Minnesota Basketball 2020-21: Non-Conference Schedule

So far eight of the expected eleven games have been scheduled for the Gopher Basketball 2020-21 season: four in the Hall of Fame Tip-Off, three home games vs low major/mid major teams, and a recently scheduled contest with Mississippi State. Here is a quick look at what the Gophers are facing.

Mississippi State. The Bulldogs were 20-11 last season with an 11-7 SEC record. When the Dogs play at Williams Arena next winter they will be without Reggie Perry, a sophomore likely NBA first round draft pick that averaged 17 and 10. Perry started every game this year as did junior Nick Weatherspoon and sophomore Robert Woodard II, both of which also entered their names in to the NBA Draft (neither of which are in the mock drafts I just checked out). Second leading scorer Tyson Carter has graduated so there will only be one returning Bulldog veteran, 6-ft-11 senior center Abdul Ado (5.7pg, 6.7rg). Sophomores-to-be DJ Stewart and Iverson Molinar were part time starters and will enter big roles. Deivon Smith is a 4-star guard addition and Jalen Johnson is a key grad transfer from Louisiana.

The Hall of Fame Tip-Off. The Hall of Fame event is a four game spread: two games at home (Albany and Long Island) and two games at Mohegan Sun Arena in Connecticut (vs UCF and either Marquette or Rhode Island). Albany was 14-18 a year ago while LIU was 15-18. Albany ended their season on a six game losing streak (they will play Minnesota on November 11th).

UCF is coached by Johnny Dawkins and has former Minnesota assistant Vince Taylor on their staff. UCF was 16-14 a year ago with a 7-11 record in the American Conference. UCF will have four of their top six players returning including leading scorers Collin Smith and Derrin Green Jr. They also added Louisville graduate transfer Darius Perry.

Marquette or Rhode Island? This could surely be interesting. Marquette losses three of their top four players but their roster has Theo John (from Champlin Park, MN), 5-star Dawson Garcia (from Prior Lake, MN), top returning scorer Koby McEwen, and maybe transfer names Jose Perez and DJ Carton. The Rams? They were 21-9 last season with wins over Alabama and Providence. The rams return leading scorer Fatts Russell but it’s just Russell and two other returning players back. The Rhode Island season could depend on waivers as Jalen Carey (Syracuse), Makhel Mitchell, and Makhi Mitchell (both from Maryland) are talented and would help. However, if their waivers aren’t cleared Rhode Island will be quite short on talent.

Home Cupcakes. This would be Kent State, North Dakota, and Green Bay. Kent State won 20 games last season and was a .500 team in the MAC. Green Bay was 17-16 and just added new head coach Will Ryan. North Dakota was 15-18 including a 79-56 loss to the Gophers. Are these cupcakes? College basketball these days isn’t as cupcakeish at the low major and mid major levels but for the sake of understanding the difference between these teams…