Minnesota Golden Gophers Basketball

The Gophers learned many lessons playing in the 76 Classic Thanksgiving Tournament.  Yes, Minnesota can play with anyone in the country, but they aren't good enough to win when they don't play well—at least not yet.

However, the most important lesson learned over the weekend is that you do it Coach Smith's way or you don't play.

The 82-73 win by Minnesota over Butler sent the most rabid Gopher fans to the NCAA website to see how they could order first round tournament tickets.  Optimism was warranted given how well Minnesota played.

The Gophers, with their aggressive defense, forced the Bulldogs into 21 turnovers.  Butler could only muster shooting 33 percent from the floor in the face of Minnesota’s pressure. 

As has historically been the case for Tubby teams, good defense led to easy baskets in an up-tempo game.  Minnesota shot 50 percent from the field and 47 percent from beyond the arc as they controlled the game for the entire second half.

The only blemishes for Minnesota were a technical foul picked up by Al Nolen by kicking the basketball in response to a call made by an official and the Gophers shooting 64 percent from the free throw line.

Unfortunately, these two issues would be themes for the weekend.

The Portland Pilots upset the Gophers the following night, 61-56. 

Early in the ballgame, Coach Smith substituted all of his starters.  The lack of defensive effort by the starters appears to have motivated Tubby to get his team to play hard on defense.

The move worked, as the Gophers played hard.  Minnesota forced Portland into turning the ball over 19 times and the Gophers limited the Pilots to shooting only 39 percent from the floor.

Unfortunately, the Gophers did not always play smart on defense as they often left Portland's best outside threat open.  Portland's point guard T.J. Campbell scored 23 points, making four of his eight attempts from downtown.  

Campbell came into the game shooting better than 50 percent from beyond the arc.  It is inexplicable why the Gophers double-teamed in the post, leaving Campbell open at the three-point line. 

The Gophers also struggled on the offensive end.

Portland did a great job getting back in transition, eliminating fast break opportunities, and forcing Minnesota to run its half court offense.  When Portland took the lead in the game they often went into a 2-3 zone.

Minnesota looked constipated trying to find an open shot all night; the team shot an anemic 33 percent from the floor. 

Minnesota failed to make any of its 12 attempts from beyond the arc in the second half.  Opposing teams will likely use zone defenses against the Gophers until they demonstrate they are capable of knocking down perimeter shots.

As bad as they played, the Gophers could have won if they could have made their free throws.  Minnesota shot 59 percent from the charity stripe, making only 13 of their 22 attempts.

The most embarrassing statistic of game was that the Pilots out-rebounded the Gophers, 42-33.

The most surprising game of the tournament was Minnesota's last game against Texas A & M, which they lost 66-65. 

Starting guards Al Nolen and Lawrence Westbrook were benched and saw less than 15 minutes of playing time for violating team rules.  Coach Smith said little after the game about the decision he made concerning Nolen and Westbrook.

The statement by Tubby in punishing Nolen and Westbrook hopefully has made it clear that no one on the team is going to get special treatment from the Coach.

Minnesota again struggled on the offensive end to find an open shot.  The Gophers shot 39 percent from the floor, 33 percent from downtown, 67 percent from the line, and they committed 16 turnovers.

Despite limited offensive production, the Gophers' Paul Carter had an opportunity to pull out the game on a last second shot.

The Gophers' defensive effort against the Aggies was similar to Portland—aggressive pressure on the ball and good denial of passing lanes, but failure to properly defend the three-point line.

The Aggies shot 41 percent from the floor and committed 14 turnovers primarily because of ball pressure applied by the Gophers.  But, the Aggies also shot 43 percent from the arc because Minnesota allowed too many open looks.

The Gophers left Anaheim knowing that they have the talent to play with the best teams in the country with their victory over Butler.  They are able to play consistent defense regardless of who is on the floor and can usually limit their opponent to 40 percent shooting or less.

The most obvious weakness for the Gopher defense is their inability to identify the opposing team's best outside threat and contest all shots taken from beyond the arc.

