gophers/ncaa

Yeah, ok, but what does Sid say?

Shooting will still be a question. Rebounding will be strength. Austin Hollins is the key IMO. If he can be aggressive we will win many games.

Lots of pieces in place with eight solid, experienced players and three others plus a couple freshman working to find PT. Yes, the 3-point shot will be a difference maker (as it is with all college BB teams today -- see Duke). Should be an interesting and successful season. Go Gophs.

ARRey sez: ***Yeah, ok, but what does Sid say?*** This should not be terribly difficult to predict, since it's been the same thing since about 1945.

The fans are hesitant... yup. We don't trust the coaches, this coach as well, to learn... Every year we hear promises, and by now we have taken to ignoring hype, not indulging in false hope, and looking at the situation for ourselves... Will they grow and be better than they were at the end of last season? Many fans did not see that run at the end of the year as a Smith plan, but something he was forced into and lacking any options for him to diddle with it, the gel happened... Will the gophers be ranked and do well? Only if the center covers. Only. Not Tubby ball, not 3-point shooter game, not half court or full court. It really is that simple - will the center cover? Works for most basketball teams that are "team"... The center covers the lanes to allow aggressive defense on the perimeter, the center makes lanes for the offense and covers the slashers from getting hammered by the bigs inside, the center covers the defender on a pick and allows drop shots and threes over him - and we get team ball and we win. If not - we get more mediocre ball hoping all season that the big guys will score so we can be at 500.

I think all Goph fans are cautiously optimistic. The pieces are there for a great season. But, the proof will be in the big pre-season games and the B1G season. If the barn can get rocking and the team makes a deep run in the NCAAs, it will bode well to help keeping the instate high school kids home...and making a generational sea shift in the hoops program. No pressure! Ski U Ma.

The headline and the story contain "weaker Big Ten." Where is the listing of weaker teams, or is the same as claiming the "Gophers will be stronger." I've been "around the block" enough times, that looking back, whenever the Gophers, or Nebraska, or the Vikings had some of their better years--invariably, their competition "was weaker."

Quincy Lewis CEO of the UM Alumni Association? I bet that was a big surprise to Scott Meyer.

Cmon Man...Kevin Lynch, doesn't want to say this is a make or break saeson for TUBBY.What planet has he been on these past years. Baring a total breakdown due to injuries its pretty simple....top four finish in Big Ten and 1 -2 WINS in NCAA TOURNEY. Any basketball fan knows anything less is ADIOS AMIGO time.Kevin,Cmon Man don't try to be politically correct....be a man.

ESPN calls the end-of-November Gopher schedule one of the toughest in the nation. Like many Gopher fans, I applaud that. I just hope some fans don't start throwing their arms in the air and screeching with anger if the team loses 2 or 3 times during that span. It's all about preparing your team and building your resume during the non-conference schedule.