This one hurts but Jamal Mashburn Jr came to the University of Minnesota because he wanted to play for Richard Pitino. In case you haven’t heard, Pitino Jr isn’t here anymore. So while one might try to live in denial, reality usually has a way of finding you. Thus was the case when news broke this afternoon that Jamal Jr was entering the NCAA transfer portal.

Jamal Mashburn Jr has entered the transfer portal.

Not a surprise at all considering his connections to Richard Pitino and his fit in Pitino's system, but a blow.

Jamal averaged 8.2 points a game this year shooting 35 percent from the field, 27.6 percent from the arc. pic.twitter.com/5Wb0rb4EsK

— Ryan James (@RyanJamesMN) March 17, 2021

We don’t yet know if Mashburn Jr will pack his bags and take a direct flight to Albuquerque to join Richard, but it wouldn’t surprise me if that’s the next headline that releases.

Either way, there will now be even more work to do for whoever the next Minnesota Gophers head basketball coach is. Good luck to Jamal Mashburn Jr. That kid has a bright future.

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

In a recent interview with Andy Greder of the Pioneer Press, Minnesota Gophers men’s basketball coach Richard Pitino was optimistic about next season’s team.

“I thought our program got a lot better this spring,” Pitino said. “I’m really really excited whenever we do get to resume just to be able to get with these guys because I think we have some versatility, some talent and some depth.”

“I thought our program got a lot better this spring,” Pitino said.

Andy Greder, Pioneer Press

That optimism is validated. The Gophers basketball team has added half-a-dozen players for the 2020-21 season thus far. This list includes recruits Jamal Mashburn Jr., Martice Mitchell, and David Mutaf, along with transfers Liam Robbins (Drake), Brandon Johnson (Western Michigan), and Minnesota native Both Gach (Utah).

Jamal Mashburn Jr.

Mashburn Jr., son of former NBA All-Star Jamal Mashburn, is a 4-star combo guard out of Brewster Academy (NH). The freshman will bring solid shot-making ability off the bench for the Golden Gophers next season. 

Jamal Mashburn Jr can Shoot Shoot ?? pic.twitter.com/2mDGQ5IrCZ

— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) July 17, 2019

Martice Mitchell

Mitchell, a high 3-star guard from Bloom (IL) High School, turned down the likes of Maryland, Oregon, and others in route to landing in Minnesota. With a nice stroke from deep, he will be a solid stretch-4 for Pitino.

Summer highlights of newest Minnesota Gopher commit Martice Mitchell! @tice23_ pic.twitter.com/3U7AQn8crm

— Fresh Coast Hoops (@FreshCoastHoops) October 8, 2019

David Mutaf

From the country of Turkey, Mutaf is a high-level shooter who can also handle the ball if needed. While the Minnesota Gophers have increased their shooting numbers from deep over the last few seasons, Mutaf should help that trend continue.

Fenerbahçe’nin genç takımında oynayan 2002 doğumlu David Mutaf’ın Adidas Euroleague Next Generation Turnuvası’ndaki Zaragoza maçında attığı 30 sayı! ?@David23Mutaf ??pic.twitter.com/83f9Gr0M52

— Basket Merkezi™ (@BasketMerkez) February 9, 2020

Liam Robbins – Transfer (Waiver Needed)

Robbins, the nephew of Gopher’s Associate Head Coach Ed Conroy, averaged 14.1 points and 7.1 last season at Drake, which earned him All-MVC Second-Team honors. He should provide some rim protection in Daniel Oturu’s absence, as he average nearly 3 per game last season.

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

Brandon Johnson – Transfer

A four-year starter at Western Michigan, Johnson averaged 15.4 points and 8.4 rebounds per game last season. The forward should be able to step right into the starting lineup.

Western Michigan grad transfer Brandon Johnson on what he brings to @GopherMBB: “Regardless if I’m scoring or if my shot is falling one night, I can still impact the game enough in order for my team to get a win.” @StribSports @BHerbo_trey5 pic.twitter.com/uxcqw2BYjd

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

Both Gach – Transfer (Waiver Needed)

Gach, an Austin, Minnesota native, averaged 10.7 points and 3.6 rebounds for Utah last season. Announcing his return to his home state recently, Minnesota Gophers fans are excited to have some homegrown talent on the court. Gach will also likely start next season. 

