TGFI

I know it is only Wednesday and I'm not dyslexic. It is Thank God For Indiana. Only Indiana would let us get away with playing the sloppy disinterested game we played on Wednesday. The Gophers gave the ball away 19 times. Indiana responded by turning the ball over 26 times. It was an absolutely brutal game and the Gophers looked nothing like a tournament team outside a run in the second half.

The player of the game is obviously Paul Carter. He put up 22 points, 6 rebs, 1 block and 2 steals. I've remarked before about his lack of shooting and this was evidence of what he can accomplish with his skills given a decent shot. He went 7-13 from the field and more impressively went 7-8 from the line. Until he develops an outside shot he needs to force the issue down low and get to the free throw line. He is actually a 72% free throw shooter.

The other player that needs to be mentioned is Devoe Joseph. He was the only player who played with any effort on both ends in the first half. He ended up with 9 points and 4 rebounds. He played alot as the off-guard with Nolen at the point and I think that is where he is at his best. He still struggles to run the half-court offense, but can play up-tempo, has a good shot and also has the ability to create his own shot. I would like to see him get 20+ minutes a game with half of it as the 2 guard. The next game is an important one at Penn State.

Other News

• Royce White has been named to the Jordan Brand Classic which will be at the Madison Square Garden on April 18th on ESPN2. This game is not as big as the McDonald's All-American Game but this is a good indicator that he might be a McDonald's All-Star. Only one player (Lance Stephenson) out of the top 10 players on Rivals will not be attending. Even if he doesn't make the McDonald's Game it will be great to see him against the nation's best on national tv.
• Brett Farve has retired again. I will believe he is truly retired when it is September and he is not on a team. I think it is more that he doesn't want to play for the Jets than he doesn't want to play. I think if the right team came along he would put on the uniform because he has to feed his almighty ego that took a hit by his sup-standard play in New York.

Stats of the Day

• 14: Steals by the Gophers against Indiana. Nolen lead the team with 4 steals.
• 24: Points off turnovers by the Gophers. That needs to be better off of 26 turnovers.
• 8: Points scored by the 3 leading scorers (Westbrook 4, Nolen 4, Johnson 0). They average a combined 29.4 ppg. They shot a combined 2-16. The biggest problem with the team is a lack of a superstar who can put us on his back consistently.
  

Indiana Game Preview

Minnesota Golden Gophers (18-5, 6-5) Vs. Indiana Hoosiers (6-16, 1-9)

I saw a post by a Gopher fan on CBS Sports that said with the loss to Ohio State this game became a must win. What riveting insight. Whenever the last place team comes into your house it has to be a must win game. When would it ever be ok to lose this game? That said Indiana is coming in at a perfect time with the Gophers coming off two tough losses. Here is Indiana's resume:

Wins to Showcase:

• Vs. TCU 66 - 56
• Vs. Iowa 68 - 60

Losses to Hide From:

• Vs. Lipscomb 69 - 74
• Vs. Northeastern 42 - 55

Previous Result

• Gophers 67, Hoosiers 63

The news gets even better because Indiana's leading scorer Devan Dumes has been suspended indefinitely for throwing 3 elbows in the game against Michigan State. He scored 19 points against the Gophers in the previous meeting and is averaging 13.8 ppg on the season. Taking his points out the Hoosiers only average 47.7 ppg. The Gophers conversely average 69.1 ppg. This should be a cake walk. The previous game was close because the Gophers played terrible but it was obvious still that Indiana does not have the talent to compete in the Big Ten. The do always play hard and will give their best effort but they don't award victories soley based on effort.

Interesting Things to Watch

• Blake Hoffarber: We saw a glimpse of the old Blake Hoffarber in the last game with him busting out for 19 points. It was always thought he would just need to shoot out of the slump and it will be interesting to see if he has come out the other side. An unathletic team like Indiana would seem like a good opponent to keep the good times rolling.
• Ralph Sampson: This should be a good matchup for Ralph as evidenced by the 13 and 8 he got against them last time. I would look for a possible double-double as he looks to get back on the right track after back to back unimpressive games.

Prediction

This game should not be close as while Indiana brings the effort it is harder to get that going without the home crowd behind you. They have played teams close at home but have been blown out on the road( 28 at Michigan State, 24 at Ohio State and 31 at Illinois). I don't look for a blowout of quite that proportion but this should remind us more of the Non-Conference schedule. In fact here is a list of teams we played in the non-conference that have a higher RPI than Indiana's 181 : Colorado State (168), Bowling Green (149), Cornell (106), North Dakota State (95), and Virginia (100)

