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Matz Stockman will graduate and transfer from the University of Minnesota.
Matz Stockman will graduate and transfer from Minnesota, per a source. The 7-footer will have one year of eligibility and is able to play right away.
— Evan Daniels (@EvanDaniels) June 13, 2018
The casual Minnesota basketball fan may currently be scratching their heads wondering who is Matz Stockman. Stockman transferred last year from Louisville and sat out the year. During that time, he put in work in the classroom and successfully graduated.
Why now? Ryan James provides the most likely reason.
Matz Stockman is transferring, Geno Crandall is graduate transferring from UND and has recently been on campus, Minnesota needs another ball handler next year, all the pieces fit. Minnesota will be small though, and needs that Oturu recovery to go well.
— Ryan James (@RyanJamesMN) June 13, 2018
Crandall is a point guard, DeLasalle graduate, and two time All Big Sky conference guard at UND. Last season, he averaged over 16 points a game, and almost 20 points per 40 minutes, while shooting over 50% from the field, 41% from three point range, and a weirdly poor 72% from the charity stripe. Crandall had planned to graduate transfer, but prior to this week Minnesota did not have an open scholarship. The transfer of Stockman changes that, and Minnesota is the current expected favorite for Crandall‘s signature.
If Crandall signs, the Gophers will have plenty of back court depth, but will be both small and thin in the front court. With that said, the Gophers need a back up PG far more than they need a back up to the back up big man.
We wish Stockman success in the future. Comment below if you have any favorite memories of his time at Minnesota.