As a team, the players should know that they are not ready to be considered among the best teams in the country. 

The Gophers' offense is stagnant and they often struggle to get open shots.   Minnesota's scoring problems are compounded by their failure to shoot at least 75 percent from the free throw line.

Going into the tournament, three Gopher players were suspended and unavailable.  Coach Smith then had to punish two of his starters by limiting their playing time during the tournament. 

If we didn't already, we should now know that Tubby is willing to suffer losses in order to ensure that his players are properly disciplined.  

At the end of the day, the two losses suffered by Minnesota should not hurt the team's NCAA resume as Portland and Texas A & M should either be in the tournament or at least bubble teams.

Next up, Minnesota plays the Miami Hurricanes in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge.  While it is early, this game already feels like a must win game for the Gophers as they need all the wins they can get before the Big Ten season begins.

Hopefully, the Gopher team that played Butler will show up and Minnesota will take another step to becoming a quality team every night they step on the floor. 

Minnesota played its best game of the season in upsetting the No. 10 Butler Bulldogs 82-73 in the opening round of 76 Classic.

The game was an upset because the Bulldogs were the higher ranked team going in.  However, the best team on the floor clearly was Minnesota as they outplayed Butler for most of the game.

The Gophers used their usual formula of success, suffocating defense and balanced scoring, to wear down Butler.

The Gopher aggressive man defense forced Butler into committing 21 turnovers.  Several Butler shots were blocked and almost all were contested.  The Bulldogs shot only 33 percent from the floor.

The play which epitomized the game was the 15 second sequence made by the Gopher reserve players at the 1:46 mark at the end of the first half with the game tied at 27.

Butler’s Avery Jukes weaved through the lane and appeared to be on his way to a lay-up when reserve Colton Iverson made an incredible athletic move to block his shot from behind.  The Gophers quickly retrieved the ball and raced down the court.

Reserve guard Devoe Joseph made a nice move to get himself open for a quick uncontested three point shot.  The shot looked good but rattled out.  Iverson, who had been hustling down the court on the play, fought off two Bulldogs for the rebound.

Iverson showing patience in the paint waited for the inevitable double-team.  As Butler’s defense rotated, Iverson found a wide-open Blake Hoffarber for a three pointer.

Butler called a time-out as the crowd began to make noise.  Minnesota would never relinquish the lead.

The 15-second sequence showcased some of the depth of the Gophers.  There is little or no drop off when one of the Gopher reserves comes into the game.

Iverson was a force inside with 13 points, 11 rebounds and 2 blocked shots in only 18 minutes of action. 

Hoffarber played well scoring 12 points on 3-5 shooting from beyond the arc and not allowing Butler to collapse.

Joseph added 14 points, 3 assists, and 3 rebounds off the bench.  Joseph also hit two three-point shots in the final four minutes of the game to dash any hope that Butler may have had for mounting a comeback.

Minnesota’s reserves needed to pick up the slack for starters Rodney Williams and Al Nolen.  Because of foul trouble, Williams played only three minutes.  Nolen fouled out of the game scoring only two points in limited action.

Nolen uncharacteristically even picked up a technical foul for kicking the basketball after being called for a foul.

Butler stayed within striking distance for most of game by taking advantage of a tightly officiated game to get to the free throw line.  The Bulldogs scored half of their points from the charity stripe as they made 80 percent of their 45 free throws. 

As the season progresses, the Gophers will need to avoid allowing their opponents the opportunity to beat them from the free throw line.

Next up for the Gophers are the Portland Pilots.  Coach Tubby Smith should not have any problems getting his team to focus on Portland as Portland has played well this season.

Portland demolished UCLA 74-47 in its first round game of the tournament to raise its record to 4-0.  Prior to the tournament, Portland beat Oregon 88-81.   The Pilots could go a long way to securing a NCAA bid with an upset over the Gophers.

Minnesota should however wear down the Pilots with their bench on their way to playing for the 76 Classic tournament title.

