AUSTIN HOLLINS COMMITS TO THE UNIVERSTY OF MINNESOTA MEN’S BASKETBALL PROGRAM

Germantown, Tennessee guard Austin Hollins has committed to the Gophers’ men’s basketball program. He will be a freshman in the 2010-2011 season.

MINNESOTA GOPHER MENS BASKETBALL TEAM SNAPS 20 GAME LOSING STREAK BY BEATING ILLINOIS

The Minnesota men's basketball team ended its 20-game losing streak to Illinois with an impressive 59-36 win over the 21st-ranked Illini Thursday night at Williams Arena.

Lawrence Westbrook went 3-of-4 from three-point range and paced the 24th-ranked Gophers with 15 points and six rebounds in 30 minutes of action. Freshman center Ralph Sampson III added 10 points and seven rebounds to help Minnesota improve to 18-3 overall and 6-3 in the Big Ten.

Carrying the momentum of a six-point halftime lead into the second half, the Gophers shot 48.1 percent (13-of-27) over the final 20 minutes of play and blew the game open – leading by as many as 23 – in front of a raucous sellout crowd of 14,625 at The Barn.

But the story of arguably Minnesota's biggest home win of the season was the Gophers’ ability to stifle the Illini with Tubby Smith's patented ball-line defensive scheme.

Aggressive all night, the Maroon and Gold held Bruce Weber's squad to 29.4 percent shooting from the field. The Illini went 7-of-28 in the first half, 8-of-23 in the second half and finished the contest 15-of-51 from the field, including just 2-of-16 shooting from behind the arc (12.5 percent).

The 36 points Minnesota held the Illini to on this night marks the lowest point total by an Illinois team in 24 years (Illinois scored 34 points in a loss to Purdue on Jan. 30, 1985). The point total was also the fewest allowed by the Gophers in a conference game since 1951. The 23-point loss was the largest margin of defeat for the Illini under head coach Bruce Weber.

Additionally, the Gophers 23-point win is the largest over a ranked opponent in the history of the program. The previous mark of 21 points in a win over No. 9 Purdue was set in 1993.

From the onset, it was obvious that Thursday night’s game would be a defensive battle. The Gophers held the Illini without a field goal for the first five minutes and 23 seconds of regulation.

Yet, Minnesota’s strong defense didn’t pay dividends on the scoreboard early on. With the Illini locking down Minnesota, the Maroon and Gold trailed seven minutes into the game.

That, however, quickly changed.

Down 6-5, Minnesota went on an 8-0 run – capped by a three-pointer from Blake Hoffarber – to take a 13-6 lead midway through the first half. The Gophers’ lead eventually ballooned to eight, 20-12, after a layup by Al Nolen forced Bruce Weber to call a timeout with 3:49 remaining in the first stanza.

Illiniois cut Minnesota’s lead to four in the final minutes of the first, but an acrobatic layup by Westbrook on Minnesota’s final possession of the first half sent the Gophers into the locker room up 22-16 at halftime.

From there, the Gophers would never trail.

Minnesota jumped on the Illini from the get-go in the second stanza.

The Gophers opened the second half on a 13-6 run and built a 35-22 lead following a free throw by Sampson III with 12:25 to go in regulation.The Illini shrunk Minnesota’s lead to 36-27 after Calvin Brock hit Illinois’ first three of the night, but the Gophers responded with a 9-0 run and led 45-27 following a three by Lawrence Westbrook with 7:46 left to go.

The Illini scored five quick points to cut into Minnesota’s advantage, but Westbrook hit another three to put the Gophers ahead by 16, 50-34, with 4:52 to play – all but ending Illinois' attempt at a comeback.

Minnesota returns to action on Wednesday when the Gophers travel to East Lansing to challenge Michigan State.

Noteworthy:

Minnesota outrebounded Illinois 44-29

Minnesota went 15-of-24 from the free throw line. Meanwhile, the Illini went just 4-of-7 from the charity stripe.

