Golden Gophers – Page 394 – David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Dan Dakich: U Can Contend Next Year

Posted on March 30, 2012March 30, 2012 by David Shama

ESPN college basketball analyst Dan Dakich told Sports Headliners yesterday the Gophers could be a top five team in a strong Big Ten Conference race next year.

Dakich, a former Indiana player and head coach at Bowling Green, said the Big Ten appears to be “loaded” next season led by Indiana, a team that could be ranked among the nation’s top five in the preseason. The Gophers won six of their last eight games, including four straight in the National Invitation Tournament before losing last night in New York to Stanford in the tourney title game. “This experience (the NIT) has been spectacular for them,” Dakich said.

By extending their season about three extra weeks and winning games, the Gophers gained experience and momentum that will increase chances for success next season. “It’s all about momentum in your program,” Dakich said.

He emphasized momentum creates excitement in the fan base and among the players. Dakich said that kind of environment helps inspire players in their workouts, weightlifting and general preparations for the next season.

Dakich’s projections about the Gophers in 2012-13 assumes the most important players return including the NIT starters and forward Trevor Mbakwe who missed most of the past season with a torn ACL. If Mbawke chooses to play one more season rather than become a professional, he could lead the Big Ten in rebounding and anchor the team’s inside defense. That’s predicated on his recovery from the ACL injury. “He should be fine,” Dakich said.

Dakich said coach Tubby Smith and his staff have done a “great job” of closing out the year after Minnesota had lost seven of eight games in February and finished with a 6-12 conference record. The coaches deserve credit for both improved team and individual play.

Mention the NIT success to Dakich and the first name he talks about is Andre Hollins. The freshman point guard has emerged as a leader, playmaker and scorer. His late game contributions helped Minnesota win games the team was losing earlier in the year. “He’s been the difference (in the NIT run),” Dakich said. “Potentially he can be as good as he wants to be.”

Dakich believes junior forward Rodney Williams should dismiss any thoughts about leaving school to turn pro and come back for one more season. “He needs to prove himself in the Big Ten (over a season),” Dakich said. “He could be as good as anybody in the Big Ten.”

Dakich said the Gophers don’t have to defend the quality of teams they defeated in the NIT. Teams like Pac-12 champ Washington aren’t the equal of the best in the Big Ten but they are competitive clubs. Defeating them has positioned the Gophers for an interesting offseason and possible 2012-13 success.

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Lucia Won’t Gloat at Critics Now

Posted on March 28, 2012March 28, 2012 by David Shama

Don Lucia won’t gloat now that he’s answered critics by coaching his Gophers to the Frozen Four. It’s Minnesota’s first trip to the Frozen Four since 2005, and follows three disappointing seasons when the Gophers played about .500 hockey and didn’t qualify for the NCAA tournament.

Lucia, who has been coaching the Gophers since 1999 and won national championships in 2002 and 2003, was the target of an angry fan base last year. But with a talented roster and the addition of new assistant coach Mike Guentzel, Lucia has silently answered the criticism in 2012, even if he won’t boast about an overall record of 28-13-1, regular season WCHA championship and beating North Dakota last Sunday 5-2 to earn a place in the Frozen Four on April 5 in Tampa.

“The criticism goes with the territory,” Lucia told Sports Headliners. “We’ve got a pretty good track record (over the years). I am most happy for our players.

“Our staff has worked hard. I am grateful to (athletic director) Joel Maturi for standing by us and president (Bob) Bruninks, too.”

Maturi’s courage in facing the hockey negativity and calls for a coaching change didn’t surprise Lucia. “They don’t get any better. He’s one of the good guys in college sports,” Lucia said. “He stands for all the right things.”

Lucia, who is recovered from the health problems that bothered him a few years ago and has the security of three years remaining on his recent contract extension, will see if Minnesota’s special season can continue in an opening Frozen Four game against Boston College, a team that has won 17 straight and even last fall was creating speculation about a 2012 national championship. “BC is strong at every position,” Lucia said. “There are no weaknesses.”

He wants the Gophers to avoid errors with the puck and be prepared to control the hard attacking BC offense. There will be a lot of pressure on Minnesota goalie Kent Patterson who was an All-WCHA selection this year. Lucia brought up Patterson’s name when asked about next season, indicating that having to replace the senior goalie will likely be one of the team’s few major personnel losses and his 2012-13 group could be even better than this year’s Gophers.

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U’s Williams Lifting NBA Draft Status

Posted on March 26, 2012March 26, 2012 by David Shama

Junior Rodney Williams could be playing his way into the first round of the NBA draft this June.

That’s the opinion of former Gophers coach Jim Dutcher who believes Minnesota may have to play without Williams next season. “He’s playing as well as any small forward in America,” Dutcher said.

The Gophers meet Washington tomorrow night in the semifinals of the National Invitation Tournament in New York. Williams scored 66 points in three qualifying games to help Minnesota earn a trip to Madison Square Garden. “He’s had a great stretch,” Dutcher said.

The 6-7 forward, labeled for awhile now as the Big Ten’s best basketball athlete, has been an underachieving player for most of his career, but not lately scoring 24, 21 (twice) and 20 points in the last four games while lifting his scoring average to a team best 12.1. He’s become a leader on the floor and solid defensive player, but what’s flashy is his offensive profile. He’s found a consistent outside jump shot to go with his explosive drives and dunks.

Dutcher said pro scouts will be paying even more attention to Williams now that he’s arrived on the big stage of Madison Square Garden and been playing so well. The silky smooth Williams will be playing for his future — one that could either have him in the NBA next season or back at Minnesota for his senior year and a projected first round position in the 2013 draft. “What happens in the Garden will do a lot to determine it (Williams’ draft position),” Dutcher said.

What about the Gophers (22-14) and Washington (24-10) tomorrow night? The Huskies are the Pac-12 regular season champs (14-4 record) but Dutcher has watched Washington play and a Minnesota win wouldn’t surprise him. “There’s a reason they (the Huskies) weren’t invited to the NCAA tournament,” he said.

The Gophers won three road games to qualify for the NIT. After finishing 6-12 during the regular season in the Big Ten Conference, Minnesota has won four of five postseason games including one Big Ten tournament game.

Some of the program’s negative image has lessened. Minnesota has played its way into the NIT semifinals with perhaps more energy and good play than any other team. Coach Tubby Smith has received a lot of criticism the last two years, but Dutcher said his postseason work in 2012 deserves praise. “You have to give him credit now,” Dutcher said.

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