Nov 16, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers head coach Ben Johnson reacts throughout the second half in opposition to the Yale Bulldogs at Williams Area. Obligatory Credit score: Matt Krohn-Imagn Photographs Minnesota coach Ben Johnson believes his crew is heading in the right direction towards success.
Would Johnson and the Golden Gophers choose to have cleaner early-season victories in opposition to nonconference opponents?
Sure, in fact.
However in line with the coach, the early bumps are all a part of a brand new roster coming collectively.
“The toughest half is all of us need it now,” Johnson mentioned. “Nevertheless it’s simply such a piece in progress. We simply must get sport 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 goal for its third victory in a row. The Vikings beat Japanese Michigan 71-63 of their most up-to-date sport 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 Japanese 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 p.c taking pictures this season. Dylan Arnett leads the crew with averages of 13 factors and eight.2 rebounds per sport whereas taking pictures 68.2 p.c from the sphere.
Cleveland State received 20-plus video games in every of the earlier three seasons. They performed within the Faculty 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 looks like. That helps when the brand new guys are available in, they see the usual is about.”
Minnesota is led by Dawson Garcia, who’s averaging 25.5 factors and seven.3 rebounds via the primary 4 video games of the season. Lu’Cye Patterson is subsequent on the scoring record with 8.5 factors per sport, 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 resulting from an ankle harm. His standing was unsure for Tuesday night time.
–Subject Stage Media