Daniel Oturu entered the NBA Draft in March and most Minnesota Gopher basketball fans knew it was coming, but that didn’t stop hearts from hurting. Oturu was the hometown (Cretin Derham Hall) kid who stuck around and played for the maroon and gold, when other local high school prospects of his caliber were all jumping ship around him for “greener pastures”.

But as the draft drips closer and closer (November 18), Oturu’s career path looks more and more like it might not leave Minnesota, quite yet. Darren Wolfson (KSTP, SKOR North) reported this morning, that the local pro basketball team is bringing Mr. Oturu in for his 2nd interview.

The #Timberwolves will connect this weekend with former #Gophers big Daniel Oturu for a second interview. We are at the time to be covering all bases for guys in the 17-33 range. pic.twitter.com/SmlIwA0LNv

— Darren Wolfson (@DWolfsonKSTP) October 2, 2020

The Timberwolves look to be circling their wagons back around draft prospects they like, who could still be on the board when they have their mid-1st (#17) and 2nd-round (#33) picks. It’s a fast turnaround for Oturu, who first interviewed with the hometown team on September 11. Obviously, this doesn’t guarantee Oturu ends up in a Wolves jersey, but it does mean he is one of the finalists they are still interested in, for their 2nd and 3rd picks of this draft.

Where is Dan Projected to Land?

Obviously, it depends on where you look. According to the NBADraftRoom.com, Oturu projects as a “mid-first to early-second round pick”. Rosas and Co could get very-well two stabs at drafting the Woodbury native. Most outlets are mocking Dan right around the Wolves #33 (2nd rnd) overall pick (see below).

There will be a lot of good players available at #17, including other Minnesota natives like Zeke Nnaji and Tyrell Terry, so it doesn’t seem likely (at this point) the Timberwolves go Oturu there. If he is still available at #33, the likelihood has to increase dramatically, given how interested they seem in him through the lead-up process.

Two outlets have Daniel Oturu getting drafted at #18 by the Dallas Mavericks, one pick after the Timberwolves’ pick.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

To most people, Minnesota is known as the State of Hockey. Since 2006, the state has annually hosted Hockey Day Minnesota to showcase talent throughout the state. Current NHL players like Zach Parise, T.J Oshie and Ryan McDonagh + a bunch more all hail from the Land of 10,000 Lakes. However, Minnesota is oh-so-subtly becoming the State of Basketball, the latest example of this being the 2020 NBA Draft. 

The NBA Draft and Lottery are still a ways away, thanks to COVID-19. The draft is set to take place on October 16th (lottery: August 25). The Athletic released their sixth 2020 NBA Mock Draft, earlier this week. As you might have guessed when you opened this blog, Minnesota could play a major role in that first round.

The Athletic projects that four Minnesota natives will hear their names called on draft night, all of them slated to go in the first round: Tre Jones (Apple Valley), Zeke Nnaji (Hopkins), Daniel Oturu (Cretin-Derham Hall) and Tyrell Terry (DeLaSalle).

Tre Jones

After playing two years for Mike Krzyzewski at Duke, it’s no surprise to see Jones on this mock draft. The Apple Valley native averaged 16.2 points, 6.4 assists and 4.2 rebounds while shooting 42.3% from the field and 36.1% from deep.

The younger brother of NBA PG, Tyus Jones, Tre led Duke to a 25-6 record this past season and was named the 2019-20 ACC Defensive Player of the Year and 2019-20 ACC Player of the Year. According to experts, some of Tre’s strengths are his defense and basketball IQ, but you don’t have to read it to believe it; just look at the clip below.

“He made things happen on both ends of the floor and set a tone for Duke. Ultimately, the big question is about his jump shot. He hit 36 percent of his 3-pointers, but most of those came directly off the catch and that number is the result of a hot shooting final seven games.”

“[Drafting Tre in the 1st round] requires you to trust that his improvement as a shooter off the catch is real, and teams aren’t totally convinced yet. One thing going in his favor is that he is considered a super high character kid that will work to rep out jumpers until he gets it right.”

Sam Vacenie – The Athletic

Who will be the third PG taken behind Ja Morant/Darius Garland? Duke’s Tre Jones has made a strong case with his stellar point-of-attack defense and turnover-free style of play. https://t.co/Wvxg0uEGJp pic.twitter.com/2uZ01w38xZ

— Mike Schmitz (@Mike_Schmitz) March 1, 2019

31 points 6 assists and 4 steals last night for Tre Jones! @Tre3Jones pic.twitter.com/RBxMBFMLnz

— Courtside Films (@CourtsideFilms) November 16, 2019

Zeke Nnaji

First, let’s just get this out of the way: Zeke Nnaji would be a great fit for the Jazz in more than one way. Second, Zeke Nnaji is really good at basketball. The former Hopkins star averaged 16.1 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 0.9 blocks while shooting 57% from the field this past season at Arizona. He put up those numbers while playing with fellow highly-touted prospects in Josh Green and Nico Mannion). 

