We should have expected a bunch of Minnesota Gophers to enter the transfer portal this basketball offseason. That’s 2021, especially when there’s a coaching change. But when Ben Johnson was named the new head coach a couple of weeks ago, Gabe Kalscheur’s name was the last I thought I’d see entered. Both he and Johnson graduated from DeLaSalle High School and nobody expected Ben to lose someone that close to his network, when he’s supposed to close the borders on Minnesota.

But I shouldn’t be surprised by anything anymore..

Minnesota guard Gabe Kalscheur is in the transfer portal, source told ESPN. Averaged 9.2 points this season. Minnesota native.

— Jeff Borzello (@jeffborzello) April 1, 2021

GI talked to a source close to the situation today and this decision is something that Kalscheur has closely been considering since the end of the season, long before the Gophers began their search for a new head coach. Kalscheur has a strong relationship with Ben Johnson as Johnson recruited Kalscheur to the University of Minnesota and both are DeLaSalle Islander products. Gabe is going to strongly consider staying at the University of Minnesota while looking at a carefully selected group of other programs.

Ryan James – GopherIllustrated.com

Others around the internet have echoed the same analysis and inside information on Kalscheur’s transfer status. Apparently, he wants to test the new college athlete free agency waters but is still “strongly considering” a return to the Gophers. We’ll see how strong that consideration is soon. Gabe is Minnesota’s best defender and one of the best in the country. If he could regain the shot we were promised when he committed back in 2018, he’d be All Big Ten.

Others Re-Commit to Gophers

Not all Gopher basketball news that dropped today was bad. Ben Johnson received re-commitments from two Gopher wings (via Marcus Fuller – Star Tribune), both Isaiah Ihnen and Both Gach. Ihnen is yet to show his 4-star potential and Both Gach struggled mightily in his first and only season in maroon and gold.. but both guys are bursting with untapped potential. As it looks… Ben might need them.

I've also heard today both Both Gach and Isaiah Ihnen will return to the #Gophers for next season. https://t.co/3fsxc16QVj

— Marcus R. Fuller (@Marcus_R_Fuller) April 1, 2021

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

The Minnesota Gophers men’s basketball team is off to a 9-2 start for the first time since 2017-18, when they were ranked as high as #12 in the nation.

They’ve pulled it off despite TERRIBLE offensive basketball out of their wings. But the Gophers are ranked in the top-25, you say? How bad can it be?

Well through four conference games, it’s been worse than what Richard Pitino could have dreamed up in the darkest of his nightmares.

Minnesota’s two losses this season have come in Big Ten play and both have been complete ass-kickings. The final tally only showed a 12-point deficit vs Wisconsin on Thursday, but anyone who watched that game knows better.

The sad truth is this: If Richard Pitino doesn’t start getting more consistent play from his wings (mostly Gabe Kalscheur and Both Gach) on the offensive end of the floor, then the future will hold more blowout losses than it will exciting wins.

This isn’t 1990. Basketball games are won with spacing and outside shooting. If your wings are shooting under 18% from 3PT, you aren’t going to win very many games, especially in the Big Ten.

Starts with Gabe and Both

It’s almost impossible that Gabe Kalscheur is the most consistent offensive wing the Gophers have. At a walloping 32% from the field and 22% from 3PT, the fact that he leads the wings in both categories says everything.

Both Gach played pretty well during the non-conference schedule but, since Big Ten play has started, he’s been a shell of himself. Look at those numbers. He’s shooting 20% from the field and has more turnovers (9) than he does field goals (6).

The starting wings are important to this Gopher defense. Gabe is their best perimeter defender and it’s not close. Gach provides length that is rare to have out on the 3pt line. But what they bring on defense can only take them so far.

Glimmer of hope vs Wisconsin?

#22 did show a dull spark midway through the Wisconsin game. Here’s to believing it’s a sign of better things to come.

Gabe Kalscheur has a dozen points hitting a couple threes and 3 of 5 attempts. The rest of the team is 3 of 26 including Liam Robbins and Mashburn having missed all of their combined 11 attempts.

— Ryan James (@RyanJamesMN) December 31, 2020

Gach and Kalscheur will both need to find their confidence on offense if the Minnesota Golden Gophers are going to keep winning. The turnaround needs to start on Sunday vs the #25 Ohio State Buckeyes.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

Richard Pitino’s 2020-21 Minnesota Gophers men’s basketball team is an enigma. Even after two big time victories over top-30 teams, it’s hard to know where they go from here.

