aMAILiaBAG: 2014-15's scoring attack, Pitino's future, digging into the schedule, white whiskey & beer

To submit a question for a future mailbag, email me at amelia.rayno@startribune.com or tweet me @AmeliaRayno. Now that the season's about to kick, we'll do them once a week.

Well, it appears the weather is finally beginning to reflect the sober reality of a normal fall. Thankfully, just as the temps are cooling down, basketball is starting to heat up, giving us things to talk and write about as we huddle inside and away from these 30-degree winds (where did all those pretty leaves go, anyway)?

Sunday's open scrimmage offered our first chance to see coach Richard Pitino's second team at Minnesota, one punctuated with a lot of new faces. Those newcomers stuck out more than anything on a night in which Andre Hollins' shot wasn't falling and DeAndre Mathieu had a hard time staying on his feet and away from sloppy turnovers.

This squad certainly has the potential to be intriguing if they can find the chemistry that existed last year -- as of now, that appears to be Pitino's biggest concern. In any case, the early viewing lends to chatter aplenty.

On to your questions:

Amelia-
Looks like Josh Martin is coming in with some energy. Do you think his presence will benefit both Mo and Eliason during practices during their senior season? Not saying #15 and #55 are soft, but I think our bigs have to enter Big 10 play with some extra attitude.
Ryan, Plymouth
Thanks

We got to see that a little of that on Sunday, when the freshman showcased his natural bounce and length -- on the boards and via a leaping alley oop. In case there was any doubt before, there isn't now. The kid is incredibly athletic. He's got the tools. That doesn't mean, however, he's ready for big playing time just yet. Right now, Martin is still a little raw, and he's got a lot to learn. His eventual role will extend far beyond the tantalizing dunks -- to get on the court, Martin will need to be tight defensively, and be a rebounding force. He showed hints that he understands that, on Sunday. The great news for him is that junior Joey King (who will likely start at power forward, and who has the reputation of being an all-out, tough-minded guy) has adopted Martin as a protege. A little extra of that I-Will-Dive-Off-The-Raised-Court-If-Necessary attitude can only help the team.

Hi Amelia,

What do you think will be the keys to the Gophers stealing a victory over Louisville in the opener?

Thanks!

Shawn

a) Minnesota frontcourt somehow handles Montrezl Harrel
b) Improved defense limits Louisville's young offense
c) Fewer than 10 Gophers turnovers (ahem)
d) Andre Hollins has a huge game
e) DeAndre Mathieu has a huge game
f) Mo Walker has a decent game
g) Somebody else does something
h) All the Pitinos root for Minnesota

Troy

I think young Pitino would bristle at such a stunty stunt.

@gophermartin: @AmeliaRayno what will make the Gophers better than last year?

a) More size
b) More athleticism
c) More of Pitino's "guys"
d) Healthy Andre Hollins
e) Talented newcomers who can step in right away
f) Slightly better defense (?? maybe ??)

@ZMoore80: @AmeliaRayno who are they red-shirting this year?

@RandBallsStu: @AmeliaRayno How are things going? #aMAILiaBAG

Great Stu, just enjoying a nice cup of hot tea. How are you, pal?

@fasolamatt: @AmeliaRayno USAToday says that there are 30000 Bigfoots in the south central US. What do you think? #aMAILiaBAG

That might be a bit high, but in order for the species to reproduce and thrive for this long, there certainly have to be some fairly hefty numbers.

@Fieldof68Freak: @AmeliaRayno Which non-conference home game intrigues you the most?

@TwinCitiesCreep: @AmeliaRayno Any thoughts on recent news out of Chapel Hill?

Well, Creep, I think it's pretty bad and some heads will roll. If the reports are correct, this is an extremely extensive and damaging scandal.

@gophermartin: @AmeliaRayno Fall nicer in twin cities or Boston? Or about the same? I'm OK if you say bean town. :-)

Any other year, I'd answer Boston without hesitation. But I can't imagine anything nicer than this perfectly wonderful autumn in Minnesota, with the added bonus of knowing it's never like this and thus appreciating it all that much more.

(side note: Is it over? Please tell me it isn't over. It's over, isn't it.)

I think he genuinely does like it here. His second child was born here and I believe he's very comfortable out in Edina. But it probably takes a little while longer for him to truly call it home. (Although I'm happy here I'm still not using that word, myself.)

@C_K_42: @AmeliaRayno #aMailiaBAG Is LoonShine worth the buy or do I stick with my normal adult beverages?

