When will the Teddy Bear wake up?

When will Gopher Basketball matter?

If you haven't realized it yet, playing a basketball game with no true point guard is difficult for many reasons. But expecting to win any game in the Big Ten with no true point guard creates a recipe being made for the NIT. Gophers took a tough loss yesterday at Indiana losing 60-57. As much as Blake Hoffarber is sick at draining shots from downtown. HE IS NO POINT GUARD.

That showed in the first half when he committed 4 turnovers in the first 10 minutes. We all know he is trying his hardest and we can't blame him for that, but we need Blake to come off screens and hit shots, not him struggling bringing the ball up the court when a smaller and quicker defender is guarding him. Tubby finally realized this in the second off when he brought in 3 freshmen guards in to bring the ball up and that strategy brought the Gophers close enough to win the game by outscoring the Hoosiers by 9 in the second half.

We need to clone Al Nolen or we this season could already be down the drain......unless

RALPH SAMPSON III could wake up and actually play to his potential.

Is it me or does it seem that Sampson takes more outside shots as each game passes? Can anyone tell me why he launched two 3-pointers yesterday? His box score might looked impressive, he did have 10 points and 9 rebounds. You also don't see the fact that he shot 4-11 from the field with most of those shots coming from 14 feet away from the basket. Why is the tallest player on the team taking 5 shots a game 14 feet away from the rim? Anyone? Why has he shot 17 three pointers this season?? (He has only made 4) Maybe this is why he averages only 5 rebounds a game... which is pathetic to think that the tallest player on the court gets that few. Iverson averages more rebounds then him and he plays about 8 minutes less a game then Sampson.

He needs to get his ass down on the block and actually post people up. Has he never watched any tape of his father??

If the Gophers have any chance this season, it will come down to guard play and our big guys.
1.Trevor Mbakwe didn't get the ball enough yesterday, which is baffling due to the fact he is our best player in the post and in general.

2. Play the freshmen so we can use them down the stretch, Hollins had a huge game and we need him every game to step up like he did.

3. Don't be afraid to put Blake at the 2 and let him do what he does best...come off screens and shoot.


Anybody else agree or disagree with me??

Stay Fresh,

Noel