Gophers Basketball

[Dotch]

That is the point - a new guy couldn't be worse.

So, can Johnson figure out how to make it better?  How long do you give 'em?  And who else they goona find?  None of the hot prospects want to come here.  They had a tough time hiring a coach when Pitino came.

I was no huge fan of Pitino, but his firing and Johnson's hiring is starting to remind me of the U firing Mason and going to Brewster.

Yup, I've maintained that this can be traced all the way back to when Tubby was fired. Can claim that Tubby's stubbornness about keeping Saul around to run his offense. That consisted of dribbling into the tall trees then passing the ball around the perimeter until late in the shot clock then putting up a prayer that clanged off the rim with no rebound. It was truly offensive. His nepotism ultimately cost him his job when Norwood Teague showed up and wanted to put his stamp on the program. Remember how a lot were convinced Norwood was gonna bring Shaka Smart here because of his VCU ties? He did get Stollings to come from VCU & coach the women but that didn't cost anything close to what a name brand men's coach would have. Coyle blew it by not keeping Pitino. With the U whining that their tuition isn't keeping pace with expenses, can't imagine they'll pony up big bucks for a new big name basketball coach anytime soon. 

[Gunner55]

I watched a couple coaches with Mn ties coaching yday in the NCAA's. One named Musselman & the other was a Dutcher, both won too.

[Dotch]

They were on many fans short lists last time. Would take either one but as Steve-O said, why would they want to come here? 

[Steve-o]

Yeah, we keep dreaming about those guys, but I don't think they are gettable.

There are only two things that are going to get a proven, successful coach to come here, and they are probably going to need both.

1) His ego.  Find a guy who wants to prove he can win anywhere - even at one of the worst Big 10 BB schools one of its lowest points (and there have been many).

2) Money.  Crazy money to lure him away from what he's getting now.

But like you said, Dotch, that ain't goona happen at the University of the Education State.

[glenn57]

heard on the news last night there already asking for more $$$$$ moey over there so they dont gotta raise tuiton????

there saying alot of freshmen are bailing after the first year!!!!!!

[dutchboy]

All we ever hear about is how much money the Big 10 brought in for the hockey program.
We hear constantly how much money football brings into the U.
Maybe if they quit spending millions on buildings over there they may have some money.
Even if the U won the NCAA tournament 12 years running they would want to raise tuition.
Fire Johnson, let the pillow guy slip a few million under the pillow for a new coach. There is zero reason the U can't be a top 4 Big 10 BB program year in and year out. They only should trail Michigan State, Purdue, Maryland & maybe Michigan in recruiting BB talent.

[glenn57]

the pillow guy is broke from legal fees!!!!!!

[Steve-o]

I didn't think Mike Lindell was a big U of M booster - is he?   

Yeah, MN should be a Big 10 powerhouse in basketball, but for many reasons, no one has been able to keep it rolling consistently. 

U of M freshmen retention rate is tied for 8th place in the Big 10 (of 14 total teams) at 92%, down 1% from last year.

[Dotch]

The #Gophers look like they have a new Women's Head Basketball Coach! Dawn Plitzuweit from West Virginia University has been hired. Was head coach at South Dakota in Vermillion from 2016 - 2022. She was 158 - 36 overall with a record of 83 - 10 in Summit league conference games. In her only year at WVU she was 19 - 12 overall & 10 - 8 in Big 12 conference play. From West Bend WI & played at Michigan Tech. Husband's name is Jay. They have two kids, a son & a daughter.

[Dotch]

It's official! You heard it here first...

https://gophersports.com/news/2023/3/18/womens-basketball-plitzuweit-named-womens-basketball-head-coach

[glenn57]

yea but is she HOT!!!!!!!

LPS wants to know!!!!!!

[mike89]

your call Glenn;

https://gophersports.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/coaches/dawn-plitzuweit/2981

[Dotch]

She looks a little "cougar-ish"...

[glenn57]

She looks a little "cougar-ish"...

purrrfect!!!!!

[Steve-o]

I watched a couple coaches with Mn ties coaching yday in the NCAA's. One named Musselman & the other was a Dutcher, both won too.

Dutcher and Musselman both had upset victories to make it to the sweet 16.  Happy for them, but sad the UofM could never lure them here. 

[Gunner55]

  Never seen much of the game but they said Dutcher's team looked really good in their game yday. Arkansas had their hands full but did enough late to sneak by Kansas.

[Dotch]

Arrrrggghhhh!!!! Some things will never change. At one point Gopher men are up 20 in the 2nd half at home against Missouri, lead the entire game until 9.9 seconds left, then 💩 the bed...

[Steve-o]

Last year they didn't have any depth, right?  And didn't they have some of their best player injured? 

I haven't paid attention at all this year.  What is the story this year?

