5ive Questions: Gophers shorthanded in Tuesday's Border Battle

What's up, Gophers fans?

It all gets started Tuesday. Gophers at Wisconsin. Big Ten opener. Meaningful matchups from now until the end of the year.

Here are five questions about Tuesday's game:

How does Mo Walker's knee injury change the Border Battle?

Mo Walker's injury potentially changes the entire Big Ten season for the 14th-ranked Gophers.

Tubby Smith said the freshman post player will miss Tuesday's game. And a source close to the program said Monday that he could be out for a lengthy period with a serious knee injury.

Now Smith has to reconfigure his rotation, the norm this season.

After the win over South Dakota State last week, when Walker suffered the knee injury, Smith said he might use a three-guard starting lineup in the future. He reiterated that possibility after he taped his radio show in Roseville Monday.

Against the Jackrabbits, Smith used Devoe Joseph, Al Nolen, Blake Hoffarber, Rodney Williams and Ralph Sampson III down the stretch.

When Williams picked up his fourth foul, he replaced him with Iverson.

The second unit, however, needs a veteran floor leader like Nolen or Joseph Tuesday. Here's what I envision for Tuesday:

Starters: Nolen, Hoffarber, Williams, Mbakwe and Sampson

What does the Big Ten opener mean for the rest of the season?

When asked about the stakes on his radio show Monday, Smith said, "It won't make or break our season."

I agree with that. But that doesn't change the fact that this game means a lot.

The Gophers need a good start in this five-game stretch. It's a difficult run. One loss could lead to another and another and another .... you get the point.

If they've really improved from last season, they'll find ways to win tough road games, something they didn't do in Smith's first three seasons. It doesn't get much tougher than a road game at Wisconsin.

Will Trevor Mbakwe produce in Big Ten play?

We'll find out over the next five games, when Mbakwe will face Jon Leuer, Draymond Green, Christian Watford, Jared Sullinger and JaJuan Johnson.

If he's a premier big man in this league, he'll produce in the first five games. I think he's capable if he plays to his strengths.

His game is all about staying close to the rim on both ends of the floor. If he gets the ball down low, few can stop him from going to the basket because of his strength.

But he'll have to play a more versatile role on defense with Walker's injury.

What's Minnesota's biggest problem entering Big Ten play?

Consistency.

You can't really attach a number to it. It's an attitude.

It's the difference between "winning is the only thing that matters" basketball against North Carolina and West Virginia in Puerto Rico and "whatever happens happens" basketball against South Dakota State and Virginia.

The Gophers get up for games like this. But they don't always have their foot on the gas. That sense of urgency is a must in Big Ten play. I don't care if you're playing Iowa.

How can the Gophers push the pace against Wisconsin?

It's a tough task. Few teams control the tempo like the Badgers. They rarely turn the ball over (9.0 turnovers per game). And they play at a high level without ever appearing rushed.

For starters, the Gophers have to take care of the ball. They recorded one turnover in the second half against South Dakota State. They have to play that way against the Badgers.

And solid guard play will be key. Nolen, Joseph and Hoffarber need to play with a lot of poise.

They also have to attack. Inside, inside, inside, inside from the tip.

Wisconsin 66, Minnesota 59 (I'm 11-1 this season)

SCOUTING REPORT: WISCONSIN

Record: 10-2

Pros

-Jon Leuer is comfortable inside and outside. Makes him tough to guard. Bigs can't move with him. Wings aren't big enough to defend him.

-The Badgers rarely turn the ball over.

-And they've lost 11 times in the Bo Ryan era at the Kohl Center, dating back to the 2001-02 season.

Cons

-They're not that athletic.

-Might be a one-man band offensively. Leuer went 9-27 in their two losses.