It won’t be long before we know a lot more because the most difficult stretch of their Big Ten schedule is only getting started. But… waiting for real-time results sucks and what the am I here for if not to predict the future for our readers?

Speaking of predicting futures, I’ve been pumping Pitino’s Transfer U (2020-21) for months. This is a roster that has talent oozing from the sides like an overstuffed PB&J sandwich.

So now that we’ve seen this Gopher squad in both its best (vs Iowa) and worst (@ Illinois) light, I think it’s time to re-evaluate the expectations for this roster and just what it will take to make another run at the NCAA Tournament.

The Good

Same old Marcus Carr

If we’re going to talk about what is right about this roster, the conversation can’t start without Marcus Carr.

Carr has picked up right where he left off last season. He ranks near the top in just about every conference scoring category and assist category.

He’s the clear leader on this team and the Gophers will need him to put them on their back throughout the season. He’s up for it, though.

If your answer to who the best guard is in the #B1G isn't Marcus Carr, you're lying. pic.twitter.com/6mHDch5Hmm

— Minnesota Men's Basketball (@GopherMBB) December 26, 2020

On a nightly basis, the Minnesota Gophers will go as Marcus Carr goes. He can win games by himself because he’s that type of player and, because he is a point guard, the ball is always in his hands. At the same time, if he doesn’t have it on any given night… his team probably won’t either.

Luckily, there’s no sign of Marcus slowing down anytime soon and he seems determined to dance in March and get drafted in April. He knows better than anyone, that leading a Gopher run in the former will rocket his stock in the ladder.

Transfer U (especially big men)

Richard Pitino’s experiment with Minnesota Transfer Portal U has been a budding success in 2020-21. The Gophers went out and found 3 of their 5 starters in the transfer portal and all of them have contributed in major ways.

The latest came on Friday night when Brandon Johnson (Western Michigan grad-transfer) went ballistic from beyond the arc, knocking down 8/9 from 3-pt land and single-handedly downing the Iowa Hawkeyes in OT.

Drake transfer Liam Robbins leads the Big Ten in blocks per game and hit the OT 3-pointer that iced the Hawkeyes.

???? LOGO LIAM! @GopherMBB x @liamrobbins_ pic.twitter.com/8LFzjpBuj1

— Minnesota on BTN (@MinnesotaOnBTN) December 26, 2020

Utah transfer, Both Gach gives Marcus Carr a scoring threat on the wing that he hasn’t had since arriving on campus, even if his start in maroon and gold has been slower than expected.

Avoid Early Disaster

This part of “the good” has been underrated. This is a Minnesota Gophers basketball team that had only one COVID summer to get acquainted with each other. Carr and Kalscheur are the only starters who have played together, prior to this season, and their most important bench player is a freshman, Jamal Mashburn Jr.

Still, the Gophers have started this 8-1 with quality wins over Saint Louis and Iowa. Nobody would have foreseen those victories when this same Minnesota team was struggling to defeat UND and Loyola Marymount a couple of weeks ago, or when they were getting beaten by 30 @ Illinois to start Big Ten play.

The Gophers have 6-straight games coming up on their schedule vs top-25 ranked opponents. If they can win even 2 of them, they’d finish this ridiculous 7-game stretch with a 3-4 record and major schedule relief on the horizon.

There really isn’t a cakewalk game on the Big Ten schedule for any team this season because the conference is so stacked. Still, three top-25 teams in 12 games looks a lot easier than seven ranked teams in seven games.

That’s the stretch the Gophers are currently entering game-2 of.

The Bad

Gabe Kalscheur

Luckily, others have helped pick up Gabe Kalscheur’s offensive slack and Richard Pitino continues to give him big minutes. But fuck, Gabe is going to have to hit shots eventually, if he is going to help the Gophers make a run at the postseason.

Kalscheur is shooting under 30% right now from the field and under 20% from beyond the 3-pt line. That hasn’t stopped him from launching them, though. Gabe currently leads the Big Ten in 3-pt attempts…

Either start hitting them or stop shooting. You can’t do both. We’re a quarter of the way through this season. When does this move from a “slump” to Gabe Kalscheur’s new “normal”?

Inconsistent wing play

Ok, we’ve talked enough about #22’s struggles. Everyone who plays wing for the Minnesota Gophers needs to be better. Both Gach has played well enough, as mentioned above, but he’s yet to really put his stamp on a big game like we’ve seen from Robbins and Johnson, his fellow 2020-21 transfers.

Isaiah Ihnen arrived here from Germany, just before his freshman 2019 season got underway. He’s continued to develop and all of the physical tools are there for him to look like a poor-man’s Kevin Durant.

