THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA OPENED THE 2010-2011 MEN’S BASKETBALL SEASON AGAINST NORTHEASTERN STATE UNIVESTIY

The University of Minnesota opened the 2010-2011 men’s basketball season in an exhibition game at Williams Arena. This season marks head coach Tubby Smith’s 4th year at the helm of the Gophers.


The start of the men’s basketball season brings high hopes for the Minnesota Gophers. With this year’s recruiting class this is expected to be a successful seasons for the Gophers. One of the big names people are interested in seeing is Trevor Mbakwe. Trevor had to miss the whole 09-10 season due to off the court issues. Another player fans will be watching will be guard Al King Nolen Jr. Al had to miss the second half of the 09-10 season due to being academically ineligible.


The Gophers won the toss to begin the game. The Gophers looked to get into their offense by taking time off the clock.


Al King Nolen Jr. looked to get the ball into Blake Hoffarber, Blake is a good three-point shooter. Al Nolen did a good job of getting the ball to his teammates. He got all his players involved in the offense.


The Gophers got out to a 12-0 lead with 17:12 left in the first half before Northeastern State had to call their first timeout.


At the first media timeout with 15:25 left to go in the first half the score was Minnesota 17 and Northeastern State 2.


Tubby Smith took out all the starters after the time out. The Gophers were in a man-to-man defense. They didn’t want Northeastern State to get their hands on the ball.


Guard Austin Hollins did a good job of running the Gopher offense. He knew where his teammates were supposed to be on the court and he was able to get the ball to them.


Northeastern State was not able to make their shots on their offensive end. They didn’t get frustrated they just had a tough time getting the ball into the basket.


Austin Hollins came up with a few good steals midway through the first half. He was also able to score after he made the steal.


With 11:49 left to go in the first half the score was Minnesota 25 and Northeastern State 7.


After the time out Tubby Smith put his whole starting lineup back in the game. He only made two substations up to that point.


The Gophers went into a zone defense. They were able to frustrate Northeastern State.


Northeastern State took a timeout with 9:25 left in the first half. The score was Minnesota 33 and Northeastern State 7.


Rodney Williams got the fans out of their seats with a monstrous slam dunk. Blake Hoffbarber followed that up by making three consecutive three point shots.


With 6:23 left to go in the first half the score was Minnesota 46 and Northeastern State 12.


Austin Hollins was also able to step up and knock down some long three-point shots. He felt comfortable with the ball in his hands.


With 2:40 left to go in the first half the score was Minnesota 57 and Northeastern State 18.


Northeastern was able to knock down a few shots late in the half.


At halftime the score was Minnesota 59 and Northeastern State 25.


As the second half got underway Northeastern State used a zone defense. They were looking to slow the Gophers down. They wanted to get the Gophers out of their rhythm.


Rodney Williams came up with a few nice slam dunks in the game. He knew when he was in a good spot to have a nice dunk and he would just slam it down with no problem.


With 15:34 left to go in regulation the score was Minnesota 68 and Northeastern State 34.


The Gophers continued to look to score baskets in transition. They were able to do that throughout the game.


With 7:41 left to go in the game the score was Minnesota 88 and Northeastern State 45.


The Gophers continued to play well, with 3:34 left to go in regulation Dominique Dawson came into the game for the first time.


Minnesota was able to cruse to a 109-59 victory over Northeastern State University.


The leading scorers for Northeastern State were Dominique Gaines with 18 and Antoine Branch 17. The leading scorers for Minnesota were Blake Hoffarber with 20 points and Trevor Mbakwe with 13 points.


After the game Minnesota’s head coach Tubby Smith and players Trevor Mbakwe, and Blake Hoffarber talked about the game.