Utah guard Both Gach will reportedly transfer if he decides to remove his name from the @NBADraft. The 6’6 MN native averaged 10.7PPG/3.6RPG in 19-20 & showcased the ability to make an impact on both ends of the floor. @NXT1S @utahathletics pic.twitter.com/ipCmgEbQAL

— Nxt1sColin (@Nxt1sColinBrown) May 15, 2020

Transfer Waivers

Robbins and Gach still need waivers to be able to play next season, but both have good cases. As mentioned before, Robbins is the nephew of Ed Conroy and is also cousins with walk-on Hunter Conroy. He also grew up in Davenport, Iowa, only a 5 ½ hour drive from the Twin Cities. 

Gach makes just as much — if not more — sense, to get a waiver. His hometown, the aforementioned Austin, Minnesota, is a little less than two hours from the Twin Cities.

Pitino feels very confident that both players will be granted those waivers by the NCAA, who has a history of screwing over the Gophers.

“…We feel really, really confident with both. Both situations are different, with Liam’s and Both’s. Both wanted to come back home and be with his family during a pandemic. I think that makes a lot of sense for the NCAA to see that. One of the benefits, I guess, is for a kid from Minnesota, we are the only school close to home. … It makes complete sense for the NCAA to give both of those kids waivers.” – Richard Pitino

Andy Greder, Pioneer Press

via GIPHY

Building on Last Season

This recruiting class comes at a great time, too. Last season, the Gophers basketball team finished with a 15-17 overall record, 8-12 in non-conference play. Which is… not the best. However, Pitino believes they were a better team than their record shows and could’ve even made the NCAA tournament.

“I still to this day believe that if we won two more games in the conference tournament, we would have gone to our third NCAA tournament in four years  — which hasn’t happened here.” He added, “… you look at all those numbers, with strength of schedule and our KenPom stuff. We are not far off by any means.” – Richard Pitino

Andy Greder, Pioneer Press

With COVID-19 beginning it’s sweep across the nation, the Gophers were unable to play those two games Pitino thought would’ve vaulted them into the tournament. After destroying Northwestern 74-57 to kick off the Big Ten Tournament, the Gophers were set to play Iowa the next day. If they won that game, they would’ve played Illinois. So, Pitino wasn’t necessarily wrong about the implications of those two games.

In any case, the Minnesota Gophers Men’s Basketball team are set to improve upon last season this coming winter. They won’t have to play the gauntlet that was last season’s non-conference schedule, nor will they have to play Alihan Demir 25 minutes a game (sorry, Alihan). 

Richard Pitino will have all kinds of lineups options, as long as Gach and Robbins get their waivers. He can go small with a lineup of Marcus Carr, Jamal Mashburn, Gabe Kalscheur, Isaiah Ihnen, and Brandon Johnson. Or he can go big with a potentially potent lineup of Marcus Carr, Gabe Kalscheur, Both Gach, Isiah Ihnen and Liam Robbins.

Now that would be a Warriors-Lite lineup, with every player capable of shooting the three. 

A Few Returning Options

via GIPHY

In addition to those players, Pitino will also have veterans Tre Williams, Jarvis Omersa, and Eric Curry to come off the bench. Richard will be able to do just about anything, in terms of mixing and matching, which is a testament to his improved recruiting.

Overall, though, Richard Pitino and his staff did a great job of getting quality players this offseason. It certainly makes me optimistic for what’s to come in the 2020-21 season, which will hopefully be a COVID-19-less one.

“I thought our program got a lot better this spring,” Pitino said. “I’m really really excited whenever we do get to resume just to be able to get with these guys because I think we have some versatility, some talent and some depth.”

Andy Greder, Pioneer Press

Carson Ruen | Minnesota Sports Fan

If University of Minnesota Athletic Director, Mark Coyle, called me tomorrow (lol, yeah right) and told me that, until the COVID-19 pandemic struck, he was about to fire Richard Pitino… you wouldn’t see shock on my face. I’ve called for his coaching head many times… see HERE, HERE, and HERE.

Pitino was about to miss the NCAA Tournament for the 5th time in 7 years. The Gophers entered the Big Ten Tournament with his job status up in the air. After a first-round victory over Northwestern, the tournament was was shut down.

Meet Jamal Mashburn Jr

I’ve heard the same type of argument, regarding Pitino’s highest-touted 2020 recruit, Jamal Mashburn Jr. Some would argue, Jamal Jr helped save Richard’s job. The combo guard from Miami FL is only here because Richard Pitino is here.

