I was in the middle of writing this when news of the Louisville-Minnesota matchup broke. That’s a big game for the Gophers, who need quality nonconference wins next season.

-With some assistance from Tubby Smith, former Gophers Dan Coleman and Lawrence McKenzie will probably get an invitation from the Portsmouth Invitational, an NBA predraft camp for college seniors in Portsmouth, Va., April 9-12. I think McKenzie’s scoring ability and Coleman’s athleticism will help both players earn a decent living overseas.

-It’s no secret that the Gophers need some scholarships, especially if Tubby Smith brings in the seven-man recruiting class he desires for next season. Jamal Abu-Shamala and Travis Busch have one-year scholarships. And the three seniors give up three more free rides. Brandon Smith’s early exit gives them another one to use. But I’m hearing that other players might be in danger of losing their scholarships. It would seem that Kevin Payton, who started the season as the team’s starting point guard before spending most of the year on the bench, is vulnerable. And remember, the Gophers aren’t only thinking about next season. They’ll need at least two scholarships to give to local recruits Royce White and Rodney Williams in 2009. (More on them later.)

-Speaking of Abu-Shamala, the forward was named to the Academic All-Big Ten team earlier this week. Kudos.

-I watched Rodney Williams play in the state tournament earlier this week. His athleticism is amazing. And he can create shots whenever he wants them. He’s also a great shot blocker. He’s a very raw talent that has the ability to excel at the Division I level with the proper coaching. I’ve watched a lot of “athletic” guys fail to make the transition from high school to college. But Williams is young and seems like someone who is willing to learn.

-I’ve talked to Gophers insiders recently about Royce White. After the former De La Salle stud was expelled from school due to academic issues, a number of sources told me that it would be hard to offer him an opportunity to play at the University of Minnesota, a school that’s still recovering from an academic scandal in the late 1990s. But, talent often overcomes youthful errors. Just ask Caron Butler.

-Krys Faber, a 6-11 kid out of Cali, is leaning toward Minnesota, according to his high school coach Willie Middlebrooks. Faber was a late bloomer, but he has the size and talent that Tubby Smith covets. Imagine a lineup that features 6-11 Ralph Sampson III, 6-11 Krys Faber, 6-8 Paul Carter, 6-5 Devron Bostick and 6-3 Devoe Joseph?

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