University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers Face UNLV in the Duel in the Desert Finale
12/30/2007 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Gophers/ Runnin’ Rebels Preview
Minnesota (10-1) and UNLV (10-3) will meet for the third time in the series history tonight at Thomas & Mack Center. Each team has one win a piece, with the Gophers win coming during the 2005-06 season, 72-67. The Rebels defeated Minnesota last season 62-58 despite 13 points and eight rebounds by Spencer Tollackson.
The Gophers are 10-5 all-time against teams currently in the Mountain West Conference including a 91-74 victory this season over Colorado State. Tubby Smith has never coached against a UNLV team but has a 8-2 record against teams in the MWC.
Gophers/Owls Notes
The win is the Gophers seventh straight and puts Minnesota at 10-1 on the season to continue the best start by a Gopher team since the 2000-01 team won 12 games before losing its second.
Minnesota is now 5-1 all-time against teams in the Atlantic Sun Conference.
With 24 points, Dan Coleman has 1,090 points in his career, moving him into 26th on Minnesota's all-time list. Coleman scored 20 or more points for the fourth time this season and the 10th time in his career. It also pushes his double-figure scoring games to eight this season and 56th for his career.
Lawrence McKenzie reached double figures for the eighth time this season and the 60th time in his career.
Lawrence Westbrook’s 12 points is a career high. He reached double figures scoring for the fifth time this season and the seventh time in his career.
Blake Hoffarber scored 10 points, the sixth time this season he has reached double figures.
Minnesota's bench has outscored its opponent in each game this season. The Gophers held a 28-23 against the Owls.
Minnesota shot 55% against the Owls and is now 6-0 this season when shooting 50% or better.
The Gophers had nine steals, giving them 42 over the last three games.
