2009-2010 Gophers

[Coach1310]

At least they made enough plays downt the stretch to get it done. What was with Tubby and his quick hook last night? A guy would turn it over, he would sub him out???? In my opinion when coaches are doing that, they are grasping at straws. They are going to have to find a way to score in the post. We have guys that can shoot, but we don't have a ton of guys who can break down the defense and get in the paint to kick out to the shooters or dish off to the posts for the layup. Without an inside presence and our inability to beat teams off the dribble, we are always going to struggle to score, especially when teams play man and chase Hoff all night. He got some good looks last night because Nwestern was playing zone and he won't see that most of the time.

I think it is going to be tough for them to get in the dance, but not impossible. At a point in the year where some of the young guys(Freshmem) start to figure it out for their respective teams and start playing up to their ability, our young guys are ineligible and aren't playing so no boost coming from them. Even if they are allowed to play, too much rust to trust them.

I just don't see 6 Big Ten teams making it in and I think Mich St, Wisc, Purdue are locks and with Turner back Ohio State is much better. In my opinion, that is 4 of the 5.... So we will be battling it out with Illinois and Northwestern(who has an easier schedule than us the rest of the way). Should be interesting down the stretch...

[Scott M]

Officially No Nolen, White's gone....What a wasted year. I know people like to soften the damage that this year's team is committing by saying they were counting on Mbakwe and White, but don't forget, this team went to the tournament with essentially the same squad as last year, they were supposed to get better without adding any new pieces!

I'm officially rooting for Wisconsin. They are everything the Gophers were supposed to be this year...Upperclassman leading by example and playing with poise, a bench that is deep and produces, a team that defends home court and steals a few on the road...and Bo is doing it with a couple MN kids!

Tubby needs to get a chip on his shoulder, coach up the kids next year and get a big recruiting class because he is slipping right now. A big recruiting class isn't very likely with a scarcity of scholarships. How did he let Nolen fail a class? Do you think Izzo isn't on top of Kalin Lucas' grades? Or Jay Wright isn't watching Scottie Reynolds? Or that Coach Cal isn't watching John Wall? Tubby's problems are on and off the court.

Without one of the greatest runs in Gopher Hoops history, they aren't making the tourney, because they lost their last chance at a signature road win (OSU). Winning the Big Ten Tourney is the only way in, and they really need to heat up by then.

[Dotch]

Purty much sums it up in a nutshell. Watched the guy on BTN tonite talk about teams on the bubble in the Big 10 and he included MN, IL and Northwestern. He basically said that of the 3 MN is the most unlikely to make the NCAA tournament. MN has put itself up against a wall and the way they played OH St., didn't act like a team that was in the hunt. IL has a rough schedule and NW is in a position to make the move. Can't say I disagree with that.

I've been watching WI since the beginning of the season. When they got thumped by Gonzaga early on I just about wrote them off. What they've done since that time is totally impressive. I really thought they might have a down year and that would leave an opening for the Gophers to move up the ladder into the top 4 or 5 teams in the conference.

I like WI too. Their game the other night against Mich St. was super. We deal with a bunch of people who live in WI and are UW grads. We own some livestock together and in general my experience with UW folks is that they are a fun bunch people to be around. They know how to party and they know their basketball. If the Gophers aren't going to get up off the deck, I'd just as soon see WI win the conference and go deep into the tournament.

The Gophers appear to miss Nolen's defensive play and I was wondering the same thing. By the time you reach your junior year at the U you should have things pretty well figured out anyway. My older brother was a tutor in the athletic dept. at Vandy when he was there and there were absolutely no excuses for someone failing a class. And those guys weren't exactly all brain surgeons.

Said it earlier and will say it again, this simply looks like an NIT team. Looks like they've probably lost their mojo and just can't feature them playing well enough to get into the NCAA's. Next year? He needs to get a couple of marquee freshman recruits, along the lines of a Lucas or a Morgan. It'll be all Tubby's boys too, the remains of Monson's crew is through after this season so it will start to be do or die time. If they don't make progress, things could begin to get ugly.