Nnaji was not only named to the 2019-20 All-Pac 12 Freshman Team, but he was also named to the 2019-20 All-Pac 12 First Team and was the 2019-20 Pac-12 Rookie of the Year. That’s not bad for a guy who is just as good a musician. While his 3-point percentage wasn’t the best — he only shot 29.4% from deep — Nnaji seems to be working on that everyday (as shown below). Additionally, Darren Wolfson recently reported that Nnaji is set to meet with the Timberwolves next week.

“The Minnesota native isn’t a particularly great defender right now, but he has good lateral quickness and should be someone who can slide with opposing guards on the perimeter and not be a liability. He also has tremendous touch around the basket and great body control mixed with underrated physical strength.”

“Getting guys who are 6-foot-11 who has potential to shoot it and defend on the perimeter while constantly playing with a high-level motor is super valuable. I don’t know that Nnaji will ever be a star, but I feel confident he’ll likely stick around for a while.”

Sam Vacenie – The Athletic

Here is some fresh video of former Hopkins HS and Arizona star Zeke Nnaji. Shot looks good. Wasn’t that long ago that he won the Iverson Classic 3-point contest. He’ll interview with his hometown #Timberwolves next week. #Twolves pic.twitter.com/Q7kxXJTndZ

— Darren Wolfson (@DWolfsonKSTP) July 16, 2020

Story of Arizona’s opener was 6-11 freshman Zeke Nnaji. Scored 20 using both hands in post, showed some outside touch, fluid in open floor, slid feet well defensively. Gonna be a good player for Wildcats. pic.twitter.com/He3UXxA9sr

— Jonathan Wasserman (@NBADraftWass) November 7, 2019

Daniel Oturu

Vacenie thinks Daniel Oturu was better in college than he will be in the NBA. This past season, Oturu absolutely dominated, putting up gaudy stats of over 20 points and 11 rebounds per game, this past season for the Gophers. 

During a five game stretch in January where the Gophers played Purdue, Northwestern, Michigan State, Michigan and Penn State; Oturu averaged 25.2 points and 13 rebounds, while shooting 57.1% from the field and 45.5% from deep. Dan was also named to the 2019-20 All-Big Ten Second Team and 2019-20 All-Big Ten Defensive Team. He’s also been training with Tre Jones this off-season, too How is this guy sliding down draft boards…?

“Why isn’t Oturu set to go higher on draft night? Well, he’s a bit undersized for the center position. At 6-foot-10 with a 7-foot-2 wingspan, he’ll be a touch undersized for the average NBA center. Second, his movement skills are a bit off. He’s not wildly explosive or athletic, and his overall agility and lateral quickness is a bit stiff. He got by in college, but NBA teams have a concern that putting him in greater space will only exacerbate the issue.

Oturu is more Ibaka than Gasol as he’s not a particularly good passer and is much more comfortable spacing and shooting.

— Sam Vacenie

Future Lottery Pick Daniel Oturu put together an unbelievable season averaging 20PPG, 11RPG, and 2.5BPG on an efficient TS% of 61%. To put his year into perspective, only 3 other players have put up similar numbers: Tim Duncan, Chris Kaman, and Carlos Rodgers. pic.twitter.com/jGey8JrbyJ

— M&G Analytics (@MGAnalytics1818) March 19, 2020

Tyrell Terry

Tyrell Terry is maybe the smartest prospect in the draft this year. In his freshman season at Stanford this past winter, Terry exceeded all expectations and averaged 14.6 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.2 assists while shooting 44.1% from the field and an outstanding 40.8% from beyond the arc.

How does that three-point percentage stack up against other prospects in the first round? Well, that 40.8% is only behind Jahmi’us Ramsey’s 42.6% and Saddiq Bey’s 45.1%. Those numbers also earned him a spot on the 2019-20 All-Pac 12 Freshman Team.

“Terry is arguably the best shooter in the draft, a player who hit over 40 percent from 3 and 89 percent from the line. He has a long history of being a knockdown guy throughout the course of his high school career so far. He’s good as a shooter on pull-ups, and he’s good as a shooter directly off the catch.”

