Golden Gophers Wrap Up Non-Conference Season with Win Over Jackrabbits

The University of Minnesota Golden Gophers got off to one of their strongest starts in recent memory this fall, winning the first six games of their 2010-2011 season including impressive victories in the Puerto Rico Tip Off  Tournament over then eighth ranked North Carolina, and a strong University of West Virgina squad in the tournament championship game.

After a convincing victory over North Dakota State the following week, the Golden Gophers were poised to showcase their high powered offense and swarming defense in a nationally televised matchup versus the University of Virginia.

Instead, the Gophers suffered a letdown at home against the Cavaliers in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge for the first loss of their young season.

The Gophers would not be deterred by their loss however, winning matchups with Cornell, St. Josephs, Eastern Kentucky and Akron before heading into their final non-conference tuneup against South Dakota State at Williams Arena.

Entering play on Thursday, the Gophers had compiled a 10-1 record, and owned the number 16 in the ESPN/USA Today Coaches poll.

The Gophers do still have a number of question marks heading into the Big Ten season. The team has yet to be tested by top tier talent, and with the Big Ten as strong as it's ever been, the wins surely won't come easy for the Gophers as the conference season progresses.

Also in question is the health of guard Al Nolen. After missing most of last season due to academic ineligibility, Nolen made a strong impact on the team this fall before a foot injury forced Nolan to miss the last five games.

During his absence, the Gophers were clearly at a defensive disadvantage, especially around the arc, allowing opponents to stay within reach with their perimeter shooting.

Nolen showed some rust in his return to the lineup, turning the ball over twice in the first half, and shooting two of five from the field while scoring only eight points. Nolen was however perfect from the free throw line against the Jackrabbits on Thursday evening and provided key steals down the stretch.

After coming off the bench tonight against South Dakota State, Nolen will resume starting duties while his replacement Devoe Joesph is slated to come off the bench for the remainder of Big Ten conference play.

Gopher guard Blake Hoffarber was held in check for the most part, finishing with four points while shooting one of four from the field. Guard Rodney Williams provided a solid effort against the Jackrabbits, scoring 13 points and pulling down six rebounds while not turning the ball over once, a problem that has plagued Williams this season.

Throughout the non-conference season, the Gophers enjoyed a strong rebounding advantage, outrebounding opponents by nearly eight boards per game, thanks to the tenacious defense of forwards Colton Iverson, Trevor Mbakwe and Ralph Sampson III.

On Thursday, the Gophers barely managed to hold pace with the undersized Jackrabbits, barely coming out ahead in the box score.

Jackrabbit guard Clint Sargent carried the majority of the load for his team, scoring 23 points on 9 of 17 shooting. Sargent was also effective from behind the arc, shooting 5 of 11 from behind the three point line.

The game was closely contested for most of the evening, with both teams' efforts being halted by turnover issues and forced shooting from the field. Late in the second half, the Gophers would pull away from the Jackrabbits, thanks in part to clutch shooting from guard Devoe Joseph and a strong effort on the glass from Iverson.

As the Gophers pulled away with an 85-73 victory over the Jackrabbits, Tubby Smith was pleased with the effort that his team put forth, but was still believed that the squad has a lot to work on if they plan on making their Big Ten conference season a success.

The Golden Gophers will open the Big Ten season next Tuesday in Madison against the Wisconsin Badgers, a team that rarely loses at home in the Kohl Center.

After returning from Madison, the Gophers schedule will only get tougher, as Tubby Smith's squad will face Michigan State, Indiana, Ohio State and Purdue in the coming weeks.

The Gophers have shown that they have the talent to beat the best teams in the country, but it will take consistently effective performances for the remainder of the season if they hope to earn a high seed in the NCAA Tournament next spring.