[Coach1310]

A dissappointing year, but I for one, can't blame Tubby for the Nolen dibacle. You can monitor and hound him all you want, but you can't do the work for him(unless of course Clem is back and we all know how that panned out). You could tell by Tubby's tone when asked about it that Al was given plenty of leeway and plenty of encouragement to get it done.

They are basically the same team as last year, but I think you can make a pretty strong case that they over achieved last year. Hindsight is 20/20, so stating that now doesn't mean much, but there is not a SINGLE player on the Goph's who worries you in a one on one situation. You can X and O and talk about the TEAM concept all you want, but the last few minutes, in a close game, all come down to who can score or get to the line in a one on one situation and we really don't have anyone who can do that consistenly.

Tubby will be the coach at the U until he decides he doesn't want to be. There is ZERO chance of ever getting a coach with a better pedigree at the U.

I can handle a underacheiving squad, but all the [PoorWordUsage] the gophs have dealt with this year sure makes it all the more dissappointing.

[Scott M]

I agree with you coach, but the thing is, these players are id.iots. I had this buddy that worked T-wolves camps, long story short, he told a story about Flip having an assistant coach whose only job was to make sure the rookies had their ducks in a row...that guy would call the rookie in the morning to make sure he was coming to practice, call him to make sure he was at home the night before a game, pick the guy up to come to team sanctioned events, etc. I know the NBA is a whole other level of stupidity, but it still sticks. Coaches need their players to win games so they have to make sure they are getting their schoolwork done, especially in the NCAAs. I'm not asking Tubby to hold their hands all day, but he better be on top of the classroom stuff, given what this program's history is.

I had a couple friends that were TA's for the General College, when it was still around at the U of M. They taught a couple Gopher hoopsters. They told me one guy couldn't read, most of them wouldn't ever come to class, could barely pass tests, etc. Tubby is ultimately responsible for everything that happens...it's sad that these young men can't take control of their own lives (Royce White?), but ultimately it comes down to Tubby being responsible, that's why he's paid the big bucks. From a national perspective, it looks like a program that is out of control.

They are the same team as last year, but last year's team played better defense and could finish down the stretch. Last year they had 6 wins that were by 6 points or less. This year they're not doing that. We wouldn't be talking about not making the tournament if they handled business against Indiana away, Michigan State at home, and hadn't had that 3 game skid in the nonconference schedule. Last year's squad was 9-9 in the conference and had a couple signature wins, this year's team is 4-5 and I would guess will finish 8-10 or 9-9 but can't win a big game to save its soul. The margin for error was that slim, but that's why you don't waste a single game. I'm guessing they are NIT bound, but will win enough games in that tourney to get Tubby to 20 again.

We can agree that the "U" will not get a better coach than Smith. He just needs to reassert control in my opinion (and I wouldn't be against bringing in an assistant that can coach some offense).

If they get Cory Joseph, and he can create off the dribble one iota, they would be a way better team. Nolen can't create off the dribble because teams slack off since he turns it over and bricks shots. I think it's an offensively talented team, but like so many of us have reiterated, there is no game changer, no alpha dog to take the last shot. Find someone that can slash or create and this time could open things up. They need to find an offensive identity this offseason. Get a post game going, get a slasher, open things up, and get their shooters some space. They have guys that can do individual things well, but no complete players. However, with a good offensive coach, this can be overcome. Lots of teams that swing the 12-5 and 11-6 upsets in the first round of March Madness are teams that found ways to get scoring without an alpha dog or a team of varied specialists. Maybe I'm contradicting myself, because I do think the team needs a go-to player, but my argument is, with the right offensive coach, they could overcome this problem, but haven't done it this year with a bevy of offensively talented specialists.

