Happy November! November? Can it really be November already?
The first day of November brings us lots of Gopher hoops links as the team kicks off the 2011-12 season with an exhibition game tonight against Bemidji State. Charlie Armitz of the MNDaily has six things to watch for in tonight's game.
Amelia Rayno says the aim of the first games for the Gophers will be clarifying roles. Chip Scoggins says a cancer scare has made a believer out of coach Tubby Smith.
Tubby tells Nate Sandell that the Gophers' style of play this season is totally different. With a healthy roster, better depth and perhaps an actual, real point guard on the roster, Smith is hoping to bring back the up-tempo offense he had to abandon last year.
It's a few weeks old, but SB Nation B1G hoops blog BT Powerhouse previews Gopher basketball.
Phil Miller is singing the praises of the unsung heroes in the Gophs win over Iowa (again).
Charley Walters says the secret weapon for motivating the Gophers to beat Iowa (again) was showing a video from 2002 of Iowa fans carrying the goal posts out of the Metrodome. Or trying to. Kill showed the video right before the team went on the field, and if they needed any extra motivation to beat Iowa (again) and keep Floyd, they apparently got it. Perhaps before the Wisconsin game in two weeks he needs to show video of Bret Bielma going for 2 up 40 points last year (or whatever it was?).
Adam Rittenberg of E!SPN.com recaps Minnesota keeping Floyd with a win over Iowa. Again.