The Daily Gopher - Eric Curry and Amir Coffey Commit To Minnesota and Richard Pitino - Full CoverageYour online home for Minnesota Golden Gophers football, basketball and hockey.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/49211/daily-gopher-fave.png2015-09-23T08:15:00-05:00http://www.thedailygopher.com/rss/stream/91307842015-09-23T08:15:00-05:002015-09-23T08:15:00-05:00Pitino Nabs PF Eric Curry, 2016 Class Loaded
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<p>Coach Richard Pitino and the Minnesota Golden Gopher basketball program scored another huge commitment this morning as PF Eric Curry out of Arkansas choose the Golden Gophers over his home state Razorbacks</p> <p>What a difference a few months can make! After being struck with the news that Jarvis Johnson would not be able to play basketball for the University of Minnesota due to medical reasons, the 2015 class had lost some of its luster. There hadn't been much good news coming out of the basketball program. Sure, there were plenty of positive vibes about the trip to Spain the team took but the roster was full of uncertainty and the 2015-2016 season appeared to be one of rebuilding and low expectations.</p>
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<p>Enter September 21st and 23rd. In the matter of three days, Pitino and company scored two huge recruiting wins in the form of local combo guard prospect Amir Coffey and power forward Eric Curry yielding from Arkansas. More can be read about Coffey <a href="http://www.thedailygopher.com/2015/9/21/9364699/amir-coffey-commits-minnesota-richard-pitino-2016-recruiting" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="http://www.thedailygopher.com/2015/9/22/9370623/minnesota-basketball-amir-coffey-commitment" target="_blank">here</a>. But this particular piece will focus on the newly committed Curry. Listed at 6' 8" and 210 pounds, Eric provides a welcome addition to the Gophers' front court of the future. Just think, in two years, Pitino will be able to throw out athletic PF after athletic PF. Gaston Diedhiou will be a more experience junior. Davonte Fitzgerald and Reggie Lynch will be eligible to play and will most certainly get plenty of minutes in the rotation. <span>Jordan Murphy</span> will have a year of college ball under his belt. Add to that a player of Eric Curry's caliber and Pitino will be able to run other teams' bigs into the ground by sending waves of lengthy, athletic forwards capable of disrupting passing lanes while still representing scoring threats on the offensive end of the court.</p>
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<p>Here are a few quick reasons why I think this commitment is a big deal</p>
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<li><span>Eric Curry's decided between Minnesota and Arkansas. Arkansas is coached by Mike Anderson who runs what has been fondly referred to as "40 minutes of hell," a style of play that reflects constant defensive pressure and an up-tempo offensive attack (Arkansas ranked 13th in the nation in tempo last year, according to KenPom). If Arkansas was recruiting Curry hard, you know he'll be a perfect fit for PItino's preferred style of play. The fact that we stole a recruit from his home state team that fit their system well and that the Arkansas program is nothing to sneeze at is a great indicator that Pitino is continuing to extend his recruiting prowess.</span></li>
<li> <span>This commitment will almost certainly catapult the Minnesota 2016 recruiting class into the top 20 in the nation </span><a href="http://247sports.com/Season/2016-Basketball/CompositeTeamRankings" target="_blank">according to 247</a>. With a highly ranked recruiting class comes talent, exposure, and positive notoriety. All great things to have for a Minnesota program that really needed all three of those things after the last few months.</li>
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<li>Curry appears to have decent touch around the basket and isn't just a raw offensive talent. If his abilities within 8 feet of the hoop can transfer to the college game quickly, he could develop into a special player for the Gophers.</li>
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<div><span>This news on the heels of the Coffey commitment represents one of the most successful weeks of the Pitino era, on or off the court. While the roster will be incredibly young the next two seasons, it is also going to be incredibly talented. Just examining the 2016 class alone you have Coffey who can play all threeThe coaching staff is finally getting players that both fit their system and are nationally recognized as elite talents. Now the onus will be on both the coaching staff to mold the talent into a successful product on the court and the players to turn their gifts into a fine-tuned machine of five players wrecking havoc through a press and push style of play.</span></div>
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<div>Count me as someone excited to see how the next few years play out at the Barn!</div>
https://www.thedailygopher.com/2015/9/23/9381567/minnesota-basketball-eric-curry-gophers-joins-amir-coffeymowe00182015-09-23T08:13:00-05:002015-09-23T08:13:00-05:00Time to enjoy some Eric Curry highlight videos!
