Garcia was told by his coaches to set a goal of 10 free throw attempts a game this season. He averaged 5.7 free throw attempts last season, but that’s now up to 8.8 through four games.
In the past two games alone, the 6-11 former Prior Lake standout has made 20 of 22 free throws, including 10-for-12 Saturday, all in the second half.
Garcia is shooting a career-best 85.7% on free throws this season. He’s also averaging career highs in scoring (25.5), three-point percentage (57.1) and field goal percentage (57.1). It’s early, but it’s been years since a Gophers player started the season shooting this hot.
After wins last season, the Gophers picked a game MVP to wear a simulated professional wrestling championship belt, and that tradition is ongoing.
For the third time this year, Minnesota’s players posed for pictures in the locker room with the “Big Warrior” belt. On Saturday, Rigsby not surprisingly took the honor, but he wasn’t alone. Senior Trey Edmonds also got to hold the belt even after playing just three minutes against Yale.
“He was a leader on the bench and had a great attitude,” Garcia said. “That’s what winner’s are made of.”
