THE 2010 COLLEGE MENS’ BASKETBALL SEASON IS UNDERWAY

College basketball fans filled basketball arenas on the third Friday of October for the start of the 2010-2011 men’s college basketball season. The University of Minnesota held their version of opening the season with Tubby’s Tip Off. To begin the festivities at the University of Minnesota the team held an autograph session for the fans.


The Gopher Women were in attendance watching the performance. The lights went out in Williams Arena. A highlight tape of last year’s season put to music started the evening.


After the highlight tape fished the University of Minnesota’s dance team preformed a number for the crowd.


The 2010 Gophers were introduced. Each of the Gophers entered the arena through different alleys through the arena. The players had fun with their introductions. It was a time for each player to have the spotlight on them. I thought that everyone did a clever job of putting their spin on the introductions. After the players were introduced all of the coaches were introduced to the fans. Head coach Tubby Smith entered the arena on a Harley motorcycle and with a fireworks display.


After the men were announced the Gopher women basketball players were introduced to the crowd.


After the introductions there was a three-point contest. The three-point contest came down to Blake Hoffarber against Devoe Joseph. Blake Hoffarber won the three-point contest.


After the three-point contest there was the slam-dunk contest. The dunkers were Oto Osenieks, Chip Armelin, Chris Halvorsen, Austin Hollins, Trevor Mbakwe,. They went two rounds. Trevor Mbakwe dunked the ball over the motorcycle and the crowd went crazy. Austin Hollins did a side reverse dunk. Trevor Mbakwe with the help of Blake Hoffarber dunked the ball off the shot clock and made it. Trevor Mbakwe won the 2010 slam-dunk contest based on his dunks and crowd applause.


After the dunk contest there was a 20-minute run time scrimmage. I thought that Trevor Mbakwe looked well throughout the scrimmage. He really worked on his game over the summer.


I thought that Al Nolen did a good job of running the offense. I know it is early and it is a scrimmage but I think that he did a good job on the offensive end. Al Nolen had to miss the second half of the season last year due to academic issues. I think that the Gophers will be a better team this season.


I thought that throughout the scrimmage that everyone played hard and well. It is going to be an interesting season for the Gophers.


It was reported to me by different people that Rodney Williams had suffered a concussion. He was introduced to the crowd. Williams was in uniform but he did not take part in any of the drills or the dunk contest.