The No. 16 ranked Minnesota Gophers play the No. 10 ranked Butler Bulldogs in their first round game of the 76 Classic Tournament in Anaheim, California on Thanksgiving. The clash with Butler represents the first real test for Minnesota this season and will provide insight into whether the Gophers have the talent to contend for the Big Ten title.

Minnesota has won its first three games of the season over Tennessee Tech, Stephen F. Austin, and Utah Valley without much fanfare.  Minnesota was able to win each game by more than 25 points.

While the margin of victory has been substantial, the most impressive aspect of the Gopher victories has been the willingness of the team to eagerly embrace the tenets of Tubby ball - suffocating defense and balanced scoring. 

Every eligible player on the team is averaging at least 10 minutes of playing time a game.  Eight Gophers are averaging at least five points a game and several different players have shared the honor of being the team’s leading scorer on the night.

Freshman Rodney Williams has played well demonstrating his athletic versatility by making rim-rattling dunks as well as hitting long jumpers.  Junior Al Nolen has done a good job running the team at the point guard position and the team has a respectable 1.9 to 1 assist to turnover ratio.

Minnesota will need its suffocating defense and balanced scoring if the team is to beat Butler on its way to the 76 Classic Championship.

The Bulldogs are not as deep as the Gophers but they appear to be worthy of their early season ranking.

Butler has a very credible inside-outside combination in Sophomores Shelvin Mack  (13.0, 3, 5) and Gordon Hayward (15.3, 8, 2).

Mack and Hayward were members of the United States U-19 National Team that went 9-0 at the FIBA U-19 World Championship in New Zealand in July of this year.  Hayward was named to the All-Star Tournament Team and Mack was instrumental in running the team as the point guard.

In the rugged and point guard rich Big Ten, the matchup with Butler will be a very good test for Minnesota.

The winner of the Minnesota/Butler game advances to play the winner of the UCLA/Portland game in the championship bracket.  The loser plays the loser of the UCLA/Portland game in the consolation bracket.

Minnesota should be the favorite in the second round game regardless of its opponent.  The second game however will not be the proverbial walk in the park.

UCLA rebounded nicely with two wins and a 20 point victory over Pepperdine after losing to Cal State Fullerton in double overtime in their season opener.   The Portland Pilots have a 3-0 record and an 88-81 upset over Oregon. 

If Minnesota wins its second round game, the Gophers will likely play their second Top No. 20 team in the tournament barring a second round upset in the other bracket.

The Gophers likely opponent will be either No. 8 West Virginia or No. 19 Clemson.  Similar to Butler, either opponent will provide an excellent test for Minnesota as both teams are comparable to the upper echelon teams in the Big Ten.

Minnesota is a good team that has won its first three games in convincing fashion.  Everyone on the team has had a chance to gain experience.  However, none of the teams Minnesota has faced this season has talent comparable to the teams that the Gophers will face in the Big Ten.

The Big Ten is loaded this year with six teams in the top 25 and possibly eight teams worthy of an NCAA bid.  Minnesota will not have any weekends off once the Big Ten season starts.

As November comes to a close it is time for the Gophers to find out how good they really are by playing against some of the best teams in the country.  After the 76 Classic, we will know if the Gophers are prepared to challenge for the Big Ten title. 

Minnesota can make a statement that they are prepared to contend for the Big Ten title by winning the 76 Classic. 

The University of Minnesota men's basketball team is undefeated with a perfect 2-0 record. But given the quality of the opponents, that should come as no surprise.

Gophers head coach Tubby Smith led the program to its first NCAA Tournament appearance in just his second season with the university, creating a lot of hype on campus and throughout the Twin Cities.

But shoplifting allegations against prized recruit Royce White and senior guard Devron Bostick and their resulting suspensions two weeks ago have stolen the spotlight from the Gophers' impressive start. Instead, Smith has been pestered with questions regarding the future of these players.

Neither player has been dismissed, and, according to ESPN.com, White's court case is scheduled for Nov. 25. Smith has made it clear that White will not play and most likely will not be seen at any home games until his legal issues have been resolved.

The good news for the Gophers is they can concentrate on improving with another likely victory on Thursday against Utah Valley. They will need it to prepare for their next matchup against Butler in the opening round of the 76 Classic presented by ESPN on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 26.

