University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers' Season Comes to an End
3/14/2011 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Selection Sunday came and went and for the first time in the Tubby Smith era, the Minnesota Gophers did not receive a post-season tournament bid. This wasn’t exactly the news Coach Smith and the rest of the team wanted to hear, but all involved were aware of the reality of the situation.
“We knew that the way we finished the season, with only one win in our last 11, that it would be tough to get into post-season play,” said Gopher head coach Tubby Smith. “This year was really a tale of two seasons. When we were healthy and had our entire roster I think we were as talented as anyone in the country. We proved that with the wins we had early on. The loss of Al Nolen, Devoe Joseph and Mo Walker obviously had an impact.”
The CBI and CIT tournaments inquired about the Gophers, but Smith and his staff decided that declining the invitations was what was best for the program.
“I am sure that people are wondering why we didn’t accept one of the invitations from the CBI or the CIT,” said Smith. “We just really felt that it wasn’t in the best interest of our program. I don’t want it to sound like the tournaments are not quality tournaments, but at this stage in our program we believe that we just needed to start our preparation towards next season.”
The end of the season also means the culmination of brilliant careers from seniors Blake Hoffarber and Al Nolen. Hoffarber, who was recently named an Academic All-American, finished his final collegiate season with career numbers in many categories, including points (13.6), assists (4.1) and minutes played (35.0).
He became just the fifth Gopher player to amass at least 300 points and 100 assists in a season, finishing 2010-11 with 423 points and 126 assists. The 126 assists tied the Gophers’ all-time assists leader Arriel McDonald for 10th most in a season. McDonald dished out 126 during the 1990-91 season.
One of the most accurate shooters in Gopher history, Hoffarber is the Gophers’ leader with 279 career three-pointers and is in fourth place on the Gophers’ three-point percentage list at .409 (279-682). His 85 three-point field goals during the 2009-10 season are the most in Gopher single-season history while his 70 treys during his freshman campaign is a Minnesota freshman record and the sixth-most in Gopher history. He finished this season with 79 makes, tied with his former teammate Lawrence McKenzie for second most in a season.
“Blake was a Minnesota legend before he even stepped on campus,” said Smith. “I think that he will be the first to tell you that he isn’t the most athletic player but he is a heady, hard-nosed player. We asked him to do a lot, especially this season, and he accepted the role and did a great job.
“To finish his career the way he did, one of the greatest shooters and top-20 scorers in the history of Minnesota Basketball, is a tremendous accomplishment. His leadership was second to none. He deserves all of the accolades and recognition that he receives.”
Hoffarber, who played in a Gopher-record 132 career games, finished his career 18th on the Gophers’ career scoring list with 1,267 points. He has been invited to take part in the Portsmouth Invitational in April.
Nolen missed a total of 35 games in his career, including the final 12 games this season, but still finished amongst the Gophers’ leaders in many categories. His 394 career assists and 4.1 career assists average rank third and fifth, respectively, all-time in the Gopher record books while his 205 career steals fell just 10 short of Gopher career-leader Melvin Newbern.
Nolen is also amongst the Minnesota leaders in assists and steals in a season. He dished out 143 dimes as a sophomore, good for seventh all-time, and finished with 64 steals in both his freshman and sophomore seasons which is tied for fifth all-time with his former teammate Damian Johnson.
“When you look at the games that Al missed this season I think it really shows what he meant to this team when he was in the lineup,” said Smith. “He was playing some of the best basketball of his career prior to his foot injury and it showed early on this season in Puerto Rico. I know that it was tough for him to miss half of his senior season but I think it is amazing to see what he has accomplished with so many missed games in his career.”
Minnesota will return a veteran roster in 2011-12, including seniors-to-be Trevor Mbakwe, Colton Iverson and Ralph Sampson III. The roster will also include redshirts Elliott Eliason, Chris Halvorsen and Oto Osenieks and current freshmen Maverick Ahanmisi, Chip Armelin and Austin Hollins and Mo Walker, who all gained valuable experience during the season.
“I think Gopher basketball is well positioned even though we didn’t reach our goals this season,” Smith said. “All of our underclassmen, especially our freshman, have improved and they will continue to get better. Those guys, along with the players that we signed, will make a difference. I know that our entire staff is looking forward to the start of next season.”
