Quick Thoughts Before I Go Drink

• I struggle to follow the Timberwolves but explain to me how Al Jefferson is not an All-star. Explain to me how Shaq getting 18.1 ppg and 9 rebs surronded by Nash, Stoudemire and Richardson get in over Jefferson getting 22.7 ppg and 10.5 rebounds surrounded by Foye, Telfair and Love. He is an all-star in every defintion and is the reason for any Wolves success.
  
• I have been dreaming of the NCAA tournament all day and two thoughts occured to me. The first thought is how my bracket might suffer with Minnesota in the bracket. I have been the answer sheet for the last few tournaments because I have had no strong rooting interests and could just pick on who I objectively thought would win. Even when Minnesota was in it a few years ago I only lost one first round game because they were not going to beat the One seed which I think was the Champion North Carolina. I might have to do two seperate brackets this year.
• The other thought was about how glad I am that I did not buy NCAA tickets to the games at the Dome this year. How much would it suck to plop down 200 bucks to watch meaningless games while Minnesota is playing elsewhere. Remember Minnesota can not play at the Dome because they are the host of the site. The NCAA would be smart to have the Gopher games on the opposite days of the Dome games.
• People are retarded. I have heard talk of the possiblity that Tubby will take the open Georgia job. Why the hell would he do that. He left Georgia after two years to head to Kentucky. Not only would he have to compete with Kentucky and Florida he would also have to compete with Georgia Tech. Georgia Basketball has never been relevent, not making the Elite 8 since 1983 and the Sweet Sixteen since he coached them. There is not a job out there that will be better for him than the Gopher job. I would bet 1,000 dollars he will retire a Gopher coach. If I am wrong you are welcome to track me down and collect your reward. If he gets us to a Final Four it will be Tubby Court at Williams Arena. He is a god here and he is too old and rich to leave for 1 million more.
• Well I'm off the Library, and no Mom and Dad that isn't as wholesome as it sounds but it should be fun.
  

Illini Game Review

If anyone says that they saw that happening I'd call you a Blogo. To say we played a great defensive game is an understatement. We allowed 36 points to a Big Ten opponent. According to the Gophers Media Guide, this was the second lowest total ever behind 32 by Nicholls State in 2007. This was the lowest we have ever held a Big Ten opponent in our entire history. It was the lowest total that Illinois has been held to in 24 years. It wasn't them missing open shots. It was them not getting any open shots.

The Player of the Game is a duo of the game tonight. The Twin Towers announced that they are here and a force to be reckoned with. Ralph Sampson continued his great play with 10 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 block. Colton countered with 6 points and 6 rebounds. The most impressive part of their game was the defense. Mike Tisdale and Mike Davis came into the game totaling 22.8 ppg and 11.4 rebs. They came out of the game with a total of 4 points and 7 rebounds. They went 2-11 from the field. That was the difference.

This was a huge win ending the 20 game losing streak to Illinois but it was more important as the Gophers next week head to Michigan State and Ohio State with the confidence that they can go in there and pull an upset or two. This game is the blueprint of how Minnesota has to win. They do not have the talent to win a pretty offensive game. They have to play great, aggressive defense and play strong down low. If they play with that tenacity and power from the Twin Towers we can beat anyone. The key will be taking this show on the road.

Stats of the Game

• 44-29: Rebounding edge for the Gophers with 15 on the offensive end.
• 8-10: RSIII from the free throw lane. So far he is 81% from the line this year. That is great from a big man.
  
• 11.5 and 7.5: RSIII's average in the last two games. Before the last two games he was averaging 6.3 ppg and 4.0 rebs.
  

