University of Minnesota Athletics
Tuesday, December 14
7:00 PM
University of Minnesota
vs
Texas A&M - Corpus Christi
Players Mentioned
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Photo by: Wesley Dean
Gophers Back in Action Against Green Bay Wednesday
12/21/2021 3:29:00 PM | Men's Basketball
BROADCAST INFORMATION
Steam: BTN (Connor Onion - Play-by-Play, Jess Settles - Analyst)
Tip Time: 4:01 p.m. CT
Radio: Learfield IMG: KTLK (AM-1130), FM 103.5
Mike Grimm (Play-by-Play); Spencer Tollackson (Analyst)
Sirius: XM 372
SERIES INFORMATION
Third Meeting (Minnesota leads, 2-0)
Home vs Green Bay, 2-0
Minnesota vs. Horizon League: 20-3
* - excludes vacated games
STARTING FIVE
• The University of Minnesota men's basketball team is back in action Wednesday night as the Golden Gophers host the Green Bay Phoenix, Dec. 22 at 4 p.m. The game was originally scheduled for 7 p.m., but was moved to 4 p.m., and on BTN. It marks the second-straight season the Gophers have hosted the Phoenix, and the third time in school history. It also marks the second Horizon League team Minnesota has faced this season, the first was against Purdue Fort Wayne on Nov. 19 in a 78-49 victory.
• Despite its loss to Michigan State on Dec. 8, Minnesota is still one of 22 teams undefeated or have lost just once in Division I basketball. The Gophers are off to their best start since 2017-18. Minnesota went 10-1 that year when it rattled off nine-straight wins before a loss to Miami (Big Ten/ACC Challenge). Should the Gophers defeat both Green Bay and Alcorn State in non-conference, they would be off to their best start in program history since 2016-17 when Minnesota opened the year 13-1 before conference play began.
• Payton Willis is one point shy of his 1,000th collegiate career point. Willis scored 338 points at Vanderbilt, 255 at College of Charleston last year and 406 as a Golden Gopher in 2019-20 and now 2021-2 season. During his two-year stint as a Gopher, Willis averages 11.0 points per game.
• Jamison Battle is ranked sixth in Big Ten overall scoring. He averages 18.5 points per game, while Payton Willis ranks ninth in the league at 16.5. Willis holds this league's best three-point percentage at 45.0 percent, while Battle is sixth at 34.2. Battle leads the league averaging 38.4 minutes played. The duo also ranks second and fifth in three-point average with 2.7 and 2.5 respectively.
• Minnesota currently ranks 33rd in the NET rankings, which ranks seventh among Big Ten teams. The Gophers own a 9-1 record overall, 1-1 in Big Ten play, 8-0 in non-conference and are 2-1 in Quad 1. Minnesota has also won all three road games this season as well as two neutral site games. The Gophers, who are receiving votes in the AP poll for the second straight week, are also listed as No. 21 in the NCAA.com Power 36..
SCOUTING THE PHOENIX
• Green Bay is back in action for the first time in 10 days as the Phoenix enter the Minnesota game with a 2-8 record. Green Bay is looking to snap a three-game losing streak after back-to-back wins against Wisconsin-Superior and Robert Morris.
• Head coach Will Ryan is in his second season at helm after he went 8-17 in his inaugural year with the Phoenix. Green Bay went 8-12 last year in the Horizon League, which ranked seventh in the standings.
• Green Bay has eight new athletes from a year ago including five transfers and three freshmen. The Phoenix lost their top three scorers from last year, but return Emmanuel Ansong, who leads them in ppg (12.6), rebounds per game (5.2), field goal percentage (.573) and minutes played (26.9).
AGAINST THE HORIZON LEAGUE
• The University of Minnesota is 20-3 all-time against the Horizon League. Minnesota defeated fellow Horizon League member Purdue Fort Wayne earlier this season, also at Williams Arena.
• The Gophers opened the 2020-21 campaign with a 99-69 win over Green Bay. Marcus Carr had 35 points in the opening game of the season as Minnesota led in team categories in field goal percentage (.430 to .364), three point percentage (.206 to .188) and rebounds (49-41).
WHERE THEY RANK
• Minnesota ranks 13th nationally and second in the conference in three-point defense. The Gophers have allowed just 204 attempts and 53 opponent threes through nine games and just 26 percent.
• In addition, Minnesota ranks 10th nationally in fewest fouls (and first in the Big Ten) with 136.
• The Gophers also rank fourth in the Big Ten in fewest turnovers and 16th nationally with 103. Minnesota also ranks 33rd nationally in assist to turnover ratio and third in the Big Ten.
• Individually, Jamison has played the most minutes per game by any Big Ten player and ranks 10th nationally. Battle is also 50th nationally in ppg (18.5). Payton Willis ranks first in the Big Ten in three-point percentage (45.0) and 28th nationally. Luke Loewe holds the Big Ten's fourth-best assist turnover ratio and ranks 33rd overall.
