University of Minnesota Athletics
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/ Men's Basketball
Forward
/ Men's Basketball
Guard
/ Men's Basketball
Photo by: Brad Rempel
Gophers Back in Action Thursday vs. Ball State
12/20/2023 8:44:00 AM | Men's Basketball
BROADCAST INFORMATION
Broadcast: BTN +
Tip Time: 7:01 p.m.
Radio: KTLK: 1130 AM/103.5 FM (Mike Grimm, Al Nolen)
Sirius: SiriusXM 372
SERIES INFORMATION*
Third All-Time Meeting (1-1)
Last Meeting: Dec. 26, 1988 (L, 63-57 OT)
Minnesota vs. Mid-American Conf: 25-2
Last MAC Team vs. Gophers: Nov. 17, 2022 vs Central Michigan (MN W, 68-60)
* - excludes vacated games
STARTING FIVE
• The University of Minnesota men's basketball team returns to action after a nine-day hiatus due to academic finals. The Gophers return to action on Dec. 21 against Ball State. Minnesota hasn't faced Ball State since 1988 and it came in a loss at Williams Arena, Dec. 26, 1988 in a 63-57 overtime decision. The two teams are 1-1 all time, with both meetings in 1987 and 1988.
• The Ball State matchup will be the first Mid-American Conference team the Gophers face this year and Ben Johnson's third in his three-year tenure. Johnson is 2-0 against MAC schools, defeating both Western Michigan and Central Michigan in 2022-23.
• Elijah Hawkins had a record-breaking performance Dec. 12. Hawkins added a career-best 17 assists in the win over IUPUI and established a new school record. Hawkins broke a nearly 30-year record as Arriel McDonald held the previous record when he had 16 assists vs. Wisconsin on Jan. 12, 1994. By halftime, Hawkins already had his third-straight double-digit assist game when he had 11 assists in the first 20 minutes of play. Hawkins is believed to be the first Golden Gopher to establish three-straight double-digit assist games. After the 17-assist game, Hawkins now ranks No. 2 nationally in assists with a stifling 82 in 11 games. He also ranks No. 3 nationally in assists per game, averaging 7.5. Additionally, Hawkins committed just one turnover in the IUPUI win and seven total in the past three games.
• Freshman Cam Christie has been making his mark during his three starts. Averaging 29.3 minutes, Christie has been averaging 13 points and five rebounds since being added to the starting lineup. He led Minnesota with 19 points against IUPUI on Dec. 12 and for the season, averages a second-best 11.6 ppg behind leading scorer Dawson Garcia.
• Parker Fox provided 16 points in the Gopher win Dec. 12 against IUPUI. His 16 points was the most during his Gopher tenure. He also reached 1,500 career points that evening. Fox, a DII All-American, record 1,452 during his time at Northern State. This season, Fox has seen action in 11 games and scored 48 points, averaging 12.1 minutes.
WHERE THEY RANK
• Minnesota continues to show its depth winning the bench-point advantage in 10 of 11 games this year. The Gophers held a 43-30 advantage against IUPUI with Parker Fox coming off the bench and producing double-digit points. Minnesota's highest bench-point production came in a 62-20 advantage during Minnesota's nonconference game against New Orleans. The only game where the opponent scored more bench points was against Missouri in a 26-20 Tiger advantage. Minnesota ranks second in the Big Ten in this category and 22nd in the nation.
• The Gophers also seventh nationally in assists per game, averaging 19.7 a game. Minnesota ranks high nationally and in the Big Ten in a couple categories in addition to bench points and assists. Minnesota also ranks 29th nationally in field goal percentage (49.2)
LAST GAME RECAP
• Elijah Hawkins set a school record with 17 assists, and Cam Christie led four players in double-figures with 19 points, as Minnesota (8-3) led from start to finish and improved to 8-1 at Williams Arena with a 101-65 victory over IUPUI.
• As a team, the Gophers had 31 assists, which ranked third all-time. Minnesota led 57-27 at the half, which is the sixth-most points scored in any half and the most since having 58 points in the first half versus SIU-Edwardsville on Dec. 2, 1992.
• In the second half, Minnesota's lead reached 41 points, as head coach Ben Johnson was able to clear his bench. A total of 12 players appeared in the game for the Gophers, with 11 scoring points.
ABOUT BALL STATE
• Ball State holds an 8-3 record, and fell in its last contest to Indiana State, 83-72 Saturday. Prior to that loss, BSU won three straight over SIUE, Detroit Mercy and Bellarmine.
• The Cardinals have four in double-digit scoring, led by Basheer Jihad who averages 18.5 points. He's followed by Jalin Anderson (15.4 ppg), Mickey Pearson Jr. (12.0) and Davion Bailey (10.6). Jihad also leads the team in rebounds averaging 7.3 per game and 11 blocks. Anderson leads the team in assists (47) and steals (14).
• As a team, BSU averages 76.1 ppg, and allows 66.5. The Cardinals are shooting 46.4 percent this season, including a 37.8 percent from beyond the arc, which ranks 41st nationally. They also average 36.1 rebounds and are shooting 73.6 percent from the charity stripe.
ON THE DOCKET
• Minnesota is back in action on Friday, Dec. 29, when Maine comes to town. The game will be streamed on Peacock at 6 p.m.
• Mike Grimm and Al Nolen will provide the radio broadcast on Gopher Radio Network, KFAN 100.3 FM.
