Our next team will try to play the role of spoiler in the NBA March Madness Tournament. They’ve had modest success throughout their history, making the NCAA Tournament 14 times, and the Final Four once, an appearance which was later vacated by the NCAA. Now led by the son of a coaching legend, they’re hoping to become relevant again in the college basketball landscape. Despite their struggles, they’ve produced impressive NBA talent throughout their history, including four top-five draft picks, all of whom are represented on this roster. The NBA Minnesota Golden Gophers are a talented underdog who boasts a formidable starting unit.
Archie Clark was one of the most exciting players of his era, using crossovers and hesitation dribbles like a modern-day guard. Today, the two-time all-star would likely be able to stretch his jump shot out to the three-point line and have his scoring ability translate to the modern era. Clark could play at either guard position, as could his starting backcourt mate, Ray Williams. Williams was dynamic in the early years of his career, cumulatively averaging 19.6 PPG and 6.0 APG from 1978-79 to 1981-82. He had a sweet jump shot that also would have likely translated to the three-point line in today’s NBA, and on the other end of the court, he aggressively hunted for steals (averaging 2+ SPG four times in his career), and had solid defensive metrics during his prime (top 5 in defensive rating and defensive box plus/minus in 1983-84). The depth of this backcourt is impressive, with Bobby Jackson, Trent Tucker, and Voshon Lenard coming off the bench. Jackson found his calling in Sacramento, as a dynamic sixth man who could change the pace of a game and score in bunches. Tucker is the tallest member of the group (6’5”), who was one of the league’s greatest shooters. He can play next to any of the aforementioned guards and serve as a valuable floor spacer. Lenard can do the same, though he wasn’t as accurate as Tucker from long-range, especially when the three-point line was moved back to its original distance after the ’97 season. However, he could still shoot it effectively (37.9% career from three at the normal distance), and he should be able to earn minutes for this team, even as a fifth guard.
The starting forwards were Hall-of-Fame-level competitors whose games would translate to any era. Lou Hudson was a brilliant scorer who arguably had the prettiest jump shot of his generation. In his six-year prime, he cumulatively averaged 25.2 PPG on an efficient 49.7% from the field, and it’s scary to think about what he could do with the three-point line (think Klay Thompson with more playmaking and off-the-dribble capacity). He also was a disruptive defender, averaging 2.5 steals per game in the first year they recorded the statistic and posting solid defensive ratings throughout the latter half of his career (when this statistic was able to be computed). Kevin McHale was one of the most efficient scorers ever, earning a 60.5% career true shooting percentage and mastering the art of low-post basketball. He was also a dogged defender, earning six all-defensive team nods and guarding a range of players on the perimeter and low post. They’re backed up by Mark Olberding, who was part of the San Antonio Spurs’ ‘Bruise Brothers’ frontcourt that rebounded at a high level and roughed up their opponents. He could play either forward position, though he would be a better fit as a modern day four (or five) who could pass well for his position. Jim Brewer was the second overall pick in the 1973 NBA draft; while he did not live up to that lofty status, he was an all-league defender who has a top-20 all-time defensive rating for his career.
The starting center, Mychal Thompson, was the number one overall pick in 1978. He averaged over 20 points and 10 rebounds in his third (active) year in the league, and in a five-year stretch in Portland, he averaged 17.5 PPG, 9.3 RPG, 3.8 APG, 0.9 SPG, and 1.5 BPG on 50.9% shooting from the field. After a brief detour in San Antonio, he served as a high-end backup for two championship teams in Los Angeles before starting on a 63-win team that disappointed in the playoffs. A talented rebounder and passer, he should be able to play well with McHale. He’s backed up by two behemoths: Joel Przybilla and Randy Breuer. The 7’1” Przybilla was a force on the boards and protecting the rim; in 2008-09, he had his best year and led the league in rebounding percentage. The 7’3” Breuer had a few solid seasons early in his career, but would have a very hard time adjusting to today’s game and is likely to be called upon only if his teammates get in foul trouble.
The NBA Minnesota Golden Gophers should be a high-scoring team, with Hudson and McHale leading a balanced attack. Their best defensive lineup will likely feature McHale, Brewer, and Hudson, with a rotating cast at the other two positions depending on the matchup. Seeded 29th in our tournament, they have a first-round matchup against the NBA Duke Blue Devils.