Courtesy of gophersports.com

Leading up to the 2009 NIT Season Tip Off on November 16th, Pickin’ Splinters will be counting down the top 25 of the college hardwood nation.

By Paul Gotham

’08 – ’09 Results: 22-11 (9 – 9 Big Ten) Lost first round NCAA tournament to Texas, 76-62.

Coach: Tubby Smith 42 – 25 – 2 years at Minnesota. 407 – 159 -17 seasons overall.

Key returners:

Ralph Sampson III – 6.3ppg, 4.2rpg

Colton Iverson – 5.4ppg, 3.6rpg

Damian Johnson – 9.8ppg, 4.2rpg

Al Nolen – 6.5ppg, 3.2rpg, 4.3apg

Lawrence Westbrook – 12.6ppg, 2.5rpg

Notable Non-Conference Tilts: 11/26 vs. Butler, 11/27 vs. Portland or UCLA, 12/2 at Miami, 12/12 vs. St. Joseph’s

Stat of Identity: 6.1 – Minnesota finished fourth in the country in blocks per game. UConn led with 7.8.

Understanding Minnesota Gopher basketball is a lesson in balance. If nothing else, third-year coach, Tubby Smith, has established that all players are counted on for contributions.

Last season, his second at the helm in Minneapolis, 11 different Gophers averaged 11 minutes or more per game. Of those 11, only one averaged double figure points. But eight different players contributed at least five points per game. The result was a 22-win season and a trip to the NCAA Tournament – the first appearance since 2005 for the Big Ten school.

Smith returns his top nine scorers from last year along with a recruiting class ranked in the top 25.

Westbrook hit 36% (44 – 123) from behind the arc to lead Minnesota last year. He’ll be joined in the back court by  Nolen.

Opponents will have their hands full trying to deal with Minnesota’s front court. Iverson, Johnson, and Sampson will more than likely start, but Smith will substitute in waves. Johnson led the way with 9.8 boards and 60 blocks and 58 steals last season.  Sampson, the son of the former NBA great, pulled down 6.3rpg and blocked 50 shots as a freshman.

Devron Bostick and Paul Carter will log minutes at the small forward spot. Freshmen Royce White and Rodney Williams will get their chances to prove themselves.

Devoe Joseph and Blake Hoffarber will come off the bench in the back court. Hoffarber hit 45 of 132 behind the arc last season.

Back court play will be a point of emphasis for Smith and his staff. The Gophers committed more turnovers than assists last season.

Of Minnesota’s 22 wins, they scored 75 points or less in 18.

Smith has had 16 straight 20-win seasons including nine ‘Sweet Sixteen’ appearances, four ‘Final Four’ appearances and one national title.