The sparse crowd at Williams Arena got rowdy last week once the Gophers men’s basketball team took a 30-point lead over New Orleans.

That’s when Minnesota’s 6-foot-11, 285-pound backup center Jack Wilson came off the end of the bench and entered the blowout. Some of the loudest cheers across the Gophers’ 97-64 victory came when Wilson scored, rebounded or generally out-muscled opponents.

One father-son pair of Gopher fans high up in Section 202 has been relishing every time Wilson has played this season. Father Pat Doyle and son Maguire Doyle — like so many college basketball fans across the country — love it when benchwarmers get rare playing time.

When the rotation for playing time reaches reserves and walk-ons, the Gophers are likely winning big — a rarity in recent years at The Barn. After not playing in the Ohio State loss Sunday, Wilson is not expected to get much playing time when Minnesota (5-3, 0-1 Big Ten) plays host to Nebraska (7-1, 0-0) in the Big Ten home opener at 8 p.m. Wednesday.

But Wilson, a mammoth transfer from Washington State, has become a cult favorite for Gopher fans in the three games he has played this season.

“You could put a flannel shirt on him and he’d be Paul Bunyan,” Pat Doyle said of Wilson.

When Wilson subbed out at one point last Thursday, the Doyles were the only ones to give him a standing ovation.

“I love those end-of-bench guys,” Maguire Doyle said. “You feel closer to them than others. They put the same amount of work in as the other guys.”

Wilson heard the crowd as he scored five points, grabbed five rebounds and dished out five fouls, gesturing to the crowd after a made bucket.

“It means a lot,” Wilson said about the warm responses. “It’s just been a blessing to be here and to have the fan support on top of it. What more could you ask for? They are great teammates, great coaches. Fans are great. It’s a good thing for me, for sure.”

Wilson, of Montara, Calif., played on the offensive line for the Washington State football team the past two seasons, and has has lost more than 40 pounds to get into basketball shape. After the New Orleans game, he was asked how he describes his style of play.

“Like a guy who just played two years of football,” Wilson said, drawing laughter. “I see some similarities and things I can bring to the floor, but I think, in my role, it’s a matter of keeping it simple.”

Wilson’s primary responsibility on the team is to help develop primary center Pharrel Payne. Last year, Payne didn’t have a big body like Wilson to contend with in practice.

“Just (Wilson) being imposing to the other team and being way bigger and stronger — not faster — is just fun to see and cool to watch,” Maguire said.

Wilson also might be called on in some games to defend bigger Big Ten centers as the season progresses, a list starts with Purdue’s 7-foot-4 All-American Zach Edey.

While the Gophers have had a string of difficult seasons, the Doyles have bonded from the loft at the Barn. The family has been season-ticket holders since 1986. Pat, now 61, started attending games with his father, John. And in recent years, Maguire has attended more games as John’s health became frail and he passed away last year.

Maguire’s fandom grew when the Gophers won the NIT in 2014, and nearly 10 years later, the teenager now dreams of keeping the Doyle tradition alive for a fourth generation.

“It means a lot to me because I would love to go to games later on in my life with my son, once my dad can’t go,” Maguire said.  “That would be a really cool thing.”

That long-term plan progressed last weekend when Maguire, a senior at Maple Grove High School, found out he has been accepted to the University of Minnesota. “I’m excited!” he said.

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