Strong Senior Day performance could mean more time for Julian Welch
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MINNEAPOLIS -- The Gophers' most tenured players responded well to their collective start in Saturday's Senior Day rout of Penn State, and includes a forgotten man who could start getting more time.
Julian Welch had struggled offensively this year and with that struggle came less minutes. But he played 24 minutes and scored a season-high 10 points in the 73-44 win over the Nittany Lions.
"My teammates gave me a lot of confidence," Welch said after Tuesday's practice. "So, I just wanted to play and play like I've been playing in practice."
What were his thoughts on going from not playing much to starting?
"It was a little weird," Welch said, "but it was a good weird."
Welch also had seven assists, no turnovers, and coach Tubby Smith says he defended well.
It may all pay off for Welch and the other seniors. Smith said after Tuesday's practice he liked the way it went Saturday.
"Those guys that we started played extremely well together and they may get the nod" in Wednesday's game against Nebraska," Smith said, adding he hasn't decided yet.
