With IU facing No. 18 Minnesota tonight at Assembly Hall, I spoke with Gophers beat reporter Myron Medcalf of the Minneapolis Star Tribune about the matchup.
IDS: How would you describe this season's Minnesota team?
Myron Medcalf: It's been an interesting season. The Gophers aren't full strength. So they've experienced highs and lows. They're tough inside on offense and defense. They have trouble defending the three-point line. And Blake Hoffarber is their only true threat from outside. But he's one of the best three-point shooters in the country. Can't leave him open. They're long and athletic. But they often play down or play up to their competition.
They're really missing starting point guard Al Nolen. He was playing the best basketball of his career when broke his foot a few weeks ago. With Blake Hoffarber at point guard, their best perimeter scorer has to focus on running the offense instead of looking for his shot. Tough adjustment for the entire team.
IDS: Without Devoe Joseph and Al Nolen in the lineup, how does that affect the squad?
MM: Nolen was the floor general. He's gutsy and he's a very good on-the-ball defender. He's key. They really miss him.
They're used to playing without Devoe Joseph. He was suspended for the first six games of the season. And they're 5-2 since he left the team. Joseph would definitely help now because they're down to eight available scholarship players. But Nolen is the bigger loss.
IDS: You spoke earlier this afternoon about Trevor Mbakwe. What makes him so special?
MM: He's big, strong and athletic. He has a 37-inch vertical (officially). It's hard to move him. Plus, he has a knack for rebounding. Just a guy who always seems to find the ball coming off the rim. Definitely gifted.
IDS: If you were IU, what do you need to do to defeat Minnesota at Assembly Hall?
MM: Three-points shots will be there. The Gophers have poor perimeter defense. If IU heats up from outside, they'll have a chance to stay close. On defense, an IU zone could trouble the Gophers. Good zone defenses can disrupt the rhythm of their offense.
But I'd put Jeremiah Rivers on Blake Hoffarber and tell him to stay in his face all night. Purdue put tough defenders on him Saturday and he struggled to get to the basket. If Hoffarber is contained, it will change the way that the Gophers compete because he means so much to that offense.
The bottom line is that IU competed for 40-plus minutes against MSU Sunday. If the Hoosiers bring that heart, they'll stay in this game.