Illini Game Preview

Minnesota Golden Gophers (17-3, 5-3) vs. #19 Illinois Fighting Illini (17-3, 5-2)

This is a very important game for the Gophers. After this game they go on the road to face Michigan State and Ohio State. They need to win this game or they will be in serious trouble of being 5-6 in the conference. A side note I am sick of Thursday night games that make me miss The Office and 30 Rock. Either they need to change the dates or someone should pitch in and help me buy a DVR, but I regress. Here is the Illini's resume:

Wins to showcase:

• at Purdue 71 - 67
• at Missouri 75 - 59

Losses to hide from:

• at Michigan 51 - 66 (Other losses were at Michigan State and against Clemson)

Assets:

• Shooting: Average 47.9% from the field, 1st in conference
• Sharing the Rock: 18.8 assists per game, 1st in conference, 3rd in nation
• Defense: Allow 56.6 ppg, best in conference, 4th best in nation
  

Issues:

• Getting to the free throw lane: 285 attempts, last in conference, 333rd in nation
• Turnovers: 12.9 per game 4th worst in conference

Usually I put up 3 strengths and 3 issues put I could only find two issues and the second one is pushing it. They do a lot well. They play great defense, shoot the ball well, and have multiple players capable of scoring. They don't have any outstanding wins outside of winning at Purdue but they also have no losses to be ashamed of. They lost to Clemson by two and were up big at Michigan State before the Spartans came charging back. They are battling Purdue for the second best team in the Big Ten this year

Interesting things to watch:

• Ralph Sampson Vs. Mike Tisdale: Ralph has taken some big steps lately and has played some very good interior defense with blocks, but he will be facing someone taller than him in 7-1 Tisdale and will be challenged. If Ralph can hold his own and make his presence felt the Gophers could be in business.
• Perimeter Shooting: The biggest reason for the Gophers recent struggles is the lack of outside shooting. Illinois is the best in perimeter defense holding opponents to 27.6% from 3. The Gophers need Westbrook, Hoffarber, Joseph and Nolen to start making their shots from the outside to get the half-court offense going.

It has been well-documented that the Gophers have not beat Illinois since 1999 losing 20 straight. It could be chalked up to Monson's inferior Gophers up against great Illinois teams featuring Deron Williams, Dee Brown, Brian Cook and James Augustine but there is more to it than that. Last year a 16-19 Illini team that went 5-13 in the Big Ten beat a Tubby Smith coached Gopher team three times. I can't explain what they do that frustrates us but it doesn't bode well. Illinois in my mind is clearly a better team but this is at Williams so that does even things out a little bit. The problem is that Illinois has 4 players averaging double digits and they play defense that should give or weak half-court offense fits. I would like a win here but given how the Gophers are playing recently unless we see a breakthrough performance we are looking at being 2-3 at Williams in Big Ten play so far this year.

Illinois 67, Minnesota 59

Big Ten Future (Part 2)

Wisconsin Badgers
Graduating Losses: Marcus Landry, Joe Krabbenhoft, Kevin Gullikson (22.3 ppg, 11.9 rebs, 4.5 ass)
Possible Losses: None
Returning Stars: Trevon Hughes, Jason Bohannon, Jon Leuer, Keaton Nankivil (37.1 ppg, 13.5 rebs, 6 ass)
Recruits who could contribute: None

They will be relying on the development of Hughes and Leuer but even if they grow they look headed for the middle of the pack, but you can never count out a Bo Ryan team.

Iowa Hawkeyes
Graduating Losses: Cyrus Tate (7.4 ppg, 6.3 rebs, .1 ass)
Possible Losses: Anthony Tucker (10.4 ppg, 3 rebs, .6 ass)
Returning Stars: Matt Gatens, Jeff Peterson, Jake Kelly, David Palmer (36 ppg, 11.6 rebs, 9.4 ass)
Recruits who could contribute: None

They will likely send Anthony Tucker packing and this team is quickly becoming a perennial bottom-feeder in the conference.

Northwestern Wildcats
Graduating Losses: Craig Moore (13.8 ppg, 3.4 rebs, 2.8 ass)
Possible Losses: None
Returning Stars: Kevin Coble, Michael Thompson, John Shurna (33.8 ppg, 10.8 rebs, 7.3 ass)
Recruits who could contribute: None

This team will be very similar to this years team not an NCAA team but a very dangerous team capable of an upset every night. Coble could be First-team All Big Ten.