The Gophers shot 31.8 percent in the first half, but finished the game at 40.8 percent (20-of-49).

Minnesota outscored Illinois by 17 in the second half (37-20).

THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA GOPHERS MENS BASKETBALL TEAM TAKES ON PENN STATE IN A SUNDAY AFTERNOON MATCH UP

The University of Minnesota Gophers are taking on the Penn State Nittany Lions in a Sunday afternoon match up at Williams Arena. Coming into this game Penn State has a 13-3 overall record and they are 2-1 in the Big Ten Conference. Minnesota has a 14-1 overall record and they are 2-1 in the Big Ten Conference. For Minnesota Lawrence Westbrook is there leading scorer. He averages 12.8 points per game. For Penn State Taylor Battle is there leading scorer with an 18.9 point per game average. The Gophers come into today’s game ranked number 19th in the nation in USA Today/ESPN coaches’ poll.

We are about to get the game underway here at Williams Arena. The crowd has begun to show up today. There is a nice size crowd here again this afternoon. The Minnesota pep band is in the building this afternoon. There is a great atmosphere here today.

The Gophers have won the tap and we are underway. The Gophers are using a lot of patience on the offensive end here as they have wound a lot of time off the clock. The Gophers have really been getting after it here in the early goings today. Lawrence Westbrook has just nailed a three pointer here and that has really got the fans into the game.

With 14:57 left to go in the first half the score is Minnesota 6 and Penn State 5.

So far the Gophers have been able to get in the faces of this Penn State team. They have played good defense so far today. Both of these teams have done a good job of pushing the ball up the court. They both have looked good in transition.

Tubby Smith has done a good job with the substations in the game today. He has used the whole sale substation patterned so far today as he has subbed all 5 guys in at the same time.

There is 11:36 left to go in the first half the score Minnesota 12 and Penn State 10.

The Gophers have had their luck hitting the three point shot so far today. They have been really been able to hit shots here today. They are on a run Devon Bostick has just come down and drained 2 3 point shots here and the crowd has gotten on its feet here at Williams Arena. The Gophers have really played aggressively here today.
Al King Nolan Jr has reentered the game here. He has really given this Gopher team some energy here this afternoon. Travis Busch has also entered the game here today. Travis has been playing well. He is really getting after the rebounds here and is really going after the loose balls.

With 6:34 left to go in the first half the score is Minnesota 27 and Penn State 20.

Penn State is playing a man to man defense. They are trying to get after the Gophers here they have not been able to control the Gophers that well here in the first half. Penn State is playing well in the first half. Penn State’s Taylor Battle is playing well for them. He has been all over the court and he has been able to make his shots.

With 3:51 left to go in the first half the score is Minnesota 31 and Penn State 28.

The Gophers continue to go after the rebounds here today. They are fighting like crazy to go get the rebounds on both ends of the court. Al King Nolen Jr has taken control of this game for the Gophers he is a vocal leader out of the court. He has really gotten this team in to this game. Paul Carter has also played well today. He has just thrown down a monster slam dunk at the buzzer and this crowd has really come alive at the half. The score at half time is Minnesota 40 and Penn State 30.

At half time Penn State is shooting 35.3% from the field and is shooting 35.3% from beyond the three point line. Minnesota is shooting 57.7% from the field and is shooting 100% 7-7 from beyond the three point line.

As the second half Lawrence Westbrook has just came down and got an offensive rebound. He was up in the air and shot the ball underneath the basket and it went in. He has made some nice moves around the basket. The Gophers are really flying around the court as they are getting matched up on their man and really getting after their man. Colton Iverson has just picked up a foul here and Tubby Smith though that one of the Penn State players swung his arms to aggressively and wanted a call. Damian Johnson has just scored a layup jumping over several players including his own teammates. There was a big scrum to get the ball and he came up with it and made a nice shot.

With 15:07 the score is Minnesota 48 and Penn State 41.

Once again the Gopher bench has come alive. The players on the bench have been cheering for their teammates and have been very supportive of the guys on the floor today. Devron Bostick who had 8 points at the half has been playing hard and tough here tonight.

