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The Barn
11:00 AM
BTN
Rutgers
Minnesota Golden Gophers
Record: 12-14 (5-10)
KenPom Rank: 77
Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Record: 11-15 (4-11)
KenPom Rank: 140
The defense Minnesota played against Oregon was the best they’ve played all season. Technically, they had better efficiency numbers against Alcorn State and Fairleigh Dickinson, but this was against a Big Ten opponent. Oregon had 17 points at halftime! Our offense wasn’t exactly efficient, but it was more than good enough to get a road win.
Up next is Rutgers, which is just behind Minnesota in the standings, but on paper, they are not very good this year. My question is, what happened to Steve Pikiell’s defense? Now in his 10th season in Piscataway, Pikiell has traditionally had elite defensive teams. In five of his first eight seasons, they finished in the top 30 nationally in defensive efficiency. Three times they were in the top six nationally! Last year they finished 116th and this year they are 158th. What happened? Even five of his last six seasons at Stony Brook were better defensively than the defense currently being played by his team.
Can the Gophers score? Can they keep the Rutgers offense down? Can Minnesota get two wins in a row?
KEYS TO A GOPHER WIN
Just do it (again) – That defense that they played against Oregon? Just do it again. Turns out that Rutger’s offense is nearly as bad as the Duck’s. Are we going to hold the Scarlet Knights to under 50? I doubt it, but play with that kind of toughness on D and things should be very hard for the visitors.
Tariq Francis is the key – The NJIT junior transfer has been carrying the load for Rutgers. Francis is averaging nearly 17 points per game and is 8th in the Big Ten in free throw attempts.
Crash the boards – Turns out that Rutgers is 310th nationally in defensive rebounding percentage. I’m looking at you, Grayson Grove.
PREDICTION
It should be noted that Rutgers has won back-to-back games over Maryland and Penn State. And in those two games, they have played better defense. It should also be noted that the Gophers have not fared very well against the teams in the bottom third of the conference. Lastly, it should be noted that Jaylen Crocker-Johnson is now ruled out for the rest of the season.
This team is so thin and this team is so hard to gauge. I’m not confident in a win and I’m not confident that Rutgers can beat this team on the road. I’m not willing to predict and win.
Minnesota – 72
Rutgers – 77