The kid is 7-ft tall and feels more comfortable shooting 3’s off the catch or dribble, than he does going to the rim. Still, he has to understand the size advantage he has at the college level. He has a full foot on some of his defenders. Get a post game. Until then, Ihnen will just be a streaky shooter with a lot of upside.

Sophomore, Tre Williams, was showing a lot of promise early in the season but his minutes have been cut as Big Ten play has been fired up. I’d like to see him get more time on the floor if Gabe can’t turn things around offensively.

Extending our post presence out to the 3-pt line will not win Big Ten games all season. The wing play needs to improve if the Gophers are going to keep winning games.

Brandon Joseph was clearly on the nice list this year. @GopherMBB pic.twitter.com/mwMSIRewzF

— Minnesota on BTN (@MinnesotaOnBTN) December 26, 2020

Sustainability

Yes, winning is sustainable for the Gophers and I only expect them to get better as the year goes on. They should continue gel as a team, both on and off the court, as they get to know each other better.

The wing shooting really can’t get any worse, so if we are beating Iowa right now, how well can the Gophers play when that area improves. Honestly, we have more talent there than anywhere, so I expect improvement sooner rather than later.

I’d be shocked if the Minnesota Gophers MBB team isn’t dancing in March and I’d be even more surprised if they aren’t top-25 on Monday.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

On paper, the 2020-21 Minnesota Gophers men’s basketball team is way more talented than the team we saw in 2019-20. Daniel Oturu was a great college basketball player and his loss will hurt all season. Liam Robbins + Brandon Johnson won’t fill his void.

But the additional talent and depth that this Minnesota team has in the backcourt, compared to last season, is a night and day improvement. Adding Both Gach and Jamal Mashburn Jr has completely changed the outlook of this group and Tre Williams is a completely different player in his sophomore year.

But that’s on paper

But as we learned on Tuesday night in Champagne, basketball isn’t played on paper. The Gophers walked into a pent up orange tornado of basketball rage vs the Fighting Illini earlier this week and I’m hoping it was the punch in the mouth they needed. Welcome to the Big Ten. It’s time to wake up.

They took a phony 6-0 record into that game and got it stuffed right back down their throat by Kofi Cockburn (pronounced like it’s spelled). It was a humbling 92-65 experience and Richard Pitino’s fighting Gophers got back on the plane with fluffy tails between their legs.

Back to the drawing board…

This loss was depressing, embarrassing and sobering… but it wasn’t devastating. Richard’s 2020-21 roster was jumbled together in a COVID hurry. Both Gach didn’t have his waiver approved to play until just weeks before the season.

Throw in a handful of cream puffs early in the schedule, just to build some empty confidence, and a pissed off Fighting Illini team with two NBA lottery picks in its starting-5, for the Big Ten opener. And poof.

It was the perfect brew for a big time Big Ten reality check… and that’s exactly what happened. The Gophers got their clocks cleaned. But, how devastating is this loss, in reality? It’s not.

Nobody picked Minnesota to win earlier this week vs Illinois. As of now, there’s nothing for Richard Pitino to “turnaround” or “get back on track”. At 6-1, his squad is exactly where they should be.

But, if you watched that game (or the highlights above) some things clearly need to change if Minnesota is going to compete in the deepest conference in college basketball. It’s a lot to ask but all four of the improvements below aren’t just “possible”. They’re easily “feasible”.

#1. Wings NEED to be better.

This conversation starts with Gabe Kalscheur.

I’m sick of seeing this dude miss shots. You were specifically brought here to make 3-point shots and you’re shooting 17.2% on the season from deep (29% FG).

I’m sick of waiting for Gabe to get better. You can hold every high school record in the state and have the most beautiful stroke in the country… but if the balls don’t go through the hoop, it doesn’t fucking matter. Pitino has better options at his disposal this season. If Gabe can’t improve on offense then he needs less minutes, period.

Engaged Both Gach is crucial.

Getting Gach to transfer from Utah could prove to be one of the biggest recruiting wins in Richard Pitino’s tenure at the University of Minnesota. Without him, this team would not have the talent to compete in the Big Ten over the next couple of seasons.

He’s long, athletic and skilled. When he’s engaged on defense and knocking down outside shots on offense, he can be your team’s best player. He showed us that first hand last season when he went off vs the Gophers in Utah.