I just looked into this and I have to say I'm pretty intrigued. I'm not at all a specialist when it comes to white whiskey, but the reviews are strong enough that I might be seeking it out myself. Tonight. (OK, maybe next weekend.)

@mattprivratsky: @AmeliaRayno Pace of play last year was much slower than Pitino wanted. How much do you see that changing this year? #aMAILiaBAG

Pitino doesn't like to advertise this, but you're right, the Gophers weren't exactly fast last season -- in fact, their pace of play ranked just 257th nationally (per Kenpom.com). It's hard to inherit a team that plays a very different style (ie. Tubby Ball) and try to transform that into an efficient run-and-gun variety immediately. And it still won't happen overnight. But it's clear that Pitino has more of his "types" of players -- versatile, athletic scorers -- this year than the year before. I don't think you'll be overwhelmed by the difference, but I do think you'll see a somewhat quicker game.

Because we obviously have nothing else to do.

@JorenRico: @AmeliaRayno How many games do the Gophers to win to be a lock in the NCAA tourney? Do we get all of them? #aMAILiaBAG

My guess is 10, and yes, I think they'll finish 10-8.

@N0ELTHOMPSON: @AmeliaRayno preseason rankings has us all over with 4 starters back. That tells me that our depth is in Q( u agree?) who is key on bench?

That, and maybe just differing views of the talent of the starting lineup as well. Yes, the Gophers return four starters from a team that won the NIT, but not a single one of those players was voted to any of the three All-Big Ten teams. Andre Hollins played the bulk of the conference schedule hurt, DeAndre Mathieu is still regarded with a degree of caution because of his size and sometimes questionable decision making and Mo Walker, Elliott Eliason and Joey King were all just starting to do their things.

But yes, I've seen this team ranked everywhere from third to 11th in the conference. For the record, I have them landing at fifth.

@zmotalk: @AmeliaRayno who sees more time this season, Buggs or Martin? #aMailiaBAG

Martin. Judging by Sunday and talking to folks around the program, Charles Buggs still needs to improve his decision-making before he gets meaningful minutes on the court.

@coachhartman: @AmeliaRayno which newcomer has biggest impact this season?

I think Morris, because he's likely the guy tabbed to replace Austin Hollins in the starting lineup this season, and will be relied on to give the Gophers another good ball handling in the lineup and a strong attacking presence offensively so that a) DeAndre Mathieu doesn't have to try to penetrate for shots that aren't open to him and b) Andre Hollins and Nate Mason are freed up to shoot more threes from the perimeter. He'll also be called on defensively, and he's got the quickness to be very good in that regard also.

Well, obviously if someone would step up and be a bigfoot already, that would be my favorite. But you stubborn jerk farm creatures haven't done that yet, despite my public pleas. Next question.

@shanewill33: @AmeliaRayno Can Josh Martin average 10 and 5 this season?

I think Martin will have a nice first season, but those numbers are a bit high for a freshman who is going to be coming off the bench.

@Radman_50: @AmeliaRayno Will Richard Pitino be coaching somewhere else at this time next year? :)

If the Gophers make the NCAA tournament -- and I think they will -- and especially if they win a game there, I expect he will be. Pitino would have plenty of suitors in that scenario and his stock might never be higher than when he's tagged with the label of up-and-coming head coach with a clear upward trajectory.

That accomplishment isn't always a game-changer, but when it comes in the first year of a young coach who appears to be changing the program from the ground up, it should realistically be compensated.

@Kwick13: @AmeliaRayno favorite GF beer?

Burning Brothers -- it's local, and they get really creative with the different varieties they brew. First time I've heard a gluten-free stout or porter even talked about. Most people say it can't be done. Exciting stuff!

@MikeWoldemariam: @AmeliaRayno After Hollins and Mathieu, who is likely to emerge as the third scoring option for this team?

Mo Walker. I think you'll see the big man take another step this year. On Sunday, we saw a glimpse of that continued improvement -- the center was extremely efficient in the paint before coming out with a hamstring injury. He knows what to do with the ball when he gets it down low, and his offensive moves are only getting better. I expect he'll start.

@wawarun: @AmeliaRayno Fantasy question, how many minutes do you think Eliason gets? Will they play Mo & him together?

My prediction: Eliason comes off the bench for 14 minutes a game. And no, he and Walker will never play together. Neither move well enough to defend the 4. You might see both occasionally playing with the more athletic Bakary Konate, though.

Housekeeping ...

** Former Minnesota guard Malik Smith could be selected in this year's NBA D-League draft this Saturday.