Gophers freshman forward Royce White announced his decision to withdraw from school after a Monday court appearance.

On Wednesday, athletic director Joel Maturi said White has officially left the university.

"My understanding is that he has officially withdrawn," Maturi said via text. "We wish him well." 

The Gophers released White from his scholarship Wednesday, according to a release sent by the team. Here's the team's full statement on White: 

"University of Minnesota athletics officials today announced that freshman Royce White has requested and will be granted his release from all scholarship obligations as a student-athlete at the university.

"'We are deeply saddened by the entire chain of events involving Royce White this season at the University of Minnesota,' said Minnesota head basketball coach Tubby Smith. 'However, we feel like he will always be a member of the Minnesota basketball family and want what is best for him and his immediate family. We wish him the best of luck.'"

White, a Minneapolis native and Hopkins High School graduate, practiced at times with the team this season but did not appear in an official contest.
 

Former Timberwolves guard Troy Hudson said he's talked to Minnesota freshman forward Royce White about the obstacles he'll face if he tries to make it to the NBA without playing college basketball.  White, who announced his intentions to withdraw from the university Tuesday, told the Star Tribune Monday that he will consider all of his options, which might include an attempt to go pro.

Hudson, one of White's mentors, said he advised White to stay in school for at least a year, so he could give himself an opportunity to showcase his skills for NBA scouts.

"I've always told him to make it work at the U," Hudson said Tuesday.

Hudson, who made it to the NBA without being drafted, said he hasn't talked to White about his decision to leave the university but said he believes White has the potential to play professional basketball because of his size, skill set and athleticism.

"I definitely think he can play at the next level," Hudson said. "He's just as athletic as any guy in the NBA."

The Southern Illinois product says he hasn't heard from any NBA or European teams about White but he's willing to help the former Hopkins star if he decides to go in that direction.

"I would still help him out," Hudson said.

But Hudson said he's also talked to White about some of the difficulties associated with making it to the NBA, especially if he doesn't get drafted. Hudson spent time in the CBA before landing on an NBA roster.

He said an NBA team would probably give White a tryout but he might have to start in the NBDL to "build his resume."

From the university: 

"University of Minnesota athletics officials were informed by the NCAA late Tuesday that junior point guard Al Nolen’s appeal to the Division I Progress Toward Degree Waiver Committee has been denied.

"As a result, Nolen is ineligible to compete for the Gophers or travel with the team for the balance of the 2009-10 season. He is permitted to practice with the team and take part in other team activities.

"Head coach Tubby Smith, who is on the road recruiting this week, was not available for comment. Smith’s next media availability is on Friday, February 5, prior to the Gophers’ game at Penn State on Saturday, February 6."
 

Columbus, Ohio - There are a lot of reasons to worry about the outcome of Sunday's game between Minnesota and No. 20 Ohio State if you're a Gophers fan.

The Gophers haven't won at Ohio State under Tubby Smith.

And their Jan. 9 victory at Williams Arena came after Al Nolen had one of the best games of his career (11 points, seven assists, five rebounds, four steals and two turnovers). Blake Hoffarber's 27 points in that game were a career high, too.

Nolen's academically ineligible and Hoffarber's struggled on the road.

Senior co-captain Damian Johnson, who also played well in the last meeting, has not been the same player since tearing ligaments in his right hand before a Jan. 17 overtime loss at Indiana.

Plus, I think the Buckeyes have improved since that outing. That was All-America Evan Turner's second game after returning from a back injury that kept him out six games. He was still very good but struggled to get into a rhythm until the second half.

All he's done since that game is lead Ohio State to four straight conference victories, while making a good case for national player of the year honors.

Nolen made Turner work and panic. How will Devoe Joseph defend him now that Nolen's out? 

The Gophers have a lot on the line.

Sweeping a nationally ranked Buckeyes team would give the Gophers' NCAA tournament resume a serious boost. A loss could send them spiraling into the NIT.

For both teams, however, the keys to the game are clear.

Turner's going to do everything in his power to take advantage of Joseph and whomever else Minnesota puts on him. Ohio State's a different team when Turner gets going early, something he didn't do in the last matchup between the two squads.

For the Gophers, the solution is simple.

Hoffarber has to get hot. Really hot.

The Buckeyes would have beaten the Gophers Jan. 9 without his crazy streak in the second half and their own scoring drought.

For whatever reason, Thad Matta used a zone against the nation's top three-point shooter.

Wrong answer.

On Sunday, I think David Lighty or William Buford will shadow Hoffarber, who has gone 2-for-11 from the three-point line in his last three Big Ten road games. He hasn't responded well to that kind of constant pressure in recent matchups.

In the end, I think Ohio State will outplay Minnesota, a team that's 2-6 away from Williams Arena, meaning the Gophers will enter February with even more question marks about their postseason destination.

Prediction: Ohio State 67, Minnesota 59

-Johnson's really struggled with the thumb injury that has affected his entire game and the entire team.

He's not as active on the glass because I think he's in a lot of pain.

In the last three games, Johnson has averaged 6.0 points and 1.3 rebounds per game. Still, he managed to pick up five steals and eight blocks during that stretch.

How is this guy leading the Big Ten in steals and blocks with that kind of injury? 

"He hasn't been able to rebound the ball as well," Smith said. "With a tendon tear like that. He's got a protective soft cast. He has struggled, but he's a gamer. He's a guy that's made up for it. I told him 'learn to use your left hand more.'"

-Hoffarber on his success in the last matchup against Ohio State: "I was just trying to move a lot more." That's significant for the Gophers. He's much more dangerous when he's active away from the ball.

-Sunday's matchup is a Coaches vs. Cancer game, so Smith and his staff will wear tennis shoes on the sidelines.

-Are the Gophers facing the Minnesota Timberwolves' lottery pick? Maybe. Turner's definitely played his way into the lottery and some prognosticators think he's good enough to be a top five pick.

The T-Wolves need a lot of things and Turner can do a lot of things. It could happen.

-I've seen some pretty good halftime performances in my three years on this beat. The lady that changes into like 20 outfits in three minutes. Amazing. The super trampoline dunkers. Good stuff. The speedy dogs. I like it.

But I'm kind of excited for Sunday's halftime ceremony, which will honor Ohio State's 1960 national champions. Expected to attend: Bob Knight, former Boston Celtics great John Havlicek and NBA Hall of Famer Jerry Lucas.

-The Gophers and Buckeyes haven't been on good terms in recent years. The last game ended with a shoving match. Former Ohio State star Luke Witte, who was severely injured in a 1972 clash between the two teams, cautioned both squads to control their emotions.

"The thing that concerns me about that is you should be out there to play a game," he said earlier this week. "You do the best you can. You use your skill level. ... Basketball isn't a game that you can play angry."