Minnesota 11/9 7:00 ESPN+

[Lobot]

This is being billed as the Twyman-Stokes Classic and if you're not familiar with that story line already, I'd suggest looking that one up. I'm sure GoBearcats will do a recap of the story at some point this weekend. I'll post a link when I find a good one.

I'm kind of surprised this got buried on ESPN+ but MNF is on so I guess they had to put it somewhere.

Minnesota comes in 2-0 with decisive victories over North Dakota and St. Thomas. In other words, hey haven't played anyone yet either. This should be a good measuring stick game for where the Bearcats are because this should be a step up in competition level for both teams.

I, for one, am glad this game is at home this season. Historically we are 7-2 vs the Gophers including the building opener for Shoemaker Center

G Isaac Asuma makes the Gophers go with some help from Jaylen Crocker-Johnson at F.

Stick around for assist leader and all name team member Kai Shinholster

https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/team/stats/_/id/135

[leo from jersey]

Looking forward to see how the front line handles Minnesota's bulk. Our guys seem smooth, but they must show muscle too. Good early test. How will Tejeda. Riley and others bounce back. CJC didn't sound too pleased with them. Let's see how he exhorts a good effort from them.

Go Cats

[bearcatbret]

The Golden Gophers are in town and here is their take on the game: Gophers Travels to Cincinnati Monday Night - University of Minnesota Athletics

From our homeboys: Cincinnati Hosts Minnesota in Twyman-Stokes Classic Presented by Impacting Tomorrow - University of Cincinnati Athletics - Official Athletics Website

It is interesting that the Gophers do not count the games that they had to vacate but UC does.

[Lobot]

I was wondering who would bring up Clem Haskins first

Here's a refresher on the mess he left: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Univer...etball_scandal

[Carthage World]

Minnesota was picked to finish 13th out of 18 Big Ten teams under second-year head coach Niko Medved. Medved took Colorado State to three NCAA tournaments in a 4-year span before departing for Minneapolis. The Gophers last made the NCAA tournament in 2019 - the same time UC made their most recent appearance.

KenPom and Bart Torvik have completely different assessments of this year's Minnesota squad, as KenPom currently has them ranked 43rd and Bart Torvik has them ranked 74th. After playing a sub-300 opponent in North Dakota and a decent mid-major in St. Thomas, Minnesota has stood out for their defensive performance where they have only allowed 56 points/game on 31.4% FG shooting and 18.8% shooting from 3. They have also outrebounded their first two opponents by an average of 13 boards/game.

The Bearcats are 7.5-point favorites.

[GoBearcats31]

Minnesota has been a Big Ten bottom dweller in recent years but Niko Medved seems to be a very good coach who may be able to get things turned around.

Unfortunately, they have had some really solid talent in recent years that they have been unable to retain with the portal/NIL but--echoing the above--this should be a good test early in the season.