Minneapolis, MN – The Minnesota Gophers controlled the game from the start in a 70-52 win over the Wisconsin Badgers.
Minnesota’s guard Payton Willis led the Gophers in scoring with a game high 21 points on 7-of-10 shooting. The 6-4 guard from Arkansas drove repeatedly into the lane to get his points. When the Badgers did stop him from on his drives, he would throw it down low to Daniel Oturu. The 6-10 center was a force on the block. Oturu had a strong double-double with 17 points and 14 rebounds. He is Minnesota’s best player and showed it against the Badgers. Oturu is skilled for his size. He has great footwork around the basket and also stepped out to make two 15-foot face up jumpers to show his range. Defensively, he holds his own and can guard multiple positions. This was a great test for him against the Badgers’ big men. Oturu looks potentially like a solid NBA player. He’ll likely be a first round pick in the 2020 NBA draft if he declares for the draft. Gabe Kalscheur scored 11 points and helped the Gophers to a 45-32 halftime lead.
Wisconsin shot 28 percent from the field and had no chance to beat Minnesota on this night. The frontcourt of Nate Reuvers and Micah Potter kept them in it for the most part. Reuvers scored 14 points and Potter chipped in 11 points with 15 rebounds. The 6-11 Reuvers is a typical Wisconsin big man. He can play in the post or step out and hit the 3-pointer. Reuvers’ game translates to the NBA very well. He is an excellent passer. His best attribute is that he can shoot from the arc. He consistently shoots in the 35 percent range from the 3-point stripe. Reuvers also is a solid free throw shooter at 77 percent for the year. Tonight, Reuvers and Oturu guarded each other which is what the NBA scouts in attendance wanted to see.
The Badgers host Ohio State on Sunday, February 9 while Minnesota travels to Penn State this Saturday.
This article was written by Jaime Link, a correspondent and scout for NetScouts Basketball. You can follow us on Facebook, or on twitter.
We are looking for those interested in our basketball scout certification program. For information contact us and forward your resume.