After triple-doubling against MVSU, Utah's Both Gach had a handful of wow-plays in win over Minnesota. 6-6 sophomore wing averaging near 18-5-4. Needs to add strength, improve handle in tight spaces, but he's become a tough shotmaker, sharper transition scorer, capable in PnR. pic.twitter.com/K5xK46xST2

— Jonathan Wasserman (@NBADraftWass) November 19, 2019

But vs Illinois, he was a shell of himself. He posted an utterly disgusting box score line of 1 point, 3 rebounds and 2 assists in 26 minutes of play. How does that happen when you have Marcus Carr drawing most of the defense’ attention? It can’t.

Gach has all the tools to be the 2nd-best player on this team but he needs to want it more than he did on Tuesday night.

#2. Liam Robbins MUST adjust to Big Ten

I knew Liam Robbins was in trouble vs Big Ten big men when he was getting into early foul trouble vs Loyola Marymount. That proved true vs Illinois when Robbins was racking up personal fouls like like they were gift cards on Christmas Day.

When Robbins was in the game early, the Gophers were competitive. As soon as he went out, Kofi Cockburn (pronounced like its spelled) took over and the game was over by the time Liam re-entered.

Robbins will be a good player in the Big Ten but how quickly he can adjust to the physicality of this conference will go far toward dictating how competitive the Gophers are in 2020-21.

#3. Jamal Mashburn Jr needs to grow up fast

Jamal Mashburn Jr has looked just like one would expect a talented young true freshman to look, especially with a limited offseason and preseason. There are times, both offensively and defensively, where Jamal Jr looks to be seeing the floor well and playing fast. Other times, he looks lost.

Growing pains are to be expected… but they can’t last very long if this team is going to win games in 2020-21. Pitino needs to be able to trust Mashburn Jr to play big spot minutes at any time.

Marcus Carr is a great player but he can be a loose cannon, oftentimes playing out of control when fatigued. Last year, there was nothing Richard could do about it. He had nobody else to handle the ball and even a bad Marcus was better than no Marcus Carr.

If Jamal Mashburn Jr can help Pitino spell Carr at the right times, and even create a spark off the bench throughout the season, it would go a long way in making it a success.

There's a familiar name. ????

Jamal Mashburn Jr. is stuntin' like his daddy for @GopherMBB.

cc: @jamalmashburn pic.twitter.com/TDZFtw17yR

— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) December 16, 2020

#4. Prove it Time for Richard Pitino

The offense has looked like shit this season and that’s on Richard Pitino to improve. Can he come up with an offensive game plan better than 4-handoffs and a Marcus Carr isolation dribble drive?

If not, it’s going to be a long season. I’m willing to cut Little Ricky a bit of slack because he hasn’t had a lot of practice time. Age isn’t an argument, though. This is a veteran team that needs to find a way to gel together in a hurry.

If Richard can make that happen, it would be his best coaching performance of a young career. If not, this will be a long and terrible season of Minnesota Gophers basketball and the call for Pitino’s job will be louder than ever.

Pitino’s life has been basketball and his connections spread farther and wider than any young coach in the game. There’s really no excuse for coaching and offensive strategy being a problem for a team this talented.

Another test on Sunday

The Gophers will play the last non-conference game on their schedule on Sunday, when the Saint Louis Billikens come to Williams Arena. Saint Louis is turning into the next mid-major powerhouse and have climbed into the top-25.

Minnesota is going to be a big underdog at home in this matchup. The Billikens are 9-0 vs the spread in their last nine games (according to OddsShark.com) and the Gophers just got dominated on Tuesday. Sounds like an opportunity to change some minds.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

The Minnesota Gophers pulled out their 2nd win in as many 2020 games on Saturday evening, when they beat Loyola Marymount in the first of a 2-game series at Williams Arena. Game 2 will be played on Monday night.

LMU hung with the Gophers during the 1st half of Saturday’s game. In fact, they lead for most of the first 20 minutes. Minnesota took the lead at halftime, however, and never really looked back.

Another high-scoring night for Marcus Carr as @GopherMBB moves to 2-0 on the season.

Highlights vs. Loyola Marymount: pic.twitter.com/tzRBe5JY8m

— Minnesota on BTN (@MinnesotaOnBTN) November 29, 2020

Marcus Carr Show Continued…

Marcus Carr picked up right where he left off earlier in the week when he put up 35 against Green Bay, posting 23 in the first half alone, vs LMU tonight. Minnesota needed him in that first half, while his teammates struggled to find their footing, and he delivered again.

#5 is the best point guard in the Big Ten and he will be there all season, when the Gophers need him. But what was so promising about this game, unfolded in the 2nd half when Carr’s teammates took over.

