Gophers Face Stiffer Test Against Missouri in Road Game
The Minnesota men's basketball team will have to shake off its comfortable opening two games, as it heads to Columbia, Mo. for a highly anticipated matchup against seventh-seeded Missouri on Wednesday. The Gophers' stifling defense and huge scoring runs over Gardner-Webb and Alcorn State are expected to be tested by a Tigers team that qualified for the NCAA tournament last season.
Coach Niko Medved acknowledged that Minnesota's schedule has been relatively easy, saying, "We get to test ourselves in a tough environment." He expressed interest in seeing how his team adapts and whether they can translate their skills into real game plans. For Missouri, which has already played three games this season, the upcoming contest will provide an opportunity to develop strategies to counter difference-makers Cade Tyson and Mark Mitchell.
Tyson, a transfer from North Carolina, has been averaging 25.5 points per game, while shooting 45% from 3-point range. His impressive performance will make him a priority target for Missouri's defense. Meanwhile, the 6-foot-9 Mark Mitchell is averaging up to 20.7 points and 7.0 rebounds. Mitchell's athleticism and ability to drive it through a keyhole make him an explosive threat.
One player tasked with defending Mitchell is Jaylen Crocker-Johnson. The Gophers' defense will need to be creative in trying to contain this former McDonald's All-American, who has great length and athleticism.
As the Gophers continue to develop their skills, they also welcome back former players like John Thomas, who visited practice on Monday. Thomas played on Minnesota's 1997 Final Four team before embarking on a pro career that included five years in the NBA with the Timberwolves. The return of these alumni is seen as an opportunity for Medved to connect with his players and develop meaningful relationships.
The upcoming game against Missouri will provide a significant challenge for the Gophers, who have climbed to 64th in the KenPom.com rankings. Meanwhile, Missouri is ranked 35th going into Tuesday's games. This matchup will undoubtedly be an intense test of Minnesota's skills and ability to adapt under pressure.
The Minnesota men's basketball team will have to shake off its comfortable opening two games, as it heads to Columbia, Mo. for a highly anticipated matchup against seventh-seeded Missouri on Wednesday. The Gophers' stifling defense and huge scoring runs over Gardner-Webb and Alcorn State are expected to be tested by a Tigers team that qualified for the NCAA tournament last season.
Coach Niko Medved acknowledged that Minnesota's schedule has been relatively easy, saying, "We get to test ourselves in a tough environment." He expressed interest in seeing how his team adapts and whether they can translate their skills into real game plans. For Missouri, which has already played three games this season, the upcoming contest will provide an opportunity to develop strategies to counter difference-makers Cade Tyson and Mark Mitchell.
Tyson, a transfer from North Carolina, has been averaging 25.5 points per game, while shooting 45% from 3-point range. His impressive performance will make him a priority target for Missouri's defense. Meanwhile, the 6-foot-9 Mark Mitchell is averaging up to 20.7 points and 7.0 rebounds. Mitchell's athleticism and ability to drive it through a keyhole make him an explosive threat.
One player tasked with defending Mitchell is Jaylen Crocker-Johnson. The Gophers' defense will need to be creative in trying to contain this former McDonald's All-American, who has great length and athleticism.
As the Gophers continue to develop their skills, they also welcome back former players like John Thomas, who visited practice on Monday. Thomas played on Minnesota's 1997 Final Four team before embarking on a pro career that included five years in the NBA with the Timberwolves. The return of these alumni is seen as an opportunity for Medved to connect with his players and develop meaningful relationships.
The upcoming game against Missouri will provide a significant challenge for the Gophers, who have climbed to 64th in the KenPom.com rankings. Meanwhile, Missouri is ranked 35th going into Tuesday's games. This matchup will undoubtedly be an intense test of Minnesota's skills and ability to adapt under pressure.
. I mean, they've already got some big names like Cade Tyson and Mark Mitchell, and their coach has experience with NCAA tournament games... that's gotta count for something 
. But at the same time, the Gophers have been looking pretty strong themselves - they're not used to playing against teams that can give them a run for their money 
. I'm kinda curious to see how they'll adapt and execute under pressure, but I've got my doubts about whether they'll be able to contain Mitchell's athleticism 
. Still, it should be an awesome game to watch! 
Gophers gonna get smoked by those Tigers 
Coach Medved said it all "We get to test ourselves in a tough environment"... Translation: we're gonna get our butt kicked 
. Missouri's offense is looking super fierce with Tyson and Mitchell leading the charge 
. The defense is gonna have to get creative to stop Mitchell, who's like a gazelle on the court 
. And let's be real, if Crocker-Johnson can keep him from getting those easy buckets, the Gophers got this 
! Can't wait to see how Medved's squad adapts under pressure 
Missouri's gonna bring a whole different level of intensity compared to those easy opening two games, you know? Like, I get it, Coach Medved wants his team to step up their game, but can they really handle the pressure? The Gophers' defense is solid, but they'll need to get creative to contain Mitchell's athleticism... that guy's like a red herring on a trap 
. And with Crocker-Johnson trying to guard him, I'm thinking some crazy plays could go down. On a more nostalgic note, seeing John Thomas back at practice is giving me all the feels 
those guys were legends back in the day! It's gonna be a wild ride for the Gophers, but I'm here for it 
. The return of former players like John Thomas also presents an opportunity for Medved to reestablish meaningful relationships with his team members 
. However, the challenge posed by Missouri's high-powered offense, led by Tyson and Mitchell, may prove to be a steeper test than anticipated 
.
. tyson's a beast and i'm expecting him to torch the gophers' defense on wednesday 
Crocker-Johnson better be ready for this game or else Mark Mitchell is gonna torch him 
Alums like John Thomas coming back 2 visit practice is cool but not much help if Gophers cant even beat Missouri 
. The Tigers' defense will undoubtedly bring a new level of challenge to Cade Tyson's impressive scoring streak 
. The return of former players like John Thomas could also give Medved a unique opportunity to connect with his team on a deeper level 
️.
. I mean, where's the substance in this? They're not even talking about the real issues like how this COVID-19 vaccine is affecting people's health or something that actually matters 
. Meanwhile, they're worried about some basketball game and whether Minnesota can "adapt" to a tough environment 
. And Mark Mitchell's height and athleticism are super scary too 
️. I think it'll be tough for Minnesota to contain those two players. Maybe they should have played some tougher games earlier? 
Cade Tyson is gonna give them a run for their money tho 
. I'm also hyped to see John Thomas back at practice, that's some nostalgia vibes 
! The key to victory for Minnesota is gonna be adapting quickly to Missouri's strategy and using that creative defense to contain Mitchell 
. It's gonna be a real barnburner of a game, can't wait to watch it