[Coach1310]

I agree that Tubby has to be on top of the guys' schoolwork, but he can remind, remind, hound, hound, annoy, annoy etc. all he wants, but he can't do the work for them, so that is on Al if you ask me..... no question about it.

I also think part of the problem is you see new coach's come in and take a squad that struggled to a better place because they may have a new and fresh approach, that they aren't used to. Eventually that will wear on a team and you need to find ways to freshen it up.... new looks, new wrinkles, and some WINS sure help that problem.

Not that we are a hotspot for a BIG TIME recruit, be Tubby needs to land a 4 or 5 star and milk him for as long as he is here. Joseph would sure help, but in a time where final impressions are made, we aren't doing much to sell him right now.... unless he understands our struggles and how many minutes that will translate into for him if he does what he is capable of....

Even if they don't make the tourney, like we expect, it would be nice to see us put a good string of games together down the stretch that show some signs of life...

[CJH]

Friday on KFAN they had the Gophs beat writer on and he said that because Nolen got suspended, it means there would be more playing time potentialy for Cory Joseph, making this an acctractive place vs somwhere where he is only going to get minimal minutes.

Yes, this is the same team as last year, because our top two recruits can't play!!! Any team would be hurt by that. Hopefully he can pull in a few more big recruits and develop Williams and Cobb.

[Scott M]

Managed to get a road win, nevermind it was against the conference-winless Nittany Lions. Westbrook hits the stepback 2 at the buzzer. 5 of the next 8 at home and a couple road wins they have to have if the late season run starts here.

[Dotch]

After the last second shot at Penn St. they still had a pulse. After losing at home tonite against an inconsistent Michigan team, stick a fork in 'em. Granted, Michigan shot lights out but they could stay home completely if they don't start to play better ball, particularly on D. Even the NIT might not want them.

[Coach1310]

I have the same frustrations watching them last night as I did watching the Vikes vs. the Panthers and Bears this year. It sure looks like they really don't want it that bad. I will have a tough time tuning in the rest of the year.... they just look like they have "checked out" for the season already. Was nice to see Hoff get some looks.... he seems to pull the trigger a little quicker than he has the last couple of years which is a good thing otherwise we really don't have a chance.

[Dotch]

Yup, they're still dead alright! Up 10 on the road late in the second half I said to the wife, "Seen this movie, know how it ends. Watch them blow it and lose in the waning seconds". Unfortunately she didn't take my bet. It was after all Valentine's Day! It took 'em an OT but by gum they managed to get 'er done. I don't know why I even watch their games anymore other than it's like a train wreck and I can't turn away. They are consistently inconsistent at best but have become proficient at finding ways to lose games they should win. On the bright side, can they play any worse than this next year? Still debating that one.

[TR21HP]

Agree Dotch, definitely shows a lack of leadreship on the floor as well as coaching. It seems Tubby is as frustrated with this team as the fans. He just lets it play out and doesn't call timeouts to maybe get the team turned around.

It's going to take awhile before this team will be at least in the top half of the conference. They need a lot of help at a lot of positions.

[CJH]

No leaderhip on this team, going to be a tough road to even make the NIT!!!

-Hoffarber is clutch, leading the B10 in 3pt% & makes, but is the focus of the opposing D and has no post game to play inside out with. Just can't get enough open looks. Average D. Decent playmaker w/ 4 assists (surprising isn't it??).

-Westbrook is streaky, plays no D, and is a turnover machine. Plays out of control and not in the flow of the offense.

-I feel bad for Johnson, you can tell his hand injury really limits him on O, just isn't the same player. 1-4 on offense. (Shouldn't be playing PF anyway unless you are just trapping/pressing the entire time)

-Sampson 2-6, 6 rebounds, 3TO, 1Block. Played 34 minutes. Not sure why he is starting. Was late on help side D giving up lay ups all game.

-Iverson 1-3, 3 rebounds, 0TO, 1steal. Played 9 minutes. Played 1/4 of the time of Sampson, yet had 1/2 the stats. How is he not starting over Sampson? Wouldn't be surprised if he transfers at the end of the year.

-The guards threw it in the post 9 freakin' times the entire game against a weak Northwestern team??!!!!!!!! How about that coaching?

-Carter 5-8, 3rebounds. Should be starting over Johnson (until he gets healthy).

-Joseph 5-14 (50% from 3's), 7A-4TO. Not a true point guard, and can't seem to consistently score from inside the 3pt line. If he can get his TO down and get more consistent with his shot, he could be solid. 7 assists is good.

Nobody else worth mentioning........

[blue_healer_guy]

I'm really dissapointed in Tubby, I know he is a HOF er maybe its the talent, but thats his fault. He should have extended that game yesterday with fouls close to the 2 min mark not 30 seconds.

[Scott M]

I don't know what to say. I went to the Michigan game and for the first time I walked out. There was a minute left and I was just sick of it. I hadn't walked out on a Tubby game ever, but this was it. No effort. If I was still a student, it would have been a long night at the bar and a Friday of skipped classes. They were just terrible.

CJH you might be onto something with Iverson. I hope he's happy on the team, because if he isn't he could go a lot of places and start and get big minutes.

I was ice fishing the whole weekend and checked the score at halftime vs. N'Western. Up 8. Checked the end of regulation...tied. I knew the next update I got would be a loss. Sure enough, they blew it. I haven't bothered to read a recap or check a box score because I already know what happened. They didn't focus and lost it down the stretch.

I have 4 home games left and I'm not excited for any of them. The Wiscy game on Thursday doesn't even mean much, unless they play for pride. Purdue will kill their spirit at home. Indiana and Iowa will be feisty, and the mopey Gophers will probably play half-hearted at best. It's over without an automatic bid through the conference tourney, and the blemishes of 30 games do not heal in time for a 3 day run.

[bunkerbay]

Lastnight was awesome! Hopefully they can keep this going and finish the season on strong!

[Scott M]

Quite the atmosphere at Williams last night. I can only imagine what it would have been like if Minnesota played to its potential earlier in the year and we were looking at two teams ranked in the top 15.

Before the game I wagered with a buddy. The sportsline was Minnesota by 2.5, I set the line at Wiscy by 15 and took the over. I'm happy to report I owe 2 beers. In our ride up, I told my buddies that we had to be gluttons for punishment to sit there and watch Bo's defense grind us down, then pull away with free throws. I didn't really believe until Minnesota went on that 9-0 run late in the second half to regain their earlier comfortable lead.

I thought the officials blew enough calls for both sides to make it even, but they were definitely hurting Bucky more in the 1st half. At one time it was 9-3 on personal fouls. No wonder Bo Ryan got a technical. He needed some help from the refs. It would have helped if his team was more aggressive off the dribble, but without forcing the action, you won't get calls.

I wasn't sure about the shaved heads, but heard on the ride home that Paul Carter's little sister was diagnosed with cancer. Great to see the team pull together, get galvanized as Tubby put it.

I'm not buying all the hope that WCCO was selling after the game, talking about running the table and winning a few conference tourney games and getting in. This team has been consistently inconsistent. I remember just one week earlier leaving early from the Michigan game...the same problems still exist. Minnesota had a nice game plan to attack Wisconsin's smaller lineup inside, but the really did get lucky that Wisconsin missed as many shots as they did. I was cursing the 2-3 zone under my breath because Hughes and Bohannon where cashing NBA distance 3's. They went cold and eventually the zone spread further out giving less open looks, but Wisconsin failed to make them pay with more dribble drives.

I was especially impressed with Hoffarber last night. He almost had a double double with 9 rebounds and 16 points. The guy has raised his play. He has become a streaky defender if that make sense. He can occasionally clamp down, close out under control, box out, play help... perhaps he's no longer just a streak shooter that doesn't play defense. Last night he cashed a couple big 3's on quick releases that he wasn't making last year. He made some beautiful curl cuts off screens to get nifty little runners on glass. The rebounds were huge because they needed help rebounding out of the zone. With his defense, great passing, good shooting, and improved shot selection, he may be one of the smarter players in the conference.

Johnson was as active as I'd seen him all year. He was aggressive going to the hole and exploited a second half mismatch with Hughes guarding him inside.

Iverson and Sampson finally saw some action together. They did a pretty good job on the boards. I won't beat a dead horse, but Sampson was falling away on all his shots again. He's the 6'11" Charmin-soft center that loses position, rebounds, and post entry passes to 160 pound guys. That hasn't changed in 2 years and probably never will. Iverson was more aggressive and had a couple and-1s. I hope he gets more minutes as this team needs someone that can work inside.

Westbrook solidified his role as team headcase. He did nothing all game but hit 8 free throws in the final 2 minutes when things were already in control. This is the same guy that said after last year's away game at the Kohl Center that he "can take over at any time..." and that he just "put it on his shoulders" last year. If that is true, why isn't he doing it with any regularity? For a guy that wants to play professionally, he sure is handling things poorly in his last collegiate year. He held the ball at halfcourt with 25 second left and Bucky relaxed. Then with 7 seconds, he crossed his man over and tried to posterize a Sconnie big man...keep in mind that Minnesota was up 14. I imagine Tubby had some words with him in the locker room over that Eff You dunk, but if that doesn't epitomize that Westbrook doesn't' get it, nothing does.

Winning cures a lot of problems, as evidenced by a recharged fanbase the day after the game. I also hope that winning cures some of the internal melodrama. One of my buddies that came works basketball camps with the Gophers and gets the scuttlebutt (like Royce White will never play for the Gophers, Nolan will be ineligible by New Years, etc.). He mentioned that Cobbs, Joseph, and Iverson were all really disappointed in their minutes and were considering transfers. That would be a pretty big kick in the shorts for this program. All 3 player have some potential, but the way minutes get split up, some times they see a lot of bench. I thought all 3 played some big minutes in terms of impact last night, so hopefully they see the light and the team sticks it out. There will be more minutes after Westbrook and Johnson are gone (Bostick will be gone too...what a disappointing couple of years he had)

Wisconsin has a nice squad and will do well for itself come March. They had some trouble shooting the ball and for the first time all season, seemed genuinely scared. It was a homecoming for Jon Leuer, Mike Bruesewitz, and Jordan Taylor. Leuer was coming off an injury, so he has an excuse, but overall, those three went 3-22 with 7 boards. Bo is counting on his bigs to make open shots and grab rebounds and that didn't happen last night. They had wide open shots, and you could see the hesitation and inconsistency of release from those guys. So the Gophers were helped out by Minnesota kids on both sides of the rivalry.

Indiana is tomorrow. Hopefully Minnesota finds the same energy as last night and crushes this team of walk-ons. IU will be scrappy so Minny needs to come to play.

[Dotch]

Always look forward to your synopsis Scott. Almost like having Cliff's Notes when sitting around the training table talking with the little fat buddies about Gopher basketball. I hope Cobbs, Joseph and Iverson hang around and as you point out, having more minutes available won't hurt. Iverson has been a liability in some games, especially if they're calling a lot of ticky tack fouls. Get him off the ground and it seems like the zebras can't wait to blow the whistle. He played better against WI although as you pointed out, the Gophers were the beneficiaries of some old fashioned home cooking at the charity stripe. It's fun to see Bo's eyes pop out of his head on TV. Typical Big 10 officiating. Sampson has shown some improvement, not necessarily consistency but improvement. His double double was hopefully a sign of things to come. When he plays agressivley and appears to have some fire in his belly, he can be downright scary. That dunk a few weeks back when he dribbled along the baseline, got a full head of steam up and slammed it home was impressive. I had to laugh when the announcers were wondering why the opponents didn't take the charge. Pretty easy call sitting in the announcers chair, another story when someone that size has their motor revved up. That's gonna leave a mark. The hook he's developing hasn't hurt either. More playing time for both big guys is what the doctor ordered.

Oh well, hope they come out attacking and destroy IN in the warm confines of the Barn tonite. Like IA, this is the kind of team the Gophers were eating for lunch early in the year. Besides, after losing to these jokers on the road, the Hoosiers deserve a butt kicking.

[Scott M]

Tom Crean and the walk-ons returned to the barn, and if Westbrook's rub-salt-in-the-wound dunk on Thursday night was him "taking out his frustration" on Wisconsin, as one analyst put it, then tonight's game was a a continuation of that theme.

Gophers cruise through the second half 81-58, making sure to split minutes up pretty evenly and get everyone in the books.

Scary that it is only their second set of back to back conference wins since opening the season with Penn State and Iowa.

The Gophers continued the hi-lo game with Sampson high and Johnson low. They have assembled a half court offense that has been somewhat productive the last two games, leading with a high post offense that gives guards a flex cut option up the middle for shots, curls to the basket, and also gives the high post a look for a shot or dump down. Johnson was sealing his man on lobs all night and finished with a solid 16-10-3blk. Westbrook was feeling it, finishing with 20 points on __ shooting (no box score out yet).

Nice to see everyone get in and score. Bryant Allen cashed his first field goal attempt, a 3. Gophers did a nice job on the defensive end, notching a few steals, getting a few turnovers from a scrappy squad, forcing bad shots, and blocks numerous layup attempts.

Looking at the Big Ten Statistics, you can see why this team has been such a disappointment. After tonight's game, Minnesota is first in the conference in scoring at 74.5 a game, third in field goal percentage at .475, first in 3PT% at .399, tops in defensive field goal percentage at .394, third in rebounding offense 35.8/g, tops in blocked shots 6.1/g, second in assists 17.3/g, and tops in steals at 8.8/g...that's a pretty good balance of offense and defense. Granted it includes nonconference games, it still makes you scratch your head as to how they let so many games slip away to be 16-10. This team should be at 20 wins by now and ranked, but by not taking care of business down the stretch in a few games, instead is more likely an NIT dandy than an NCAA cinderella.

Listening to the radio on the way home, Johnson was saying that Tubby didn't want them to get too high on these wins, and that they should focus on the next game. Couldn't agree more. We'll see what happens on Wednesday night with Purdue. Purdue has a head of steam with 9 straight wins. Could be a signature win...I'm just sayin I don't expect them to win but wouldn't it be nice to run the table?

[Dotch]

Yes it would and if ever there was a team they owe a good whupping to, it's Purdue. They were pretty cocky during the Gopher loss at West Lafayette. Some incentive to give it that extra %.

[CJH]

Two wins down the stretch against #14 Wisconsin and #4 Purdue would definitely help the cause!!!!

[Scott M]

Big Game tonight. Will Sampson step up his game and get some defense on Johnson? Hoff needs a big game from behind the stripe but it will take a whole team effort on both sides of the ball. Should be a good one.

[TR21HP]

da_ chise,

I am not going to put my foot in my mouth again and say the Gophs don't have a chance again but those inside two big boys from Purdue are going to be awfully tough to stop especially Moore. What a sweet win it would be though.

[CJH]

They definitely have a shot if they keep playing the way they have been, especially in the Barn.

It shure would be nice to have Mwbawke & White to bang those big guys from Purdue.

On B10 Network tonight @ 7:30. Go Gophs!!

[mnhunter17]

Typical Gophers. This was a game that they easily could have won, but they let it slip away at the end. Another tough loss for a team that has trouble finishing games all season.