Minnesota Golden Gophers
Record: 1-0
KenPom Rank: 69
Alcorn State Braves
Record: 0-2
KenPom Rank: 328
If you think Steve McNair is walking through those doors…it wouldn’t matter; he played football.
These Braves are led by Jake Morton, who’s in his first season as a head coach. Morton was most recently an assistant at Florida State and is dealing with significant roster turnover, as is typical today.
The Braves are 0-2, losing to Florida State and South Alabama. Do they have a chance of upsetting the Gophers at the Barn on Saturday morning?
Defend Shane Lancaster – The Brave’s junior guard put up 25 points against South Alabama, making 7 of 13 threes. He only had 12 in their Florida State loss, keeping him closer to a dozen will be important.
The ball is the program – Win the turnover battle! The Braves have been turning the ball over on 26% of their possessions. Minnesota, in their one game, were at 19%; which isn’t great. I have no reason to believe that Alcorn is going to force an unusual amount of turnovers, but winning this margin should be attainable.
Run the offense – By all accounts, this team has been very effective at running their motion offense. A lot of movement away from the ball, cutting and working together. More of this. So much more!
I have no reason to think that the Braves have a chance here. They are playing a brutal non-conference schedule. Florida State, Minnesota, Maryland, LSU, Oklahoma, Iowa St, Baylor and Mississippi. Best of luck to you guys, but this is going to be a Gopher win as well.
Minnesota – 76
Alcorn State – 62
