It’s not official or anything, but beat writers around the Big Ten have high confidence in the Gophers men’s basketball team this season.
According to the preseason media poll, as voted on by writers covering each team, the Gophers were picked to finish third in the Big Ten, according to the Columbus Dispatch.
- Michigan State
- Purdue
- Minnesota
- Northwestern
- Maryland
- Michigan
- Wisconsin
- Iowa
- Indiana
- Penn State
- Ohio State
- Illinois
- Nebraska
- Rutgers
Additionally, Gophers senior point guard Nate Mason is a preseason All-Big Ten pick. Mason was a first team All-Big Ten guard as sophomore last season.
Minnesota went 24-10 (11-7 in the Big Ten) to finish fourth in the conference last season before being bounced by Middle Tennessee State in their opening game of the NCAA Tournament.
Richard Pitino was last season’s Big Ten Coach of the Year.