Gopher Basketball Preview
After making it through the first week of November, the shift of focus from fall to winter seems appropriate in my eyes. With that shift comes the start of the college basketball season and a promising future for what should be one of the most talented Gopher squads in recent years. With Senior leadership coming from Al Nolen and Blake Hoffarber, this team seems to have the pieces needed to make a run for a Big Ten Championship. After the Seniors comes a mix of highly talented underclassmen like Ralph Sampson III, Rodney Williams, and Colton Iverson. With coach Tubby Smith in charge, this season could be what Gopher fans need to lift their spirits following a dismal football campaign. Tubby and the boys started off their season on Tuesday night against Northeastern State University of Oklahoma. Although this exhibition tune-up match lacked a sense of urgency, the excitement was undeniable. The Gophers showed very little weakness on either end of the floor as they beat the Riverhawks by a score of 109-59. On the offensive end, the Gophers scored in bunches as Hoffarber hit three consecutive shots from beyond the arc in under a minute. Other highlights included the athleticism of Junior transfer Trevor Mbakwe as he imposed his will on the much smaller opposition. This game often felt like a track meet with many fast break opportunities coming from stops on the defensive end. The defense should remain steady throughout the season as length, athleticism, and effort seem evident on each defensive possession. Look for big things from Tubby's Gophers this winter and stay posted for further analysis as the season gets into full swing.
So you are taking me to a game right since there seems to be a good chance of them winning?
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