storminspank
Justin VanLaere
Here's mine, what's yours?
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By Justin VanLaere
Sunday’s matchup pits two teams going in opposite directions. The Minnesota Golden Gophers have lost their last 4 games, while the Iowa Hawkeyes have won 2 of their last 3.
Game Info
Minnesota Golden Gophers (16-8, 5-7) vs Iowa Hawkeyes (10-14, 3-9)
POMEROY RATINGS: Iowa – 74, Minnesota – 47
RPI: Iowa – 147, Minn – 37
Tip Off: Sunday, February 13, 2011; 5:06 PM CST
Iowa City, IA – Carver-Hawkeye Arena (15,500)
TV: BTN (HD) • RADIO: AM-600, AM-800, AM-1040 SAT: Sirius 113, XM 196
Iowa trails the series 88-99.
CLICK HERE FOR LIVE CHAT – 5 PM START
Probable Starters
IOWA
PG – Bryce Cartwright, 6’1â€, 180 lb, JR
G – Matt Gatens, 6’5â€, 215 lb, JR
G – Eric May, 6’5â€, 225 lb, SO
F – Melsahn Basabe, 6’7â€, 225 lb, FR
C – Jarryd Cole, 6’7â€, 250 lb, SR
MINNESOTA
G – Austin Hollins, 6’4â€, 180 lb, FR
G – Blake Hoffarber, 6’4â€, 200 lb, SR
G – Rodney Williams, 6’7â€, 200 lb, SO
F – Trevor Mbakwe, 6’8â€, 240 lb, JR
F – Ralph Sampson III, 6’11â€, 241 lb, JR
VanLaere’s Analysis
It will be interesting to see how the Gophers respond to not only their first four game losing streak under Tubby Smith, but also to their coach publicly calling out individual players and their play.
Don’t be surprised to see Tubby shake up the starting lineup and go big – really big. Minnesota could end up starting Mbakwe, Sampson and Iverson. I don’t really know how Iowa counters that on the defensive end, but on the offensive end they’ll be able to have a lot of open outside shots and lanes available for penetration.
Bryce Cartwright has transformed into one of the better point guards in the Big Ten. In the past eight games, he has dished out at least 5 assists in each one; he also tied a school record for 4 straight games with 8 or more assists. He’s making better decisions and turning into a leader on the court. His play will go a long way in this game.
Melsahn Basabe had a terrific outing last time vs. Minnesota and we can expect the same from him at home. He put up 20 and 13 in The Barn (he’s gone 20 and 10 four times this year, one of 4 freshmen in the country to accomplish that feat). He is only the second Hawkeye frosh to put up 250 points, 170 boards, and 30 blocks in his first season with Iowa. His offensive game continues to improve and he continues to gain confidence each time he steps on the floor. He has yet to hit the freshman wall, which is something he might avoid completely.
Last night, Iowa was a 1 point favorite in this game (the spread has since moved back). I couldn’t tell you the last time Iowa was favored against a ranked opponent. If someone has that info, please share that with me. I’d think it’d have to be sometime around the 2006 era.
KEYS TO GAME FOR IOWA:
- Pressure Hoffarber and the Minnesota guards. With Al Nolen out for an extended period of time, Minnesota’s backcourt is just not very good at taking care of the ball. They are on a turnover binge since losing their starting PG. The departure of Devoe Joseph couldn’t be more magnified if we tried. The Iowa guards need to be in their jocks in the half court, as well as putting full court pressure when the Gopher guards are bringing the ball up the court. Iowa has almost 50 more steals this year than last year in 8 fewer games. Expect Eric May to get back on track in the steals department today.
- Body up Mbakwe. There is nary a more physical player in the Big Ten than Trevor Mbakwe. He’s physical, he’s tough, and he has more energy than the rest of his teammates combined. Last time in The Barn, Trevor was able put up a double and double (he’s been doing that almost every game this year) vs. the Iowa front court. Iowa cannot back down from him.
- Bench Production. Last time out vs. the Gophers, Marble had only 8 minutes, Brommer gave 5 minutes, Archie added 5, and McCabe lead the bench with 24 minutes. Iowa’s bigs were in foul trouble all game, so Brommer and Archie might be seeing significant minutes in this one, especially if Minnesota goes with a large lineup. The bench will need to provide a spark in this one. I’ll be amazed if Brommer doesn’t get at least 15 minutes of PT barring foul trouble. Minnesota’s bench is paper thin with just eight scholarship players on the team (3 of these are true freshmen).
- Get to the Foul Line. Iowa recent success has stemmed from the fact that they are living at the free throw line. Last game vs. Minnesota, the Gophers held a significant advantage in this area. The Gophers shot 37 FTs compared to the Hawkeyes’ 11 FT attempts. That stat needs to be reversed for Iowa to win this game.
PREDICTION: Iowa had its chances to beat the Gophers on the road a few weeks ago when Minnesota was relatively healthy. Iowa is playing better basketball than Minnesota right now, and I think home court gives Iowa the win. If the Hawkeyes can almost beat Wisconsin inside Carver-Hawkeye, there’s no reason they can’t beat the Gophers. This is not the same Minnesota team of three weeks ago.
FINAL SCORE: Iowa 69, Minnesota 62.
