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2021-22 Minnesota Golden Gopher Basketball Preview: Ummmm...

Folks, this may be grim.

“I want YOU...to take off your jacket and play 7 minutes a night as the backup center.”
Harrison Barden-USA TODAY Sports

Last March, Minnesota addressed its Richard Pitino problem by firing him after encouraging him to get out interviewing to find a soft landing spot. He got the New Mexico job, and we got out of the buyout.

The Gophers then addressed the roster by having everyone except Isaiah Ihnen transfer out—he then proceeded to get hurt and will miss the 21-22 season. A few days later, Eric Curry decided to return to the team following numerous injuries and provide a body in the frontcourt. For those of you who don’t remember, Curry was promising freshman alongside Amir Coffey. Coffey is now entering his 3rd season in the NBA. Peyton Willis also returned to the team following a season abroad at College of Charleston.

Minneapolis native and former Gopher (and Northwestern) guard Ben Johnson returned to the program as a young, up-and-coming hire with a ton of upside but not a ton of experience. Just like Richard Pitino, but the difference being that he’s ONE OF US.

Just like Lindsay Whalen. The Gophers lost yesterday, 69-66, to the Jacksonville Dolphins, in their season-opener. Anyway...

Now on to the important stuff about the season:

  • Barring any major changes, the best concession stand will still be the Kemps ice cream. It doesn’t matter if it’s January in Minnesota, because you should get something as ice cold as B1G shooting since it tastes better than anything else available.
  • The best meal available will probably be Famous Dave’s BBQ, since there’s no reason to buy a hot dog unless you’re in a Costco.
  • The popcorn will continue to be too salty, they’ll still put too much ice into the cups for soda, and Mike & Ike’s should be available and you should absolutely buy them if you’re going to get some candy.

UPDATE: A Gopher-Roo Recap?

WE WON 71-56!

I GOT A BURRITO BOWL THAT WAS PRETTY GOOD!

JAMISON BATTLE IS PRETTY GOOD!

REBOUNDING MAY BE A PROBLEM!