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<p>Take a look at the skills 4 star power forward Eric Curry will bring to Minnesota.</p> <p>It's been an exciting week for Minnesota Basketball. First came <a target="_blank" href="http://www.thedailygopher.com/2015/9/21/9364699/amir-coffey-commits-minnesota-richard-pitino-2016-recruiting/in/9130784">the commitment of Amir Coffey</a>, an event with <a target="_blank" href="http://www.thedailygopher.com/2015/9/22/9370623/minnesota-basketball-amir-coffey-commitment">significant ramifications for the Gophers</a> under Richard Pitino. And now the announcement that Eric Curry, another highly ranked 4-star, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.thedailygopher.com/2015/9/23/9381567/minnesota-basketball-eric-curry-gophers-joins-amir-coffey">plans to join Coffey as a member of the 2016 recruiting class</a>. To help folks better see what Curry will bring to a position of great need for Minnesota, here are some highlight videos:</p>
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<p><b>Now that you've seen some video, what has you the most excited about Curry's commitment to Minnesota?</b></p>
https://www.thedailygopher.com/2015/9/23/9381957/eric-curry-highlight-videos-minnesota-2016-commit-recruitingGoAUpher2015-09-23T07:55:00-05:002015-09-23T07:55:00-05:004 Star PF Eric Curry Commits To Minnesota!
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<p>The Arkansas power forward becomes the second highly ranked talent to commit to Coach Pitino in the last 3 days!</p> <p>More excellent basketball recruiting news was just announced! 4 star power forward Eric Curry has committed to Coach Pitino and the Gophers!</p>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">PF Eric Curry just announced that he has committed to the University of Minnesota. Curry is a Rivals150 talent. <a href="http://t.co/hgg4SgHF0r">pic.twitter.com/hgg4SgHF0r</a></p>
— Ryan James (@RyanJamesMN) <a href="https://twitter.com/RyanJamesMN/status/646655604337938433">September 23, 2015</a>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Eric Curry's mother made the announcement seconds ago <a href="https://t.co/5mgz7buSq3">https://t.co/5mgz7buSq3</a></p>
— Ryan James (@RyanJamesMN) <a href="https://twitter.com/RyanJamesMN/status/646655772575698945">September 23, 2015</a>
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<p>This commitment was hoped for (and for many, expected) but that doesn't lessen the impact of this news. With Curry's commitment, Minnesota has picked up two consensus Top 150 or Top 100 players players this week (Curry's ranking varies a little more by site than Coffey's). SPOILER: This is EXCELLENT NEWS! This commitment also signifies the end of the 2016 recruiting class for Minnesota, because as GN noted in his Amir Coffey commitment post there was only <a target="_blank" href="http://www.thedailygopher.com/2015/9/21/9364699/amir-coffey-commits-minnesota-richard-pitino-2016-recruiting">1 available scholarship left for 2016</a>. Curry chose Minnesota over offers from Alabama, Arkansas, Iowa State, Oklahoma State, VCU, and others.</p>
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<p>Here is what Curry had to say about his commitment to Minnesota (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.scout.com/college/basketball/recruiting/story/1590153-top-100-pf-eric-curry-commits-to-minnesota">per Scout $$$</a>):</p>
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<p>"I chose Minnesota because when I took my official it felt like home," Curry said. "Everyone was very welcoming. I just bonded with everybody really good. It just felt welcoming. I see myself fitting in their style of play and the coaches I just felt comfortable with them."</p>
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<p>"To be honest it kind of hit me probably the week I came back from Iowa State," Curry said when asked when he realized he wanted to go to Minnesota. "Just the way I bonded with the team and how I see myself fitting in the team and how I bonded with their coaches really well."</p>
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<p>The Curry commitment also moved Minnesota's 2015-2016 recruiting class up to #15 in Scout's team rankings.</p>
<p><b>What are your thoughts on the Curry commitment and how the 2015-2016 class has rounded out?</b></p>
https://www.thedailygopher.com/2015/9/23/9381549/eric-curry-commits-minnesota-basketball-recruiting-gophers-richard-pitino-amir-coffeyGoAUpher2015-09-22T09:15:00-05:002015-09-22T09:15:00-05:00Coffey's Commitment a Huge Win for Pitino and Co.
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<p>On multiple levels, the Amir Coffey commitment is a resounding win for Coach Pitino, his staff, and the Golden Gopher program that needed some good news</p> <p>GopherNation covered the basics of the Amir Coffey commitment <a target="_blank" href="http://www.thedailygopher.com/2015/9/21/9364699/amir-coffey-commits-minnesota-richard-pitino-2016-recruiting">here</a>. He provided a nice, fact-based summary of the promising addition to the 2016-2017 Golden Gopher roster. Well, as I'm wont to do around these parts, I'm going to give you a totally opinionated summary of what this means to a program in dire need of some good news. Buckle up, it's going to be a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XypVcv77WBU">bumpy ride</a>...</p>
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<p>The Amir Coffey commitment is good news on multiple levels. Of course there is the fact that he is a consensus four-star recruit and the highest ranked commit to the Gopher program since <span>Rodney Williams</span> in 2008. He's an extremely talented player with multiple skills and has been cited as having an extremely high basketball IQ. Most recruiting services spoke incredibly highly of Coffey. So, for starters, Amir is a talented player and talent is always one of the essential cornerstones of any college basketball roster.</p>
<p>However, the fact that Amir yields from the Twin Cities area is also an essential aspect of this commitment. Coach Pitino is beginning to show his ability to accumulate the local talent, starting with Jarvis Johnson in the 2015 class (sadly, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.thedailygopher.com/2015/6/15/8783679/jarvis-johnson-will-not-play-for-gopher-basketball-due-to-medical-reasons-richard-pitino" style="background-color: #ffffff;">Johnson will not get to don the Gopher maroon and gold on the court</a> but he will be able to get a degree from the U of M if he so chooses) and continuing with the commitments of Michael Hurt of Rochester (<a target="_blank" href="http://247sports.com/Player/Michael-Hurt-76115" style="background-color: #ffffff;">a very good player</a> in his own right) and Coffey, the two highest rated recruits in the state in the 2016 class. We have seen in the last several years how much basketball talent Minnesota, and specifically the Twin Cities, has produced. Just from 2010 on, the Cities has produced numerous successful college players including <span>Jordair Jett</span>, <span>Joe Coleman</span>, <span>Ross Travis</span>, <span>Tyus Jones</span>, <span>Reid Travis</span>, and Rashard Vaughn. If Pitino can continue to tap into the the local pipeline of talent and establish his recruiting presence here permanently, the roster should never be short on talent. Obtaining Coffey's services is a excellent foundation to continue to build off of as far as local recruiting is concerned.</p>
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<p>Furthermore, Amir Coffey was a young man the coaching staff specifically targeted from the very beginning of the their tenure in Dinkytown. They understood he was an elite talent who fit perfectly in their guard-oriented system and weren't deterred by a torn ACL Amir suffered his junior season. The staff's ability to identify a fit and follow through in bringing him to Minnesota is further evidence that they are making strides on the recruiting front. Though the likes of Samorie Ponds and others have deferred to other programs, the fact that the coaching staff landed a recruit they sought so highly is a promising sign for future success.</p>
<p>Coffey is projected to be a "combo guard" of sorts. Throughout his recruitment, Amir and his father (former Gopher Richard Coffey) emphasized their desire to see Amir get time at the point guard position. While this may not fully come to fruition, watching a 6' 7" athlete run the point and lead the press in Pitino's system is a pretty enticing thought. Playing Coffey with the likes of Kevin Dorsey at point guard and a lengthy Dupree McBrayer at shooting guard probably makes Coach Pitino yearn for November 2016. All three are athletic, quick, and fully capable of implementing the press. The back court of the future looks very bright for the Golden Gophers.</p>
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<p>Honestly, I'm extremely excited about this commitment. I know a lot of folks are pretty down on the prospects of this year and the team's performance, which is fair considering the massive amount of uncertainty up and down the roster. But Amir Coffey committing to his hometown team demonstrates that an upward trend is possible for the future of Minnesota basketball. If the team continues to develop in a positive direction and the athleticism throughout the roster begins to translate to a successful implementation of the up-tempo, pressing offense Coach Pitino prefers, the could be plenty of excitement to be seen at the Barn in the not so distant future.</p>
<p>It also doesn't hurt that Coffey is already working on obtaining some much needed reinforcements for the front court:</p>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Coffey said he's already trying to get Arkansas three-star PF Eric Curry to join him in Pitino's 2016 class. Curry announces Wednesday.</p>
— Marcus R. Fuller (@GophersNow) <a href="https://twitter.com/GophersNow/status/646076622307725312">September 21, 2015</a>
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<p>Not a negative word to say about the news Gopher fans received on Monday. Coffey is a talented player, a local kid who could set an example for future local prospects, and an excellent fit to the desired style of play of the coaching staff. I know the program hasn't had a lot of good news lately but this certainly could portend a trend towards being competitive in the Big Ten once again.</p>
https://www.thedailygopher.com/2015/9/22/9370623/minnesota-basketball-amir-coffey-commitmentmowe00182015-09-21T16:45:14-05:002015-09-21T16:45:14-05:00Amir Coffey Commits: Enjoy some highlight videos!
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<p>You're already excited, so watching some highlight videos should be perfect.</p> <p>Good news! <a target="_blank" href="http://www.thedailygopher.com/2015/9/21/9364699/amir-coffey-commits-minnesota-richard-pitino-2016-recruiting">Amir Coffey has committed to play for Minnesota</a>. This is BIG. Big enough to bump Minnesota directly <a target="_blank" href="http://www.thedailygopher.com/2015/9/21/9366719/amir-coffeys-commitment-moves-minnesota-into-scouts-top-25">into Scout's Top 25 team rankings</a>. I'm guessing all of this has you excited (as it should). To help you continue that excitement, here are a trio of Amir Coffey highlight videos for you to enjoy.</p>
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<p><b>Now that you've seen some video, what has you the most excited about Amir's commitment to Minnesota?</b></p>
https://www.thedailygopher.com/2015/9/21/9366903/amir-coffey-highlight-videos-minnesota-2016-commit-recruitingGoAUpher2015-09-21T15:50:25-05:002015-09-21T15:50:25-05:00Amir Coffey's Commitment Moves Minnesota Into Scout's Top 25<h3 class="link-title"><a rel="nofollow" href="https://twitter.com/EvanDaniels/status/646060506059534337">Amir Coffey's Commitment Moves Minnesota Into Scout's Top&nbsp;25</a></h3>
<div class="description"><p><p>As I said on Twitter...this is NICE! These rankings are fluid and I'm not getting hung up on them at all. Still, it's a nice way to emphasize what a big commitment this is for Pitino and the Gophers.</p>
<br /><p><strong>Amir Coffey Commits - Full Coverage</strong></p>
<br /><p><a href="http://www.thedailygopher.com/2015/9/21/9364699/amir-coffey-commits-minnesota-richard-pitino-2016-recruiting" target="new">Amir Coffey Commits: Minnesota lands commitment of talented local player with a Gopher legacy!</a></p>
<br /><p><a href="http://www.thedailygopher.com/2015/9/21/9366903/amir-coffey-highlight-videos-minnesota-2016-commit-recruiting">Amir Coffey: The highlight films!</a></p></p></div>
https://www.thedailygopher.com/2015/9/21/9366719/amir-coffeys-commitment-moves-minnesota-into-scouts-top-25GoAUpher2015-09-21T15:33:00-05:002015-09-21T15:33:00-05:00Gopher Hoops Lands 4-star Recruit in Amir Coffey
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<p>The son of the former Gopher Great, Richard Coffey has decided to follow in his father's footsteps. and is a HUGE get for Richard Pitino and staff!</p> <p>The Coffey name is a familiar to Gopher fans. Richard Coffey dominate the paint around the Big Ten from 1987-90, twice earning Honorable Mention All-Big Ten and finishing his career with the third most rebounds in Gopher history, behind a couple guys by the name of Mychal Thompson and Kevin McHale. The elder Coffey was a senior on the Gopher's 1990 team that made a run to the Elite Eight before losing to Georgia Tech. I take this turn down memory lane just briefly before turning back to the point of today's article.</p>
<p>Amir Coffey is the son of the former Gopher Great and this afternoon he gave his verbal commitment to Richard Pitino to continue the legacy and play his career on the Williams Arena floor as well. Amir is one of the best high school seniors in the country and is the highest rated recruit to commit to Pitino over his few years at Minnesota.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.scout.com/college/basketball/recruiting/story/1589604-minnesota-pitino-land-amir-coffey" target="_blank">Scout.com's Evan Daniels spoke with Coffey Sunday evening</a> to understand why the top-rated guard decided to stay in Minnesota.</p>
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<p>"The biggest reason was I was wanted to stay home and represent the city," Coffey told Scout. "After the visit I just felt like the bond that I had with the coaches and players, it just felt like I was supposed to be there."</p>
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<p>At one point Coffey was a consensus top-25 caliber player, receiving the coveted four-stars and realistically pushing for a fifth. But an ACL tear early in his junior season forced Coffey off the court for several months and caused many of the blue-chip programs to slow down their recruitment of the young man. Minnesota, and others, did not slow down their recruitment and those efforts paid off today landing an immediate impact player.</p>
<p>In spite of the season off Coffey still holds four-stars and is a consensus top-50 player nationally. Offers and serious consideration was given to Texas, Marquette, Iowa State, Wisconsin and Michigan State (the latter two not considered as serious of a threat to the Gophers in this instance).</p>
<h4>What does Coffey Bring</h4>
<p>Heights: 6'7"<br>Weight: 195<br>Stars: 4</p>
<p>He brings the swagger of an elite, local recruit who decided to stay home and help build Gopher basketball into a Big Ten contender. This plays well to the local media and it is something that gets noticed by other local players. But what about on the court? Coffey brings the body, length and athleticism of a small forward with the shooting, passing ability and handles of a guard. This fits very well into what is being built here by Pitino and staff. Coffey gives him another ball-handler, a very good shooter in a 6-7 body that will be a size mismatch at SG or even at point if he were to get some minutes there.</p>
<p>This from his <a target="_blank" href="http://insider.espn.go.com/college-sports/basketball/recruiting/player/evaluation/_/id/170379/amir-coffey">ESPN scouting report</a>...</p>
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<p>Coffey is a long, lean and smooth lefty that has excellent feel and skill not to mention an excellent basketball IQ. He has a nice handle and is a terrific passer with matching court vision especially in the open court where he throws lob passes on time and on target. He makes plays off the dribble in the half court he creates help with his ability to penetrate to drop off or kick out to an open teammate. Coffey can also knock the open three when his feet are set and he also can hit the pull up or floater with excellent touch and body control.</p>
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<p>A very talented player who has a tremendous work ethic, all signs point to him being a difference maker in the Big Ten.</p>
<h4>What about the Effects on the Roster and Recruiting</h4>
<p>With this commitment the Gophers will have 1 remaining scholarship available. The staff is working hard to secure either a point guard or a power forward (or maybe both if they get the right guys and the numbers will get worked out later). Eric Curry is a PF from Memphis, currently living in Arkansas, who visited the same weekend with Coffey and is planning to announce his decision as well. Could we fill up the 2016 class this week?</p>
<p>Here is a look at how the roster is currently constructed.</p>
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<colgroup> <col style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1426; width: 29pt;" width="39"> <col style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 4644; width: 95pt;" width="127"> <col style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1426; width: 29pt;" width="39"> <col style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1938; width: 40pt;" span="3" width="53"> <col style="width: 48pt;" width="64"> </colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">
<td style="height: 12.75pt; width: 29pt;" height="17" width="39"></td>
<td style="width: 95pt;" width="127"></td>
<td style="width: 29pt;" width="39"></td>
<td class="xl63" style="text-align: center; width: 40pt;" width="53"><b>2015-16</b></td>
<td class="xl63" style="text-align: center; width: 40pt;" width="53"><b>2016-17</b></td>
<td class="xl63" style="text-align: center; width: 40pt;" width="53"><b>2017-18</b></td>
<td class="xl63" style="text-align: center; width: 48pt;" width="64"><b>2018-19</b></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">
<td style="text-align: center; height: 12.75pt;" height="17">SR</td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><span>Joey King</span></td>
<td style="text-align: center;">PF</td>
<td class="xl63" style="text-align: center;">X</td>
<td class="xl63" style="text-align: center;">-</td>
<td class="xl63" style="text-align: center;">-</td>
<td class="xl63" style="text-align: center;">-</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">
<td style="text-align: center; height: 12.75pt;" height="17">SR</td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><span>Carlos Morris</span></td>
<td style="text-align: center;">SF</td>
<td class="xl63" style="text-align: center;">X</td>
<td class="xl63" style="text-align: center;">-</td>
<td class="xl63" style="text-align: center;">-</td>
<td class="xl63" style="text-align: center;">-</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">
<td style="text-align: center; height: 12.75pt;" height="17">JR</td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><span>Charles Buggs</span></td>
<td style="text-align: center;">PF</td>
<td class="xl63" style="text-align: center;">X</td>
<td class="xl63" style="text-align: center;">X</td>
<td class="xl63" style="text-align: center;">-</td>
<td class="xl63" style="text-align: center;">-</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">
<td style="text-align: center; height: 12.75pt;" height="17">SO</td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><span>Reggie Lynch</span></td>
<td style="text-align: center;">C</td>
<td class="xl63" style="text-align: center;">X</td>
<td class="xl63" style="text-align: center;">X</td>
<td class="xl63" style="text-align: center;">X</td>
<td class="xl63" style="text-align: center;">-</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">
<td style="text-align: center; height: 12.75pt;" height="17">SO</td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><span>Davonte Fitzgerald</span></td>
<td style="text-align: center;">SF</td>
<td class="xl63" style="text-align: center;">X</td>
<td class="xl63" style="text-align: center;">X</td>
<td class="xl63" style="text-align: center;">X</td>
<td class="xl63" style="text-align: center;">-</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">
<td style="text-align: center; height: 12.75pt;" height="17">SO</td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><span>Nate Mason</span></td>
<td style="text-align: center;">PG</td>
<td class="xl63" style="text-align: center;">X</td>
<td class="xl63" style="text-align: center;">X</td>
<td class="xl63" style="text-align: center;">X</td>
<td class="xl63" style="text-align: center;">-</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">
<td style="text-align: center; height: 12.75pt;" height="17">SO</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">Gaston Diedhou</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">C/PF</td>
<td class="xl63" style="text-align: center;">X</td>
<td class="xl63" style="text-align: center;">X</td>
<td class="xl63" style="text-align: center;">X</td>
<td class="xl63" style="text-align: center;">-</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">
<td style="text-align: center; height: 12.75pt;" height="17">SO</td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><span>Bakary Konate</span></td>
<td style="text-align: center;">C</td>
<td class="xl63" style="text-align: center;">X</td>
<td class="xl63" style="text-align: center;">X</td>
<td class="xl63" style="text-align: center;">X</td>
<td class="xl63" style="text-align: center;">-</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">
<td style="text-align: center; height: 12.75pt;" height="17">FR</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">Kevin Dorsey</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">PG</td>
<td class="xl63" style="text-align: center;">X</td>
<td class="xl63" style="text-align: center;">X</td>
<td class="xl63" style="text-align: center;">X</td>
<td class="xl63" style="text-align: center;">X</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">
<td style="text-align: center; height: 12.75pt;" height="17">FR</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">Dupree McBrayer</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">SG</td>
<td class="xl63" style="text-align: center;">X</td>
<td class="xl63" style="text-align: center;">X</td>
<td class="xl63" style="text-align: center;">X</td>
<td class="xl63" style="text-align: center;">X</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">
<td style="text-align: center; height: 12.75pt;" height="17">FR</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">Ahmed Gilbert</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">SF</td>
<td class="xl63" style="text-align: center;">X</td>
<td class="xl63" style="text-align: center;">X</td>
<td class="xl63" style="text-align: center;">X</td>
<td class="xl63" style="text-align: center;">X</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">
<td style="text-align: center; height: 12.75pt;" height="17">FR</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">Jordan Murphy</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">F</td>
<td class="xl63" style="text-align: center;">X</td>
<td class="xl63" style="text-align: center;">X</td>
<td class="xl63" style="text-align: center;">X</td>
<td class="xl63" style="text-align: center;">X</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">
<td style="text-align: center; height: 12.75pt;" height="17">Verb</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">Michael Hurt</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">SF</td>
<td class="xl63" style="text-align: center;">-</td>
<td class="xl63" style="text-align: center;">X</td>
<td class="xl63" style="text-align: center;">X</td>
<td class="xl63" style="text-align: center;">X</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">
<td style="text-align: center; height: 12.75pt;" height="17">Verb</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">Amir Coffey</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">SG</td>
<td class="xl63" style="text-align: center;">-</td>
<td class="xl63" style="text-align: center;">X</td>
<td class="xl63" style="text-align: center;">X</td>
<td class="xl63" style="text-align: center;">X</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">
<td style="text-align: center; height: 12.75pt;" height="17">Verb</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">open</td>
<td style="text-align: center;"></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">
<td style="text-align: center; height: 12.75pt;" height="17"></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">
<td style="text-align: center; height: 12.75pt;" height="17"></td>
<td style="text-align: center;">Scholarships</td>
<td style="text-align: center;"></td>
<td class="xl63" style="text-align: center;">12</td>
<td class="xl63" style="text-align: center;">12</td>
<td class="xl63" style="text-align: center;">11</td>
<td class="xl63" style="text-align: center;">6</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">
<td style="text-align: center; height: 12.75pt;" height="17"></td>
<td style="text-align: center;">Available per Yr</td>
<td style="text-align: center;"></td>
<td class="xl63" style="text-align: center;">1</td>
<td class="xl63" style="text-align: center;">1</td>
<td class="xl63" style="text-align: center;">2</td>
<td class="xl63" style="text-align: center;">7</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p> </p>
<p>Next season's team is going to look very different than what we saw just last year. Over two season the roster will essentially turn completely over. Next year Amir is added to this year's group of talented freshmen and a couple of transfers will be able to participate. Should be a very interesting year. I have always felt as though a number of very nice pieces have been added to the roster over the last couple years and all that was missing was an elite talent to be the missing piece. Maybe this is it.</p>
<p>A <a href="http://www.scout.com/college/basketball/recruiting/story/1589604-minnesota-pitino-land-amir-coffey" target="_blank">top target from day one</a> for Pitino and staff paid off...</p>
<blockquote>
<p>When Pitino and his staff took over at Minnesota, Coffey, a 6-foot-6 versatile guard/wing prospect, was among his primary targets.</p>
<p><br>"When he first got the job within the first couple of weeks, he had me down to campus with my family and we had a good hour or hour and a half talk and they all stayed on me since with texting and calling," Coffey said.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>But Gopher fans should be thrilled with today's news. The hard work of Pitino and Ben Johnson paid off with a great addition to the roster.</p>
https://www.thedailygopher.com/2015/9/21/9364699/amir-coffey-commits-minnesota-richard-pitino-2016-recruitingGopherNation2015-09-21T14:26:00-05:002015-09-21T14:26:00-05:00Watch Amir Coffey's College Announcement LIVE
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/MIWOXxxeo9EZdR-cZzj6z4AX5dc=/0x32:2942x1993/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47233734/usa-today-7693889.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Matthew O'Haren-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>See if Amir picks Minnesota live thanks to the Star Tribune.</p> <p><b>UPDATE:</b> <a href="http://www.thedailygopher.com/2015/9/21/9364699/amir-coffey-commits-minnesota-richard-pitino-2016-recruiting" target="new">Amir Coffey has committed to the University of Minnesota!</a></p>
<p>---------------------------------------------------------------</p>
<p>2016 Gophers recruit Amir Coffey makes his college selection at 3:30 CT. Thanks to the Star Tribune we can all watch that announcement live. An embed of the stream is below, but if you have issues seeing it you can also try the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.startribune.com/live-watch-hopkins-star-amir-coffey-pick-his-college-3-30-p-m/328519081/">STrib's website</a> or <a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kwhi-zAXpY">YouTube page</a>.</p>
<p><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9kwhi-zAXpY" frameborder="0" height="315" width="560"></iframe></p>
<h3>GO GOPHERS!</h3>
https://www.thedailygopher.com/2015/9/21/9366241/amir-coffey-live-stream-college-choice-2016-minnesota-basketballGoAUpher