Gophers Have No Problem in Beating Montana
November 12, 2013
After an 84-58 win over Montana, Minnesota coach Richard Pitino expressed his reasons for concern over that night’s opponent. Montana was coming off a 19-1 conference record in winning the Big Sky, the team was returning eight lettermen, including three starters, and Grizzlies coach Wayne Tinkle had been voted coach of the year. Guard Kareem Jabbar was the Big Sky Conference Most Valuable Player in 2012-2013.
“I have respect for Montana, their program, and their coach,” said Pitino. “We were really concerned coming in and I thought our guys did a great job of handling their business and being very professional.” Pitino added that he knew the Grizzlies could shoot from outside; Montana had made 12 three-pointers in its previous exhibition game.
When Minnesota started the game in a 2-3 zone, Jordan Gregory beat the shot clock with a three-pointer. From there the Gophers abandoned the zone and put on pressure that forced the Grizzlies into five early turnovers. Montana connected on only five more three-pointers in the game, and Pitino was happy with the Gophers’ defense on the outside, saying they did a better job of putting their hands into the Grizzlies’ faced.
After Gregory’s opening basket the Minnesota backcourt of Austin Hollins, Andre Hollins, and DeAndre Mathieu rattled off 11 points and Oto Osenieks dropped another bucket to open a lead that was never challenged.
“This can be one of the better backcourts in the league if they are aggressive,” said Pitino. Andre Hollins finished the game with 24 points and Matheiu had 15. Austin Hollins, who also spent many minutes as power forward, had his first double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds.
With 6-10 Mo Walker serving the second game of a six-game suspension, Pitino noted that they needed everyone to step up. In addition to Austin Hollins in the 4 spot, Osenieks had 9 points and 6 rebounds. The Gophers outrebounded the Grizzlies 45-29, and center Elliott Eliason blocked five shots in the game.
The Gophers built a 40-26 lead at halftime while shooting only 38.2 percent from the field, a problem Pitino said was a result of foul trouble that didn’t allow them to have a post presence. The shooting in the second half was nearly 52 percent, and the Gophers finished the night with 27 for 61 shooting from the field that included 11 of 25 from beyond the arc. Pitino said he expects the Gophers “to be a tough team to guard on the perimeter.”
Jamar, with 18 points, was the only Montana player in double figures, and he also led the Grizzlies with 6 rebounds and 3 assists.
The Gophers have now won two exhibition games and two nonconference games, all at Williams Arena. Pitino said, “We’ll have to see how the guys do on the road—in a hostile environment.” Minnesota’s next game is November 16 at Richmond.