“He’s 160 pounds and his frame gives teams some pause. He needs to get stronger and keep putting on weight to deal with the rigors of the NBA. Second, his handle is a bit loose. He shows creativity and great body work to get opponents off-balance, but also has a tendency to pick up his dribble far too early.”

— Sam Vacenie

? PROSPECT BREAKDOWN
G Tyrell Terry (@tyterry05)
6’1, 160 lbs.

Stanford freshman guard Tyrell Terry showcased his ability as an unreal shot-maker in his first college season.

Still questions on whether he’ll declare for the NBA Draft, but a top 15 talent to me ???? pic.twitter.com/cTUt6IaReM

— Ethan Piechota (@EthanPiechota) March 31, 2020

Minnesota will most likely have four Minnesotans drafted this year, which will break the record from 2015 in which both Tyus Jones and Rashad Vaughn were drafted. This is outstanding for the basketball community in the Twin Cities and beyond. Hopefully, this draft will lead to more and more Minnesotans being drafted in the future. 

Carson Ruen | Minnesota Sports Fan

I love the University of Minnesota with all my heart. It will forever be my home. Thank you Gopher Nation for embracing a hometown kid.❤️??〽️

— GTM DAN ??? (@oturu65) March 24, 2020

Daniel Oturu is off for the NBA and that shouldn’t be shocking to anyone whose been paying attention. All of the Gopher insiders have been calling for it, and today that day came to fruition.

Technically, Oturu can still turn back and return to campus, if he decides to do so before June 1… but that’s not happening. Daniel is a calculated human. His Instagram post wasn’t written by anyone who was sitting on a fence.

COVID-19 was the only wild card, I had been wondering about lately. Without the ability to take any visits or possibly workout for NBA scouts before the draft in June, might he opt for returning to what’s familiar due to the surrounding uncertainty…? No.

The further we got removed from the cancelation of March Madness, the more certain it seemed to get, that Dan was heading for the draft. After Oturu’s announcement today, Darren Wolfson (KSTP, SKOR North) tweeted out the reasoning behind Oturu’s decision.

He’s a 1st-round lock… and more likely a lottery pick. Tough to turn down that opportunity.

Texted w/ 2 front office big-shots. One: “Lottery pick.” Other: “See him in the late teens, maybe late lottery.” Oturu didn’t have the summer entering his freshman year to develop after surgery. He had last summer to cultivate his skills, & we saw those come to fruition. #Gophers pic.twitter.com/cNTMtLwCxC

— Darren Wolfson (@DWolfsonKSTP) March 24, 2020

Congratulations to Daniel! The hometown kid shows the rest of those behind him, that you can stay home and still hear your name called in the 1st round of the NBA draft before you‘re able to drink alcohol legally.

What’s Next for the Gophers?

That seems to be the real question. I don’t know how the Gophers would have been able to function in 2019 without Oturu… so how does that change for 2020?

I don’t know. Pitino finds himself in another delicate situation. They will be as deep as anyone in the backcourt. Marcus Carr, Payton Willis, and Gabe Kalscheur will be joined by Jamal Mashburn Jr. One of the top in-state recruiters, Kerwin Walton (Hopkins – Guard) is still seriously considering the Gophers, too.

But what the fuck is Richard Pitino going to do in the front court?

Isaiah Ihnen is going to get a lot of minutes next season at the 4. Pitino wants to stretch and space the floor with Marcus Carr at the helm, anyway… but how he adjusts to guarding Big Ten big men could dictate how many minutes he gets consistently.

Eric Curry will also try to give it another go next season. If he can stay healthy and contribute anywhere near the level he did as a Freshman, the Gophers will be exponentially better than I am currently hoping them to be.

Martice Mitchell is Richard Pitino’s only other commitment for this upcoming class, next to Jamal Mashburn Jr. He is a 6-10 PF who can also stretch the floor and do it all. Now that Oturu is leaving, this get could be unbelievable significant.

Richard Pitino “The Transfer GAWD”

Depending on what happens with his own roster, Depending on how the Transfer Portal season goes, Pitino could have as many as 3 more scholarships available. Most likely, the NCAA is going to vote in a rule that will allow all major D1 college athletes to transfer one time in their career, without being punished with a year of ineligibility.

Richard loves the Transfer Portal (no matter what he says about it) and has used it a lot in his Minnesota tenure, with mixed results. He’s had successes that carried seasons (Akeem Springs) and complete failures (Alihan Demir) There is one transfer this offseason, that just makes too much sense… and currently has steam.

Morris Udeze is a C/PF who is leaving Wichita State and is currently in the Transfer Portal. Udeze is only 6’8” but what he lacks in height, he gets back in his 7‘+ wingspan and 240 lb. build. He is nicknamed “The Tank” for a reason.