Tubby Smith has been shouting instructions to his players who have really got into this game today. As mentioned before the crowed has been alive here in the game today. The student section is going crazy they have really helped out the team today in a positive matter.

Penn State is still fighting hard here mid way through but they have not been able to contain this Gopher team.

The score with 12:10 left to go is Minnesota 59 and Penn State 44.

The Gophers have decided to trap the ball on the defensive end. They want to do everything that they can to disrupt Penn State.

Tubby Smith has become bewildered by some of the calls here today. The Gophers have really pulled away in this game here mid way through the second half. They have really opened up a big lead here. They continue to play hard here. The Gophers have really picked up the intensity here today.

With 6:48 left to go in regulation the score is Minnesota 68 and Penn State 49.

Al King Nolen JR has reentered the game today. He has played well here today. Today’s game has really been a hard fought game on both ends of the court today. The Gophers have not lost their compositor here today. Jamal Abu Shamala has just hit a huge three point shot.

With 3:30 left to go in regulation the score is Minnesota 75 and Penn State 54.

The Gophers have still been able to run their offense here today. The gophers will come away with the victory here today. They have played hard here and have earned this victory today. The final of the game today was the Minnesota Golden Gophers 79 and the Penn State Nittany Lions 59.

Penn State shot 36.7 percent from the field today and they were 33.3% from 3 point country. They were 75% from the field. Taylor Battle was there leading scorer he had a total of 19 points to lead Penn State tonight.
Minnesota was lead in scoring by Devron Bostick he had 19 points for the Gophers today. He played well today. He really was a vocal leader today. He was 7-8 from the field and was 3-3 from the free throw line. Paul Carter finished with 14 points, Lawrence Westbrook added 13 points tonight. Ralph Sampson added 10 points. All in all tonight’s victory was a team victory every one played well. Tubby Smith said that he really thinks that the Junior College transfers have really done a good job of picking up his system. The Gophers are now 15-1 and 3-1 in the Big Ten.

GOLDEN GOPHERS STAY PERFECT WITH WIN OVER LOUISVILLE

The Golden Gophers played the Louisville Cardinals in the battle of the dessert in Glendale, Arizona. The Game was played at the University of Phoenix Stadium, the home of the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals.

Here is what Myron Medcalf of the Minneapolis Star Tribune had to say about the game. With that win the Gophers are now 10-0.

MINNESOTA GOLDEN GOPHERS ARE TAKING ON EASTERN WASHINGTON

The University of Minnesota Golden Gophers return home tonight to face the Eagles of Eastern Washington. Minnesota was on the road last Saturday, and they defeated Colorado State with a score of 72-71. Coming into this game, Minnesota is 4-0 and Eastern Washington is 3-1.

Williams Arena is starting to fill up here, as we are about to get this game underway. The crowd is on its feet. The Gophers are playing really aggressive to start this game out. Eastern Washington is looking to get the ball up the court early in this game.

Eastern Washington is patient on the offensive end. At the first media timeout, the score is Minnesota 7 and Eastern Washington 6.

Paul Carter has just entered the game for the Gophers. Colton Iverson just made a nice jump shot. Colton Iverson just came up with a put back dunk to get the crowd into the game. Ralph Sampson just got fouled on his shot and has just made his free throw attempt. Ralph Sampson is playing very aggressive. He has gotten a couple of good shots on put backs because he is just so tall. He is contesting shot with his hand out on the shooters.

With 11:51 left to go in the first half, the score is Minnesota 16 Eastern Washington 11.

Devoe Joseph just hit a nice three point shot. He looks like he is having fun. The Gophers are playing really hard early on. The Gophers are doing a good job of getting back on defense.

The Gophers have gone on these mini runs in the first half, and they are trying not to have Eastern Washington in this game at all. With 6:04 left to go in the first half, the score is Minnesota 29 and Eastern Washington 20.