He talked about that during a recent interview with Alex Karamanos, a young basketball recruiting contenter, on his podcast: “Hoops With Us”. Jamal Jr specifically caught my ears at the 9-minute mark, when asked why he chose the University of Minnesota.

This entire interview was pretty good. It was fun to hear three teammates chat together. Watching high schoolers give uncut interviews is often cringeworthy and it’s no different during moments here, either.

I wrote this blog, though, because of Jamal’s answer when asked about why he chose Minnesota. The more you learn about college athletics, the more you realize that these DI athletes choose schools, based on coaches. That’s why we are so lucky here in Minnesota, on the football side of things.

But Mashburn’s answer to that question, highlights my favorite part of Richard Pitino’s personality. It also hits on why I think Pitino could be a hidden gem in this new era of the “transfer athlete”.

“One of the things that was important to me was trust… just weeding out all the BS. Like, a lot of coaches like to, you know, say things that players want to hear, um.. but Coach Pitino, he didn’t do that.”

Jamal Mashburn Jr – Hoops With Us Podcast

Pitino/Mashburn Long-Term Relationship

If your head has been buried in the sand for the last 30 years OR you are a gen-z (so you’ve never heard of him), Jamal Jr is the son of Jamal Mashburn. Mashburn Sr is a former NBA All-Star and University of Kentucky basketball legend, who was coached at Kentucky, by Richard’s dad, Rick Pitino.

Mashburn Jr talks about the long relationship he and Richard have had, playing into his Minnesota decision, as well. Jamal Sr knows how important trust and honesty is, in high-level college basketball. Because of that, his kid has a leg up on many his age. 

While a lot of kids are worried about who is giving them the most attention on and off social media, the younger Mashburn has probably been told from a very young age, how little that matters. He’s mature beyond his years, in the college basketball game… Just like Richard.

What You See is What You Get With Richard

The reason Jamal Jr likes Richard Pitino so much, is the same reason many of the best Minnesota high school athletes don’t. He isn’t out to stroke anyone’s ego, even if that means losing recruits. He isn’t going to “BS” anyone, as Mashburn Jr puts it, or sit in the stands of a different MN target every night of the week.

Richard is a family man. He doesn’t want to be like his dad, who spent ridiculous hours with work, in that regard. Pitino has talked about his dad’s love for coaching, often outweighing his love to be a father. Unfortunately, that attitude often hurts Richard, when the blue bloods come into town to swipe Minnesota’s best high school basketball players.

Richard Pitino has talked about how opening up the transfer portal, in coming years, makes him nervous. To the contrary, I’ve always seen it as a positive for him. The coaches who are willing to “BS” kids into commitments, are the same ones that will lose kids to the transfer portal, as Sophomores and Juniors.

Who will be there to catch them when they fall out of the portal….? That same honest, down to earth Twitter dad, we all love (until he misses the NCAA Tournament again). The transfer portal is stacked with kids who are done with the bullshit, which is why they are transferring.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

Let’s take a look at what the 2020 Gophers men’s basketball commitments will bring to Minnesota (because what else is there to do right now). I recently examined Turkish guard, David Mutaf. The second will be 6’0” combo guard, Jamal Mashburn Jr., out of Brewster Academy (NH).

Mashburn Jr., the son of former NBA and University of Kentucky forward Jamal Mashburn, signed his letter of intent on November 13, 2019. The 4-star guard committed to the Gophers over Wake Forest, Cal, and Auburn. The elder Mashburn played for Rick Pitino, and it’s no accident that his kid ended up with Richard.

To examine Mashburn Jr., I watched his game vs Mt. Zion Prep. He’s playing for Brewster Academy, which was loaded with Division-1 talent. Here’s what I saw and took away:

First Half

In the first half Mashburn Jr. played pretty well overall. For the first five minutes he didn’t score, outside of a couple free throws, but he did show off other strengths of his game. Don’t get it twisted, Mashburn Jr is a score-first point guard, but he displayed his underrated passing skills early on, in this game. 

In this clip below (taken from the video embedded above), he gets the ball at the top of the key, drives the lane to suck in three defenders, and then kicks the ball out to the weak-side corner for an open three. Beautiful.

via GIPHY

Another thing he displayed in the first five minutes — and really the whole game — was his aggressiveness. Multiple times, he picked the other team up full-court and made them work. He also wasn’t afraid to drive the lane, although he was maybe a little too aggressive at times.

via GIPHY

Probably the foremost thing Gophers fans want to see out of Mashburn Jr., however, is his shooting. And believe me, he displayed that too.

