Jordan Murphy Looks to Break Idol, Tim Duncan’s, Double-Double Record Wednesday

On Saturday afternoon, Jordan Murphy recorded 18 points and 10 rebounds. The performance, albeit during defeat, marked his 17th straight double-double to start the 2017-18 campaign.

He has now tied former Wake Forest Demon Deacon and 5 Time NBA Champion, Tim Duncan, for the longest such streak to start a D1 basketball season.

Murphy will now attempt to turn his double-double streak into a legal adult. If he is able to make it number 18 on Wednesday, the Gophers junior will be alone atop of the NATIONAL record books.

The San Antonio native has been a PROBLEM for opponents all season. Over his 31.1 minutes per game, the 6’6″ 20 year-old is averaging 18.9 points and 12.7 rebounds. Those numbers are an increase of 7.6 points and 3.9 rebounds from his 2016-17 averages. #Gains

As mentioned, Jordan Murphy is from San Antonio. The future Hall of Famer he tied on Saturday, Tim Duncan, spent his entire 19 year NBA career playing for the Gopher forward’s hometown Spurs. “The Big Fundamental” was even Murphy’s childhood idol. Here at Minnesota Sports Fan, that’s what we call full circle.

Duncan’s Wake Forest Statistics (1993-94 through 1996-97):

Those last three years were aggressive. As one can see, there’s a reason he went first overall in the 1997 NBA Draft.

The man is a legend. He’s the “most boring” athlete of his generation, yet arguably the greatest power forward to ever play the game. In my opinion, he’s the best thing to ever happen to the satirical news organization, The Onion.

Here are some of their funniest Tim Duncan headlines:

• “Tim Duncan Reports 5th Straight Successful New Year’s Resolution”
• “Spurs Unveil Statue of Tim Duncan Recycling”
• “Tim Duncan calls out Geometric Angle Needed to Make Bank Shot”

Just as it was with Duncan, even during defeats like Saturday’s vs. Indiana, the double-double from Murphy is anticipated. It’s like clockwork. As fans, we’ve come to expect them.

However, one thing we haven’t come to expect is Amir Coffey missing basketball games.

Richard Pitino on Amir Coffey’s injury: “I don’t think he’s going to be back soon.”

— chipscoggins (@chipscoggins) January 7, 2018

Damnit. Let’s hope that injury doesn’t linger like a broken marriage.

In what has been a terrible period of time for the Gophers basketball program, Murphy’s accomplishment is a much-needed highlight.

An assumably stressed out and sleep deprived Richard Pitino seemed to agree:

Pitino on his disappointment in the outcome of the game, but how proud he is of Jordan Murphy. #gophers pic.twitter.com/yovZXCtzY5

— GopherHole.com (@GopherHole) January 7, 2018

You can watch Jordan Murphy go for his 18th straight double-double on Wednesday.

Minnesota @ Northwestern starts at 8:00 PM CST and will air on Big Ten Network.

Johnny Minnesota @TheJohnnyMN
Minnesota Sports Fan MinnesotaSportsFan.com