Three things to watch — Gophers vs. South Carolina Upstate
Three-point reliance
The Gophers opened Thursday's 70-68 loss against Missouri scorching shooting the ball. They started 5-for-5 on three-pointers, including four starters hitting from beyond the arc.
Elijah Hawkins and Isaiah Ihnen each had a pair of threes midway through the first half for the Gophers, who hit 7-for-11 from deep to lead 30-20 at the 9:29 mark. They would only go 1-for-12 from three-point range the rest of the game, including 1-for-9 in the second half. Ouch.
Even after that cold stretch from three to finish the game Thursday, the Gophers still rank fourth in the Big Ten at 39.1% from deep. Ihnen also ranks second in the Big Ten in three-point accuracy at an impressive 72.7% (8-for-11).
Ihnen (2.7), Mike Mitchell Jr. (2.4) and Cam Christie (2.0) are averaging at least two made threes per game, ranking among the Big Ten's leaders early this season, but what happens when those shots stop falling? That was a rude awakening when a 20-point second-half lead evaporated Thursday with Missouri's late 31-9 run.
The Gophers were scoreless from the field in the last 6:03. They were 0-for-6 from the field during that stretch, but the last three misses were threes in a two-point loss. Taking advantage of Dawson Garcia and Pharrel Payne (returned from foot injury) inside could be a factor Saturday. They combined for 26 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks vs. Missouri.
USC Upstate can shoot as well, ranking first in the Big South in three-point accuracy (41.9%). Senior guard Miguel Ayesa leads the league at 50% from three (12-for-24) and averages 3.0 made threes per game.
