THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA MEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM OPENS THE 2011-2012 SEASON SWINGING

It was dubbed Gopher All Star Friday Night. The buzz around the 2011-2012 men's basketball was at fever pitch at Williams Arena as fans welcomed the 2011-2012 men's basketball team. The evening was packed with lots of fan friendly events. The night started with an autograph session throughout the Williams Arena concourse. Then there was the lights out dance team performance, player and coach introductions, warmups, skills competition, half-court shooting contest, 3-point shooting contest, a dunk contest and then the team scrimmage.

The University of Minnesota dance team came out and did a few different routines. It gave the fans a chance to see what we can expect from the dance team as they perform during games throughout the season.

With music playing over the loud speakers, lights out and strobe and spotlights going the 2011-2012 University of Minnesota men's basketball coaching staff was announced. Then the players were all introduced each throwing two tee shirts into the stands.

Coming into the arena dressed as a boxer with pads surrounded by his managers, head coach Tubby Smith entered the arena with boxing gloves and a boxing robe. After Tubby Smith was introduced the alumni that were going to take part in the activities were introduced. Some of the guys that took part were Jamal  Abu-Shamala, Micheal Bauer,Willie Burton, Randy Carter, David Grim, Jeffrey Hagen, Sam Mitchel, Brent Lawson, Qunicy Lewis, Kevin Lynch to name a few.

After the warm ups there was the skills competition. In the first drill each player dribbled in between some cones that were spread out across the court and they threw the ball off a net and caught it and then made a lay up. Jamal Abu-Shamala and Brent Lawson won the alumni skills competition.

Each team member along with a child fan tried to make a half-court shot. None of the Gophers were able to hit a half court shot. Joe Coleman started the competition off but he hit the back board but missed. Then every one on the team followed him and no one on the team was able to make the half court shot.

The next contest was the three point contest. First to go was the alumni players. Then the current Gophers took their turn at the shooting contest.

Next was the slam dunk contest. This was one of the biggest things that the players were talking about during the media day session.

Austin Hollins was the first guy who came up and dunked. On his first dunk he put it over his head and slammed it hard he scored a 23. Chip Armelin had someone throw the ball up by the rim and try to make a dunk. He was unsuccessful at making his dunks. Andre Hollins tried to take off from just above the inside arch and made it his first score was a 47. Chris Halvorson did a simple windmill and scored a 20. Joe Coleman had the sound man switch up the music and had Rodney Williams throw the ball near the base line and he made a two handed dunk that impressed the judges.

Joe Coleman did a 360 as he took off from inside the arch. Rodney Williams did a windmill. Joe Coleman ended up winning the slam dunk contest.

After the slam dunk contest the teams broke up into two different teams and they ended the evening in a 20 minute scrimmage. Tubby Smith had a microphone and was talking about the off season and his thoughts on the up coming season and tried to get the crowd into the game.

I thought that this team looked very impressive on the court. What I got out of the press conference after I talked to these players was they are very excited to get back into the gym and get this season underway.

They still have things to work out on both sides of the court but all in all I thought that this team looked good in the scrimmage.

One of the guys that I saw in the stands was former Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Flip Saunders.

Tubby Smith is also very happy to get this season underway with as well.

After the current Gopher squad finished scrimmaging the former players had their chance to go after it in a scrimmage.