Broadcast: BTN +
Tip Time: 7:01 p.m.
Radio: KTLK: 1130 AM/103.5 FM (Mike Grimm, Al Nolen)
Sirius: SiriusXM 372
SERIES INFORMATION*
Third All-Time Meeting (1-1)
Last Meeting: Dec. 26, 1988 (L, 63-57 OT)
Minnesota vs. Mid-American Conf: 25-2
Last MAC Team vs. Gophers: Nov. 17, 2022 vs Central Michigan (MN W, 68-60)
* - excludes vacated games
STARTING FIVE
• The University of Minnesota men's basketball team returns to action after a nine-day hiatus due to academic finals. The Gophers return to action on Dec. 21 against Ball State. Minnesota hasn't faced Ball State since 1988 and it came in a loss at Williams Arena, Dec. 26, 1988 in a 63-57 overtime decision. The two teams are 1-1 all time, with both meetings in 1987 and 1988.
• The Ball State matchup will be the first Mid-American Conference team the Gophers face this year and Ben Johnson's third in his three-year tenure. Johnson is 2-0 against MAC schools, defeating both Western Michigan and Central Michigan in 2022-23.
• Elijah Hawkins had a record-breaking performance Dec. 12. Hawkins added a career-best 17 assists in the win over IUPUI and established a new school record. Hawkins broke a nearly 30-year record as Arriel McDonald held the previous record when he had 16 assists vs. Wisconsin on Jan. 12, 1994. By halftime, Hawkins already had his third-straight double-digit assist game when he had 11 assists in the first 20 minutes of play. Hawkins is believed to be the first Golden Gopher to establish three-straight double-digit assist games. After the 17-assist game, Hawkins now ranks No. 2 nationally in assists with a stifling 82 in 11 games. He also ranks No. 3 nationally in assists per game, averaging 7.5. Additionally, Hawkins committed just one turnover in the IUPUI win and seven total in the past three games.
• Freshman Cam Christie has been making his mark during his three starts. Averaging 29.3 minutes, Christie has been averaging 13 points and five rebounds since being added to the starting lineup. He led Minnesota with 19 points against IUPUI on Dec. 12 and for the season, averages a second-best 11.6 ppg behind leading scorer Dawson Garcia.
• Parker Fox provided 16 points in the Gopher win Dec. 12 against IUPUI. His 16 points was the most during his Gopher tenure. He also reached 1,500 career points that evening. Fox, a DII All-American, record 1,452 during his time at Northern State. This season, Fox has seen action in 11 games and scored 48 points, averaging 12.1 minutes.
WHERE THEY RANK
• Minnesota continues to show its depth winning the bench-point advantage in 10 of 11 games this year. The Gophers held a 43-30 advantage against IUPUI with Parker Fox coming off the bench and producing double-digit points. Minnesota's highest bench-point production came in a 62-20 advantage during Minnesota's nonconference game against New Orleans. The only game where the opponent scored more bench points was against Missouri in a 26-20 Tiger advantage. Minnesota ranks second in the Big Ten in this category and 22nd in the nation.
• The Gophers also seventh nationally in assists per game, averaging 19.7 a game. Minnesota ranks high nationally and in the Big Ten in a couple categories in addition to bench points and assists. Minnesota also ranks 29th nationally in field goal percentage (49.2)
LAST GAME RECAP
• Elijah Hawkins set a school record with 17 assists, and Cam Christie led four players in double-figures with 19 points, as Minnesota (8-3) led from start to finish and improved to 8-1 at Williams Arena with a 101-65 victory over IUPUI.
• As a team, the Gophers had 31 assists, which ranked third all-time. Minnesota led 57-27 at the half, which is the sixth-most points scored in any half and the most since having 58 points in the first half versus SIU-Edwardsville on Dec. 2, 1992.
• In the second half, Minnesota's lead reached 41 points, as head coach Ben Johnson was able to clear his bench. A total of 12 players appeared in the game for the Gophers, with 11 scoring points.
ABOUT BALL STATE
• Ball State holds an 8-3 record, and fell in its last contest to Indiana State, 83-72 Saturday. Prior to that loss, BSU won three straight over SIUE, Detroit Mercy and Bellarmine.
• The Cardinals have four in double-digit scoring, led by Basheer Jihad who averages 18.5 points. He's followed by Jalin Anderson (15.4 ppg), Mickey Pearson Jr. (12.0) and Davion Bailey (10.6). Jihad also leads the team in rebounds averaging 7.3 per game and 11 blocks. Anderson leads the team in assists (47) and steals (14).
• As a team, BSU averages 76.1 ppg, and allows 66.5. The Cardinals are shooting 46.4 percent this season, including a 37.8 percent from beyond the arc, which ranks 41st nationally. They also average 36.1 rebounds and are shooting 73.6 percent from the charity stripe.
ON THE DOCKET
• Minnesota is back in action on Friday, Dec. 29, when Maine comes to town. The game will be streamed on Peacock at 6 p.m.
• Mike Grimm and Al Nolen will provide the radio broadcast on Gopher Radio Network, KFAN 100.3 FM.
Highlights: Gophers 57, Nebraska 76
Saturday, January 24
Highlights: Gophers 74, Ohio State 82
Tuesday, January 20
Highlights: Gophers 67, Illinois 77
Saturday, January 17
Fan Sinks Half Court Shot
Friday, January 16