Minnesota Gophers Face First Real Test in Anaheim 76 Classic

The No. 16 ranked Minnesota Gophers play the No. 10 ranked Butler Bulldogs in their first round game of the 76 Classic Tournament in Anaheim, California on Thanksgiving. The clash with Butler represents the first real test for Minnesota this season and will provide insight into whether the Gophers have the talent to contend for the Big Ten title.

Minnesota has won its first three games of the season over Tennessee Tech, Stephen F. Austin, and Utah Valley without much fanfare.  Minnesota was able to win each game by more than 25 points.

While the margin of victory has been substantial, the most impressive aspect of the Gopher victories has been the willingness of the team to eagerly embrace the tenets of Tubby ball - suffocating defense and balanced scoring. 

Every eligible player on the team is averaging at least 10 minutes of playing time a game.  Eight Gophers are averaging at least five points a game and several different players have shared the honor of being the team’s leading scorer on the night.

Freshman Rodney Williams has played well demonstrating his athletic versatility by making rim-rattling dunks as well as hitting long jumpers.  Junior Al Nolen has done a good job running the team at the point guard position and the team has a respectable 1.9 to 1 assist to turnover ratio.

Minnesota will need its suffocating defense and balanced scoring if the team is to beat Butler on its way to the 76 Classic Championship.

The Bulldogs are not as deep as the Gophers but they appear to be worthy of their early season ranking.

Butler has a very credible inside-outside combination in Sophomores Shelvin Mack  (13.0, 3, 5) and Gordon Hayward (15.3, 8, 2).

Mack and Hayward were members of the United States U-19 National Team that went 9-0 at the FIBA U-19 World Championship in New Zealand in July of this year.  Hayward was named to the All-Star Tournament Team and Mack was instrumental in running the team as the point guard.

In the rugged and point guard rich Big Ten, the matchup with Butler will be a very good test for Minnesota.

The winner of the Minnesota/Butler game advances to play the winner of the UCLA/Portland game in the championship bracket.  The loser plays the loser of the UCLA/Portland game in the consolation bracket.

Minnesota should be the favorite in the second round game regardless of its opponent.  The second game however will not be the proverbial walk in the park.

UCLA rebounded nicely with two wins and a 20 point victory over Pepperdine after losing to Cal State Fullerton in double overtime in their season opener.   The Portland Pilots have a 3-0 record and an 88-81 upset over Oregon. 

If Minnesota wins its second round game, the Gophers will likely play their second Top No. 20 team in the tournament barring a second round upset in the other bracket.

The Gophers likely opponent will be either No. 8 West Virginia or No. 19 Clemson.  Similar to Butler, either opponent will provide an excellent test for Minnesota as both teams are comparable to the upper echelon teams in the Big Ten.

Minnesota is a good team that has won its first three games in convincing fashion.  Everyone on the team has had a chance to gain experience.  However, none of the teams Minnesota has faced this season has talent comparable to the teams that the Gophers will face in the Big Ten.

The Big Ten is loaded this year with six teams in the top 25 and possibly eight teams worthy of an NCAA bid.  Minnesota will not have any weekends off once the Big Ten season starts.

As November comes to a close it is time for the Gophers to find out how good they really are by playing against some of the best teams in the country.  After the 76 Classic, we will know if the Gophers are prepared to challenge for the Big Ten title. 

Minnesota can make a statement that they are prepared to contend for the Big Ten title by winning the 76 Classic.