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
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by PJS on Nov 26, 2009 6:42 PM CST via mobile reply actions
really looking forward to
watching the game on TV tonight. I sure hope I see some movement on offense.
PJS we need scores
ESPN is showing us the great Alabama/Baylor game
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nice movement on that possession
Devoe misses an open three, offensive rebound, Cobbs open for a three
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DJ with a long 2
his shot is not impressive though
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he can be a turnover machine
what you say here can, and will, be used against you
by GopherNation on Nov 26, 2009 8:09 PM CST up reply actions
21-17 Gophers with 9.00 left in 1st
for those stuck with family, away from a TV.
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
what you say here can, and will, be used against you
current line up is big and kinda slow
Nolen
Hoffarber
Joseph
Iversno
Sampson
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RSIII
A blocking machine, though. Two in the last minute.
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
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.
they are playing just great interior D and very good perimeter D
but Heyward is getting NOTHING
what you say here can, and will, be used against you
up 4 at half
got to love that
Butler coach is really good, they’ll make adjustments
what you say here can, and will, be used against you
they said 33 on the broadcast
what you say here can, and will, be used against you
by GopherNation on Nov 26, 2009 8:39 PM CST up reply actions
Missed the first 8 minutes
due to Baylor/Alabama game but gotta say, so far I like what I see.
Heyward and Mack are leading scorers
Howard is pretty good as well with 9.7 and a lot of rebounds
what you say here can, and will, be used against you
I don't think it was Nolen who kicked it was it?
I think it was Westbrook
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nice charge there by Cobb
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by GopherNation on Nov 26, 2009 9:04 PM CST up reply actions
and D
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by GopherNation on Nov 26, 2009 9:08 PM CST up reply actions
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
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
Lavin's making a good point
way too many whistle. The play of this game has been very broken up, not much flow.
Butler has attempted 26 free throws
what you say here can, and will, be used against you
by GopherNation on Nov 26, 2009 9:14 PM CST up reply actions
that just means
he thinks he’s “feeling it” and he’ll jack up shots the rest of the game.
what you say here can, and will, be used against you
by GopherNation on Nov 26, 2009 9:18 PM CST up reply actions
like he just did
what you say here can, and will, be used against you
by GopherNation on Nov 26, 2009 9:20 PM CST up reply actions
love this little run
with Nolen and Williams on the bench.
what you say here can, and will, be used against you
good to see
Hoffarber hit a couple threes today
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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.
what you say here can, and will, be used against you
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.
no kidding
what you say here can, and will, be used against you
by GopherNation on Nov 26, 2009 9:25 PM CST up reply actions
anyone know Chamillion?
he was at Wolves game last night
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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
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
no that's who I meant
clearly I’m not up to speed with who he is
what you say here can, and will, be used against you
by GopherNation on Nov 26, 2009 9:32 PM CST up reply actions
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
Ugh Happy Thanksgiving all..Atleast the Gophs are winning
Today sucked..Totaled my car. :(
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
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
Thats no good.
I take it your ok, so thats a +
Purple Haze is the worlds greatest Natural Resource.
by Percy Harvin My Fav! on Nov 26, 2009 9:36 PM CST up reply actions
yikes
glad you are OK enough to be typing here
what you say here can, and will, be used against you
by GopherNation on Nov 26, 2009 9:36 PM CST up reply actions
Hoff and Devoe are hitting some huge threes this half
bye-bye Howard and this game is looking pretty good for the Gophs
what you say here can, and will, be used against you
free throw attempts
43 for Butler
24 for Minnesota
67 FT attempts is a TON = poor reffing
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So where are the Gopher's going to be ranked now?
I would envision 9-13?
Purple Haze is the worlds greatest Natural Resource.
by Percy Harvin My Fav! on Nov 26, 2009 9:47 PM CST reply actions
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.
what you say here can, and will, be used against you
where did the defense go this half?
50 points for Minn and 45 for Butler
what you say here can, and will, be used against you
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
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