Droppin' Dimes: From The Barn

Droppin' Dimes is a new feature we are trying out at BIAH this year. A couple of times a week, we are going to catch up with the bloggers behind the best team-specific sites on the web. If the internet really is becoming the new newspaper, then the writers at these sites are the de facto beat writers. They know their teams inside and out, and hopefully will provide you (and us) with some detailed insights. If you would like to recommend a site or pose a question for a certain team, you can reach us at contactbiah@gmail.com or @ballinisahabit.

Today, we bring you From The Barn, a Minnesota Golden Gophers basketball blog. They answer questions on everything from Blake Hoffarber's best shot to the legal status of Trevor Mbakwe and Royce White.


1. Minnesota's legal issues have been well-publicized in recent weeks, as Trevor Mbakwe, Royce White and Devron Bostick have all missed games due to legal issues. What is the feeling around the program and its fans regarding Tubby Smith and some of the kids he is bringing into the school? From afar, it looks like he is handling a tough situation pretty well.

Royce White and Trevoe Mbakwe are both local kids, and Tubby Smith had little choice but to welcome them to the program. White came with a bad rap, but seemed to really straighten himself out his senior year in High School. Clearly, there are some real issues that are left to be sorted out.

The general consensus regarding Mbakwe is that he is a victim of mistaken identity, and is a bit of a victim himself in that he is not allowed to play even though he possibly/probably never did anything wrong. Mbakwe, of course, is transfer from Marquette, and had a tumultuous time there, though those issues dealt with his commitment to the program. His legal issues have come a surprise to everyone.

Trevor Mbakwe may be a case of mistaken identity.
(photo credit: Chicago Town News)

Bostick isn't charged with any crime and has no legal issues. He violated team rules, and the latest news is that he made amends and could return to the team this week. The announcement of his suspension on the same day as White's suspension led some to assume that he was involved in that incident, which he was not.

There has been quite a bit of consternation surrounding Tubby Smith's decisions, especially Royce White's suspension, with opinion divided more or less evenly between those that want White kicked out of school, allowed to play, and that the indefinite suspension is the right move. I fall firmly in the indefinite suspension camp. White clearly isn't ready to be a part of the team, but kicking him off the team would end his best, last chance to turn his life around.

Opinion may be shifting though after Minnesota's difficult weekend in the 76 Classic. If the Gophers continue to shoot poorly and have rebounding lapses, the cries for an indefinite suspension of suspension's will grow louder.


2. Let's assume, for a second, a worst case scenario wher both Mbawke and White are forced to miss the entire season. How will the Gophers handle this loss? Without a true four man on the roster, will Tubby go big with both Iverson and Sampson on the floor, or will the Gophers be more effective going small, playing guys like Williams, Carter, and Johnson together?

The Gophers were without a true power forward last season and still made the NCAA tournament. If neither Mbakwe or White play this season, I'd expect the same. Tubby Smith played Iverson and Sampson at the same time in most games last season and the results were mixed. The “Twin Towers” line-up hasn't been used as much this season, but it has been more effective. Colton Iverson had a bit of a coming out party during the 76 Classic with two double-doubles. Sampson has been rebounding more but his defense has been a bit soft.

Carter and Johnson are the closest thing the Gophers have to a power forward, and each bring valuable skills sets to the team, but are incomplete players. Carter struggles on offense and Johnson can't rebound. Coach Smith is still trying to find the right combination, and the power forward position is very situational right now.


3. Speaking of Rodney Williams, he has been fantastic in his first three games as a Gopher. What is the consensus on this kid? Is he just simply more athletic than the kids Minnesota as faced in their three wins, or is he the real deal?

After this weekend it would be hard to call him the real deal, though it remains to be seen if his first three games were the anomaly or if he just had a rough weekend. I don't think he is as good as his 15 ppg average before the 76 Classic or as bad as his performance in Anaheim would indicate. In short, he is a freshman with great tools and a lot of room to grow. The big test will be how he bounces back from the early season growing pains.


4. One of the things that Minnesota was missing last season was a real go-to threat; someone that could break down a defense at the end of a shot clock or half when you really need a bucket. Can Lawrence Westbrook be that guy? What about Al Nolen at the point?

Westbrook can be, but hasn't been the guy. He isn't attacking the basket like he did last year, especially during the Wisconsin games, and hasn't shown much interest in taking the initiative on offense. The senior guard lost about 40 pounds, which may be contributing to his reluctance on offense. When he was bulkier he drove the lane fearlessly. With his weight loss he can't just run through people anymore.

Nolen may never be the guy. He has one of the better first steps in the Big Ten. His problem is the third and fourth steps. He struggles with court vision and finishing at the basket, two skills that any good point guard needs. Instead of making the easy lay-ups or the dump off for the dunk, he gets caught in the air far too often or zips a pass out of bounds.


5. The Big Ten is as good and balanced as any league in the country this year. Michigan State and Purdue both are being discussed as potential conference championships and Final Four teams. Where does Minnesota fit into that equation? Do they have a shot to win the league?

Even with their recent struggles, a top 5 Big Ten finish isn't out of the question. The Gophers will have plenty of opportunities to beat up the bottom third of the league, and Williams Arena always brings out the team's best. How they ultimately finish will depend on their ability to learn from their mistakes. The team started well last season, but never got better. If they don't improve, they'll barely sneak into the NCAA tournament, if they are lucky.


Bonus: Better Blake Hoffarber buzzer beater - from his back in high school, or the miracle shot he hit to beat Indiana two years ago in the Big Ten tourney?

The second miracle shot gets my vote. The shot from his back was a fluke and undefendable. In the Big Ten tournament it was off a set play, the defense was ready, and he still made it. The shot against Indiana wasn't amazing just because of the circumstances, the opponent, or the time left on the clock. It was amazing because he never even had control of the ball. Watch it in slow motion, and try to figure out how even got the ball to go in the general direction of the basket.