UP NEXT
• Minnesota returns to action on Dec. 29 when the Golden Gophers host Alcorn State at 7 p.m. Game can been seen online (BTN+) while Mike Grimm and Spencer Tollackson can also provide the call on KFAN 100.3.
Steam: BTN (Connor Onion - Play-by-Play, Jess Settles - Analyst)
Tip Time: 4:01 p.m. CT
Radio: Learfield IMG: KTLK (AM-1130), FM 103.5
Mike Grimm (Play-by-Play); Spencer Tollackson (Analyst)
Sirius: XM 372
SERIES INFORMATION
Third Meeting (Minnesota leads, 2-0)
Home vs Green Bay, 2-0
Minnesota vs. Horizon League: 20-3
* - excludes vacated games
STARTING FIVE
• The University of Minnesota men's basketball team is back in action Wednesday night as the Golden Gophers host the Green Bay Phoenix, Dec. 22 at 4 p.m. The game was originally scheduled for 7 p.m., but was moved to 4 p.m., and on BTN. It marks the second-straight season the Gophers have hosted the Phoenix, and the third time in school history. It also marks the second Horizon League team Minnesota has faced this season, the first was against Purdue Fort Wayne on Nov. 19 in a 78-49 victory.
• Despite its loss to Michigan State on Dec. 8, Minnesota is still one of 22 teams undefeated or have lost just once in Division I basketball. The Gophers are off to their best start since 2017-18. Minnesota went 10-1 that year when it rattled off nine-straight wins before a loss to Miami (Big Ten/ACC Challenge). Should the Gophers defeat both Green Bay and Alcorn State in non-conference, they would be off to their best start in program history since 2016-17 when Minnesota opened the year 13-1 before conference play began.
• Payton Willis is one point shy of his 1,000th collegiate career point. Willis scored 338 points at Vanderbilt, 255 at College of Charleston last year and 406 as a Golden Gopher in 2019-20 and now 2021-2 season. During his two-year stint as a Gopher, Willis averages 11.0 points per game.
• Jamison Battle is ranked sixth in Big Ten overall scoring. He averages 18.5 points per game, while Payton Willis ranks ninth in the league at 16.5. Willis holds this league's best three-point percentage at 45.0 percent, while Battle is sixth at 34.2. Battle leads the league averaging 38.4 minutes played. The duo also ranks second and fifth in three-point average with 2.7 and 2.5 respectively.
• Minnesota currently ranks 33rd in the NET rankings, which ranks seventh among Big Ten teams. The Gophers own a 9-1 record overall, 1-1 in Big Ten play, 8-0 in non-conference and are 2-1 in Quad 1. Minnesota has also won all three road games this season as well as two neutral site games. The Gophers, who are receiving votes in the AP poll for the second straight week, are also listed as No. 21 in the NCAA.com Power 36..
SCOUTING THE PHOENIX
• Green Bay is back in action for the first time in 10 days as the Phoenix enter the Minnesota game with a 2-8 record. Green Bay is looking to snap a three-game losing streak after back-to-back wins against Wisconsin-Superior and Robert Morris.
• Head coach Will Ryan is in his second season at helm after he went 8-17 in his inaugural year with the Phoenix. Green Bay went 8-12 last year in the Horizon League, which ranked seventh in the standings.
• Green Bay has eight new athletes from a year ago including five transfers and three freshmen. The Phoenix lost their top three scorers from last year, but return Emmanuel Ansong, who leads them in ppg (12.6), rebounds per game (5.2), field goal percentage (.573) and minutes played (26.9).
AGAINST THE HORIZON LEAGUE
• The University of Minnesota is 20-3 all-time against the Horizon League. Minnesota defeated fellow Horizon League member Purdue Fort Wayne earlier this season, also at Williams Arena.
• The Gophers opened the 2020-21 campaign with a 99-69 win over Green Bay. Marcus Carr had 35 points in the opening game of the season as Minnesota led in team categories in field goal percentage (.430 to .364), three point percentage (.206 to .188) and rebounds (49-41).
WHERE THEY RANK
• Minnesota ranks 13th nationally and second in the conference in three-point defense. The Gophers have allowed just 204 attempts and 53 opponent threes through nine games and just 26 percent.
• In addition, Minnesota ranks 10th nationally in fewest fouls (and first in the Big Ten) with 136.
• The Gophers also rank fourth in the Big Ten in fewest turnovers and 16th nationally with 103. Minnesota also ranks 33rd nationally in assist to turnover ratio and third in the Big Ten.
• Individually, Jamison has played the most minutes per game by any Big Ten player and ranks 10th nationally. Battle is also 50th nationally in ppg (18.5). Payton Willis ranks first in the Big Ten in three-point percentage (45.0) and 28th nationally. Luke Loewe holds the Big Ten's fourth-best assist turnover ratio and ranks 33rd overall.
UP NEXT
• Minnesota returns to action on Dec. 29 when the Golden Gophers host Alcorn State at 7 p.m. Game can been seen online (BTN+) while Mike Grimm and Spencer Tollackson can also provide the call on KFAN 100.3.
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Coach Medved on BTN
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