University of Minnesota Golden Gophers vs. Virginia Cavaliers
8:30 pm (CST) at Williams Arena
Radio: WCCO 830 AM
Tv: ESPN 2
Tickets: Row 11, center court in the upper deck
Liveblog: A live chat will be open about 3 hours before the game
The fact that the Ralph Sampson III’s father played for Virginia is not the most intriguing story line of Tuesday’s game against Virginia. I’ll actually name a few others. How will Minnesota’s young interior fare against major college competition. Will the Gophers miss Paul Carter, their most ACC-type player. Will this game reveal anything about either the Big Ten or ACC. Which is the reveal Virginia, the team that lost to Liberty or the team that almost beat Syracuse. If one delved deep enough into the minutia, there are probably 100 story lines more intriguing that where Ralph Sampson III got his Y chromosome, and I only mention it to serve as an example. Yes, ESPN family of networks, it is possible to mention something once and move on. Of course they will mention it a million times, which may give them less opportunities to mention that Williams Arena is old, it is cold outside (which really affects indoor sports) and there are more than a few seats at The Barn that don’t have stellar views, but please do us all a favor and spare us the DNA analysis and tell us more about Thomas Jefferson.
Yes, there is a basketball game tomorrow and not just a family reunion of sorts. The Gophers come into Tuesday’s game confident and undefeated, having strung together three consecutive best games of the still young season. Riddled by injuries, Minnesota figures to be as healthy as they have been all season with Lawrence Westbrook at full strength and Jonathan Williams available if needed. Paul Carter is still out, but the Gophers are loaded at the small forward position, and if they had to choose where to have an injury, it would be on the wing.
Virginia on the other hand is having a head-scratcher of the season. That they are struggling is no surprise. Sean Singletary, their best player last year, is living the life in the NBA, barely cracking double digit minutes each night. Mamada Diane, their second best player last season, has not adjusted to what should be his starring role, and has lost his starting spot. Not surprising, the Cavaliers look like a team still trying to find themselves. While they have more wins than losses, their wins might as well be losses. They beat VMI, which is more than certain teams from states where the grass is oddly colored can say, and they also knocked off Radford and South Florida, each by two points. For those who are curious, Radford has not beaten a Division I team and has lost to both Navy and William and Mary. Just when Virginia looked to achieve some sort of self-awareness they gave up an 11 point half time lead in less than 10 minutes to lose to Syracuse.
Other than Louisville, Virginia will probably be the fastest team Minnesota plays this year. Virginia ranks 21st in the country in possessions per game, and loves to put points on the board. They average 10 possessions more than the Gophers each game, and as you might expect, score 80 points per game, four more than the Gophers. Those extra 10 possession only equate to four extra points because they don’t always make the best use of their opportunities, especially from the three point line where they make only 29%, which ranks 279th in the country. Minnesota on the other hand makes about 38% percent. Other than their three-point woes, Virginia is actually on solid offensive team that excels on the offensive glass and turns the ball over much less often than a team that is struggling should.
This is not the case on defense, where Virginia plays exactly like a team that barely beat Radford. They rank 246th in forcing turnovers, and if they do not force a turnover, the other team is more than likely going to score. Their opponents are shooting better than 36 from behind the three point line and making more than 52% of their two-point shots. At least they can rebound.
Virginia will be Gophers biggest test so far this season, and will be very different than anything they have seen. Like most ACC teams, the Cavaliers should have an athleticism advantage, and they are the first team the Gophers have faced so far that isn’t afraid to run. But thanks to Minnesota’s recruiting class, they should be able to keep up.
Keys for the Gophers
Hit the glass, and hit it hard. Minnesota should have the advantage on both ends of the court when either team has the ball. But this game will be decided once the ball is in the air and off the rim. The Gopher guards will need to be especially ready to track down long rebounds off of three point shots.
Establish some inside scoring. With Virginia’s poor perimeter defense, it will be tempting to launch three pointers early and often, (which Minnesota has done…early and often) but the outside shots will be that much easier if the Gophers can suck some defenders inside.
All we are saying, is give press a chance, but don’t press it. Virginia committed only 11 turnovers against a very athletic Syracuse team. Minnesota will need to see how the Cavaliers handle the press, and be OK abandoning it and settling into some half court defense if it doesn’t work out.
Keys for the Cavaliers
Get an outside game. Their perimeter shooting is woeful, but the Gophers rank 10th in the country in blocking shots. The Cavaliers will need to keep Minnesota honest the outside.