The Gophers NEED big men that can jump in and contribute right away. Udeze looks like that guy, should he choose the Gophers. He was recruited to Wichita State by current Minnesota Assistant Coach, Kyle Lindstedt and both sides reportedly share interest. Morris told Ryan James that AZ State and Minnesota are the two teams who are pursuing him the heaviest, early.

Udeze’s numbers from last season are very pedestrian but he only got 10 MPG. Apparently, that’s just the way this Wichita State coach rotates his big men. He loves his 4-guy rotation, I guess… at least that’s what I keep on reading.

If Morris is good enough, we all know Pitino will play you until your tongue drags on the waxed wood floor. If any transfer portal guy picks Minnesota, I would put my money on Morris Udeze.

Mattius Markusson is a grad-transfer from Loyola Marymount. He is the definition of “big”. Standing at 7’3”, 261 pounds, he’s exactly what Pitino is looking for and Richard isn’t being shy about expressing his feelings. Here is what Markusson told the Star Tribune:

“Minnesota is reaching out to me every other day,” Markusson told the Star Tribune. “We’ve had some great conversations, so I sure have interest in the program.”

Marcus Fuller – Star Tribune

Marcus Fuller and Ryan James have both reported Minnesota also contacting DJ Carton, who is transferring out of Ohio State, and Landers Nolley II from Florida State.

Both of those guys would add more talent immediately, than anyone we’ve discussed so far… but they are both long shots. Nolley (6’7”) wants to play a BUNCH of minutes at wing and I don’t know if that is what the Gophers would be looking for.

Carton would be a massive get… but there’s apparently a lot going on with his situation and… we don’t really need a PG. If either guy wants in, then I’m in. I just don’t know why they would pick Minnesota, over some of the other opportunities they will have, given the situation.

If Pitino can pull the right strings for these last remaining scholarships, the Gophers could be a borderline NCAA Tournament team again… but if he misses, it could be disastrous.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

And here’s who made the all-@B1GMBBall first teams as voted by the media and the coaches.

What do you think? pic.twitter.com/PXGD0aoQU8

— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) March 9, 2020

The all-@B1GMBBall second team players are also pretty, pretty good. pic.twitter.com/XyaCSwxjfM

— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) March 9, 2020

1st in rebounds. 1st in blocks. 1st in FG%.@oturu65 is a consensus pick for the All-#B1GMBBall Second Team. Congrats Dan! pic.twitter.com/8G1cdrYKa6

— Minnesota Men’s Basketball (@GopherMBB) March 9, 2020

Who is giving out BJ’s to coaches and media inside the Big Ten because I want to sign up! Wow… Daniel Oturu has been on of the most dominant big men in the country, let alone the Big Ten.

Here is where Daniel Oturu ranks in the Big Ten for each important individual statistic:

–– 2019-20 Big Ten Individual Stat Leaders – via ESPN

Whoever is giving out these BJ’s is doing it for Jalen Smith from Maryland because he trails Oturu in every single statistical category but he still gets the nod at 1st Team All-Big Ten?

This decision is absolutely astonishing. The closer you look, the worse it gets and I am just shocked because all of these coaches have seen Daniel play all season. That’s a season in which he has raised himself from off of NBA draft boards, and into 1st-round/lottery conversations.

It’s absolutely absurd.

Maybe the Big Ten just screwed up the pictures of Jalen Smith and Daniel Oturu again. They did confuse the two last weekend during a Gophers broadcast. Is it possible, they confused Jalen and Dan again, this time including his name and picture? I almost think it is more likely than Dan not being picked ahead of him as as All-Conference… seriously, both the media AND coaches voted Smith over Oturu.

This can’t be real life…

Did BTN get Dan Oturu’s picture from his fake ID? #Gophers pic.twitter.com/WZdocF1SVQ

— Minnesota Sports Fan (@realmnsportsfan) March 5, 2020

Daniel Oturu is voted second team All-Big Ten by coaches and media. When was the last time a player averaged 20 and 11 in the league and didn’t make first team? ? #Gophers pic.twitter.com/Ev4pEib7qL

— Marcus R. Fuller (@Marcus_R_Fuller) March 9, 2020

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

I had an entire blog ready to post for this win. I was doing journalism things all game long. “Gophers Pull Shocker vs #9 Maryland to Bring NCAA Tournament Hopes Back to Life” was the title.

With 15 seconds left to play, I was ready to hit the publish button with a smile on my face and excited to talk NCAA Tournament all fucking day tomorrow.

But that’s not what happened. Instead, I just deleted that entire postgame blog that I wasted the entire game on, and now I am rage-typing this new blog so I can try and burn off my anger problems before I go to bed or take it out on my Twitter followers.

How did it happen? Well, our team is full of a bunch of choke artists. Gabe Kalscheur is the biggest of all of them. This kid is supposed to be the best shooter in the Big Ten and has the most beautiful shot of all time but he only brings it once every seven games. Then, you put him (also your supposed best free throw shooter) at the line to seal a game that you desperately need and he has his hands so fucking tightly wound around his neck that the ball barely hit the rim and I thought he was going to pass out before he even got the shot off.

Then, Maryland travels down the floor and takes a 30 footer for the lead. You just fucking knew it was going in, too. There wasn’t even a doubt in my mind. In fact, I would have been shocked if it wouldn’t have gone in.

On the inbound heave to Dan Oturu, to try and save the game, Oturu gets speared in the back by Goldberg but still catches the ball somehow. Unfortunately, after two elbows and a direct punch to the head, he isn’t able to get a half-decent shot up… and the Gophers lose.

I’d like to be more mad at the refs, for that last play, but this game never should have made it to that point.

ARE YOU KIDDING ME!?!?! ? #gophers #Maryland pic.twitter.com/bcxht33N73

— Nadine Babu (@NadineBabu) February 27, 2020

Uhhhh… THAT JUST HAPPENED!

#9 Maryland rallies back from a 17-point deficit to stun the win-needy Minnesota Gophers, 74-73.

One thing I’ve learned this season—No lead is ever safe!

pic.twitter.com/91jKpx1blI

— CollegeBB News (@CollegeBBNCAA) February 27, 2020

Richard Pitino goes straight for the officials after a non-call against Daniel Oturu on the final play. #Gophers lose. pic.twitter.com/35UjrrBXFp

— Sam Ekstrom (@SamEkstrom) February 27, 2020

The Gophers lead this game by double digits most of the way. Maryland didn’t even belong on the same floor until halfway through the second half…

…but, that shit happens in these games. Teams make runs, especially good ones like Maryland. However, if you make a couple front-end 1-and-1 free throw attempts, with just seconds remaining in the game, then we’re talking about staving off runs throughout the second half, from the #9 team in the country, instead of choking ourselves into being NIT hopefuls.

I’m done with this team and I am done with Richard Pitino. Fire him, fire everyone not associated with football… I don’t even care anymore. I hate this basketball team right now.

NO FOUL CALL FUCK YOU ZEBRAS FUCK YOU PITINO FUCK YOU GOPHERS FIRE EVERYONE GOODNIGHT FUCK THIS TEAM.

— Minnesota Sports Fan (@realmnsportsfan) February 27, 2020

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

Also expected in the house tonight for #Gophers-Maryland: Hopkins senior and top Gophers recruiting target Kerwin Walton.

An aside: Can’t believe he’s not in the final five for Mr. Basketball. https://t.co/ilEy27EHbX

— Darren Wolfson (@DWolfsonKSTP) February 26, 2020

Tonight is massive on so many levels, Minnesota Gopher Fam! We have a dozen or so NBA scouts on hand to watch Daniel Oturu and others show off their talent.

Dan is being floated as a 1st round pick recently, should he decide to make the NBA jump after his Sophomore season. Some would call him crazy if he doesn’t but Richard has talked about how much Dan loves the college life… so we’ll see. Either way, in today’s basketball world, this is the shit you are going to deal with if you bring in top-level kids, and then raise them properly. You need to be able to retool.

Marcus Carr is someone scouts are probably keeping one eye on too, given they are already in the building.

On the Maryland side, Jalen Smith is another big man who is currently projected to go in the 1st round of most NBA mock drafts. He likes to bang down low just like Oturu so we’ll get to see a lot of those two battling for their future draft status. There is no way Pitino lets Smith go to work vs Alihan Demir.

Richard Pitino can’t worry too much about who is there to take Daniel from him. He is hoping his future is there watching too. His biggest target still available for the 2020 recruiting class, Kerwin Walton, will also be on hand, (via Darren Wolfson of SKOR North and KSTP above).

Walton is a top-100 (247Sports) standout guard at Hopkins High School, here in the Twin Cities, and is one of the best of 2020 who still remains undecided. He has all of the blue bloods, who haven’t already filled up their classes, hot on his tail next fighting next to Richard Pitino. Those schools include Arizona, North Carolina, Ohio State and Iowa State.

Per @DWolfsonKSTP, Kerwin Walton (4-star | Hopkins) will be in attendance tonight for #Gophers vs Terrapins. Getting Walton would be massive but Pitino’s definitely not the only one who wants him…. https://t.co/A8skkKHrxB pic.twitter.com/qQbhMQ7yjH

— Minnesota Sports Fan (@realmnsportsfan) February 26, 2020

I posted a blog last night, on how this game could be Richard Pitino’s last stand opportunity, for both the 2020 NCAA Tournament and his long-term future in Minnesota. I had a lot of push back from readers who said the Gophers have no chance of winning this game.

If you are one of those people, then you should head to one of many betting sites available on the world wide web or hop the border to Iowa, so you can get rich quick, because Vegas disagrees with you.

The Gophers are favored over the Terrapins tonight… yes, the #9-ranked nationally, Maryland Terrapins are projected to lose tonight vs the inconsistent Gophers, in a game we need to win if we are going to be dancing in March.

If you are a Gopher basketball fan and you can’t get hard for this game… then you need to see a doctor or find a phone number that might help with your erection problem…

It’s a big time game in February at The Barn! LFG!

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

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Last night was an embarrassment for Richard Pitino and the Minnesota Gopher basketball team. Needing at least 5 of their last 6 to finish the regular season with dance shoes on, Indiana at The Barn was on the easier side of that upcoming stretch; which still has #9 Maryland at home, Wisconsin at the Kohl Center, and the Hoosiers back at their place on the docket.

But winning wasn’t part of last night’s Gopher game plan. The shooting was terrible (surprise, surprise) and the effort and defense faded to close out the 2nd half. The Gophers looked like a defeated team; not just in last night’s must-win game, but for the season.

There’s a lot wrong with this basketball team right now and it’s clear they have lost all confidence in their shooting, which eventually impacts the psyche that surrounds the rest of the game.

They also lack depth everywhere, especially in the post and at PG. Marcus Carr and Daniel Oturu might as well have invisible shock collars that deliver 1000 volts if they breach the painted boundary where it’s rumored breaks and water exist…

That leads to (a lot) more minutes for somebody who should never be allowed to touch, let alone dribble or shoot a basketball, during 40 minutes of a live major-college basketball contest… Alihan Demir.

If you aren’t sure where Alihan Demir came from, it’s Drexel University, where he played for his second two years of college eligibility. He played his Freshman season at somewhere called Central Wyoming College, where he supposedly dominated.

While at Drexel, his numbers were good too, averaging nearly 15 points and 6.4 rebounds per game. Watching his film from then, he can shoot, rebound, and looks like an incredible passer too… He is clearly one of the better players on the floor… which leads to a conclusion we already knew was obvious…

It’s more crystal clear than ever, and take notes NDSU football fans, how massive the gap is between high-major college sports, and what is played at lower D-1 levels.

Sure, you can show up with your best game of the season, when given ONE opportunity, like smaller basketball teams who make it into March Madness OR NDSU football going in for their Daytona 500 to start the season vs a sleepy Iowa Hawkeyes team…

…but if you mix low-tier D-1 talent amongst the best in the world of that age group, the cream always rises to the top and the sticky residue that nobody wants falls to the bottom.

And that’s exactly what has happened for much of the season, while Alihan Demir has been on the floor. It’s easy to see when you watch…. He isn’t as fast, tall, or athletic as everyone else and he doesn’t overshadow those deficiencies with additional skill or basketball smarts.

He’s dropped from splits of | 15 / 6.4 / 2.5 | at Drexel, down to | 7.2 / 4.8 / 1.5 | in his only season here in Minnesota. I guess that will happen when you go from a “strength of schedule rating” (according to sports-reference.cbb.com) of -2.5 at Drexel to 11.85 (toughest in the country) here.

When someone sticks out this badly with his poor play, you don’t even need the numbers. Check my TL from last night, because it was obvious. He had turnovers, was missing assignments and (like always — and like everyone else) missing shots.

Can we cut Alihan Demir?

— Minnesota Sports Fan (@realmnsportsfan) February 20, 2020

Richard Pitino should be fired just for playing Alihan Demir this entire game.

— Minnesota Sports Fan (@realmnsportsfan) February 20, 2020

His missed shots are so much uglier that others, though. I’ve seen more of his 3-pointers go in via the bank, than shots that hit nylon, or even rim, first. Alihan Demir just isn’t very good. It’s not even his fault. I’m sure he works very hard…. facts are just facts.

The blame for this blog about how bad Alihan Demir is, belongs on the shoulders of Richard Pitino. Last night, he just continued to take Jarvis Omersa and Isaiah Ihnen off the floor, to be replaced with Demir.

Omersa brings energy, toughness and effort that is unmatched by anyone on the floor, including Alihan. He can’t shoot worth a shit and he’s not a very good dribbler… but neither is Demir, and Jarvis isn’t awkward and unathletic, to boot.

Ihnen might not play the PF naturally, but the basketball world is changing. The kid is 6-9, with a 7-4 wingspan and will knock down outside shots when left open. He needs help with offensive aggressiveness and I’m sure he’s raw on defense but what Freshman coming over from Germany wouldn’t struggle with those things?

Again, Ihnen isn’t the perfect option… but he’s better than Alihan Demir.

I’m sure Richard Pitino promised certain things to the Grad-Transfer when he was combing the market last offseason, and Pitino seems like a man of his word… but we had certain expectations for Alihan when he was brought in to start next to Dan Oturu, too.

Richard gives him 26 minutes per game, easily living up to whatever playing time promises he made… and in return has been provided with absolute garbage for that time.

Put him on the bench, see what you have in the youngsters, and let’s move on from this Drexel experiment.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

When the Iowa Hawkeyes come to town, it’s a big game. That’s true in all sports the Minnesota Gophers play in. Today at Williams Arena though, everything was magnified.

With the Gophers trying to avoid a .500 record in the middle of February and a dwindling schedule full of tournament teams on the horizon… today was a must-win.

Richard Pitino and Co. also hosted a handful of Minnesota’s top recruits… and we all know how badly he needs a commitment or two out of those…

The game was ugly early. Pitino matched Alihan Demir on Luka Garza and Garza feasted for the first few minutes, scoring all 8 points as the Hawkeyes grabbed an early 8-2 lead. Oturu switched onto him shortly after that, and his run was over.

From there, the Gophers were the better team but it wouldn’t be enough. Garza got into foul trouble in the first half too, which cause problems for Iowa throughout the rest of the contest.

?? @GopherMBB is on a 10-0 run against the Hawkeyes with just under 4 minutes to go in the half! pic.twitter.com/KXgJW7g0aG

— FOX College Hoops (@CBBonFOX) February 16, 2020

The Gophers caught up to Iowa with about 5 minutes left in the 1st half, and held it until there was just seconds left in the game. Hell, if the Gophers could have hit anything from the outside, this game would have been of blowout fashion.

Of course, shooting is always a problem for Pitino’s teams though, even when he has a backcourt laced with 3-point shooters. Today, it wasn’t just a problem from the 3-pt line.

The Gophers shot 28% from 3-pt and 35.6% from the field. Those numbers are AT HOME in the BIGGEST GAME of the season. I just don’t understand how a team that was built for outside shooting, can be so inept at hitting outside shots.

If not for Marcus Carr and Daniel Oturu, the Gophers would suck. That was proven today because neither guy had a great game and they lost…

This highlight was sweet, and things have gone pretty well for @GopherMBB since. pic.twitter.com/sKQlUaHH5D

— Minnesota on BTN (@MinnesotaOnBTN) February 16, 2020

? @m5cinco sinks one from deep for @GopherMBB! pic.twitter.com/VbtBnTVB1Y

— FOX College Hoops (@CBBonFOX) February 16, 2020

Daniel Oturu stays taking care of business for @GopherMBB down low today ?? pic.twitter.com/pePZMze36v

— FOX College Hoops (@CBBonFOX) February 16, 2020

Oturu’s constant pressure offensively, on Garza, pushed him to the bench because of foul trouble, which was almost the biggest key to this game. He also hit big shots down low and from mid-range.

Carr is the dude that the Gophers needed last season. He wants the big shot and he thrives on big moments. He wasn’t enough today, though. Iowa held him to just 10 points but he still posted 8 rebounds and 6 assists to go with them.

Finally, Gabe Kalscheur and Payton Willis hit a couple 3-pointers late in the second half, that gave the Gophers a 55-47 lead with 5:25 left in the game. Those were the last points we’d score, though.

The Hawkeyes went on an 11-0 run to end the game. The refs tried to help with a questionable call that gave Oturu a chance to tie, with 3 seconds left, but he missed the first of a 1-and-1.

When you don’t score for 5 minutes and 25 seconds to close a game, it’s going to be difficult to win, especially when you shot under 36% for the contest.

Final. pic.twitter.com/BkymI8Q4RZ

— Minnesota Men’s Basketball (@GopherMBB) February 16, 2020

Now, the Gophers sit at 12-12 and have the nation’s 2nd-most difficult schedule to finish the season. They have 6 games left and need to win 5 of 6… maybe even all 6, if they are going to be considered dancers before the Big Ten Tournament starts.

