University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers Open Exhibition Slate Thursday With Minnesota State
10/31/2007 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Game Preview
The University of Minnesota men’s basketball team opens the Tubby Smith era this week with an exhibition game against Division II Minnesota State, Mankato at Williams Arena. The Mavericks are led by head coach Matt Margenthaler, who guided them to a school record 28 wins in 2006-07 and a berth in the NCAA North Central Region championship game. The game is sceduled to tip at 7 p.m. and can be seen on www.BigTenNetwork.com.
Great Returns
The Gophers return 92 percent of its scoring output (1,732 of 1,880 points) from 2006-07 as well as 89 percent of its rebounding (873 of 984 rebounds) and 84 percent of its assists (333 of 396 assists)
Minnesota has the highest returning scoring trio in the Big Ten. Seniors Lawrence McKenzie (14.9 ppg), Dan Coleman (14.2 ppg) and Spencer Tollackson (12.0 ppg) make up the only trio of returning double-figure scorers from any team in the Big Ten.
The Gophers also return several key role players from last season, including junior Jamal Abu-Shamala (6.6 ppg) and sophomores Lawrence Westbrook (3.5 ppg), Kevin Payton (2.2 ppg) and Damian Johnson (1.6 ppg).
Making Their Debuts
The Gophers welcome three new players to Gold Country this season, all with Minnesota roots: sopomore transfer Travis Busch (Mounds View) and freshmen Blake Hoffarber (Hopkins) and Al Nolen (Minneapolis).
Full Men's Basketball Release linked above.