Colton Iverson has looked impressive so far. He has made some very nice moves and looks strong and aggressive. Devron Bostic just came down the court with a nice dunk.

With 3:02 left to go in the first half, the score is Minnesota 38 and Eastern Washington 22.

Al Nolen has played some good defense in this game. He has really had to make his man work. Al Nolen has mostly guarded Benny Valentine in this game and he has done a good job.

At half time, the score is Minnesota 47 and Eastern Washington 29.

Colton Iverson has really put on an impressive performance for the Gophers tonight. He is the Gophers leading scorer in the first half. He has 14 points.

The second half is about to get underway. The Gophers are coming out playing aggressively here at the start of this second half. The Gophers can't get soft here and think that they have this game in the bag. They have to keep playing hard throughout the whole game and keep executing their stuff. Colton Iverson just got another dunk here tonight.

Benny Valentine has played well in this game. He is their vocal leader on the court. With 15:40 left to go in the game, the score is Minnesota 55 and Eastern Washington 41.

The Gophers are playing well here today. They are still playing with a lot of confidence. With 11:33 left to go in the second half, the score is Minnesota 64 and Eastern Washington 47.

They are talking a lot on their passes. They have also made sound cuts. Even though the Gophers have made Benny Valentine look like a super star, they are still playing well.

Paul Carter just hit the deck hard. He looks like he is in pain. He is helped off the court by several of his players and the Gophers medical staff. They are taking him down stairs to get it looked at.

With 7:35 left to go in regulation, the score is Minnesota 69 and Eastern Washington 55.

Colton Iverson is just putting on a show in this game. Damian Johnson has 11 points so far but he has been playing well. He has really helped this team to victory tonight. The final of the game tonight was Minnesota Gophers 88 and Eastern Washington 67.

With this win tonight Tubby Smiths record is now 25-14 with the Minnesota Golden Gophers. He is now 212-159 for his college Coaching career. This was the second time that these two teams have met and the Gophers have won both meetings. This has been the best start the Gophers have had in a while. The Gophers are now 5-0. During the 1999-2000 season the Gophers started that season 6-0. The Gophers found a way to score tonight. They were able to put in a bunch of points in the first half. In fact, the Gophers scored a season high 47 points in the first half tonight. Their previous high total for points in a half was 41 against Concordia St Paul. The Gophers had another high in points in a game with 88 points. The Gophers also found their shot tonight. The Gophers shot a season high 58.6% from the field tonight. In the first half alone, they shot 63.3%. This is the first time this year that the Gophers have shot over 50% from the field. The Gophers were also able to get all over the rebounds tonight, in a valiant effort. The Gophers had a total of 31 total rebounds and Eastern Washington had a total of 26 rebounds. The leading rebounder for the Gophers tonight was Ralph Sampson with 7 total rebounds. Tubby Smith is still looking to see what line-ups work the best for this team by trying out different player combinations. Tonight was no exception. Al Nolen and Colton Iverson are the only two players to start all five games this year so far.

Tonight the Gophers were able to distribute the basketball around well. They were able to get everyone involved in the game. Minnesota had 5 players score in double figures. Devron Bostick had a season high 11 points in this game. I also thought that he played well. He was able to get to the free throw line, and he made all of his free throws tonight.

Lawrence Westbrook missed the game tonight because he has a deep shin bruise on his right leg. Westbrook had started 38 games up to this point. He started all of the games last season. Co captain Jamal Abu-Shamala played in his 100th career game tonight for the Minnesota Golden Gophers. That includes starting in 52 games. Al Nolen Jr had a quiet night tonight. He played hard and well but he didn't shoot the ball that much. He ended up with two points and three personal fouls.

Paul Carter was taken to the Emergency Room to get his ankle looked at. He rolled an ankle. The Gophers are getting a little bit nicked up and Tubby Smith is kind of concerned because he doesn't want his team to be too banged up. He does use some of his managers to help out in drills even when everyone is healthy.

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA TAKES ON NORTHERN STATE UNIVERSITY

Our Audio from the post game is up. Clips number 18 & 19.