After missing his first two triples, he found net on his third… which quickly became the ongoing trend, as the game went on.

After receiving a pass from his teammate, Mashburn Jr. showed off his catch-and-shoot ability, as he sank the three to raise Brewster Academy’s lead to 11 points. For a player as small as Jamal Jr, it’s important to have a high release point on your shot, so you can still create space and get shots up around taller players. Unsurprisingly, he has just that.

via GIPHY

He also knocked down this beautiful pull-up jumper, to raise his point total to 7, in the first half. Take a look at the separation he created with his rip-through, something I noticed he uses quite a bit.

via GIPHY

His defense is not to be forgotten about, however. He consistently stayed in front of his man and not once allowed him to get by…. this is something Pitino values dearly.

via GIPHY

First Half Takeaways

Defense: His defense was excellent overall. He didn’t allow any points and consistantly stayed in front of his man. He also caused two turnovers.

Offense: He showed off his quick first step, which allowed him to get in the lane and create separation on his jumper. His high shot release allows him to shoot over taller defenders. He also showed he can play both on and off the ball.

Second Half

In the second half, Jamal Mashburn Jr. started heating up, knocking down 4 jump-shots, including three 3’s. All three 3’s were off the catch, as you can see below. 

via GIPHY

via GIPHY

via GIPHY

He also displayed his pull-up jumper, once again, when he knocked this 2-pointer down, after coming off a dribble hand-off.

via GIPHY

His defense, though…. Here, just watch these highlights.

In the first, he sees an offensive player driving the lane. Although his man is in the corner, he decides to take a risk and steps in for the charge, before the ball-handler, can avoid him and get the pass off to his now-open shooter on the wing. It’s great recognition and awareness by him. You can’t teach this.

via GIPHY

Yet again Mashburn Jr. showed his defensive IQ in this next highlight. He first gets over the screen and then plays perfect help-side defense. 

via GIPHY

Second Half Takeaways

Defense: It was more of the same. He showed his grit by taking a charge and also displayed his defensive IQ. What he lacks in size, he definitely makes up for with his basketball smarts. 

Offense: Showed his shooting ability more in this half. Knocked down three of four 3’s. He didn’t have any assists but also rarely got the opportunity to with how little he handled the ball. 

Final Takeaways

Overall, I thought Mashburn Jr. played really well in this game. He showed off his shooting ability, defensive IQ, and grit/aggressiveness.

All these skills should translate to the next level, especially in the Big Ten. To be honest, he kind of reminds me of former University of Indiana point guard Yogi Ferrell who had some of the same strengths that I see in Mashburn Jr. 

Ferrell showed the ability to shoot and also be a menace on defense, both skills that Jamal Jr. has. Those skills helped earn Ferrell All-Big Ten and All-Big Ten Defense awards. 

Am I a college basketball expert? Definitely not. But that doesn’t mean Mashburn Jr. can’t turn into that type of player. This is another excellent pick-up for Richard Pitino and company.

Carson Ruen | Minnesota Sports Fan

@TiptonEdits pic.twitter.com/Rxbpu6hAss

— Kerwin Walton (@K_Walton24) April 27, 2020

After a drawn-out and drama-filled recruitment, local Hopkins star Kerwin Walton committed to the University of North Carolina this weekend. Though his leaving surprises nobody, staying home and playing for the maroon and gold really did seem like a legitimate option until the very end. Had his dad not omitted the Gophers from a final list a few weeks ago, when he spoke with 247Sports.com (Kerwin announced his own list, that included the Gophers, the next day), you might have convinced me he’d dawn a Gophers jersey next season.

Minnesota had 5 high school seniors this year, that 247 Sports ranked as 4-star recruits (or better), and Richard landed 0 of them. He’s now 0 for his last 8, after going 0 for 3 in that same category, for 2019. In 2018. he landed Oturu, Kalscheur and Omersa.

While Richard Pitino may be one of the worst in-state recruiters in the country, his transfer market game is one of the best and this spring cycle has been his best. That’s why I wrote about how a rule change for NCAA transfers would benefit him more than others.