[Dotch]

Depth has improved. 20 bench points last nite in their first real competition. They should maul some of their lesser opponents. They gave Missouri a pretty good butt kicking much of the time over the first 30 minutes. Still lacking a decent point guard to manage the game. Didn't score in the final 6 minutes of the game last nite. Dumb turnovers especially down the stretch once the slide started with 11 minutes left. 16 total on the nite with guards Hawkins, Carrington, Mitchell & Christie accounting for 11 of those. Inexcusable. They should fatten up on the Little Sisters of the Poor over the next 4 games then play Ohio St. If Ben turns in many more of these terds like last nite, his days will be numbered. Somebody please, please, please, please get Brian Dutcher here by any means necessary!!! Get a real point guard and there is some talent just begging to be coached.   

[Dotch]

Hawkins has cleaned up his act and is actually a serviceable point guard. They've had a few bright spots, beating Nebraska, Michigan & Maryland. Since the Maryland game tho they've dropped 4 straight, including letting Bucky & one of my least favorite coaches in the B1G off the hook Tuesday nite. Any coach who tries to justify what Brad Davidson was doing by tripping opponents and hitting them in the family jewels is a tool. While he's recruited respectably, Ben has been badly outcoached. Not liking the direction this team has taken recently. They may not win another game the rate they're going. If that happens, expect a coaching change only this time, someone with a pedigree. Gopher women suffered a similar fate under Whalen. New coach seems to have righted the ship somewhat but they are young & still need a few pieces especially in the block to make that team a contender.   

[Steve-o]

I like Ben, but you are right.

Maybe Ol' Smoke-n-Mirrors will take a 'home-town' pay cut so the U has more money to spend on a bona fide Men's BB coach with more gravitas and cachet.   

[Dotch]

This team went backwards starting about midway thru the 1st half, down 45-31 at the half. Interesting to see if they can make one of their patented comebacks in the 2nd half & somehow pull off a win like they did a few times earlier. If not, Ben better start packing his bags. Inexcusable to turn the ball over then let Penn St. score on the same ball screen with an easy layup 5 or 6 possessions in a row. That's just bad coaching.   

[Dotch]

Gophers must've ditched the starters & found some guys off the street to play at halftime. They come back & win by 9 at Penn St., ending their 4 game losing streak. If they'd learn how to play 2 halves in the same game, it'd be a lot easier to watch them.

[Gunner55]

 I caught the end of it, just as Hawkins fouled out, & thought for sure they were going down. The had 5 in double figures & made their free throws down the stretch to hold on though.

[Dotch]

Coming off 3 impressive wins in a row & building a 20 pt. lead over IA, the Gophers find a way to totally collapse. This after Garcia doesn't return with about 15 minutes left in the game, losing 90-85. Looks like possibly a groin injury but will wait to hear something official. Tough schedule ahead & while the B1G ain't that good, they were still looking for a way to get on the bubble for the Big Dance. Blew that one. Ben continues to learn but after those 3 recent wins, he still has a long way to go. Coyle's hire continues to be a ?. Niko Medved is thriving at Colorado St. with Brian Dutcher having a decent year at San Diego St. Likewise with Little Richard at New Mexico. Eric Musselman is struggling at Arkansas so should Ben get the hook, there might be more potential there than previously thought. Gut feeling is tho, Coyle will stick with Ben another year. They have improved. At 15-8 they have done better than anticipated especially with some bad losses early on to a couple nobodies. Another year like last year and he would've been toast for sure. This team has struggled to put together more than 20 minutes per game all year long tho and that's on the coaching. They deserve no better than an NIT bid. This is why I still watch Gopher hockey. Unusual when they're not in contention even tho it's been years since they won anything nationally.       

[Gunner55]

 Watched the start, switched away just before half, & came back just after Garcia left. Gophers shot lights out, especially from 3 early (~70%), & nothing after 1/2 time. Hawks started going to the basket & got the Gopher's bigs in foul trouble early in the 2nd. Hawks beat them by 10 on freethrows.

[KEN W]

Gophers in NIT tonight at 8:00 at Butler on ESPNU. Can't play at home this week with State Boys BB at Williams and Target Center.

[Gunner55]

  We don't get ESPNU up here or I'd be watching, so I'll probably be checking out the NCAA play-in games on TruTV instead. Those start @ 5:30, if anyone is interested.

[Gunner55]

  Forgot  the Hawkeye's play their opening round game of the NIT tonight too. That's on ESPN though @ 8 .

[Dotch]

Gophers down 12 at the half vs. Sparty at The Barn. Poor crowd watching an awful basketball team. No life in either. Stick a fork in Ben. Time for Coyle to put an end to this failed experiment & move on after this season. 💩💩💩 Missed another shot at Eric Musselman. He wound up at USC in the B1G. Can't tell me if they'd made a serious effort to get him that we couldn't have got him here. Dutcher is still at San Diego St. but they'll need to step it up to have any chance there. A more likely possibility is Niko Medved at Colorado St. Get that NIL money coming & let's roll!