Gophers 75, Indiana 59

News and Updates

• This broke over the weekend but I haven't made time to discuss it yet but Alex Rodriguez tested positive for steroids in 2003 before the testing program started. He has now admitted that he used steroids from 2001 - 2003 with the Texas Rangers. It was interesting that even those who don't like A-Rod (and there are plenty who don't) were hoping he would break Bonds' Home Run record to clean it up. That will not be the case. It will be interesting to see how he gets treated. It appears clear that players like McGwire and Palmerio won't get into the hall, but it will be interesting how bigger stars like Clemens, Bonds and A-Rod come up when it is there turn. I think it helps A-Rod that he did admit to it unlike Bonds, Clemens and McGwire who either still deny or just won't talk about it.
• Also if this truly was the only period when A-Rod took steroids I just don't get it. Why did he feel it was necessary? When he signed with the Rangers he became the highest paid player ever. Did he want to get more money? What was the incentive for him to take steroids? For Bonds it was clear that he didn't like being overshadowed by McGwire and Sosa but A-Rod was a star. I can understand those mid-level players taking it to get a nice contract and a job but why would already superstars take steroids. I don't get it.
• The excitement that the Timberwolves had started building in 2009 came to a screeching halt yesterday when Al Jefferson tore his ACL and will miss the rest of the season. I don't see how the Wolves can compete with anyone if he is out. The positives is that we should get a better lottery pick and this should help the development of Kevin Love as he should be the starting Power Forward.
• Here is you Monday Gopher update: They have fallen out of both polls as expected losing twice this week. The are ranked 30th in both polls. In the latest ESPN Bracketology they only fell one seed to a 6 seed. We also are still 25th in the RPI. It feels bad to lose 2 in a row but it has not hurt our standing in the slightest.

Stats of the Day

• 156: Home Runs Alex Rodriguez hit in the 3 years with Texas (a home run friendly park). He hit 125 in Seattle (a pitcher friendly park) in the 3 years before and 119 in New York the three years after.
  
• 24 and 12: Jefferson's PPG and Rebs since January. The Wolves were 11-8 in that stretch.
• 180: The RPI of the Gophers next opponent: Indiana. Right above them at 179 is an 11-10 Murray State team.
  

Indiana Game Review

It certainly wasn't an awe inspiring win but it was a win none the less. Indiana stuck around and played hard but they just didn't have the talent. The player of the game was Ralph Sampson III. He had 13 points, 8 rebs and 6 blocks. He was everywhere on the court and played more aggressively than I have ever seen him play. I along with others have stated that Iverson was farther along than Sampson, but Sampson had the higher ceiling. I think that may not be true anymore. Sampson has more ppg, more rebounds and more blocks. He is not as physically strong as Iverson but he is becoming a very productive center.

I am a huge Tubby fan but his rotation and use of players is very puzzling and hard to figure. Devron Bostick had seemed to bust out with the Penn St and Wisconsin games. Since then he has barely played. He played one minute today against Indiana. Instead JAS played 22 minutes as did Blake Hoffarber. I like Blake but when he is shooting like he is why is he out there. If he can't shoot how does he contribute to this team. He is subpar defensively and isn't able to penetrate. When he is on the court we almost have 4 players on the offensive end. Colton Iverson only played 9 minutes and that was all in the first half. I understand RSIII was playing well but Iverson should be getting more than 9 minutes.

The Gophers have the biggest stretch of the season coming up. They get Illinois at home on Thursday, then head to Michigan State and Ohio State. I would like them to go 2-1, but they could easily go 0-3 and that would leave them at 17-6 and 5-6 in the conference. They suddenly would be in danger of missing the tournament.

Stats of the Day

• 34: Points in the paint by the Gophers today.
• 21-19: Bench scoring with IU having the 21. That must be the first time our bench has been outscored.
• 19: Total minutes for Devron Bostick in three games since scoring 11 points at Wisconsin.
  

Indiana Game Preview

#21 Minnesota Golden Gophers (16-3, 4-3) at Indiana Hoosiers (5-12, 0-5)

There could not be a better time to face Indiana. The Gophers need to get their rhythm back and get a win on the board and they get to try against the doormat of the Big Ten this year. Here is Indiana's resume:

Wins to showcase

• vs TCU 66-56
• vs Cornell 72-57

Losses to hide from

• vs Lipscomb 69-74
• vs Northeastern 42-55

Assets

• Tom Crean: Has coached Marquette to a Final Four
• Tom Pritchard: 12.4 ppg, 7.4 rebs, 1.1 ass

Issues

• Almost everything: They are last in the Big Ten in scoring, and last in defense. Opponents shoot 46.7%. The next highest is 43.3% . They shoot 29.3% from 3. The Gophers have been struggling but they still shoot 36.1%. They commit 18.5 turnovers per game. The next highest is 14.4.

Indiana is brutal. They are the worst team in the conference and is not even close. I would be shocked if they win a conference game this year. They don't have any talent and this team would finish last in a mid-major conference. I know this seems harsh but when your best wins are TCU and Cornell at home you are in trouble. Northeastern and Lipscomb have gone into Indiana and won so the Gophers better be able to do the same.

Interesting things to watch

• Verdell Jones III: The freshman appeared to be headed to Minnesota but went to Indiana because he is able to start at point guard since day one. He has 8.5 ppg and 2.6 ass. It should be fun to see Al Nolen match up with him.
• Gophers Offense: They should be able to turn it around today. Indiana plays poor defense and turns over the ball a lot. The Gophers should be able to get out an running and get some confidence going on the offensive end.

Prediction

If the Gophers lose this game, the sky will be falling and the NCAA tournament chances will be in serious jeopardy. Indiana just does not have the players to compete. Despite it being a road game, the Gophers shouldn't be facing a hostile environment and as long as they come out with intensity and reasonable shooting this should be a quite enjoyable game.

Gophers 83, Indiana 68