Young but talented, inexperienced but exciting – those are the words being used to describe a high profile basketball team in Minneapolis.
No, these aren’t the Timberwolves, but the same themes apply as the Gophers prepare for their upcoming basketball season.
Coach Richard Pitino told reporters Wednesday they will be young, but he feels like he has a solid team.
Richard Pitino talks today about feeling like he has a very good team this season #Gophers https://t.co/AGBnczQmPm
— Marcus R. Fuller (@Marcus_R_Fuller) October 21, 2015
Minnesota finished 18-15 last season, 6-12 in the Big Ten. The Gophers failed to qualify for either the NCAA or the NIT Tournaments.
After struggling last year though, Pitino said the Gophers aren’t going to use their youth as an excuse this year.
ICYMI: Richard Pitino at Big Ten Media Day said the #Gophers are not using youth as an excuse this season. https://t.co/LDWxlWO3kj
— Marcus R. Fuller (@Marcus_R_Fuller) October 21, 2015
Kevin Dorsey, Dupree McBrayar, and Jordan Murphy are a few of the freshmen creating the most excitement. But Pitino said all 10 scholarship players will need to be ready to play.
Minnesota does have some experience returning to this year’s squad. Senior guard Carlos Morris, senior forward Joey King and sophomore guard Nate Mason will be counted on to be among the leaders on this year’s team.
Morris averaged 11.1 points and 3.2 rebounds in just over 25 minutes a game for the Gophers last year.
Carlos Morris is beaming with confidence. He told me at Media Day, "I think I'm one of the best players in the Big Ten." #gophers
— Darren Wolfson (@DWolfsonKSTP) October 21, 2015
King is the leading returning three-point shooter from last year’s squad, as he knocked down 55 three-pointers. Mason scored 9.8 points and was second on the squad last year with 92 assists.
A number of the players sat down with KSTP during Gophers Media Day Wednesday.
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