The 76 Classic Gophers vs. Butler - Official Game Thread
by GopherNation on Nov 26, 2009 5:30 PM CST
119 comments
Minnesota Golden Gophers at Butler Bulldogs, Nov 26, 2009 7:30 PM CST
I apologize for the lack of an actual preview but this will have to do.
This is the best game of the non-conference schedule and arguably this is the championship game of the 76 Classic. Butler is very good and this game will be a real test for the Gophers. Before we get too far, let's take a look at the Tempo-Free Stats.
| Butler | Minnesota | |
| Pnts / Poss | 1.107 | 0.990 |
| Def Pts / Poss | 0.907 | 0.730 |
| TO % | 16.6% | 16.7% |
| Def Reb % | 76.2% | 73.0% |
| Off Reb % | 30.4% | 33.0% |
| eFG% | 46.5% | 57.3% |
| Def eFG% | 47.4% | 38.9% |
It is really early in the season so these numbers can be a bit misleading, but the thing about tempo-free stats is that they are pretty true even at this point in the season.
The Bulldogs return 7 of their top 9 players from a year ago where they earned a #8 seed in the NCAA Tournament and were narrowly defeated by LSU in the first round. In a nutshell they score, they rebound, they don't turn the ball over and they are deep. The Gophers are a similar team but we are lacking a scoring punch like the Bulldogs have in Gordon Hayward.
Likely Starting Line-ups
Butler
F- Matt Howard (9.7 ppg and 7.7 rpg)
F- Gordon Hayward (15.3 and 8.0)
G- Willie Veasley (9.7 and 4.3)
G- Shawn Vanzant (3.7 and 2.0)
G- Shelvin Mack (13.0 and 5.0 apg)
Minnesota
C- Ralph Sampson III
F- Paul Carter
F- Damian Johnson
G- Lawrence Westbrook
G- Al Nolen
There is a good chance that we will see Rodney Williams get the start and Paul Carter coming off the bench. That would make for good matchups for the Gophers but we'll see if Tubby is willing to start a freshman this early in the season.
I am assuming that Johnson will defend Hayward and Nolen will guard Mack. This is one of those games where we are fortunate to have our two best defenders able to matchup with their two best scorers. These are really key match-ups and if they play out this way both should be a lot of fun to watch.
Keys to the game
- REBOUND - statistically the Bulldogs are not great offensive rebounders, so let's keep it that way. This is always a key for me but we need to get more shots and we need to end their possessions with a rebound. Don't let Hayward and Howard hit their rebounding averages.
- Keep it low scoring - I really like our defense, if this game turns into a score-fest we will lose as they are better offensively. We can slow them down with our team defense and athleticism on the wing.
- Execute on offense - we will not get nearly as many fast-break opportunities so we will have to execute offensively to get some good shots.
This should be a great game and a great test for the Gophers.
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far more minny fans here
Maroon and Gold Headquarters: The Daily Gopher
by PJS on Nov 26, 2009 6:42 PM CST via mobile reply actions 0 recs
really looking forward to
watching the game on TV tonight. I sure hope I see some movement on offense.
by Texas Gopher on Nov 26, 2009 6:55 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
SEE Alamo Bowl
we travel REALLY well
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by GopherNation on Nov 26, 2009 7:18 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
PJS we need scores
ESPN is showing us the great Alabama/Baylor game
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by GopherNation on Nov 26, 2009 7:45 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
please ice this game
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by GopherNation on Nov 26, 2009 7:50 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
YAY
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by GopherNation on Nov 26, 2009 7:52 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
nice movement on that possession
Devoe misses an open three, offensive rebound, Cobbs open for a three
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by GopherNation on Nov 26, 2009 7:56 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
second unit looks GOOD
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by GopherNation on Nov 26, 2009 8:00 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
agreed. a little sloppy in possession, but great ball movement and inside control. Cobbs and Iverson are making me happy right now.
by Rooney09 on Nov 26, 2009 8:03 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Iverson a rebounding machine so far. He’s clearly hit the weights in the offseason….
by Rooney09 on Nov 26, 2009 8:01 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
DJ with a long 2
his shot is not impressive though
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by GopherNation on Nov 26, 2009 8:04 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Errant pass by Westy. Hopefully he gets that out of his system now.
by Rooney09 on Nov 26, 2009 8:07 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
he can be a turnover machine
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by GopherNation on Nov 26, 2009 8:09 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
21-17 Gophers with 9.00 left in 1st
for those stuck with family, away from a TV.
