The Gophers Are Back: Previewing the 2023 Minnesota Football Season
A New Era Begins in Dinkytown
After a tumultuous 2022 season, the Minnesota Golden Gophers football team is looking to rebound in 2023. With a new head coach in Danny Manning, the Gophers will look to return to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2019.
Key Additions
The Gophers added several key pieces in the offseason, including transfers Dawson Garcia (Marquette) and Pharrel Payne (Howard). Garcia, a 6'11" center, was a First Team All-Big East selection last season, while Payne, a 6'9" forward, was a MEAC All-Defensive Team selection.
In addition to the transfers, the Gophers also added several highly-touted recruits, including four-star forward Braeden Carrington and three-star guard Jaden Henley.
Key Losses
The Gophers lost several key players from last season's team, including All-Big Ten guard Jamison Battle and center Eric Curry. Battle was the Gophers' leading scorer last season, while Curry was a key contributor on both ends of the court.
Schedule
The Gophers will open the season with a non-conference game against Western Michigan on November 7th. They will then face a tough non-conference schedule, including games against Purdue, Duke, and Oklahoma.
The Gophers will begin Big Ten play on December 3rd at home against Michigan. They will face a challenging conference schedule, including road games at Purdue, Indiana, and Ohio State.
Outlook
The Gophers are a young team with a lot of potential. They have a good mix of experience and talent, and they should be competitive in the Big Ten this season.
With a new coach and a talented roster, the Gophers are poised to make a run at the NCAA Tournament in 2023.
Komentar