If things had gone as planned, Marcus Carr would be the Gophers' starting point guard and playing around 28 minutes per game. He's not, because NCAA decisionmakers failed the young man miserably.
Also, if things had gone as planned, Isaiah Washington would be further along in his development, more under control, more consistent and able to be trusted to run the team. He remains an enigma.
Relying on a piecemeal point guard approach is not what Richard Pitino had in mind. Point guard remains basketball's bedrock that sparkles when manned effectively. The Gophers will spend the rest of the season trying to win enough games to reach the NCAA tournament without a true point guard.
Much like driving a car without power-steering, it can be done — but it's not easy.
"It's not ideal to be scoring in the 60s," Pitino said. "But that may happen to us a little bit. That's all right. Just find a way to win."
The Gophers rank ninth in Big Ten games in scoring at 68.5 points per game. Low scoring output is a reflection of several issues, not just their point-guard situation. A dearth of perimeter shooting and turnovers have stymied them, too.
But point guard remains the most important position, and circumstances have required Pitino to handle it unconventionally.
Wings Amir Coffey and Dupree McBrayer basically share duties in bringing up the ball and initiating the offense. Both players are comfortable with the ball in their hands. Coffey has a unique style when he's aggressive and in attack mode. But neither is a natural point guard.