Marcus put up 23 in the first and Minnesota was +4. In the 2nd half, Carr was held to just 5 points, but the Gophers were +11. Others started putting the ball in the basket and our PG was happy to let them takeover for a bit.

Both Gach put up a box score that should get Gopher fans jacked up, after a shaky first 3 halves. He wasn’t the only transfer to contribute in big ways.

Game 2 – Monday

This is a 2-game series and the next matchup will take place on Monday night at 7 PM. Thank god we get to see this beautiful man one more time. Savor it.

I mean this is a perfect male human specimen. pic.twitter.com/bVftTE7kaK

— PoppaDoo (@Doo2Cory) November 29, 2020

Couldn't agree more with @BenBrust…

Loving Keli Leaupepe's game, hair, overall court presence in this Minnesota vs. @lmulionsmbb matchup. Electric pic.twitter.com/CB9hk8Shyl

— Alex Roux (@arouxBTN) November 28, 2020

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

Richard Pitino and Gopher Men’s Basketball received some massive news Wednesday afternoon. After much deliberation, the NCAA has finally granted Drake transfer, Liam Robbins, his waiver for eligibility during the 2020-21 season.

The announcement comes months after he declared his decision to transfer, early this summer. Robbins is now eligible to suit up immediately for the Gophers. A decision on Both Gach still awaits, but that’s not surprising because the Gophers haven’t sent his request in yet.

Source: Minnesota’s Liam Robbins has received a waiver from the NCAA and is eligible for the 20-21 season.

Transfer from Drake.

— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) September 2, 2020

LIAM ROBBINS

A Davenport, Iowa native and former University of Drake standout, Robbins transferred to play in the Big Ten, while also being closer to family amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Robbins’ uncle is Minnesota Associate Head Coach, Ed Conroy, and senior walk-on, Hunt Conroy, is Liam’s cousin.

Heavily under-recruited in high school, Robbins played an extra season of ball at Sunrise Christian Academy, the same school that sophomore guard Tre Williams previously attended.

But after averaging 14.1 points, 7.1 rebounds and 2.9 blocks per game and shooting 49.9% from the field and 69.4% from the charity stripe, Robbins was under-recruited no more. He earned offers from schools across the country, but eventually picked the Gophers. 

Now eligible to play immediately, Robbins should vault the Gophers from the bottom of the Big Ten to the middle of the pack or higher. He brings a great deal of experience and talent to the Gophers, on top of a very formidable jump shot.

Significant Big Ten News.

If Minnesota also receives a waiver for Both Gach, Richard Pitino will have an NCAA Tournament caliber team. https://t.co/I0bg7zOSR4

— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) September 2, 2020

#Gophers haven't sent the waiver yet for Utah transfer Both Gach. But it's highly likely since he's from Austin, Minn. coming home during a pandemic. Gach and Liam Robbins are projected starters for 2020-21 season if both eligible.

— Marcus R. Fuller (@Marcus_R_Fuller) September 2, 2020

BOTH GACH

Gach, the former Austin (MN) High School standout, announced his plans to transfer from the University of Utah earlier this summer. This past season, the 6-foot-6, 183-pound guard averaged 10.7 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2.7 assists for the Utes, while also shooting 39.7% from the field and 25% from three. A desire to come back home, where a member of his family is dealing with health issues amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, was likely the reason for his departure.

In addition to transferring, Gach also had the option to declare for the draft this year, but ultimately decided to wait another season and develop his game in the meantime.

I would love to give a huge Thank you to all the schools that took the time to recruit me but at this time I’m excited to commit to the University of Minnesota and join coach Pitino and his staff ….. Excited to be back home 〽️ ?? pic.twitter.com/NeIeN2AtQB

— Both Gach (@TutBoth) June 15, 2020

GACH’S HOMECOMING

Both Gach is expected to get his waiver request approved in easier fashion than Robbins, and should also make a large impact immediately. When watching Gach’s game, he has similar skills to former Gophers star Amir Coffey.

A few particular things stick out: his finishing ability, shot-making ability, and the ability to play anywhere on the court. Part of why he is able to do these things so well is his good body control. This shows most in his finishing ability at the hoop. He displayed that ability against All-Pac 12 guard McKinley Wright in the gif below. 

via GIPHY

I could keep going on about how good he is, but luckily I already wrote a piece about what he brings to the Gophers. Read that piece here.

With Robbins receiving his waiver for this season, and Gach looking likely to be granted a waiver as well, the Gophers roster for the 2020-21 season is suddenly looking very strong.

They will need to be. The Big Ten conference will be no joke in 2020-21. Richard Pitino may find some job security if the group performs well.

