Read my full story on the game here.
Three quick observations on tonight's 85-57 win over Southern:
Andre is in a groove. The senior guard has been hot from the perimeter ever since he shoved off a rough NIT Season Tipoff and threw down 27 points at Wake Forest. Hollins' teammates have been finding him, and he's regaining that outside touch we saw in his freshman and sophomore year. Last year -- even after severely spraining an ankle -- and earlier this year I felt like Hollins was forcing drives sometimes, and even ignoring open looks from beyond the arc because he felt like driving into the paint should be his biggest strength. But this kid can shoot, and he's really showing us that again lately.
This team's offense is looking pretty good. Minnesota is shooting well, passing the ball extremely well and scoring inside well. It helps that the two guards at the top have really turned on the chemistry since last year. Hollins and DeAndre Mathieu just feed off each other now. The Gophers' offense was a highlight a year ago, in Pitino's first attempt at a fast-paced game at Minnesota, but this season, it seems to have taken a big step forward. And it doesn't hurt that the backcourt is full of scorers -- Carlos Morris, Mathieu, Hollins and Nate Mason all can put it in the hoop -- the team has been getting far more production than expected out of Joey King, and Mo Walker has improved under the basket.
Tonight was big for the bench. Another win is good, as is another chance for the team to grow on both ends and work on all the little things that have been plaguing it -- like turnovers (again tonight) and rebounding (better but not great still). But the most beneficial aspect? The chance to get reserves Bakary Konate and Charles Buggs on the floor for big minutes. Both are very raw still. Both will be needed come Big Ten slate. The fact that the two combined for 41 minutes is a positive, even if both showed frustrating moments.