MBB: Preview/Prediction Iowa vs. Minnesota | Hawkeye Nation
-----------------------------------
By Justin VanLaere
Sunday’s matchup pits two teams going in opposite directions. The Minnesota Golden Gophers have lost their last 4 games, while the Iowa Hawkeyes have won 2 of their last 3.
Game Info
Minnesota Golden Gophers (16-8, 5-7) vs Iowa Hawkeyes (10-14, 3-9)
POMEROY RATINGS: Iowa – 74, Minnesota – 47
RPI: Iowa – 147, Minn – 37
Tip Off: Sunday, February 13, 2011; 5:06 PM CST
Iowa City, IA – Carver-Hawkeye Arena (15,500)
TV: BTN (HD) • RADIO: AM-600, AM-800, AM-1040 SAT: Sirius 113, XM 196
Iowa trails the series 88-99.
CLICK HERE FOR LIVE CHAT – 5 PM START
Probable Starters
IOWA
PG – Bryce Cartwright, 6’1â€, 180 lb, JR
G – Matt Gatens, 6’5â€, 215 lb, JR
G – Eric May, 6’5â€, 225 lb, SO
F – Melsahn Basabe, 6’7â€, 225 lb, FR
C – Jarryd Cole, 6’7â€, 250 lb, SR
MINNESOTA
G – Austin Hollins, 6’4â€, 180 lb, FR
G – Blake Hoffarber, 6’4â€, 200 lb, SR
G – Rodney Williams, 6’7â€, 200 lb, SO
F – Trevor Mbakwe, 6’8â€, 240 lb, JR
F – Ralph Sampson III, 6’11â€, 241 lb, JR
VanLaere’s Analysis
It will be interesting to see how the Gophers respond to not only their first four game losing streak under Tubby Smith, but also to their coach publicly calling out individual players and their play.
Don’t be surprised to see Tubby shake up the starting lineup and go big – really big. Minnesota could end up starting Mbakwe, Sampson and Iverson. I don’t really know how Iowa counters that on the defensive end, but on the offensive end they’ll be able to have a lot of open outside shots and lanes available for penetration.
Bryce Cartwright has transformed into one of the better point guards in the Big Ten. In the past eight games, he has dished out at least 5 assists in each one; he also tied a school record for 4 straight games with 8 or more assists. He’s making better decisions and turning into a leader on the court. His play will go a long way in this game.
Melsahn Basabe had a terrific outing last time vs. Minnesota and we can expect the same from him at home. He put up 20 and 13 in The Barn (he’s gone 20 and 10 four times this year, one of 4 freshmen in the country to accomplish that feat). He is only the second Hawkeye frosh to put up 250 points, 170 boards, and 30 blocks in his first season with Iowa. His offensive game continues to improve and he continues to gain confidence each time he steps on the floor. He has yet to hit the freshman wall, which is something he might avoid completely.
Last night, Iowa was a 1 point favorite in this game (the spread has since moved back). I couldn’t tell you the last time Iowa was favored against a ranked opponent. If someone has that info, please share that with me. I’d think it’d have to be sometime around the 2006 era.
KEYS TO GAME FOR IOWA:
- Pressure Hoffarber and the Minnesota guards. With Al Nolen out for an extended period of time, Minnesota’s backcourt is just not very good at taking care of the ball. They are on a turnover binge since losing their starting PG. The departure of Devoe Joseph couldn’t be more magnified if we tried. The Iowa guards need to be in their jocks in the half court, as well as putting full court pressure when the Gopher guards are bringing the ball up the court. Iowa has almost 50 more steals this year than last year in 8 fewer games. Expect Eric May to get back on track in the steals department today.
- Body up Mbakwe. There is nary a more physical player in the Big Ten than Trevor Mbakwe. He’s physical, he’s tough, and he has more energy than the rest of his teammates combined. Last time in The Barn, Trevor was able put up a double and double (he’s been doing that almost every game this year) vs. the Iowa front court. Iowa cannot back down from him.
- Bench Production. Last time out vs. the Gophers, Marble had only 8 minutes, Brommer gave 5 minutes, Archie added 5, and McCabe lead the bench with 24 minutes. Iowa’s bigs were in foul trouble all game, so Brommer and Archie might be seeing significant minutes in this one, especially if Minnesota goes with a large lineup. The bench will need to provide a spark in this one. I’ll be amazed if Brommer doesn’t get at least 15 minutes of PT barring foul trouble. Minnesota’s bench is paper thin with just eight scholarship players on the team (3 of these are true freshmen).
- Get to the Foul Line. Iowa recent success has stemmed from the fact that they are living at the free throw line. Last game vs. Minnesota, the Gophers held a significant advantage in this area. The Gophers shot 37 FTs compared to the Hawkeyes’ 11 FT attempts. That stat needs to be reversed for Iowa to win this game.
PREDICTION: Iowa had its chances to beat the Gophers on the road a few weeks ago when Minnesota was relatively healthy. Iowa is playing better basketball than Minnesota right now, and I think home court gives Iowa the win. If the Hawkeyes can almost beat Wisconsin inside Carver-Hawkeye, there’s no reason they can’t beat the Gophers. This is not the same Minnesota team of three weeks ago.
FINAL SCORE: Iowa 69, Minnesota 62.
MBB: Preview/Prediction Iowa vs. Minnesota | Hawkeye Nation