Carson Ruen | Minnesota Sports Fan

News on NCAA transfer waivers (to play immediately in 2020) have been trickling through for weeks now. Many Minnesota Gophers media and fans thought we would have heard back from the NCAA on the waivers for two of our most important newcomers, Liam Robbins (Drake) and Both Gach (Utah). Now, we have an update on the status of our new transfer duo…

Waiver process for Drake transfer Liam Robbins is in the Gophers' hands currently to give the NCAA a bit more information to make a decision. The U is currently working on that to give back I was told today. Utah transfer Both Gach waiver hasn't been sent yet. @StribSports

— Marcus R. Fuller (@Marcus_R_Fuller) August 14, 2020

Wait…. what?

According to Marcus Fuller of the Star Tribune, the transfer committee needs more information from Richard Pitino and the Gopher basketball program before they are comfortable making a decision on the waiver for Liam Robbins. WTF could the University of Minnesota have forgotten to send the NCAA… or could this be a situation where the NCAA is being unreasonable? What a strange tweet.

On top of that, Both Gach’ waiver hasn’t even been sent in yet. Supposedly, Pitino and Co. believe it’s a better idea to have the NCAA concentrate on one Minnesota waiver request at a time. After seeing this, you can’t blame him. If you are getting nervous though, you aren’t the only one.

Ha! #Gophers remain confident, although it's getting weird on the Robbins front. Those close to him were strongly led to believe that they'd find out last week. Now, as we approach the end of this work week, it's odd that we haven't officially heard.

— Darren Wolfson (@DWolfsonKSTP) August 7, 2020

Again, this whole thing is really starting to get weird. If you believe this is the NCAA just trying to stab Minnesota because it’s fun, I can’t say you’re wrong. It’d be the least-shocking news I’ve come to terms with over the last few months… but could that be it?

Remember the Carr Waiver?

If we rewind back to the Marcus Carr waiver decision from a couple of years ago, it played out this same way. Pitino told media multiple times that he was confident about the Carr waiver. There was a weirdly long waiting period after that… before the request was denied. Meanwhile, waivers are getting approved across the NCAA for everyone else.

This isn’t a blog where I claim to have all the answers (like usual). I don’t know what is happening behind this curtain or how this will finish. Hopefully, Pitino just forgot to include a copy of his insurance card or Robbins’ birth certificate in the paperwork? The situation is worth keeping an eye on. Then, we’ll have to do this same thing with Both Gach. Fun.

Not to mention, Liam Robbins could be the difference in having a front court that can compete in the Big Ten this season. Comparing him to Marcus Carr is legitimate because it could be just as devastating.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

Richard Pitino and the Minnesota Gophers basketball team have been named Stadium, as biggest transfer winners for 2020. Coming behind the Gophers were: Texas Tech, Richmond and Memphis (among others).

1) Minnesota – Richard Pitino and the Gophers added a couple of starters — as long as Liam Robbins (14.1 ppg, 7.1 rpg) and Both Gach wind up getting waivers from the NCAA to play this season (which should happen). The 7-foot Robbins, the nephew of Minnesota assistant Ed Conroy, is a major impact guy, as is Gach, who averaged 10.7 points last season for the Utah Utes. Gach should get the waiver because he transferred back closer to home.”

Jeff Goodman – Stadium

This shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone who has paid attention to the transfer portal this spring (or MinnesotaSportsFan.com HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE). Pitino and Co. grabbed two of the hottest transfers on the market — Liam Robbins and Both Gach — this spring, and in the process, also nabbed former Western Michigan forward, Brandon Johnson. 

Liam Robbins – Drake

Robbins averaged 14.1 points and 7.1 rebounds per game last year for Drake, was the first to commit this spring, doing so on April 5th. The soon-to-be-junior was recently ranked by CBS Sports, as the 8th best transfer on the market (excluding graduate-transfers), topping former Michigan guard David Dejulius and former Illinois guard Alan Griffin.

The same writer whose Transfer Portal success rankings triggered this blog Stadium, Jeff Goodman, ranked Robbins as the #1 (non-grad) transfer on the market, when he committed to the Gophers.

Robbins figures to bring a tall presence to a Gophers lineup that won’t have Daniel Oturu back next year. He can also shoot the ball pretty well, finishing his sophomore campaign with a .499 FG%. The 7-footer is the nephew of Associate Head Coach, Ed Conroy, and the cousin of walk-on senior, Hunt Conroy.