The University of Minnesota Golden Gophers are taking on Division-2 Northern State University from Aberdeen South Dakota. This is the last exhibition game before the Gophers open the regular season on November 14th against Concordia St Paul.

As the game starts the Gophers are pushing the ball up the court and Northern State is playing a strong man to man defense. Both teams are trading baskets in this fast paced game. Blake Hoffarber just hit a nice three point shot and the Gophers are trying to feed off his energy. Early in the game the Gophers are shooting 66.7 % from the field.

The Gophers are playing well and have come out with a lot of urgency and purpose. Ralph Sampson has made some nice moves around the basket. With 11:10 left to go in the first half the score is Northern State 15 and Minnesota 15.

The Gophers are pressing midway through the first half. They have been able to hit their shots and Hoffarber has hit both of his 3 pointers.

The Gophers are playing a good aggressive defense. They are talking on their screens and getting through the picks. Colton Iverson has just committed his second foul here with 5:40 left to go in the first half.

Al Nolen Jr. is playing well and is making some good screens and looking to get his players into the game. He has been leading this team by example. He just made a fantastic play, passing the ball around his back on the break and then he made a nice pass to Paul Carter who got the ball in the lane and he went in for a nice layup.
Both teams continue to play well. With 3:30 left to go in the first half the score is the Gophers 34 and Northern State 27.

Devoe Joseph has also played well. He has really made some nice moves to the basket while the Gophers continue their aggressive play.

At half time the score is Minnesota 40 and the Huskies 27. Northern State shot 40 % from the field and the Gophers 58.3%.

As this second half gets under way both teams are have come out strong. The Gophers have shot the ball much better than the Huskies. With 15:37 left to go in the game Northern State is shooting 48.3% and the Gophers 61.3% from the field.

Colton Iverson has come up with a big blocked shot. The Gophers are getting a little sloppy and you can see that Tubby Smith does not like what he is seeing. Al Nolen has just come up with a big steal, to get the Gopher fans on their feet. With 11:42 left to go in the game the Gophers lead 61-42.

Every Gopher is now playing good team basketball and helping each other out. Northern State is pressing the Gopher guard’s full court giving them some problems. Ralph Sampson has picked up his play and looking good from a true freshman. He has had some easy dunks and has made some nice passes and is really starting to fit in to this Gopher’s scheme. It is going to be fun watching him mature as a player this season.

Northern State is not giving up and is still playing aggressive. Lawrence Westbrook has come up with some real nice plays and has shined here in the second half. Al Nolen has been the glue tonight and is showing good leadership on the floor.

With 7:55 left to go in the game, Minnesota leads 70-52.

The Gophers are looking to put this game away and have been able to run their offense and defensive effectively tonight.

The nice thing about these exhibition games is the team has a chance to build some confidence and momentum for regular season, when the competition becomes much stronger.

With 3:41 left to go in the game the score is the Gophers up on the Huskies 82-56.

Al Nolen and Lawrence Westbrook have shown Coach Smith that they are going to be dependable players. Both have played well on both ends of the court and no doubt well be depended on when the Gophers face their Big-10 opponents.

The Gophers end up winning this exhibition game by the score of 92-62. The leading scorers for the Gophers were Lawrence Westbrook with 19 points, Paul Carter 17, and Al Nolen 9. The Gophers ended up shooting the ball much better then Northern State with their 55.9% shooting from the field, while the Huskies were limited to 39.2.

TIM HARDAWAY JR GETS A LOOK FROM THE GOPHERS

According to Chris Monter, Tim Hardaway Jr. is getting some national attention. He is the son of former NBA basketball star Tim Hardaway and is currently a junior at Miami Palmetto Senior High School.

Hardaway is getting attention from major programs like Oregon, Florida State, Michigan, Virginia Tech and Miami who have all watched him play in open gyms. He is going to take his time making a decision on his college destination.

Vince Taylor, one of Tubby Smith’s assistant coaches, has shown interest in Hardaway.