by Rooney09 on Nov 26, 2009 8:08 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
love the idea of pressing (announcers are talking about it)
get a couple guys back and this athletic team could be very good with a full court press
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by GopherNation on Nov 26, 2009 8:10 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
current line up is big and kinda slow
Nolen
Hoffarber
Joseph
Iversno
Sampson
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by GopherNation on Nov 26, 2009 8:19 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
RSIII
A blocking machine, though. Two in the last minute.
by Rooney09 on Nov 26, 2009 8:19 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
he is noticably bigger
his arms and shoulders are big
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by GopherNation on Nov 26, 2009 8:24 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I notice it more in Iverson, actually. They’ve both benefited from a year of maturity and the S&C program.
by Rooney09 on Nov 26, 2009 8:27 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Iverson is a BEAST today
he owns the boards
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by GopherNation on Nov 26, 2009 8:27 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Iverson
“Is built like a Mack truck!” Awesome quote.
He’s beautiful today. Hope this is an indication of his performance the remainder of the year.
by Rooney09 on Nov 26, 2009 8:29 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
HOFF for 3!
All set up by Iverson… He is playing like a beast today.
by eazydp on Nov 26, 2009 8:29 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
yes
that was expected
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by GopherNation on Nov 26, 2009 8:31 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
They are trapping the guard
on the top of the key, working decently well.
by eazydp on Nov 26, 2009 8:31 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
double-double
at half time!
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by GopherNation on Nov 26, 2009 8:31 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Has King Rodney played since picking up his second foul?
by Rooney09 on Nov 26, 2009 8:32 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I am watching the 360 feed
we are at 36.1 sec
by eazydp on Nov 26, 2009 8:32 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
they are playing just great interior D and very good perimeter D
but Heyward is getting NOTHING
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by GopherNation on Nov 26, 2009 8:32 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
11.1 for me
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by GopherNation on Nov 26, 2009 8:33 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
up 4 at half
got to love that
Butler coach is really good, they’ll make adjustments
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by GopherNation on Nov 26, 2009 8:34 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
they said 33 on the broadcast
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by GopherNation on Nov 26, 2009 8:39 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Missed the first 8 minutes
due to Baylor/Alabama game but gotta say, so far I like what I see.
by Texas Gopher on Nov 26, 2009 8:44 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I didn't do my research for this match-up
Who are Butler’s top players?
by eazydp on Nov 26, 2009 8:53 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
starters and their averages are above
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by GopherNation on Nov 26, 2009 8:55 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Heyward and Mack are leading scorers
Howard is pretty good as well with 9.7 and a lot of rebounds
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by GopherNation on Nov 26, 2009 8:55 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Westbrook is so frustrating
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by GopherNation on Nov 26, 2009 8:55 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I don't think it was Nolen who kicked it was it?
I think it was Westbrook
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by GopherNation on Nov 26, 2009 8:57 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
21-14 rebound advantage
I like that
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by GopherNation on Nov 26, 2009 8:59 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Cobbs is going to get some big minutes tonight.
by eazydp on Nov 26, 2009 9:01 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
nice charge there by Cobb
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by GopherNation on Nov 26, 2009 9:04 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Devoe in at point now...
We’ll see how much we miss 0.
by eazydp on Nov 26, 2009 9:07 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
and D
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by GopherNation on Nov 26, 2009 9:08 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
that's huge
Howard going down with fouls
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by GopherNation on Nov 26, 2009 9:08 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Wow... these refs are touchy
Let ’em play!
by eazydp on Nov 26, 2009 9:08 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
DJ is playing very well tonight
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by GopherNation on Nov 26, 2009 9:09 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
just 2 boards
but 10 points, 2 stls, 2 ast, 0 turnovers on 4/5 shooting
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by GopherNation on Nov 26, 2009 9:10 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Did any of the suspended guys
travel with the team?
by eazydp on Nov 26, 2009 9:12 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
for sure not White/Mbakwe
Bostick maybe, but he’s expected back for the Miami game
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by GopherNation on Nov 26, 2009 9:13 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Lavin's making a good point
way too many whistle. The play of this game has been very broken up, not much flow.
by eazydp on Nov 26, 2009 9:12 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Butler has attempted 26 free throws
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by GopherNation on Nov 26, 2009 9:14 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
that just means
he thinks he’s “feeling it” and he’ll jack up shots the rest of the game.
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by GopherNation on Nov 26, 2009 9:18 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
like he just did
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by GopherNation on Nov 26, 2009 9:20 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
360 just caught up to this play...
UGLY
by eazydp on Nov 26, 2009 9:21 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
A&M upset Clemson
Anybody catch the other games?
by eazydp on Nov 26, 2009 9:18 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
love this little run
with Nolen and Williams on the bench.
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by GopherNation on Nov 26, 2009 9:19 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Both teams are very frustrated with the refs.
by eazydp on Nov 26, 2009 9:22 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
good to see
Hoffarber hit a couple threes today
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by GopherNation on Nov 26, 2009 9:23 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
great take by LW
I love seeing him drive or taking OPEN threes. But when he starts forcing threes because he thinks he has to carry us offensively, then he kills us.
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by GopherNation on Nov 26, 2009 9:24 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
That was real nice
The football team could have used LW at RB. He would have been much better than what they threw out there this season.
by eazydp on Nov 26, 2009 9:27 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
no kidding
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by GopherNation on Nov 26, 2009 9:25 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Don't SHOOT that...
Nice shot!
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by GopherNation on Nov 26, 2009 9:27 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
anyone know Chamillion?
he was at Wolves game last night
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by GopherNation on Nov 26, 2009 9:30 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Chamillionaire?
Purple Haze is the worlds greatest Natural Resource.
by Percy Harvin My Fav! on Nov 26, 2009 9:31 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Hola mi amigos!
Happy Thanksgiving to all and to all a good nite oops wrong holiday.
Gophers looking really good tonight!
Purple Haze is the worlds greatest Natural Resource.
by Percy Harvin My Fav! on Nov 26, 2009 9:32 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
no that's who I meant
clearly I’m not up to speed with who he is
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by GopherNation on Nov 26, 2009 9:32 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
LOL
He’s a really good rapper who had the song ridin dirty.
Purple Haze is the worlds greatest Natural Resource.
by Percy Harvin My Fav! on Nov 26, 2009 9:34 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
3s are heating up finally
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by GopherNation on Nov 26, 2009 9:32 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Ugh Happy Thanksgiving all..Atleast the Gophs are winning
Today sucked..Totaled my car. :(
by TonyO on Nov 26, 2009 9:33 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
The car that hit me had its turn signal on like it was turning at the intersection and their were no other cars next behind it or in front of it and I wen’t to move accross the highway to turn to head to virginia and the guy never turned and boom
by TonyO on Nov 26, 2009 9:36 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Dam wat a dumass.
Was he at least civil about it when you got out?
Purple Haze is the worlds greatest Natural Resource.
by Percy Harvin My Fav! on Nov 26, 2009 9:38 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Thats no good.
I take it your ok, so thats a +
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by Percy Harvin My Fav! on Nov 26, 2009 9:36 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
yikes
glad you are OK enough to be typing here
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by GopherNation on Nov 26, 2009 9:36 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Brad Stevens (BUtler Coach)
is 33 years old, not 13 per popular belief.
by eazydp on Nov 26, 2009 9:37 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
HOFFFFFF!!!!
Another great take. Big minutes today.
by eazydp on Nov 26, 2009 9:38 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Hoff and Devoe are hitting some huge threes this half
bye-bye Howard and this game is looking pretty good for the Gophs
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by GopherNation on Nov 26, 2009 9:43 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
SIT DOWN!!!
That should almost put it on ice for us.
by eazydp on Nov 26, 2009 9:43 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
that is a terrible continuation call
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by GopherNation on Nov 26, 2009 9:44 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
too quick
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by GopherNation on Nov 26, 2009 9:44 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
free throw attempts
43 for Butler
24 for Minnesota
67 FT attempts is a TON = poor reffing
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by GopherNation on Nov 26, 2009 9:47 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I love hoops
but I hate how long the last two minutes last!
by eazydp on Nov 26, 2009 9:47 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
So where are the Gopher's going to be ranked now?
I would envision 9-13?
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by Percy Harvin My Fav! on Nov 26, 2009 9:47 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
depends
we may not move up too much if other teams do not lose. It is a big win, but we may only move up 1 spot (Butler dropping behind us). If UCONN loses to Duke tomorrow then that will be 2 spots. But I’m not sure we’d leapfrog anybody unless they lose.
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by GopherNation on Nov 26, 2009 9:50 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
good decision to hold the ball by Hoffarber
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by GopherNation on Nov 26, 2009 9:52 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
where did the defense go this half?
50 points for Minn and 45 for Butler
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by GopherNation on Nov 26, 2009 9:58 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
4-0!
Purple Haze is the worlds greatest Natural Resource.
by Percy Harvin My Fav! on Nov 26, 2009 9:59 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
WOO HOO!
I'm feverished, or the way you want to spell it
by plinytheelder on Nov 26, 2009 10:42 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Wow
UCLA got spanked by Portland. We better be ready for them. They can play.
by rencito on Nov 27, 2009 12:57 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
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