buie....

Collins can't really use that too much with Roper unavailable.

Verhoeven / Beran / Barnhizer / ? / ? might be a good way to rest a guard and Nicholson.

 

[Hungry Jack]

We might be the game they need, given how often we offer open threes to defend the paint. A couple of them get hot and we could be in trouble.

Consider that something like 30 of Wisconsin's points against us were from three.

I like our chances, but I think it depends on how we deal with their zone defense and how we guard our own perimeter.

Wisconsin had 30 points from the arc (10-31), but only 63 points in total. They passed well (16 assists) and were able to work a bit inside. And we still won.

After being terrorized by Cam Spencer and Bufkin, I get the concern.

 

[NUCat320]

We might be the game they need, given how often we offer open threes to defend the paint. A couple of them get hot and we could be in trouble.

Consider that something like 30 of Wisconsin's points against us were from three.

I like our chances, but I think it depends on how we deal with their zone defense and how we guard our own perimeter.

The color guy mentioned that part of the philosophy is that, knowing a double is coming immediately, post players are a little less aggressive and excited to get the ball on the block. I though that was interesting.

NU held Walker to half his average and allowed only 6 FGA. He was a non factor.

 

[GatoLouco]

I watched the whole game and watch a fair amount of Minny basketball.

1) Battle is a great player who is not nearly as good this season as he was last year. He was injured to start the season and that probably plays a role. He played well last night though. Last year the team basically played an interior player and 4 outside players, making him being often defended by the 4 on the other team. That happened when he feasted on Beran and we lost in Minneapolis last year. This year he is being more often guarded by a smaller guy. Audige is the guy for him

2) Garcia is a really talented dude. Had a decent freshman season at Marquette. Tall dude who can shoot, everyone likes those. When coach left, he went to NC where his season was short. Official story was he left the team for family reasons. He's from MN, transferred to the Gophers. He did not play last night, no idea if he is available for Saturday. He is on his 3rd year playing but is still very naïve. Let's himself be pushed around a lot.

3) Ta'lon Copper is the other threat on their team. Did not paly well at all yesterday. He's a capable penetrator and 3 pt shooter. Inconsistent and can have poor games. Feels like he's still getting used to the physicality of the conference.

After these 3, the quality really drops. Really, really drops.

It's important to limit these 3. But I think the key for Saturday is to solve their zone. If we do that, I feel it doesn't matter what they do on offense, we'll win.

It was a 2-3 zone, but pretty flexible in adapting to the positioning of the other team. Morphed well according to where the ball and opponents were. The players covered the space well and in most cases rotated properly to avoid having a player cover two opponents. They used it the entire game. Which makes sense as Garcia was out, they basically had 6 players. I would be shocked if they played man to man against us since it worked pretty well last night.

We have not seen zone. Yesterday does not really count. It was a weak 1-3-1, which I found hilarious as a 1-3-1 is set to maximize keeping the ball away from the interior. Where we have very little game. But I digress. MN is probably going to be smarter and really open up that 2-3 zone. Stay on the shooters, give up more of the elbow and baseline.

 

[Username Not Available]

...

It's important to limit these 3. But I think the key for Saturday is to solve their zone. If we do that, I feel it doesn't matter what they do on offense, we'll win.

It was a 2-3 zone, but pretty flexible in adapting to the positioning of the other team. Morphed well according to where the ball and opponents were. The players covered the space well and in most cases rotated properly to avoid having a player cover two opponents. They used it the entire game. Which makes sense as Garcia was out, they basically had 6 players. I would be shocked if they played man to man against us since it worked pretty well last night.

We have not seen zone. Yesterday does not really count. It was a weak 1-3-1, which I found hilarious as a 1-3-1 is set to maximize keeping the ball away from the interior. Where we have very little game. But I digress. MN is probably going to be smarter and really open up that 2-3 zone. Stay on the shooters, give up more of the elbow and baseline.

If that happens, TV may have a decent game playing in the middle as he has shown he has a decent jumper in range of the line, and Beran could also do some damage there. I'm not sure what we do with Matt in that situation.

 

[GatoLouco]

If that happens, TV may have a decent game playing in the middle as he has shown he has a decent jumper in range of the line, and Beran could also do some damage there. I'm not sure what we do with Matt in that situation.

Yeah, Matt is the issue. You can't put him on the elbow as they can leave him alone, he's not going to pull up. So he has to be on the baseline. Or on the bench. No other options in my mind.

When attacking a 2-3, the efficient thing is to overcharge and reverse the ball to that side, it is very hard to adjust to for the defense. That can be done (not exclusively) by a cut from the opposite side or the player on the baseline opening to the corner. But with Matt, that last one one is out.

 

[Titanium999]

I watched a good chunk of their home game vs. Indiana, where they battled back to take a lead, only to let it slip away in the final 90 seconds.

The Goophs were without their starting center, and TJD feasted with 25 points (11/19) and 21 boards. He is a phenomenal athlete, as evidenced by a jarring alleyoop dunk where he elevated WELL ABOVE the rim (he could have touched the backboard at its vertical center) and flushed it straight down like a Whack-a-Mole champion.

Hood had an off shooting night (2-11,0-3), and still the Gophers could not win at home.