If the Gophers start shooting from an average clip for those games, I’d say they will get in.

But they won’t…. so they won’t.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

With all of the insanity surrounding the Minnesota sports landscape over the last couple days, it’s been very easy to lose track of the Gopher basketball team.

All eyes were on them tonight at The Barn though. With a win over our overly-family-friendly neighbors to the East, the Gophers would be able to pocket another much-needed Q1-ish victory.

With a loss though, they’d be 22 games into the season, with a 11-11 record. That’s a lot of wins that still need to pile up with time running out.

Fortunately, none of those thoughts really had to cross anyone’s mind once the game started. The Gophers jumped out to a lead early and never looked back. They were shooting like I dreamed they would when the season started.

Hell, Gabe Kalscheur even rose from the dead and went 3-5 from deep (before missing his next 3, sshhhhh), finishing with 11 points and playing lock down defense on Brad Davison.

Payton Willis is an absolute game changer, when on the floor and feeling healthy. In his return, he led the team with 21 points. He might be even more important to this lineup than previously thought, especially if Gabe is going to continue riding the struggle bus.

Sweet scoop for Gabe Kalscheur. ?

It’s a double-digit lead for @GopherMBB at The Barn: pic.twitter.com/WThJGLf7CA

— Minnesota on BTN (@MinnesotaOnBTN) February 6, 2020

.@GopherMBB continues the trend of the home teams torching the nets tonight. ?

It’s Minnesota 45, Wisconsin 32 at the break: pic.twitter.com/dogeVxCSXJ

— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) February 6, 2020

Bad night to be a Badger at The Barn. ?

It was a career night for Payton Willis, and that’s the score that held in @GopherMBB‘s win over Wisconsin: pic.twitter.com/twsSmuCgJa

— Minnesota on BTN (@MinnesotaOnBTN) February 6, 2020

The clear difference on offense, from the very beginning of this game, was the Gophers desperate need to get into the lane and create offense from there. Wisconsin wasn’t putting up much of a fight and we definitely came into the game with that being the focus.

Dan Oturu scored 17 points and grabbed 14 rebounds. He also got his 3rd foul before we reached the 18-minute mark of the 2nd half.

Pitino rolled with him in foul trouble and it paid off. He would eventually foul out but the game was far out of reach by then.

Marcus Carr just plays so much better when he doesn’t need to take over the game. He finished with 12 points of his own, along with 9 rebounds and 10 dimes, just missing out on a triple-double.

Ope, just sneak right past ya there. pic.twitter.com/LfttC94hOT

— Minnesota Men’s Basketball (@GopherMBB) February 6, 2020

It comes down to outside shooting with this team. If they can bomb at an average level, they are going to win a lot of games. If they get hot, they can beat anyone.

And tonight, that anyone was Bucky Badger… my favorite opponent to beat the shit out of.

Oh, and another positive…. Brad Davison didn’t come after anyone’s testicles. Whenever you can get through a game against him, without that happening, it’s a win.

The Gophers move to 12-10 and will travel to Penn State on Saturday before waiting an entire week to host Iowa the following Sunday.

? Final Stats ?

Payton | 21pts (career-high), 5reb, 2stl
Dan | 17pts, 14reb, 4blk
Carr | 12pts, 9reb, 10ast
Gabe | 11pts, 3reb
Gophers | A very satisfying 'W'

— Minnesota Men's Basketball (@GopherMBB) February 6, 2020

“That was probably the most efficient game we played all year.”

– @CoachPitinoMN joined @stephenbardo to discuss @GopherMBB‘s convincing win over Wisconsin: pic.twitter.com/X7KOoj4CEE

— Minnesota on BTN (@MinnesotaOnBTN) February 6, 2020

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

#HatsOff to @oturu65 for earning a spot on the @WoodenAward Top-20 list! https://t.co/j6gLIgHuTb pic.twitter.com/1LegroaUfk

Dan Oturu just got named to the top-20 for the most prestigious individual award in college basketball, The John R. Wooden Award, which is awarded to the best player in the country at the end of every college basketball season.

With all of the preseason and early season watch lists that release throughout the year, for awards like this one, it’s crazy to see Oturu jump into the fold, after not being mentioned in any of the previous releases… but here he is.

He deserves it, too. Dan’s been the most consistent and brightest of stars for the Gophers. I don’t even want to imagine where they would be without him.

Look at these numbers (via ESPN)…

The top-20 will now be trimmed to 15 finalists, all of whom will make the national ballot. A big performance to help the Gophers beat Wisconsin on Wednesday at The Barn, would go a long way in Oturu being on that final ballot of 15…

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan