University of Minnesota Athletics
Preseason Accolades Have Begun for Trevor Mbakwe
9/23/2011 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Sept. 23, 2011
Practice has not yet begun for the Golden Gophers but preseason accolades have started for Minnesota senior forward Trevor Mbakwe. Mbwake, a Second Team All-Big Ten performer as a junior, has been named to the 2011-12 Blue Ribbon Yearbook preseason All-America Second Team.
Mbakwe, who led Team USA in rebounding this summer at the World University Games, is coming off of a junior season that saw him lead the Big Ten Conference in rebounding at 10.5 rebounds per game.
His 327 total rebounds were the third-most in a single-season at Minnesota and the most since Jim Brewer collected 331 rebounds during the 1970-71 season. Mbakwe also averaged a team-high 13.9 points per game to become the first Gopher player to average a double-double since Kris Humphries did so during the 2003-4 season.
Mbakwe is joined on the second team by Baylor's Perry Jones, Ohio State's William Buford, UConn's Jeremy Lamb and North Carolina's Tyler Zeller. The first team is Jared Sullinger of Ohio State, Harrison Barnes of UNC, Kris Joseph of Syracuse, Terrance Jones of Kentucky and Wisconsin's Jordan Taylor.
The Blue Ribbon Yearbook is in its 31st season of production. The publication provides up-to-date and timely evaluations of every Division I team in the country. The Blue Ribbon Report can be ordered by mail (Blue Ribbon Yearbook, 3721 Powers Court, Chattanooga, TN 37416), online at www.blueribbonyearbookonline.com or by calling 877.807.4857.
The Gophers open the 2011-12 season on Friday, Nov. 11 against the Bucknell Bison at Williams Arena. The game is scheduled to tip at 7:00 p.m. Minnesota will also host a pair of exhibition games, Nov. 1 vs. Bemidji State and Nov. 7 vs. Augustana College. Both games are set to tip at 7:00 p.m.
Gopher Men's Basketball season tickets are on sale now. Tickets for the 2011-12 season are available by calling 612.624.8080 or 1.800.UGOPHER or online at www.gophersports.com or www.mygophersports.com.
