The Minnesota Golden Gophers will host the Alcorn State Braves at The Barn on Saturday morning, looking to build on their early season success. The Gophers come into the matchup with a record of 1-0 and a KenPom ranking of 69, while the Braves are struggling at 0-2 and sit at 328 in the KenPom standings. Despite the legacy of standout athlete Steve McNair, who starred in football, the focus this weekend will be on the basketball court as Alcorn State tries to regroup under new head coach Jake Morton.
Morton, previously an assistant at Florida State, is navigating a challenging landscape with considerable roster turnover. Unfortunately for the Braves, their early losses to Florida State and South Alabama have compounded difficulties, leaving fans to wonder if an upset against the Gophers is within reach.
To secure a victory, the Gophers will need to focus on several key areas. Firstly, they must contain Shane Lancaster, a junior guard for the Braves who exploded for 25 points in a recent game against South Alabama. Keeping him around a dozen points, as was the case in their loss to Florida State, will be crucial.
Another significant aspect for Minnesota will be winning the turnover battle. Alcorn State has struggled, committing turnovers on 26% of their possessions, compared to the Gophers’ 19%. While it’s unlikely the Braves will generate an exceptional amount of turnovers, maintaining a favorable margin should be realistic for Minnesota.
Additionally, the Gophers must continue to effectively run their motion offense, emphasizing movement without the ball and teamwork. Greater execution in this area will only bolster their chances of extending their winning record.
Considering the challenges Alcorn State faces, the prediction leans heavily in favor of Minnesota. With their tough non-conference schedule already including formidable opponents like Florida State and upcoming matchups against teams such as Maryland and Oklahoma, the Braves face an uphill battle. As the teams prepare to meet, the expectation is clear: the Gophers are set to claim a solid victory, with a forecasted score of Minnesota 76, Alcorn State 62.