Minnesota-bound Liam Robbins ranks No. 1 on my transfer board of guys who might have to sit a year: https://t.co/LibvR6SJZ9 https://t.co/EYu0ri4wBP

— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) April 5, 2020

Went through tape on Minnesota's transfer commit Liam Robbins. As impressive as any transfer prospect in the country. Impressed with his touch, hands and post work. Effective over either shoulder. Late bloomer that didn't have a scholarship offer coming out of high school. pic.twitter.com/0r2AnRLqTc

— Evan Daniels (@EvanDaniels) April 9, 2020

Both Gach – Utah

The other highly touted transfer (and Austin, MN native), committed to the Gophers a little over a week ago. The former Utah guard, who averaged 10.7 points and 3.6 rebounds per game last year, was ranked 16th in the same article mentioned before, by CBS Sports. 

The Austin, Minnesota native has a similar game to Amir Coffey. He’s a 6-foot 7 guard who can not only attack and score in the lane, but also a player who can stroke it from deep.

I would love to give a huge Thank you to all the schools that took the time to recruit me but at this time I’m excited to commit to the University of Minnesota and join coach Pitino and his staff ….. Excited to be back home 〽️ ?? pic.twitter.com/NeIeN2AtQB

— Both Gach (@TutBoth) June 15, 2020

Both Gach @TutBoth has announced that he's transferring to @GopherMBB. The ex-Utah Ute averaged 11 ppg, 3.7 rpg, and 2.7 apg last season in the PAC 12.

Watch his full 19-20 highlights: https://t.co/FzPofeaavC pic.twitter.com/DUFMblpxTC

— Next Ones (@NXT1S) June 17, 2020

Brandon Johnson – Western Michigan

The third transfer of the spring came from 2019-20 All-MAC Third Team award winner, Brandon Johnson. The graduate-transfer averaged 15.4 points and 8.1 rebounds per game last season and will most likely step into the starting lineup this coming season. Yesterday, Johnson was ranked 16th on ESPN’s immediately eligible transfer list. 

On Super Hero Night at University Arena, Brandon Johnson turned into the Hulk ? ? @BHerbo_trey5 scored a career-high 29 points, including 19 in the second half, as he willed @WMUMBB to a monster win over Ball State on Saturday night.

Check out the highlights ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/CjUiJWegI9

— Evan Stockton (@evstockton) February 9, 2020

Gach has a good case to get a waiver, since his family lives in Austin and he’s coming home to the University of Minnesota. On the other hand, Robbins’ decision could go either way. Richard Pitino, however, seems confident that both players will be granted the waivers. 

In any case, Richard Pitino managed to get three quality transfers on the market this year, adding to what I said about the upcoming season he is about to have. If granted waiver requests, all three will most likely step into the starting lineup this coming season.

Great job, Richard!

Carson Ruen | Minnesota Sports Fan

Richard Pitino continued his strong spring by adding yet another transfer on Monday Afternoon. Former Austin (MN) High School standout, Both Gach (who declared for the NBA draft earlier this spring) announced that he would be taking his talents from the University of Utah, back home to the University of Minnesota. 

I would love to give a huge Thank you to all the schools that took the time to recruit me but at this time I’m excited to commit to the University of Minnesota and join coach Pitino and his staff ….. Excited to be back home 〽️ ?? pic.twitter.com/NeIeN2AtQB

— Both Gach (@TutBoth) June 15, 2020

The former Utah Utes guard averaged 10.9 points and 2.9 assists in his sophomore year, while playing 33 minutes in each contest. Those numbers could’ve been better, too, if not for a knee injury that kept him out for four straight games. However, Gach still managed to have a couple really big performances, including games against Minnesota and Colorado. 

I went back and watched his highlights from those games, and here are some components of his game that stuck out to me the most.

Finishing Ability

One of the best parts about Gach’s game is his finishing ability. He not only showed it in the Minnesota game, but also the Colorado game. He has a bag full of tricks and will use any of them to make defenders look silly. Just look at these highlights from both games:

Minnesota

In the first highlight from the Minnesota game, he receives the ball from his teammate, drives coast-to-coast, and then finishes around basically the whole Minnesota line-up. He also adjusted his body to get the perfect angle and then converted with ease.

via GIPHY

In the next highlight, he again goes coast-to-coast, hesitates just enough to make Gabe Kalscheur commit to him, and then spins through Marcus Carr to, once again, convert the layup. This is terrific recognition by him, and just one of the many moves that will make Gophers fans excited to see him rock the Maroon and Gold.