Dawson Garcia is a stretch 4 who can hit a 3 (35%career). He has had some big games against conference teams (28 and 9 vs. OSU, 19 and 15 vs. Nebby). Jamison Battle can also shoot (44.7% this season) and penetrate. These are the two guys to watch. Talon Cooper (Morehead transfer) can shoot the 3.

I like our chances. Minny has lost games to Illinois, Nebby, Indiana, and Wisconsin, as well as getting spanked by DePaul. They are offensively challenged, failing to exceed 60 points in their last 5 conference games.

I am guessing we might see a lot of the smaller lineup against Minny, with Beran at the 5.

Re Jamison Battle, isn't he a cousin of our Talor Battle? I'd welcome Jamison on this team as a transfer (thought certainly not expecting that).

I like our chances at home

 

[hdhntr1]

I watched a good chunk of their home game vs. Indiana, where they battled back to take a lead, only to let it slip away in the final 90 seconds.

The Goophs were without their starting center, and TJD feasted with 25 points (11/19) and 21 boards. He is a phenomenal athlete, as evidenced by a jarring alleyoop dunk where he elevated WELL ABOVE the rim (he could have touched the backboard at its vertical center) and flushed it straight down like a Whack-a-Mole champion.

Hood had an off shooting night (2-11,0-3), and still the Gophers could not win at home.

Dawson Garcia is a stretch 4 who can hit a 3 (35%career). He has had some big games against conference teams (28 and 9 vs. OSU, 19 and 15 vs. Nebby). Jamison Battle can also shoot (44.7% this season) and penetrate. These are the two guys to watch. Talon Cooper (Morehead transfer) can shoot the 3.

I like our chances. Minny has lost games to Illinois, Nebby, Indiana, and Wisconsin, as well as getting spanked by DePaul. They are offensively challenged, failing to exceed 60 points in their last 5 conference games.

I am guessing we might see a lot of the smaller lineup against Minny, with Beran at the 5.

Re Jamison Battle, isn't he a cousin of our Talor Battle? I'd welcome Jamison on this team as a transfer (thought certainly not expecting that).

They also only hit about 60% of their FTs

 

[AdamOnFirst]

I watched the whole game and watch a fair amount of Minny basketball.

1) Battle is a great player who is not nearly as good this season as he was last year. He was injured to start the season and that probably plays a role. He played well last night though. Last year the team basically played an interior player and 4 outside players, making him being often defended by the 4 on the other team. That happened when he feasted on Beran and we lost in Minneapolis last year. This year he is being more often guarded by a smaller guy. Audige is the guy for him

2) Garcia is a really talented dude. Had a decent freshman season at Marquette. Tall dude who can shoot, everyone likes those. When coach left, he went to NC where his season was short. Official story was he left the team for family reasons. He's from MN, transferred to the Gophers. He did not play last night, no idea if he is available for Saturday. He is on his 3rd year playing but is still very naïve. Let's himself be pushed around a lot.

3) Ta'lon Copper is the other threat on their team. Did not paly well at all yesterday. He's a capable penetrator and 3 pt shooter. Inconsistent and can have poor games. Feels like he's still getting used to the physicality of the conference.

After these 3, the quality really drops. Really, really drops.

It's important to limit these 3. But I think the key for Saturday is to solve their zone. If we do that, I feel it doesn't matter what they do on offense, we'll win.

It was a 2-3 zone, but pretty flexible in adapting to the positioning of the other team. Morphed well according to where the ball and opponents were. The players covered the space well and in most cases rotated properly to avoid having a player cover two opponents. They used it the entire game. Which makes sense as Garcia was out, they basically had 6 players. I would be shocked if they played man to man against us since it worked pretty well last night.

We have not seen zone. Yesterday does not really count. It was a weak 1-3-1, which I found hilarious as a 1-3-1 is set to maximize keeping the ball away from the interior. Where we have very little game. But I digress. MN is probably going to be smarter and really open up that 2-3 zone. Stay on the shooters, give up more of the elbow and baseline.

The 1-3-1 yesterday which IMMEDIATELY involved losing track of a red hot Berry in the corner and granting him an easily gotten wide open look made me laugh pretty hard.

 

[CappyNU]

The 1-3-1 yesterday which IMMEDIATELY involved losing track of a red hot Berry in the corner and granting him an easily gotten wide open look made me laugh pretty hard.

Considering I'm still scarred from the time MSU's Maurice Agar hit like 6 threes from that exact spot against our 1-3-1, I greatly enjoy any time we happen to take advantage of it.

 

[PURPLECAT88]

Considering I'm still scarred from the time MSU's Maurice Agar hit like 6 threes from that exact spot against our 1-3-1, I greatly enjoy any time we happen to take advantage of it.

We bear the same scars. I remember his follow-thru and the look on his face of "I can't believe they're letting me do this."

 

[Username Not Available]

https://tarheeltribune.com/2023/01/24/nance-hits-21-key-late-buckets-as-unc-survives-at-syracuse/

Maybe they're watching some film of Nance and his boys solving the Syracuse zone?

 

[SDakaGordie]

Just landed at O’Hare for tomorrow’s game! Didn’t want to mention this earlier for fear of riots. Go Cats!

 

[NUcats92]

Finally made it to Chicago! staying in Evanston and i walked into the hotel lobby and dapped up jamison battle told him goodluck.

 

[cats_man_too]

We flew into town for the game as well. Go Cats!