One down: Minnesota sinks DePaul in first round of Old Spice Classic

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Three truths I learned from the Minnesota 86-85 victory over DePaul in the first round of the Old Spice Classic:

 

1. Minnesota needs to work on its shooting.
While scoring 86 points in a game is great, if a team can’t shoot threes, it won’t get very far. Minnesota went 1-9 shooting from behind the arc, with Julian Welch making the only shot. He went 1-4 in the game. Five players attempted a three-point shot in the game.

Minnesota also shot 63% from the free throw line. Going 17-27 is not going to help the Golden Gophers gain and maintain a lead. Getting to the line is not enough. Making the shots is what counts. If they can’t make the easy shots, they’re not going to keep that 5-0 record they have early this season.

Despite their difficulties at the line and beyond the arc, the Golden Gophers were good at making their field goals, going 34-66. Rodney Williams went 7-9 while Trevor Mbakwe went 6-7.

2. DePaul can build on their good start.
Through three games, DePaul is 2-1. This is already a great start, considering in their last two seasons, they went 7-24 (2010-11) and 8-23 (2009-10).

Brandon Young and Cleveland Melvin each scored at least 20 points to help the Blue Demons stay close. They led the way to keep DePaul in the game and allow them to have the lead for most of the game.

This was DePaul’s first game in ten days due to final exams, so it wasn’t a bad performance. To stay in the game against a good Minnesota team and lose by only one point is impressive, especially when looking at the past few seasons of DePaul basketball.

3. Minnesota will make it to the finals of the Old Spice Classic.
The Golden Gophers will face an Indiana State team who wasn’t highly impressive against Texas Tech. The Sycamores were a bit better shooting threes and free throws, but less impressive shooting field goals.

Minnesota needs to focus on shutting down the whole team since there wasn’t one player who stood out on Indiana State. Jake Odum tallied the most points for the Sycamores, and he scored only 13. The Golden Gophers’ defense needs to stay on task, or they won’t move on to the finals.

To win the Classic, they need to make sure their shooting is on point. If they can get that improved before Sunday’s championship game, they have a chance to come home champions.

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