Pitino started his spring by locking down Liam Robbins of Drake, who many experts had as the best transfer to hit the market all offseason. He isn’t currently eligible to play next year, but between waivers for COVID-19 and rules changing, I expect most (if not all) transfers to be eligible for next year one way or another.

Liam Robbins is only one of three transfers to join the Gophers this Spring. Pitino has also added Brandon Johnson, a 6-8 big man from Western Michigan. Both of those guys could contribute in big ways next season, especially with Oturu leaving and Eric Curry’s status still uncertain, given his injury history.

It was clear that Pitino had a backup plan ready to roll when Walton committed to North Carolina. It was Drew Peterson, who played his Sophomore season last year at Rice. If you’re still in the dumps over Kerwin’s departure, Peterson’s highlight tape will make you feel better.

He’s a 6-8 wing who looks smooth with his handles, his shot, and just ultra-confident in his game, as a whole. I love his shiftiness for his size, and quick first step. If he can put some weight on, and Pitino can carral him in a more-structured system, the sky is the limit.

On the season, Peterson averaged a rangy boxscore that really got me excited. If he can bring anything close to 11 PTS, 6 REB and 3 AST while playing in the Big Ten, he’d be a huge addition. I think he can, too.

Watching back his film, I feel like the unstructured isolation-style offense that Rice plays, hindered Drew’s game. Once dropped in Pitino’s system, where he will be forced to take better shots and play more controlled, he seems like someone who’s analytics will improve, especially his shooting percentages and turnovers.

Like Liam Robbins, Peterson isn’t eligible to play currently. He would have to sit a year, due to current transfer rules. Also like Liam Robbins, however, I don’t expect that to be a problem. Pitino must be banking on that too because he’s in big trouble without those two eligible for 2020.

He would go from a team that finally has legitimate depth at all positions… back to a talented group front line group that will prove to lack the depth necessary to win consistently in the Big Ten.

With all of this talk about transfers, though. Let’s not forget about the biggest newcomer for Richard Pitino… and that’s (PG) Jamal Mashburn Jr, who will backup Marcus Carr for a year (as long as he doesn’t go pro) before being handed the keys, full-time.

You should be very excited about Mashburn Jr.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

View this post on Instagram

100 % COMMITTED. Let’s work 〽️

A post shared by Jamal Mashburn Jr. (@jamashburn1) on Oct 14, 2019 at 9:06am PDT

Mashburn Jr. on why he liked the #Gophers: "They need someone who can shoot the ball, defend and lead a team … That separates them from other programs. There's a need, and I know with the right opportunity I can make something happen. @StribSports @GopherMBB

— Marcus R. Fuller (@Marcus_R_Fuller) October 14, 2019

The Gophers just got a good one with this commitment by Jamal Mashburn Jr. This is a kid who can shoot, handle the ball, and has a family pedigree that can’t be ignored. I went a little bit deeper into Mashburn when Pitino got his first 2020 commitment a couple of weeks ago, in stretch-big Martice Mitchell. In that blog, I wrote about how much Mashburn’s highlights remind me of Nate Mason, another smaller guard who could handle the ball, run a team, and shoot the ball when challenged.

Pitino’s 2020 class is taking shape now, and it is looking pretty damn good for a class that doesn’t include any Minnesota kids yet, from possibly the state’s best basketball class in its history. Some Gopher fans are big on getting MN kids. I’d like to get them too. But, I want MN kids because we produce elite basketball talent and I want elite talent on this team. Residing in MN should give you a head-start on MN talent. It’s an easier route to 4-5 start talent (in theory).

For whatever reason though, Pitino has had issues with getting the in-state talent to stay in-state, recently (after good early success with Amir Coffey, Michael Hurt, Daniel Oturu, Gabe Kalscheur, and Jarvis Omersa). Both the 2019 and 2020 classes, however, have been (and is looking to be) some of Richard’s best. I just want to win and make runs in the NCAA Tournament. I don’t care where the players come from.

With that being said, Dawson Garcia is a Minnesota kid (Prior Lake) that hails from that incredible 2020 class. If the Gophers can get him to stick around, everyone would be happy. He’d be the highest-rated out of the class, too. Unfortunately, one of the most trusted brains in this business (Darren Wolfson – SKOR North/KSTP)… doesn’t think that’s very likely at this point, giving the odds just 25%. So, we’ll have to see what happens with Garcia or whoever Pitino spends his last 2020 scholarship on but its a big one, no matter.

