2022 Minnesota Golden Gophers Season Preview

[BabaYaga]

Minneapolis, MN – The Minnesota Golden Gophers come into the season with a bit of a chip on their shoulder after a lot of people within the school have written them off. This is a senior-led group who think they have the ability to turn some heads this season. Below is a quick look at the Golden Gophers of Minnesota.

 

Projected Starters

G - Benny Smith - SR - B overall

G - James Winkler - SR - B overall

F - Alvin Dahl - SR - B overall

F - Calvin Smith - SR - B overall

C - Gregory Carden - SO - B overall

 

Key Bench Contributors

C - Daniel Harris - SO - B overall

G - Michael Hornbeck - JR - C overall

G - Frank Diamond - FR - C overall

 

If Minnesota looked in the mirror to find mediocre, they would be staring back at themselves. Their best players are seniors and they will trot out an entire lineup of B overalls. They really do not have much depth on their roster as they only have three players that should see court time off of the bench as this team is chock full of 1 and 2-star players. This team can’t shoot, they can barely rebound, and the only thing they can do is defend a little bit.

Non-Conference Schedule

Week 1A: Virginia

Week 1B: Old Dominion

Week 2A: Butler (Gavitt Tip-Off Games)

Week 2B: South Alabama

Week 3A: @ Miami (FL) (ACC-B1G Challenge)

Week 3B: Western Michigan

Week 4A: @ Ohio

Week 4B: Western Kentucky

 

The Golden Gophers have assembled a non-conference schedule that makes perfect sense for their team. They don’t have any games that I see as sure wins but they have a lot of contests that I think will be competitive. Their toughest tests come against Old Dominion and South Alabama but they get both of those games at The Barn. Minnesota will need to play well to go into conference play looking decent. Non-conference projection: Low 2-6, High 5-3.

 

Overall Thoughts

This Minnesota team just doesn’t have the “it” factor this season. Sure, they are experienced and have leadership, but that doesn’t make the ball go into the basket. I think this group will struggle at times in all facets of the game as they will always have two players on the court who aren’t good at something. Minnesota might need a plug for their boat this year. Prediction: 7-21 (4-16 B1G)

Edited November 14, 2022 by BabaYaga