Minnesota Goes From 8-23 to 23-8

From http://a.fssta.com/content/

The Minnesota Golden Gophers Mens basketball team has been struggling to taste success every since the academic scandal of the mid 1990s under Coach Clem Haskins, when the team was levied an NCAA sanction for an academic scandal, and was forced to forfeit a Final Four appearance. Coach Tubby Smith acquired the Gophers in 2007, but was relieved in 2013. Coach Richard Pitino is now at the helm, and hasn't had the brightest of days since taking over.  Just last year (2015-16), Minnesota went a dismal 8-23. But what has happened this year (2016-17) for this squad to do a complete 360, and finish the regular season at 23-8?

Blocked Shots
Defense wins games right? That holds true for Minnesota. Getting 6'10'' red-shirt Junior, Reggie Lynch on the court after having to ride the pine for the 2015-16 season due to transfer rules, and a stubborn "D"has proven to be the best thing that happened for the program. Lynch has actively patrolled the paint, and is second in the country in blocked shots with 111 total. The Gophers lead the country in blocked shots with 223.

From http://kstp.com/kstpImages/

Defensive Rebs
Coach Pitino has also done a hell of a job of getting the Gophers to limit the opposition's second chance opportunities. Minnesota is 10th in the country in defensive rebounds with 28.75 per game. Pitino avoids close encounters with defeat by his team being solid on the offensive glass, creating second chance opportunities, and ranked 15th in the country in total rebounds with 39.97 per game.

3-Point "D"
To add to their impressive defensive resume, Minnesota has kept teams from shooting high percentages from deep, coming in at 11th in 3-point FG percentage (30.3).

It's simple ladies and gents; defense, without a doubt, wins games. Minnesota blocks shots better than most of the NCAA, limits teams to one shot (among the NCAA's best in rebounding), and they defend the three better than almost everyone in the country. Their defensive prowess has marked their identity, and is the reason why they went from 8-23 to 23-8.