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Where
Sioux Falls, SD
When
7:30 PM
How
Big Ten Network
In a bizarre and ironic twist...after going 0-2 vs. the state of South Dakota the Gophers have to travel to Sioux Falls, SD to play Oklahoma State in the state. Previously I had no ill will or hate towards the pleasant people of South Dakota, now I think they are secret Iowa spies intent on crippling us in an unholy alliance. On to Oklahoma State!
| Pos. | Minnesota Golden Gophers | Pnt/Gm | Pnt/Gm | Oklahoma State Cowboys | Pos. | |
| PG | Nate Mason | 13.3 | 10.1 | Jawun Evans | PG | |
| G | Carlos Morris | 10.1 | 13.0 | Jeff Newberry | G | |
| F | Charles Buggs | 8.9 | 8.1 | Jeffrey Carroll | F | |
| F | Joey King | 15.8 | 4.5 | Mitchell Solomon | F | |
| C | Bakary Konate | 5.7 | 6.0 | Anthony Allen Jr. | C | |
| Bench | Jordan Murphy | 10.0 | 9.8 | Leyton Hammonds | Bench | |
| Bench | Kevin Dorsey | 8.1 | 4.5 | Tyree Griffin | Bench | |
| Bench | Dupree McBrayer | 3.3 | 12.1 | Chris Olivier | Bench |
I'm expecting a lineup change for today's game...things ain't working and something has got to change. Just not sure what they do. I think Jordan Murphy is proving to be one of our most valuable players and probably should be in the starting line up, but where? I think that putting him in place of Buggs is probably the right more and maybe even insert Dorsey into the lineup for Morris. Makes us smaller but Murphy and Dorsey have earned it so far while Buggs and Morris give you more reasons to sit than they do to be on the floor.
Keys to a Gopher Win
PLAY DEFENSE PLEASE! - This team's defense is probably the worst Gopher defense I can remember and I've been watching intently since the late-80s. I'm sure some were worse, but hard to imagine. There are plenty of complaints about the offense here as well but I think it all starts on the defensive end. An active defense, that plays together and creates a little havoc will lead to an explosion offensively. But we just don't have that right now.
Try Something New - ANYTHING! What's the definition of insanity again? Playing time, starting lineup, whatever...just try something different. I think it mostly comes in the form of lineup changes and rotation but we will see. Amelia thinks they need a special retreat or team bonding experience, can't disagree with that, but on the floor I hope we seem some tangible changes as well.
How we beat Clemson (who isn't all that good either) then lost to South Dakota and South Dakota State is beyond me. Oklahoma State also is not particularly good and are coming off back to back losses to Tulsa and Missouri State (who we beat btw).
So what happens today on a neutral court? I have very little confidence in this Gopher team right now and until proven otherwise I think I'd say the Cowboys are the favorites here. Hoping I am proved wrong and hoping we start to see some improvement along the way.