Indiana Hoosiers
Graduating Losses: Kyle Taber (4 ppg, 5.3 rebs, .9 ass)
Possible Losses: None
Returning Stars: Tom Pritchard, Devan Dumes, Nick Williams, Verdell Jones III, Malik Story (48 ppg, 20 rebs, 7.1 ass)
Recruits who could contribute: Christian Watford (6-8 F #34 in Rivals 150), Maurice Creek (6-5 G #59), Derek Elston (6-8 F #98)

They will be a drastically different team. They are bringing in a lot of talent and the current players should get better. They should be a decent team but not a NCAA team yet.

Minnesota Golden Gophers
Graduating Losses: Jamal Abu-Shamala, Jon Williams (5.8 ppg, 3.4 rebs, 1.2 ass)
Possible Losses: None
Returning Stars: Lawrence Westbrook, Damian Johnson, Al Nolen, Ralph Sampson, Colton Iverson (44.7 ppg, 18 rebs, 10.4 ass)
Recruits who could contribute: Royce White (6-7 F #19 in Rivals 150) Rodney Williams (6-5 F #95), Trevor Mbakwe (6-8 F JC)

The hype surrounding this program is well deserved. This team will be head and shoulders above this years team. The key will be the development of Ralph and Colton down low.

The Big Ten is good this year but it will be even tougher next year. Penn State is the only team that will be decidedly worse and Minnesota, Ohio State and Indiana should be greatly better. It is too far off and too much could happen for me to rank them right now. The Gophers could easily be better than this year and finish 5th or 6th in the conference. A player could get hot in March and become a lottery pick but I don't see a player right now who is a lottery pick this year. A current mock draft has 13 of the top 30 picks from the ACC or Big East, so it is possible that the Big Ten could be the best conference in the nation next year.

The Future of the Big Ten (Part 1)

I was thinking in great happiness of the Gophers future, when it occurred to me that while the Big Ten is having a good year their is not a lot of elite talent in the conference. It got me to thinking what the Big Ten will look like next year and it is scary. Here is the future for the Big Ten teams:

Michigan State Spartans
Graduating Losses: Goran Suton, Marquise Gray, Idong Ibok, Travis Walton (21.8 ppg, 15.6 rebs, 5.1 ass)
Possible Losses: Raymar Morgan (13.5 ppg, 6.6 rebs, 1.7 ass)
Returning Stars: Kalin Lucas, Delvon Roe, Chris Allen, Durrell Summers, Korie Lucious (40.4 ppg, 13.8 rebs, 9.8 ass)
Recruits who could contribute: Garrick Sherman (6-10 C #66 in Rivals 150)

Michigan State will lose a lot of size down low especially if Raymar Morgan leaves (which I don't think will happen), but they will still have very good guards in Kalin Lucas and Chris Allen. Roe should make huge strides as he will finally be fully healthy after two knee surgeries.

Illinois Fighting Illini
Graduating Losses: Calvin Brock, Chester Frazier, Trent Meacham (22.1 ppg, 9.8 rebs, 9.2 ass)
Possible Losses: None
Returning Stars: Alex Legion, Demetri McCamey, Mike Tisdale, Mike Davis, Dominique Keller (46.7 ppg, 18.5 rebs, 8.3 ass)
Recruits who could contribute: Brandon Paul (6-2 G #44 in Rivals 150), DJ Richardson (6-3 G #57),

The only significant loss is Chester Frazier who is lead PG, but McCamey is a very good guard who can step in and is a better scorer. They should be very good.

Purdue Boilermakers
Graduating Losses: Nemanja Calasan, Marcus Green (13 ppg, 7.9 rebs, 1.6 ass)
Possible Losses: None
Returning Stars: E'Twuan Moore, Robbie Hummel, JaJuan Johnson, Keaton Grant, Lewis Jackson (53.4 ppg, 23 rebs, 11.4 ass)
Recruits who could contribute: DJ Byrd (6-4 G #97)

I don't think Moore, Hummel, of Johnson is a threat to leave this year. Hummel has been struggling with his back and Johnson has moments of domination but not enough. If they all return they will be the favorites and a serious contender for a national title.