Oh, and I can’t forget… he can also beat you with his left hand. Unfortunately, Daniel Oturu found that out the hard way:

via GIPHY

via GIPHY

Colorado

If you can’t get enough of those highlights (or you don’t like watching our own Gopher squad get toasted , here are some clips from his game vs Colorado. 

Beating All-Pac 12 guard McKinley Wright off the dribble? Check. Converting a left-hand scoop layup, while also getting fouled? Also check. 

via GIPHY

But can he beat Wright off the dribble for another bucket? Why, yes he can. Is he athletic enough to split two defenders with a euro-step, though? Well… just see for yourself.

via GIPHY

via GIPHY

Shooting

Although Gach only shot 25% from three last year, he showed the ability to shoot the ball at a higher percentage elsewhere. He shot 56% on field goals inside the 3 point line. Here are some of those shots:

You would normally expect to see Gach take the ball to the basket when going coast-to-coast, but in this highlight, he actually pulls up for the three and converts with a swish… again vs the Gophers. In the second highlight, he shows off his shotmaking ability and converts while moving to his left.

via GIPHY

via GIPHY

Here’s another quick-release-three off the catch:

via GIPHY

As you can see from the highlights, Both Gach has the ability and size to shoot the ball at a higher clip for the Gophers next season. Efficiency with outside shots is the biggest key to unlocking his full potential. Based on the Twitter videos below, it looks like that is exactly what he is working on.

Late night Lab work with Both Gach @TutBoth pic.twitter.com/HTb6bmLG1z

— Coach Pete (@PeteKaffey) May 23, 2020

Unseen hours with Both Gach @TutBoth pic.twitter.com/IEwvTtj0JA

— Coach Pete (@PeteKaffey) May 23, 2020

Position Flexibility

Another important reason for Gach’s transfer to Minnesota is his ability to play both off and on the ball. With Marcus Carr running the show (hopefully), Gach will likely play a little more off-ball on offense.

Pitino also sold Gach on plenty of opportunities to play on the ball, too. Similar to Richard Pitino utilized Amir Coffey during his Junior season, Gach has a lot of the same skill sets. Here are some highlights of Gach assisting his teammates:

via GIPHY

via GIPHY

With these traits, Gach could be the player that vaults the Gophers from the middle or bottom of the Big Ten, towards the top of the Big Ten. And if Drake transfer Liam Robbins receives a waiver for the 2020-21 season, that combo makes it even more likely. 

Gach is another excellent addition for the Gophers but he and Robbins will both need waivers to play immediately. Until that happens, everything is up in the air.

Carson Ruen | Minnesota Sports Fan

Former Utah SG, Both Gach, has announced via Twitter that he will be transferring to the University of Minnesota, to continue his basketball career. He committed to the Gophers over Iowa State, Creighton, and Auburn. Gach previously withdrew his name from the NBA Draft and entered the transfer portal in May (more on that here). Gach will be going into his Junior season and is a major addition for Richard Pitino and crew.

I would love to give a huge Thank you to all the schools that took the time to recruit me but at this time I’m excited to commit to the University of Minnesota and join coach Pitino and his staff ….. Excited to be back home 〽️ ?? pic.twitter.com/NeIeN2AtQB

— Both Gach (@TutBoth) June 15, 2020

Coming Home

Gach is a former Minnesota High School star. He spent those years at Austin High School in Austin MN, before transferring to Compass Prep in Chandler AZ. Gach has decided to finish his college career where it all began and we’re happy to have him back!

Gach played two seasons with the Utes, averaging 9.1 points, 2.5 assists and 2.8 rebounds per game. He showed substantial improvement from his Freshman to Sophomore season, including scoring a career high 28 points against Colorado.

Transfer U

This marks the third player to transfer to the Twin Cities this year. (F) Liam Robbins transferred to the U of M after playing two seasons at Drake University (waiver required). (F) Brandon Johnson also came to the Gophers as a grad-transfer (eligible immediately) from Western Michigan. Pitino’s recent in-state recruiting troubles are well noted, but at least he has been able to secure impressive transfers.

Just like Robbins, Gach will need to get a waiver approved in order to be eligible to play this year. Coming home to Minnesota will hopefully help him with that process. If he is able to play this season, he should make a massive impact immediately, just like Robbins.

They'd love that. Virtual tour went well. Getting an immediate waiver to play seems more realistic in home state (if Utah cooperates).

— Darren Wolfson (@DWolfsonKSTP) May 21, 2020

With the addition of Gach, the Gophers have taken another step toward staying competitive in an unforgiving BIG 10 conference. Next stop is hopefully a trip to the Big Dance.

Cameron Thompson | Minnesota Sports Fan