Keep the crowd out of it. It may be wishful thinking, but Minnesota’s home crowd should be lively despite the late start.
Force mistakes. Worse teams have made the Gophers look silly at times.
Key Players for the Gophers
Al Nolen’s scoring has disappeared. He will need to do more than just pass and defend.
Damian Johnson will need to focus on rebounding, especially on the defensive ends. One of his strengths has all but disappeared.
Blake Hoffarber- open shots + national TV= big night
Key Players for the Cavaliers
Sylvan Landesberg is a 6′6” freshman guard who can do it all. He leads the Cavaliers in scoring, is second in rebounding, third in assists, and second in steals.
Sammy Zeglinski has improved his three point shooting from 19% last year to almost 48% this year.
Mike Scott averages a double-double, and should give the Gophers fits.
As the nation pauses for a day to remember all that we have, we as Minnesotans, students, alumni, and Gopher fans also have plenty to be thankful for. However, instead of pointing out the obvious (except one exception), I’d like to draw your attention to unsung, rarely noticed people, places, and things that make attending Gopher basketball games a true delight.
1. “Hail Minnesota” is both Minnesota’s song and the school song of the University of Minnesota. Its epic drumroll and superfluous fanfares set the mood on game day perfectly. Unfortunately, when it is played about 45 minutes before tip off there are rarely more than 100 or so people in the arena, but the 11,000-14,000 others that attend games are missing out. It is really a shame the pep-band doesn’t play it when more people are around. If have the chance, get to the game early, and listen in on this great tradition.
2. The older gentleman with the striped shirt who sits about 15 rows behind the visitor’s bench. is a treat. I don’t know his name, how old he is, where he comes from, or what he does, but to see him wave his cane at the end of the rouser, or in anger when a referee makes a particularly bad call, should show the rest of the crowd that its ok to get into the game, even if you aren’t sitting in the cheap seats.
3. The ushers in the student section have a particularly ungrateful task. Not only do they need to put up with occasionally drunk and unruly college students, but they have to do so when they would rather
watching the game mere feet from the court. Instead, of being grumpy, they take up their task with a smile, always have a kind word or smile, and on more than one occasion have demonstrated infinite patience. Next time you are a game and you see the guy who looks like Alan Alda or the two ushers that look a little too much like Statler and Waldorf, say hi and thank them, they deserve it.
4. The student section gets a lot grief, some it deserved. They aren’t as roudy as Duke, but the aren’t as vulgar as the Badgers either. For every intoxicated student chanting something that is inappropriate (or very appropriate depending on the situation) there are plenty of very passionate and knowledgeable students that have been watching Gopher basketball for years. They are proud of the tradition and want to bring it back. The Barn Yard isn’t the best in the country, but the foundation is there, and they will be back.
5. The fans in the obstructed seats know they are playing the lottery when they buy a ticket. Some of the obstructed seats require fans to turn their heads slightly to the left or right, while others require them to have a great imagination, because the large post a foot in front of them is anything but transparent. But they come anyway, and are some of the loudest and most enthusiastic people in the building.
6. Dick Jonckowski has been been the public address announcer at Williams Arena since I started attending games when I was five years old, and probably long before that. He doesn’t always get the players name’s right, has never pronounced a name of African or Eastern European origin the same way twice. He also doesn’t try to be bigger of the game, or draw unnecessary attention to himself. He is an institution much like Williams Arena, traditional, unique, endearing, and irreplaceable.
7. Kevin Payton’s basketball career hasn’t gone has hoped. He isn’t the versatile and tall point guard that was supposed to drive teams crazy on both end of the court. Instead he has had to be content with the equivalent of Thanksgiving left overs, playing most often at meaningless times and meaningless game. However, instead of sulking, complaining, and doing more harm than good, he has found a role on the team even more valuable the role he could have on the court. He has become a leader, leading the team on to the court at the beginning of each half, leaping off the bench celebrate and encourage his teammates, and spending more time standing on the bench and leading cheer than the cheer leaders. He is the kind of player that makes college athletics special.
8: If you leave Williams Arena from the University Avenue gate, the odds are you’ll be treated to a tuba mini-parade. As the tuba players head back to wherever they keep their tubas, you’ll hear them play the sweet sounds of “Hey Baby”. Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night nor bitterly cold temperatures that are enough to freeze lips to brass instruments keep them from playing outside after games, and the long walk back to Coffman wouldn’t be the same without them.
9. The Gophers are the only Division I team in the state. Some people think it is absolutely ridiculous that states like Montana, Idaho, and North Dakota have more than one Division I team in the state, and I agree, those states have too many. Minnesota is lucky though. There is something special that such a ethnically and geographically diverse state can all be cheering for the same team. On a January night, a Somali kid from Cedar-Riverside can have a whole lot in common with a Czech iron miner in Hibbing, a German beet farmer outside Moorehead, an Indian doctor in Rochester, a Hmong farmer outside of Marshall, and a fortune 500 CEO in downtown Minneapolis, if only for a few hours.
10. Williams Arena, The Barn, is unique in so many ways, and all too often under appreciated. Yes its old, and the pain is chipping and there is more than one rusty girder, but the elevated floor sets stage for drama, suspense, passion, and so much more. Its one of a kind, and its in our own back yard, and for that I am thankful.
Skeeter, if you are wondering, is the esteemed band director at Gopher Basketball games, and Zombie Nation is not the slightly less esteemed Penn State blog, but the over-used, over-played and overly-annoying technoeurotrash song that you have heard if you have been anywhere near a sporting event in the last few years. It is “Who Let the Dogs Out” and The Macarena” rolled into one with more Ecstasy laced synthesizers than should ever be used on this side of the Atlantic Ocean. Just how common are jumping students drunkenly yelling OhhhhhhhhOhhhOhOh you ask?
They love it during college football games at:
Penn State
Iowa
Central Florida
Clemson
Speaking of Clemson, they use it at their basketball games
along with Florida,
Wake Forest, where technically Demon Deacons and zombies are rather similar
and the Arizona State Sun Devils have similar qualities,
but what about Gonzaga,
and every,
freaking,
high school in the country.
Skeeter, change isn’t just John McCain’s attempt to help us forget that he has a 1 in 3 chance of dying in the next 8 years, it is desperately needed in Williams Arena. This year is Minnesota’s sesquicentennial, and what better way to celebrate this great state’s 150th year in existence by playing a bit of music that originated here. There are more great bands with great songs than there are schools using Zombie Nation, but you would be hard pressed to hear them at a Gopher basketball game. Let’s change this now. A few suggestion:
Just about anything by this man.
After all, he is pansexual. I’d recommend “Let’s Go Crazy.” It is what the crowd is supposed to do.
The Replacements “I Will Dare”
or maybe something from Husker Du,
Bob Dylan,
and even though they wouldn’t be at the top of my list, Lipps Inc.
or even Yanni would be better. Yes, Yanni is one of our own, and how epic would this be?
So Skeeter, be the change we want to see in the world. Zombie Nation has been undead for far too long.
Its a good things that Minnesota and Michigan State each have one of the elite coaches in the country, because both teams are in need of a pep talk. Tubby Smith will need to tell the Gophers to focus on how close they came to beating the two best teams they have faced this season, while somehow erasing memories of clanking three pointers and free throws. Tom Izzo will need to convince the Spartans that the Breslin Center isn’t a mystical place where the Spartans can do no wrong, and that there talent doesn’t mysteriously disappear when they leave home. Including MSU’s dreadful (not because of who it was against but how it happened) loss at Iowa, the Spartans have lost 11 of their last 12 road games. The Spartans were able to right the ship against anOSU at home, but the newly rejuvenated Williams Arena is like it was when former Spartan coach Judd Heathcoate cursed the very existence of The Barn.
Two weeks ago when the Spartans and the Gophers played, it was much more competitive than many expected. The Gophers were able to deflect several Michigan State runs, and although they did not win, it was a signal to the rest of the Big Ten and the state of Minnesota that this Gopher teams was worth paying attention to. In that game, Raymar Morgan utterly dominated scoring 31 points and pulling down 10 rebounds. The Spartan big men, while not posting gaudy statistics, were able to clog up the lane rendering Spencer Tollackson as useless as his free throw shooting and dominating the boards. Tollackson went 5-14 two weeks ago, and the Gophers were out rebounded by 20.
So what should we expect today? We should know within the first 5 minutes of the game if the Gophers will have a chance. If they use their two recent close losses as motivation to finally get their signature win, the Spartans could be in for a long day. If the Gophers, and particularly The Barn come out flat, things could get ugly.
The Spartans have the obvious talent advantage, and if Raymar Morgan plays have as well as he did against the Gophers in East Lansing and Drew Nietzel shoots twice as well (both should probably be expected or exceeded) the Spartans should win. For the Gophers, the game may rest on the broad shoulders of Spencer Tollackson. Against Michigan State he missed countless lay ups and against the Hoosiers missed all 7 of his free throw attempts. If Tollackson can make half of his shots from the floor and the line, it could be enough to push the Gophers over the edge.
Another key will be the play of Blake Hoffarber. He has excelled against unathletic teams, but disappeared against Indiana and Michigan State. Right now he is one dimensional player, who happens to have the best jump shot in the Big Ten. In the right kind of game, he can be a game changing weapon. However, against athletic teams he has been unable to get open shots and made defensive blunders that reminded everyone that he is only 18. If Blake can get into double figures, which may have more to do with playing good enough defense to stay on the court, the Gophers should be in good shape.
Finally, as has been the case all season, Dan Coleman will need to show up. He played his most obvious game on Thursday against Indiana. In previous games he has either not shown up at all, or put up very good stats but done so so quiety that his impact on the game is only revealed through the box score. Nothing gets the Willams Arena faithful fired up more than a local kid obviously making an impact.
While the Indiana game was an opportunity to make a statement on a national stage, today’s game is an opportunity for the Gophers to make a statement to themselves. For the Gophers to still have a chance to make the tournament, they will need to get over losses quickly and come into the next game with an urgency and confidence to win. No one expects the Gophers to go on long winning streaks during the Big Ten season, but consecutive losses can be devestating.
Today’s game may be the most important of the season.
Prediction: If the Gophers have gotten over Thursday’s loss: 75-70 Minnesota
If the Gophers come out flat: 68-53 Michigan State
The Barn is definitely back. After a hiatus of decade (with occasional brief glimpses of what it once was) Williams Arena returned to form as one of the toughest places to play in all of college basketball. The lobby was filled an hour and a half before game time, the student section was full 45 minutes later, and there was a palpable buzz as the rest of the fans filed in. When the game finally started, it was pandemonium. The most roudy crowd in years exploded after defensive stops and smart plays in a way that was formerly reserved for 20 point runs. Every one in attendance knew the importance of the game, including both the Gophers and the Hoosiers, who had not yet beaten any team of consequence.
Eric Gordon struggled mightily as 14,000 desperate to explode fans obviously bothered him, but D.J. White cemented his status as the heart and soul of the Hoosiers. White showed off his explosive leeping ability as he pulled down ten rebounds. He also scored 15 points, 4 on momentum swinging dunks, including an alley-oop that was at my eye level (I sit in the 13th row). On a night marked by two teams playing hot potato with a chance to win, ultimately is was White that took over the game.
Indiana came into the game ranked #9 in the country with their only loss being a bad one to Xavier. Minnesota entered less than a week removed from a 16 point comeback against Penn State and on a quest to prove that their six point loss to Michigan State earlier in the season was not a fluke. Minnesota’s Michigan State loss doesn’t appear to be a fluke, but they were once again unable to close out an elite team.
Most of the attention going into the game was focused on all-everything Hoosier guard Eric Gordon, and how the Gophers could slow him. It turned out that the best defense is a referee with a quick whistle. Less than 9 minutes into the game Eric Gordon had three fouls, and for the majority of the game was ineffective. None of his fouls were particualrly blatant, but they were a product of poor officiating. Lawrence Westbrook isn’t a scoring threat from 35 feet out. Even when Gordon was in the game he appeared flustered by the crowd, the Gophers swarming defense, and perhaps himself because of his inability to score at will. He finished with 12 points and 7 turnovers in what may be the worst game of his college career.
If anything, Eric Gordon’s early foul trouble was a mixed bless. In his absence, Jordon Crawford keyed a 17-0 Hoosier run as he made four first half three pointers to give the Hoosiers a relatively comfortable eight point lead considering the back and forth nature of the first part of the half. When Gordon was in the game, any semblance of organized Hoosier offensive quickly morphed into the Eric Gordon show, with his team mates content to watch Gordon improvise. The Gopher defense feasted off the lack of ball movement or really any movement by the Hoosiers. Indiana turned the ball over 26 times, many of which were bad passes that sailed well into the crowd.
Indiana problems holding on to the ball are the reason the game stayed close. While Minnesota’s defense was brilliant and they clearly wanted the win more, the Gophers could not make baskets when they needed to. The Big Ten’s best three point shooting team most likely will not hold that title again this season after a disastrous 3-17 shooting night from behind the three point line. It wasn’t that the shots were forced or that the Hoosiers were playing exceptional perimeter defense. The Gophers just couldn’t get them to fall. Free throw shooting was just as problematic, as the Gophers made only 11-21, including 0-7 Spencer Tollackson. I would much rather lose a close game than be blown out, but losses are much more frustrating when two more free throws and one more three pointer could change the course of the game.
The Gophers aren’t in the elite of the league, but in their two biggest games of the year, they’ve shown the ability to push elite teams to the edge. The difference in Thursday night’s game was that Dan Coleman finally showed up in a big game. He led the team in playing time and aggressively took the ball to the basket. There was a fire in his eyes that I haven’t seen at any point in his career. Spencer Tollackson also played an good floor game. His rebounding difficulties are almost as well documented as a his free throw problems, but he at least was able to give the Gophers an inside presence on the offensive end. Unfortunately, the third senior, Lawrence McKenzie struggled offensively and missed a wide open three pointer in the final minute. The seniors should be better prepared than anyone else to close out a close game, but they just aren’t there yet.
Minnesota’s five point loss to the Hoosiers could go a long way in determining how the rest of the season will go. The Gophers and their fans clearly had a lot invested in what could have been an opportunity for a breakthrough win that would shove all the unpleasant memories of the Dan Monson era to the distant pass. They came close and obviously played much better than at any point last season, but a loss is a loss, and this one was particularly frustrating. Tubby Smith will have a real challenge to get the team ready for Michigan State, another team to which the Gophers narrowly lost. In past years (or for the football team for that matter) a loss like this could cause a season killing shame spiral. It is Tubby’s job to remind the Gophers just how close they came, and that with a little luck the game could have gone their way. If he succeeds, the Gophers should be in good shape. If he doesn’t the Seniors may feel like they just aren’t meant to win the big one.
Who did what:
Jamal Abu-Shamala keeps starting, and keeps sitting on the bench for 3/4 of the game.
Dan Coleman was just about everywhere, and led the Gophers in scoring. Unfortunately he wasn’t the Gopher who went to the line seven times. Dan, take it at your man.
Spencer Tollackson, bend your knees, shoot it granny style, try to bank it in, do anything that you aren’t doing when you shoot free throws.
Lawrence Westbrooks offensive numbers were…well…offensive. However, he was one of the key reasons why Eric Gordon struggled mightily.
Lawrence Mckenzie has usually been able to play the point well or put up quite a few points. Not on Thursday against the Hoosiers. McKenzie also gave every Gopher fan flashbacks to a certain disastrous football game against Wisconsin as dropped a pass out of bounds with less than two minutes left in the game.
Al Nolen was regularly able to find open Gophers under the basket, including Spencer Tollackson where it would be impossible to miss a lay up. (Spencer, I’m kidding. You might be my favorite Gopher, but you can be so frustrating).
Kevin Payton played six minutes. At least his playing time is going in the right direction.
Jonathan Williams is still a year away from being Big Ten ready.
Blake Hoffarber scored 7 points, including a four point play in the first half. However, the rest of the Big Ten has realized that right now he is little more than a spot shooter (though an excellent one) and a defensive liability. Hoffarber will need to start scoring inside the three point line or anywhere off the dribble.
Damian Johnson, I know you wanted to be “plastic man” and its already taken. Would “elastic man” work? He had eight points, five steals, three blocks and three assists.
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of sulking, complaining, and doing more harm than good, he has found a role on the team even more valuable the role he could have on the court. He has become a leader, leading the team on to the court at the beginning of each half, leaping off the bench celebrate and encourage his teammates, and spending more time standing on the bench and leading cheer than the cheer leaders. He is the kind of player that makes college athletics special.
The Barn is definitely back. After a hiatus of decade (with occasional brief glimpses of what it once was) Williams Arena returned to form as one of the toughest places to play in all of college basketball. The lobby was filled an hour and a half before game time, the student section was full 45 minutes later, and there was a palpable buzz as the rest of the fans filed in. When the game finally started, it was pandemonium. The most roudy crowd in years exploded after defensive stops and smart plays in a way that was formerly reserved for 20 point runs. Every one in attendance knew the importance of the game, including both the Gophers and the Hoosiers, who had not yet beaten any team of consequence.
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