Penn State Nittany Lions
Graduating Losses: Jamelle Cornley, Danny Morrissey, Stanley Pringle (35.6 ppg, 11.9 rebs, 6.3 ass)
Possible Losses: Talor Battle (18.5 ppg, 5.6 rebs, 5.4 ass)
Returning Stars: Andrew Jones III, David Jackson (9.3 ppg, 8.6 rebs, 1.1 ass)
Recruits who could contribute: None

This team will be devastated by graduation. I think Talor will leave because he won't get as much of a spotlight next year and he is terrific this year. They will be back to old Penn State next year.

Ohio State Buckeyes
Graduating Losses: None
Possible Losses: BJ Mullens, Evan Turner (24.6 ppg, 11.5 rebs, 3.3 ass)
Returning Stars, William Buford, Jon Diebler, David Lighty, Jeremie Simmons, Dallas Lauderdale (44.2 ppg, 18.7 rebs, 8.9 ass)
Recruits who could contribute: None

The though going into the year was Mullens would be a one and done. A recent mock draft has him going in the top 20 but I think he will come back for one year and become the top 5 pick he is suppossed to be. This team if they all come back will be a very good squad. Definitely Pre-
Season top 10.

Michigan Wolverines
Graduating Losses: CJ Lee, Jevohn Shepherd, David Merritt (7.6 ppg, 3.9 rebs, 2.6 ass)
Possible Losses: Manny Harris, DeShawn Sims (33.4 ppg, 15.6 rebs, 5.3 ass)
Returning Stars: Laval Lucas-Perry, Zack Novak, Kelvin Grady, Stu Douglass (27.2 ppg, 8.5 rebs, 7.6 ass)
Recruits who could contribute: Darius Morris (6-3 G #71 in Rivals 150)

Their fate all lays in the hands of Harris and Sims. I wouldn't be suprised if Harris left but I think Sims should be around for another year. If they are to become elite however they will need the other players to step up.

News and Notes

• The Alabama job is officially a possibility as Alabama has fired Mark Godfried. Alabama is 12-7 and 2-3 in the terrible SEC. I am going to get so sick of the speculation that Tubby might leave just because of those who think Minnesota is an inferior school.
• The Gophers fell out of the top 25 in the AP poll but are still ranked 24 in the ESPN poll. The team is 36 in the latest RPI. The latest bracketology has the Gophers a 7 seed playing Florida State.
• Lawrence Westbrook is no longer the only Gopher averaging double digits in scoring. With 18 against Indiana Damian Johnson is now averaging 10.1 ppg along with 4.2 rebs.
  
• Gophers Illustrated has released the top 10 juniors in Minnesota football. If you have the premium service you can view it here. Seantrel Henderson (Cretin) could be the number 1 player in the nation. Other juniors who will be strongly recruited are Jimmy Gjere (Irondale), Beau Allen (Minnetonka) , Tobi Okuyemi (Wayzata), and Joel Bauman (Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg). I don't see the Gophers getting Henderson because he can go anywhere and start on day one and the Gophers have never been able to recruit Cretin kids. He likely will follow the Cretin train to Notre Dame. The Gophers should be able to get the others however.
• Some Vikings news: The NFL has settled the lawsuit with Korey Stringer's widow. It has been 7 years since the incident. There is still a pending lawsuit with Ridell, the maker of the helmet and shoulder pads he was wearing at the time. Viking great Carl Eller has been found guilty of assaulting a police officer.
• Blake Wheeler was named the MVP of the YoungStars game leading the rookies with a hat trick. He will get some serious consideration for Rookie of the Year. I would not have guessed that considering his underwhelming run as a Gopher. He went from barely making the team out of training camp to 14g, 16a and a whopping +/- of 27.
  

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.