The chances that White makes the trip are practically nil, given that his court appearance is the day before. But Smith has made it clear that the Gophers will move on without him, and it wouldn't be a surprise if the freshman sat out until the start of conference play on Dec. 29.

Through two games, the Gophers have dismantled their opponents defensively and been boosted by efficient offensive performances from multiple players. Somewhat surprising is the point differential by which they've bested their counterparts.

In the home opener, the Gophers beat a Tennessee Tech team, which finished the 2008-2009 season 12-18, by 37 points. They followed that up with a 40-point margin of victory at home over 2008-2009 Southland Conference Champion Stephen F. Austin.

There have been several keys to their victories. For starters, the Gophers have held their opponents to an average field goal percentage of 29.4. Senior Lawrence Westbrook is leading the team in scoring through four games (two exhibition) with an average of 18.5 points per game and shooting 65.2 percent from the field.

But freshman Rodney Williams has been perhaps the most surprising element of the Gophers' success. The 6'7" forward from Minneapolis has averaged 14 points and limited his turnovers to only two in 38 minutes.

Clearly, Gopher basketball is moving in the right direction. If Minnesota is lucky enough to keep Smith and continues to bring in top recruiting classes, the team will be a force to be reckoned with in the Big Ten Conference.

Westbrook's scoring ability and Damian Johnson's on-the-ball defense might be the best in the Big 10. Thanks in part to those two seniors, 2009-2010 could be a very successful season for the Gophers.

Minnesota opened the 2009 basketball season in the same fashion they started last season. 

The 18th-ranked Gophers overwhelmed an undersized opponent with steals, blocked shots, and balanced scoring on their way to an easy 87-50 victory over Tennessee Tech in the season opener.

The Gophers played pressure defense on its way to garnering 15 steals, 15 blocked shots, and limiting the Golden Eagles to .283 shooting from the floor. Minnesota’s defense also created 28 points off of turnovers and 14 fast break points. 

The two leading scorers for the Gophers were senior Lawrence Westbrook with 22 and freshman Rodney Williams with 14.  No other Gopher reached double-figures in scoring.  Minnesota made 34 of 63 (.540) field goal attempts and nine of 25 (.360) three-pointers.

Last season, Minnesota began Big Ten play with a 12-0 record as a result of a schedule containing several favorable home games and an upset of No. 9 Louisville in Phoenix.

This season, Minnesota should have another great record before beginning Big Ten play.  The Gophers pre-Big Ten season schedule contains seven more favorable home games and one road game test against the Miami Hurricanes. Barring an upset, Minnesota should win all nine of these games.

Unlike last year, Minnesota plays in a Thanksgiving tournament that is loaded. The team opens the 76 Classic in Anaheim against the 10th-ranked Butler Bulldogs. The field also contains ninth-ranked West Virginia and 24th-ranked Clemson, as well as two teams that just missed cracking the top 20 teams in the preseason poll, UCLA and Texas A & M.

The 76 Classic will be a good opportunity for Minnesota to enhance its NCAA résumé while containing little risk, as it is a single elimination tournament.   

If the Gophers win the tournament, they will start the Big Ten season with 12 wins, that will include two wins over ranked opponents. 

If the Gophers lose to Butler they still will likely start the Big Ten season with a 10-1 record, with their only loss coming from a ranked opponent.

Minnesota will need to stockpile wins before Big Ten play begins, as wins will be hard to come by in league play.  In addition to Minnesota, four teams in the Big Ten are currently ranked among the top 20 teams in the nation.

No. 2 Michigan State and No. 7 Purdue are talented teams that have legitimate Final Four expectations. 

No. 15 Michigan and No. 17 Ohio State are not quite as deep, but depending how the Wolverines and Buckeyes mature during the season, either team could contest for the Big Ten title. 

And while Illinois and Wisconsin will not likely win the Big Ten, both have enough experience to beat any of the favorites on any night, even on the road.