Well, that’s depressing… #Gophers https://t.co/y5oy4Ce8jY pic.twitter.com/nJFZ8Ft6dt

— Minnesota Sports Fan (@realmnsportsfan) October 14, 2019

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

On that depressing note, let’s get into Martice Mitchell! I bring you down just so I can lift you back up again.

It’s up there??? pic.twitter.com/o0CxYz0sak

— ??????? ???????? (@tice23_) October 8, 2019

Martice Mitchell just committed to Coach Richard Pitino and Minnesota!
6’10 Chicago-area 2020 @tice23_ chose @GopherMBB over Iowa, Rutgers, Maryland and Xavier among others. pic.twitter.com/Dlk97RcdbD

— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) October 8, 2019

Class of 2020 4 star C Martice Mitchell @tice23_ received an offer from the University of New Mexico, per his Twitter. pic.twitter.com/TW8IKEkB88

— The Lobo Lair (@TheLoboLairFeed) July 14, 2019

This is a big signing for the Gophers and I love the way this kid plays the game. He’s the perfect fit for Richard Pitino’s high-low post game. He is listed as a Center but can stretch the floor and shoot the three-pointer, with what looks to be consistency (these are highlight videos remember). But, I’m even more impressed with his shot-blocking and moves in the paint, while watching these highlights. Tall kids who can shoot from the outside often lack the aggressiveness you would hope for, in other areas of a big’s game. Oftentimes (not always), they lack in rebounding, shot blocking, or offensive post play. Mitchell doesn’t look to have those issues, and that is at a VERY lean 190 pounds. I can already see a different human, after a couple more years and some time on a D1 college athlete meal plan.

Martice Mitchell is underrated, when it comes to the beloved star rating system, according to a lot of what I have read on him. After doing some digging of my own, I have to agree. It’ll be fun to follow his senior season from afar, to see if his upward trend continues.

The Martice Mitchell Commitment isn’t the only recruiting news I have for you this morning.

One of Richard Pitino’s most coveted recruits for a long time has been Jamal Mashburn Jr. Yes, that Jamal Mashburn Jr; the son of former NBA Star, Jamal Mashburn.

Jr. is a combo guard out of Miami, Florida and he is a consensus top-100 4-start recruit. He visited last weekend, then narrowed his list of possible teams to just the Gophers and Cal. Rumor has it, he is set to make his commitment later this week (specifically Thursday supposedly) and that the Gophers are STRONG favorites.

This would be a HUGE get for the Gophers and should make everyone sit a little bit more comfortably in their seats, as they watch the likes of Jaylen Suggs (probably), Dain Dainja, and Ben Carlson leave the state to go elsewhere.

Jamal can fucking ball and will play both guard positions in college, even at an undersized 6’0” – 6’2” (depending who you ask). How can you watch these clips and not think of Nate Mason? I’d bet my life on Richard using Nate Mason incessantly, when showing Jamal Mashburn Jr. how he would play him in our system.

2020 four-star guard Jamal Mashburn Jr. has set his first official visit to Cal on Sept. 26. Also is planning official visits to Wake Forest and Minnesota in October. Mashburn Jr. can shoot it from deep and is shifty in the lane. https://t.co/Yzy2cQ5gem pic.twitter.com/owfDKgsk7D

— Krysten Peek (@KP_Rivals) August 22, 2019

And there was one big time uncommitted recruit out of Minnesota, that I didn’t include in the list of guys that aren’t staying here. Dawson Garcia is the lone hope for those who want to see MN kids stay in MN, and the chances of landing him are supposedly good. Pitino only has 2 scholarships left and Garcia is committed to visiting Indiana at the end of October. Hopefully Mashburn Jr. can fill one of those before Garcia stays home, to make this one of the best recruiting classes in Minnesota Gopher Basketball History.

What kind of MN kid wouldn’t want to be a part of that? Come on, Richard. Let’s seal these deals!

Highlights of Dawson Garcia (@Dawson23lee) vs SD Attack playing for @D1Minnesota @adidasD1MN @ @PrepHoopsBatL

Garcia is a top ranked 2020 prospect from Prior Lake

@PrepHoops @NorthstarHoops#basketball #basketballislife #basketballedits #PrepHoops pic.twitter.com/lNXn9rWYBp

— StreetHistory (Ryan S) (@streethistory) May 11, 2019

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan