THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA MEN’S BASKETBALL TOOK ON NORTHERN ILLINOIS IN A NONCONFERENCE MATCH UP AT THE BARN

The University of Minnesota men’s basketball took on Northern Illinois in a nonconference match up. Minnesota came into the game with a 7-3 record. They are lead in scoring by Lawrence Westbrook who averages 12.8 points per game.

Northern Illinois comes into the game with a record of 1-5. They are led in scoring by Xavier Silas who averages 18.0 points per game.

The Gophers won the tip to begin the game. They wanted to control the tempo from the start of the game. They didn’t want Northern Illinois to get into flow.

Northern Illinois started the game out playing in a zone defense. They wanted to do whatever they could to try to disrupt the Gophers.

The Gophers were able to knock down some shots early in the contest. Blake Hoffarber was dead on from behind the three-point line to start the game. He was able to knock down his three-point shot

Tubby Smith pulled his starters out with just over 14 minutes left to go in the first half. The Gophers had a 16-8 lead when he pulled the starters.

Northern Illinois wanted to slow things down on their offensive end. They swung the ball around the three-point arch and looked to get the ball inside. Sean Kowal was camped in the low block and waited for the ball where he waited to get the ball and tried to post up.

The starter’s re-entered the game at the 11:15 mark with the score Minnesota 18 and Northern Illinois 10.

The Gophers wanted to put as much pressure on Northern Illinois as they could. They were able to take Northern Illinois out of it mentally for a bit in the first half. Northern Illinois went on a cold spell midway through the first half.

I thought that Damian Johnson made some nice passes to his teammates. He was able to pass the ball when he was getting trapped and he got some nice assists because his teammates were able to find the basket after his pass.

The Gophers looked to trap the ball on the defensive end. Throughout the first half they were able to create turnovers and that created baskets for the Gophers.

At halftime the score was Minnesota 44 and Northern Illinois 23.

As the second half got underway the Gophers continued to look good. With 18:45 left in regulation Blake Hoffarber left the game because of a rolled ankle. That is huge for the Gophers because Blake Hoffarber started off the game red-hot. He had a hot hand throughout the first half. Through the first half he led the Gophers in scoring with 17 points and was 5-6 in three-point shooting.

Blake Hoffarber returned to the bench a short time after going down to the locker room with his rolled ankle. He had his ankle re-taped after he turned it. With 13:50 left in regulation Blake Hoffarber re-entered the game.

The Gophers went flat with about 12 minutes left to go in the second half. They were getting ahead of themselves with the ball. They were turning the ball over and making mistakes that were leading to Northern Illinois baskets.

With 7:01 left in the game the score was Minnesota 74 and Northern Illinois 37.

I really thought the Gophers played well tonight. Blake Hoffarber led the way for the Gophers. He played really well. He led off the game with three pointers and was dead on. He was the leading scorer for the Gophers.

Blake Hoffarber‘s eight 3-point shots set the University of Minnesota record. He finished with 26 points. Lawrence Westbrook finished the game with 15 points and Ralf Sampson III finished with 16 points.

Minnesota freshman Rodney Williams did not play in the game because he injured his foot. He is waiting to have an MRI done on his foot. Tubby Smith did not know how long he would be out.

Minnesota's Tubby Smith addressed the media after the game to talk about the 89-48 victory over Northern Illinois. Lawrence Westbrook and Blake Hoffarber talked about the game against Northern Illinois and how they have to get ready for the upcoming Big Ten season.