Jordan Murphy was always mature for his age.
As a freshman last season, while some teammates got in arguments with the coach and others were getting suspended for posting lewd videos online, Murphy quietly had a breakout first season, emerging as a starting power forward and making an impression on his coaches … and professors.
“You had people from academics coming over and saying, ‘Recruit more guys like him,'” head coach Richard Pitino said in November 2015.
One year later, as a sophomore, it became time for Murphy to reach a new level of maturity, this time on the court. The initial aura of Murphy’s rise dimmed as he struggled to stay out of foul trouble last season as the team’s losses mounted. He then got off to a slow start this year, which came to a head early in the conference season when Murphy went six consecutive games scoring eight points or fewer and averaging under six rebounds per game.
That’s when Pitino sat him down for a talk that turned his season around.
Volvo or Dodge Ram?
Murphy, known for his stoic, chill personality, had gained the nickname “Low-Motor Murph” during his freshman year — a reference to his seemingly low energy level. Pitino once compared freshman Murphy’s demeanor to a Volvo, then said he wanted Murphy to be a Dodge Ram.
Early in the 2016-17 season, the low-motor Volvo appeared in a game against NJIT in which Murphy scored just two points in 15 minutes. Pitino wasn’t pleased. “That body language can scream at times,” he said two days later.
The season progressed with Murphy failing to put up the type of numbers he did last year, albeit on a better team with more playmakers around him. Nonetheless, the press started murmuring about Murphy’s struggles, but Pitino defended his sophomore, emphatic that Murphy’s role was not based on scoring; that rebounding and defense needed to be his calling cards.
Prior to a critical game against Iowa on Feb. 8, Pitino personally challenged the sophomore. “I just said, ‘Murph, stop worrying about points. You need to understand what your identity is as a basketball player. It is not low-post touches, one-on-one. That’s not where you’re at right now. Even jump shooting, that’s not where you’re at right now. Can you hit shots? Yes, you can. Can you score in the post? Sure. But at the end of the day, where you’re going to get most of your baskets, play behind the defense, offensive rebound, transition, dunks, things like that.'”
Murphy responded with 25 points, 19 rebounds and four blocks.
A different player
Since the talk, Murphy has averaged 17 points, 14 rebounds and has four double-doubles. And Minnesota hasn’t lost.
He has 17 offensive rebounds over the past five games with many resulting in second-chance points, including a put-back dunk against Michigan that put Minnesota ahead in overtime. Against Rutgers, he had a highlight-reel dunk that got replayed on the Williams Arena video board to oohs and aahs the following week. Against Maryland, he scored 15 points in the second half after going scoreless in the first.
“I think you saw last game,” said Pitino, speaking about the victory over the Terrapins, “he was shooting some 3s in the first half, realized that wasn’t really the best game plan, starting getting close to the rim, good things started to happen. That’s maturation right in front of you.”
Murphy was also one of the players who called the players-only meeting that occurred before Minnesota’s six-game winning streak. Pitino has lauded Murphy’s attempts to grow into a leadership role with the young Gophers, and his efforts seem to be coinciding with a renaissance on the court.
“My whole mindset just changed throughout the whole season,” said Murphy. “There were times when I was being really immature, just not worrying about the right things. I think it’s finally gotten in my head where I have to worry about doing my role and just being the best I can be in that role.”
Pitino has dropped more than a couple I-told-you-so’s about Murphy since he took off on Feb. 8 — and why not when you’re getting results? The Gophers are an NCAA Tournament team, and Murphy is suddenly their motor.
“That junkyard-dog mentality,” said Pitino, “offensive rebounds like he was doing, blocking shots — that’s his game, and there’s nothing wrong with that.”
