University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers Face Cyclones in Road Opener
11/16/2007 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Game Preview
The University of Minnesota men’s basketball team heads to Ames, Iowa for the first road game in the Tubby Smith era to take on the Cyclones at Hilton Coliseum. Iowa State (2-1) is led by freshman forward Craig Brackins (12.0 ppg) and junior guard Bryan Peterson (11.3 ppg). The Gophers lead the all-time series with ISU 17-11 but the Cyclones took the last meeting 68-63 on Nov. 21, 2006 at Williams Arena despite 24 points and 13 rebounds from center Spencer Tollackson. Former Cyclone Mike Taylor hit six three-pointers and scored a game-high 33 points to lead ISU. Gopher head coach Tubby Smith has never faced an Iowa State team.
Gophers/Cyclones Series Notes
The Gophers bring to Ames a 17-11 record (13-4 at home, 4-6 away, 0-1 neutral) in the all-time series with Iowa State but the matchup hasn’t gone the way of the locals in recent history. ISU has captured the last four meetings, including a 64-53 victory in the first round of the 2004 NCAA Tournament.
Within the series is a pair of four-game win streaks by Minnesota (1923, 25, 31, 37 & 1945, 46, 49, 57) as well as three-game win streaks on two other occasions (1963, 64, 65 & 1984, 89, 90).
The most points scored in the series took place in Ames during the1989-90 season, as both teams combined to score 180 points. The Gophers had five players finish with double-digit scoring nights, led by Melvin Newbern’s 22 in a 98-82 Minnesota victory. Current Gopher radio analyst Kevin Lynch chipped in with 19 points and seven assists.
Gophers Defeat Army in Opener
The Tubby Smith Era is officially underway as Minnesota defeated Army 84-52 in the season opener on Nov. 10 at Williams Arena. Dan Coleman and Damian Johnson combined for 28 points to lead the Gopher efforts in the 2007-08 season opener.
Johnson scored a career-high 12 points to go with eight rebounds, four blocks and four steals in just 20 minutes of action. Coleman led all scorers with 16 points while grabbing seven boards. All 11 Gophers that suited up got in the scorebook. The Gophers owned a decided advantage at the free throw line, making 20-of-29 while Army managed just 9-of-12. Minnesota limited the Black Knights' offensive attack, holding them to just 35 percent shooting and forcing 25 turnovers. The Gophers registered 13 steals and 10 blocks as well.
Tubby Against the Big 12
Tubby Smith has never faced an Iowa State team as a head coach but has an overall record of 8-11 against seven of the 12 teams within the Big 12 Conference. He also has never faced Kansas State, Nebraska, Texas, or Texas A&M.
School - Record
Baylor - 0-2 ( w/Tulsa)
Colorado - 2-0 (1-0 w/Kentucky & 1-0 w/Georgia)
Kansas - 2-3 ( w/Kentucky)
Missouri - 2-0 ( w/Kentucky)
Oklahoma - 0-2 ( w/Tulsa)
Oklahoma St. - 1-4 ( w/Tulsa)
Texas Tech - 1-0 (w/Tulsa)
Gophers AgaInst the Big 12
Minnesota is 84-41 all-time against teams from the Big 12 Conference, having played 10 of the 12 schools at least once. The Gophers have never faced Baylor University or the University of Texas.
School - Record (Last Played)
Colorado - 2-0 (1953)
Iowa St - 17-11 (2006)
Kansas - 1-1 (1950)
Kansas St. - 9-6 (1989)
Missouri - 1-0 (1960)
Nebraska - 46-13 (2004)
Oklahoma - 3-4 (2004)
Oklahoma St - 3-2 (1986)
Texas A&M - 1-0 (1979)
Texas Tech - 1-4 (2004)
Johnson has Career Night
Minnesota sophomore Damian Johnson (Thibodaux, La.) came off the bench for the Gophers in the season opener against Army and established himself early with a put-back dunk in the first half. Johnson would finsh with career highs in points (12), rebounds (8), blocks (4) and steals (4).
Lighting up the Scoreboard
The 84 points scored by the Gophers in the season opener against Army were the most points scored by the locals since a 85-79 overtime victory over Arizona State on Dec. 5, 2005. It was also the most points scored in a season opener since Minnesota defeated UNC-Asheville 87-81 on Nov. 24, 2002.