Minnesota’s recipe for success in the Big Ten is more Tubby ball. Tough, hard-nosed defense, points in transition, few turnovers, and balanced scoring. 

Minnesota led the Big Ten last year in blocked shots (6.1 per game) and steals (8.3 per game). The Gophers will likely repeat the feat this year as they retain all of their key defensive players, while adding more athleticism to the team.

Minnesota has two solid veteran wing players in 6'8" junior Paul Carter and 6'7" senior Damian Johnson. Carter and Johnson are agile athletic wing players that can play shut down defense and score in traffic. 

If the Gophers weren’t tenacious enough inside already, the team added three more tough, physical players in 6'8" freshman Royce White, 6'7" freshman Rodney Williams, and 6'8" junior Trevor Mbakwe. White and Williams are widely considered as two of the top 50 players in the game today.

Unfortunately, White and Mbakwe are currently suspended because of off-court problems. Minnesota doesn’t expect Mbakwe to be eligible until after the Big Ten season begins, and White’s return to the program is uncertain. 

The absence of Mbakwe and White will go unnoticed, though, as Minnesota has two solid defensive low post sophomore players in 6'10" Colton Iverson and 6'11" Ralph Sampson, III.  If either player develops an offensive game to match their defensive prowess, the Gophers could make a legitimate Final Four run.

The perimeter game of the Gophers will determine how far the team goes this season.  At times last year, Minnesota wilted under defensive pressure, turning over the ball, and struggling to find a consistent outside game. 

Senior Lawrence Westbrook, last year's leading scorer, will provide points from the perimeter, but he needs support from either junior Blake Hoffarber or sophomore Devoe Joseph. 

Expect Hoffarber to settle into the role of a three-point specialist, while Joseph emerges as more of pure scorer. Joseph has shown some signs that he may push Westbrook for playing time by midseason.

The point guard, junior Al Nolen, is a fierce defender who will likely only be called on by Tubby to control the tempo of the game and limit turnovers.  Unlike last year, Nolen will not need to worry about supplementing his defense with scoring.

The future looks bright for the Gopher program, especially the next two games against Stephen F. Austin University and Utah Valley. Subsequent games against Brown, Morgan State, and Northern Illinois look good as well.

Minnesota went 22-11 last year, kept nine players that averaged at least 10 minutes of playing time, and added several new players who all have enough talent to make immediate, meaningful contributions.  

Sounds like a team that is ready to compete for a Big Ten Title and advance deep in the NCAA tournament in March.

Coach Tubby Smith earlier this month suspended incoming freshman star Royce White from the team.  When asked about the length of the suspension, Coach Smith commented that, “It could be two games.  It could be five or six,  It could be more,  It could be 20.  It depends on what I want, what I decide.”

Too often young stars are coddled and not given enough direction and boundaries by the adults in their lives.  As a result, talent is wasted and never fully realized. 

Royce White is one of the most talented Minnesota Gopher recruits in several years. Many considered White the most talented incoming freshman in the Big Ten.

White’s suspension from the team stems from his arrest for misdemeanor theft and fifth-degree assault for allegedly shoplifting and shoving a security guard at the Mall of America on October 13th.

Bloomington police say that White tried to steal a pair of pants and a short set worth a combine $100.  The police also say that White shoved a Macy’s security guard several times before walking out of the store.

Coach Smith’s initial comments appeared to be a clear message to White: If you made a mistake, admit to your mistake, focus on your classes, stay out of trouble, and you may see some action after sitting out two games.

Most observers of the program believed that White would likely just miss the first two games of the season. 

The length of White’s suspension has, however, become much more uncertain.

Yesterday, University of Minnesota officials indicated that the campus police identified White as someone they would like to talk with concerning the disappearance of a laptop computer from a dorm room.

White was identified by a neighbor of the victim as one of several people in the area at the time of the disappearance of the computer.

University of Minnesota Deputy Police Chief Chuck Miner, has publicly stated that they are reviewing surveillance video, interviewing people, and that they hope to complete the investigation within the next two weeks. Miner added that the dorm room was not locked and there was no forced entry.

Upon hearing the news that White was going to be a person of interest questioned by University Police, Coach Smith stated, “He won’t be playing tomorrow, he won’t be playing until he gets his life and these issues he’s dealing with taken care of.”

Coach Smith, as a father of a couple of young men, compared White’s situation to how a father can be disappointed by a son.  “It wears on you, but it’s something that happens, and you hope and pray that they can overcome any of the issues they might have,” Smith said.

Smith however is not crest-fallen over the loss of White.

Smith in addressing the media about what White’s absence, might seem mean to the program, “I’ve never lost anything I never had. I move on to the next thing because life is too short, and I’ve got a team and games to play and things to do.” 

Because White was arrested in October, it does not mean that he is responsible for taking the lap top computer.  White’s arrest doesn't even mean that he will be found guilty of misdemeanor theft or fifth degree assault.

While there has not been an official finding of misconduct by White, the circumstances do not look good on White’s resume.

Hopefully, White understands what Coach Smith is saying to him.

In suspending him indefinitely until he demonstrates that his behavior and conduct merits a second chance, Coach Smith is telling White that your conduct off the court is just as important as your conduct on the court.

Coach Smith, in making it known that "it wears on him" and that he is "hoping and praying for White" as any father would for a son,is telling White that he cares deeply for him as a person and wants the best for him.

In responding to questions from the media that he "hasn't lost anything" and "he is prepared to move on," Coach Smith is telling White that the young man is not above the program and that he needs to act like an adult because in the end, life waits for no one. 

Whether White ever steps on the court this season, he needs to know that the Gophers will have a successful season.  Furthermore, he needs to realize that Coach Smith can be successful running the program without him.

Hopefully, White understands what Coach Smith is saying to him.  

No one wants to see a young man with talent waste it and fail to reach his full potential.

Royce, are you listening?

If you like what you read here, check out my blog Ballin' is a Habit or follow me on twitter @ballinisahabit. For the complete list of the BIAH 2009-2010 season preview, click here.

2009-2010 Minnesota Golden Gophers

2008-2009 Record: 22-11, 9-9 Big Ten (T-Seventh)

Key Losses: Jamal Abu-Shamala (3.8 ppg, 1.7 rpg), Travis Busch (3.7 ppg, 1.6 rpg).

Key Returners: Lawrence Westbrook (12.6 ppg, 2.5 rpg), Damian Johnson (9.8 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 1.9 spg, 2.0 bpg), Al Nolen (6.5 ppg, 4.3 apg, 1.9 spg).

Newcomers: Trevor Mbakwe, Rodney Williams, Royce White, Justin Cobbs.

There really is only one way to describe the 2009-2010 version of the Golden Gophers—balanced.

Last season, there were 11 guys that averaged double figures in minutes played (with no one playing more than 27 per) and nine guys that averaged 5.0 ppg or more on a team that ranked 214th in terms of adjusted tempo last season.

Put a different way, they got a lot of scoring from a lot of guys for a team that didn't score a lot of points.

The depth of Minnesota's roster this year is impressive, but the most important player on the court is going to be senior Lawrence Westbrook. Westbrook's game changed a bit last year as he developed into more of a scorer (he shot more, looked to pass less), and it seemed to pay off as Minnesota went 15-3 in games Westbrook bested his season average of 12.6 ppg.

Westbrook, who was able to average 12.6 ppg in just over 24 mpg, is at his best when he is attacking. He is built like a running back (6'0", 195 lb of muscle) and is quick, which means that once he gets his shoulders by a defender, he is getting to the rim.

But Westbrook also has three point range and made some strides in his mid range game as last season progressed.

Joining Westbrook in the backcourt is junior Al Nolen. Nolen is a quick little point guard capable of scoring when he needs to, but he is at his best when he is creating and running Tubby Smith's offense.

Perhaps Nolen's most valuable attribute is his ability to harass the opposing point guard defensively (case in point: Kalin Lucas shot 7-for-24 and averaged just 11 ppg in two games against Minnesota).

Ideally, Nolen will be a guy that averages 7.5 ppg, 5.5 apg, turns it over less than twice per contest, and knocks down free throws down the stretch.

Perhaps Minnesota's most important player is going to be Damian Johnson. A 6'7", athletic wing, Johnson has arms that extend for days, which allows him to be one of the best all around defenders in the Big Ten.

Johnson is also a threat on the offensive end, as he was the second leading scorer for the Gophers last season.

Not a great shooter, Johnson is excellent around the rim, whether he gets there via a post-up, penetration, or an offensive rebound.

Starting inside for the Gophers will probably be a pair of 6'11" sophomores, Colton Iverson and Ralph Sampson III.

Iverson is a bit more polished offensively than Sampson is, but Sampson is more of a threat defensively as he is a bit longer and more athletic.

The two complement each other really well when they played together last year. It wasn't uncommon to see Tubby allowing Sampson to step out to the perimeter while Iverson worked down low, as Sampson has pretty consistent range out to about 17 feet.

It may be a moot point for one of those two, however, as Tubby landed arguably his best recruit at Minnesota.

Royce White is a 6'8", 240 lb forward out of Minnesota. White may very well take over a starting spot by the end of the season.

He is a bruiser down low with a decent array of moves, but also has a fairly well-defined perimeter game for a kid his age. He can knock down a college three with time, and has shown the ability to get out and run the floor as well.

The place where Tubby is going to gain his biggest advantage is his depth, as the Gophers will likely have 12-13 guys that will be good enough to see minutes (although it is highly unlikely that will happen).

Up front, 6'8" JuCo transfer Trevor Mbakwe (if he gets cleared to play) will provide some added muscle for the Gophers.

Junior Paul Carter and freshman Rodney Williams, both long, 6'8" wings, will provide Tubby with plenty of athleticism (and highlights).

Sophomore Devoe Joseph and senior Blake Hoffarber are the shooters.

Senior Devron Bostick is the defensive stopper on the perimeter, and freshman Justin Cobbs may even see some minutes backing up the point.

Outlook

When you talk about this Minnesota team, what you have to mention is team play. They are patient offensively, working the ball around to find a good shot. They don't turn the ball over (Westbrook, who averaged just 2.1 turnovers, was the only player with more than two per game).

They can play man just as well as a zone in the full court just as well as in the half court and they seamlessly shuffle through defenses from possession to possession.

They are as well coached and as smart as any team in the country.

There are two problems, however.

First of all, I don't know if the Gophers really have a go-to scorer. Is Westbrook ready (and capable) of taking that role? Will he be able to break his man down and get the Gophers a bucket when they really need one? That is going to be important in a Big Ten conference with a lot of good defenses.

The other problem is the fact that Minnesota plays in the very good and very balanced Big Ten. I could legitimately see the Gophers finishing anywhere from third to ninth.

Most likely, they are going to finish in the pack of three or four teams that will inevitably form two or three games behind Purdue and Michigan State.

I'd expect in the neighborhood of 22-25 wins and another NCAA tournament trip.

Location: Minneapolis, MN
Nickname: Golden Gophers
Conference: Big Ten
Last Year’s Record: 22-11

Key Returners: Lawrence Westbrook (12.6 ppg), Damian Johnson (9.8 ppg, 4.2 rpg)

Top Newcomers: Royce White, Rodney Williams

Strengths

Coach Tubby Smith returns the bulk of his roster this season, and that is especially important for the Gophers. The Gophers' balanced attack kept their opponents guessing last year, and with most of the roster, including the key guys, returning, this year should be the same.

Only Lawrence Westbrook averaged double figures for Minnesota last season, while seven other guys averaged at least five points per game. Getting contributions from so many people will once again be the key to Minnesota’s season.

Weaknesses

Minnesota had some ugly offensive numbers last season. The Gophers were second in the Big Ten in turnovers with 14.5 per game, and they shot less than 33 percent from behind the arc. Those pedestrian numbers were the reason why they finished as a middling Big Ten team and were ousted in the first round of the NCAA tournament.

The Gophers will have to value the basketball and shoot the three better if they expect to finish near the top of the Big Ten.

Outlook

With the core of the roster returning and a couple of blue-chip recruits stepping on campus, Minnesota should be a team to reckon with this season. Smith has this program going strong, and a return trip to the Big Dance should be in the cards for the Gophers.

Going into the season, the Gophers are going to need a leader that will take over the game. They need a guy that will make you're last second shot.

Looking at last season, I think Lawrence Westbrook is that guy. From what I've seen, Lawrence is the guy who isn't afraid to take the big shot.

You may not know that Lawrence Westbrook is the cousin of Brian Westbrook. Now that's something to think of. It doesn't change a lot, but it's still something to consider.

Looking at his appearance, he's 6 ft, 195 lbs. Of course at that height, he plays the Guard position and it's really turned out well for him. 

Let's take a look at his career stats:

Season       MIN   PTS   REB     AS    TO    A/T    S     BLK   PF  FG% FT%  3P% PPS

2006-2007  10.8   3.5   .6      .6     1.3   .46    .2     .0   1.0  .37    .529 .303  1.00

2007-2008  23.5   8.5   3.3     2.4   1.9   1.28  .9     .1   2.5  .42    .798  .393  1.29

2008-2009  24.1   12.6  2.5    1.4    2.1   .68   .7     .1   1.9  .43    .833 .358   1.31

Now comparing the offensive stats to the rest of the team, he has the best. His points-per-game numbers have improved every year, as you can see.

These aren't Stephen Curry type of offensive stats, but I think he could improve them enough, like he's been doing every year, to become the top player in the nation.

He impressed me a lot during March Madness when he had 19 points against Texas, but was unfortunately overshadowed by A.J. Abrams and no one else on the Gophers were able to contribute.

Looking at his defensive stats, nothing about Westbrook really stands out, but they are going to be better for sure next season.

Why?

Because he happens to have one of the best coaches in college basketball. His name is Tubby Smith.

Tubby is not only going to help out Lawrence with everything, but he'll help the whole team as well. He's improving our team in coaching and recruiting, and is going to help Westbrook emerge to become the top team in the big ten, if not college basketball.

Also, there are many reasons why Westbrook will perform like you've never seen before.

He's coached by Tubby Smith, he's improving everything every year, and he's getting better teammates every year. Lastly, he's a senior so he's going to be giving it 102% every time he steps on the court. He will do his best to try to get in the NBA and will accomplish this by becoming the leader of this team.

I predict a breakout season, and expect him to lead the Gophers next season.

Is it too early to start talking college hoops?

I don't think so.

Let's take a look at one of the premier basketball schools in the nation: The University of Minnesota Golden Gophers.

Coached by Tubby Smith, the Golden Gophers are already preparing for a season ripe with promise.

First off, the Golden Gophers play in Williams Arena, often referred to as "The Barn." This facility got its start back in 1922, and after several improvements, now ranks again amongst the top college sports venues in the country.

When a fan steps into this facility, goose bumps are prevalent. The noise factor during a Gopher spurt is deafening, as the 14,000 fans threaten to blow the roof off. 

The sight lines are what makes this arena so special. Fans sit right on top of the action, and the raised floor sets the stage to feature some of the top college basketball talent in America.

Any prospective recruit who is trying to decide what school to attend is given a tour of "The Barn." It's no wonder the Gophers are again signing some of the most sought after basketball talent in the country.

A couple of 6'10" sophomore players are returning for the 2009-10 season. Colton Iverson and Ralph Sampson III have Gopher fans drooling with excitement. Both of these young men are adding weight, muscle, and maturity in order to take the next step into the limelight.

Several quick, sharp shooting role players will make the Golden Gophers another definite threat for Big Ten honors and the school's second straight NCAA Tournament appearance.

The cog that brings this all together is Head Coach Tubby Smith, who is heading into his third season at Minnesota. Smith recently turned down several other college and NBA job offers to continue building what he started. The fans, and many in the media, have turned Smith, his wife, and family into the darlings of Minnesota.

The combination of talent, coaching and a rabid fan base have Golden Gopher basketball fans chomping at the bit for the season to get started.