This is the week, folks. College basketball season kicks off Friday for the Gophers. And No. 5 Duke takes on Presbyterian tonight. My summer disappeared at such a rapid pace (becoming a dad for the first time sped everything up), but I’m glad we’re ready to go, again. Plus, beat guys never get an offseason. The fact that I’m going to represent the entire state in this season’s Associated Press poll will make the season even more enjoyable. A Wisconsinite representing Minnesota? Gotta love it.

I’m excited. I’m sure you all are, too. Nothing against the NFL, the NHL, NCAA hockey, NCAA football, the NBA or MLB, but there’s nothing like the build-up to March Madness. Every game matters because of a bunch of criteria more complicated than the BCS. And I’m for any sport that fosters conversations about “bubble teams” three months before the season concludes.

-The Gophers may have to start their season without the services of senior center and co-captain Jonathan Williams and junior forward Damian Johnson. Williams suffered a groin injury in practice a few weeks ago, and Johnson broke his hand in mid-October but could return to the team within the next week. They’re both listed as day-to-day, according to team spokesman Matt Slieter.

-At least three Gophers recruits - Trevor Mbakwe, Rodney Williams and Royce White - are expected to sign with the Gophers Wednesday, the first day of the early signing period. I’m still waiting from confirmation from the fourth recruit, Justin Cobbs, a California point guard. I’m sure Tubby Smith’s second recruiting class at the U will be ranked among the nation’s best. Rivals.com has Minnesota’s group ranked as the No. 20 class of 2009. Indiana (No. 5) and Illinois (No. 7) also cracked the list.

This is what the 2009-10 Gophers men’s basketball roster will look next season if everyone returns and all of the recruits are academically eligible:

Center: Colton Iverson

Forward: Ralph Sampson III, Paul Carter, Damian Johnson, Royce White, Trevor Mbakwe, Devron Bostick and Travis Busch

Guard: Al Nolen, Justin Cobbs, Rodney Williams, Lawrence Westbrook, Kevin Payton, Devoe Joseph and Blake Hoffarber

This entry was posted on Monday, November 10th, 2008 at 7:29 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.