Previewing the NABC Classic

Posted on November 14, 2008 by in 2008-2009

This weekend marks the beginning of the college basketball season. Though the season does not start out with a bang, or even a Division I team, we should have a much better idea of what to expect from the Gophers after three games in three days. The Gophers will be favored in every game, and should win every game, the continued loss of Damian Johnson and now Jonathan Williams, the Gophers will be thin on the inside, where they were already needed another body or two.

University of Minnesota Golden Gophers vs Concordia University Golden Bears

8:00 pm Friday at Williams Arena (Minneapolis, Minnesota)

Radio: WCCO 830 AM

Tv: None, but streaming live at the Big Ten Network

Tickets: plenty still left, best available is Row 13 in the corner of the upper deck

Keys for the Gophers

  1. Less turnovers and more good decisions. The Gophers dramatically cut down on their turnovers in the second half against Northern State.
  2. End it early. With three games in three days, the Gophers need to use as little energy as possible in what should be a cakewalk
  3. Find a rotation that works. We’ve seen plenty of looks but little continuity. The Gophers need to find five players that can play together.

Keys for the Golden Bears

  1. Find a way to cancel the game.
  2. Convince the Gophers that the game is not until Saturday.
  3. Pray.

Key Players for the Gophers

  1. Devron Bostick should have plenty of chances to gain some confidence.
  2. Paul Carter will need to play inside more than he is used to.
  3. Ralph Sampson III can show that Thursday’s performance was not a fluke.

Key Players for the Golden Bears

  1. Mike Cunningham was two rebounds and two assists away from a triple-double in their three point win over DIII Saint John’s (ouch).
  2. Quentin Barfield will need to keep the Gophers off the boards.
  3. Martin Luther will need to resurrect himself, and nail 95 rule changes to the doors of The Barn that will make Concordia win.

Prediction: Gophers win 83-61

University of Minnesota Golden Gophers vs Bowling Green University Falcons

8:00 pm Saturday at Williams Arena (Minneapolis, Minnesota)

Radio: WCCO 830 AM

Tv: None, but streaming live at the Big Ten Network

Tickets: plenty still left, best available is Row 13 in the corner of the upper deck

Keys for the Gophers

  1. Jump out early. Rule #1 if three games in three day: play as little as possible.
  2. Stay out of foul trouble. The Falcon’s will have more size than the Gophers are used to.
  3. Get the press to work. DII teams have had no problem with it so far. A pressless Gophers could be ugly.

Keys for the Falcons

  1. Go inside early and often, and create foul trouble.
  2. Shred the press. It could be easy points.
  3. Take care of the ball.

Key Players for the Gophers

  1. Colton Iverson will need rebounds.
  2. Devoe Joseph has shown flashes. Can he play a complete game?
  3. Colton Iverson will probably get more playing time than Tubby Smith wants him to have. With Jonathan Williams hurt and Ralph Sampson III sick, he is the only center the Gophers have left.

Key Players for the Falcons

  1. Nate Miller leads all returning Falcons in game played, minutes played, and scoring.
  2. Daryl Clements is extremely versatile, ranking among the top 4 falcons in rebounding, assists, steals, and three pointers.
  3. Brian Moten won the conference 6th man of the year award

Prediction: Gophers win 73-61

University of Minnesota Golden Gophers vs Georgia State Panthers

6:00 pm Sunday at Williams Arena (Minneapolis, Minnesota)

Radio: WCCO 830 AM

Tv: None, but streaming live at the Big Ten Network

Tickets: plenty still left, best available is Row 13 in the corner of the upper deck

Keys for the Gophers

  1. Take care of the ball. After three games in three days it will be easy to get sloppy.
  2. Finish strong.
  3. Make free throws. Missed free throws tired legs do make.

Keys for the Panthers

  1. Establish synconicity. The Panthers bring in 5 transfers.
  2. Shred the press. It could be easy points.
  3. Keep it slow. The Panthers played extremely slowly last year. They’ll need to control the pace.

Key Players for the Gophers

  1. Al Nolen will need to be a leader.
  2. Paul Carter will need to push the Panthers in the open floor.
  3. Jamal Abu-Shamala will probably get a fair amount of playing time.

Key Players for the Panthers

  1. Leonard Mendez is the second best three point shooter in school history.
  2. Xavier Hansbro is a 6’10” center who can shoot the three
  3. Joe Dukes is a scoring point guard who started twice for Wake Forest two seasons ago.

Prediction: Gophers win 65-50

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