MINNEAPOLIS — There are still four names written on the board from last year. The Minnesota Gophers lost the likes of Ben Meyers, Blake McLaughlin and Sammy Walker, three of their top five scorers last season. That meant if the team wanted to take a step forward this season after those departures, they needed players to step up.
Well, senior Jaxon Nelson and junior Mason Nevers — two players Motzko revealed are on the board — have been key cogs for the Gophers 10 games into the season. They both played a key role in the Gophers 3-0 win at 3M Arena at Mariucci on Saturday night and the sweep against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish this weekend.