Nov 16, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers head coach Ben Johnson reacts through the second half in opposition to the Yale Bulldogs at Williams Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images Minnesota coach Ben Johnson believes his group is heading in the right direction towards success.
Would Johnson and the Golden Gophers favor to have cleaner early-season victories in opposition to nonconference opponents?
Yes, in fact.
But in line with the coach, the early bumps are all a part of a brand new roster coming collectively.
“The hardest half is all of us need it now,” Johnson mentioned. “But it is simply such a piece in progress. We simply have to get recreation reps for guys to get snug.”
Minnesota (3-1) will get its subsequent repetition when it hosts Cleveland State (3-2) on Tuesday night in Minneapolis. The Golden Gophers will go for back-to-back wins after rallying for a 59-56 victory over visiting Yale on Saturday.
Cleveland State will purpose for its third victory in a row. The Vikings beat Eastern Michigan 71-63 of their most up-to-date recreation on Saturday, which adopted a 75-67 win at Valparaiso on Nov. 12.
Tevin Smith led Cleveland State with 24 factors and 7 rebounds in opposition to Eastern Michigan. He shot 7 of 13 from the sphere, 2 of 5 from 3-point vary and eight of 11 from the free-throw line.
Smith is averaging 11.8 factors on 45.7 % taking pictures this season. Dylan Arnett leads the group with averages of 13 factors and eight.2 rebounds per recreation whereas taking pictures 68.2 % from the sphere.
Cleveland State received 20-plus video games in every of the earlier three seasons. They performed within the College Basketball Invitational event in every of the previous two seasons.
“Our guys which have performed, their expectation now could be to play within the postseason,” Vikings coach Daniyal Robinson mentioned. “They know what that seems like. That helps when the brand new guys are available, they see the usual is about.”
Minnesota is led by Dawson Garcia, who’s averaging 25.5 factors and seven.3 rebounds by the primary 4 video games of the season. Lu’Cye Patterson is subsequent on the scoring listing with 8.5 factors per recreation, and Brennan Rigsby ranks third with 7.5 factors per contest.
Golden Gophers guard Mike Mitchell Jr. has missed two video games in a row on account of an ankle damage. His standing was unsure for Tuesday night time.
–Field Level Media