Gophers are out of sight but hardly out of mind

The basketball Gophers played 86 regular-season games during Spencer Tollackson's first three years in the program. Sixty-seven of those were readily available to cable subscribers in the Twin Cities.

Tollackson and his teammates have played 12 games in the run-up to the Big Ten schedule, which opens tonight at Michigan State. One of those 12 -- a loss at Florida State in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge -- was readily available on Twin Cities cable.

Tubby Smith's conference debut tonight is on the Big Ten Network, making it merely a rumor to the vast majority of Twin Cities television households. Worst case, three of the Gophers' 18 Big Ten games will be available on cable here. Best case, the number will be six.

Let's be generous and make it five conference games that will show up on an ESPN outlet or on CBS. That makes the math simple:

Twenty percent (six of 30) of the Gophers' regular-season games will be available on cable in Tollackson's senior season, compared to 78 percent (67 of 86) in those three previous years.

"Thanks to the Big Ten Network, you guys are The Invisibles in the metro area," a reporter said to Tollackson on Friday.

The center and co-captain nodded and said: "That's right, and I know a lot of people are frustrated."

What we need is some insight on The Invisibles. OK, big man?

It was OK, and Tollackson offered these snapshots of teammates.

Jon Williams, backup junior center: "He's our gentle giant. Off the court, he's the nicest guy you could meet. On the court, he wants to pound you every chance he gets."

Dan Coleman, starting senior forward: "He's really spacey ... a funny guy off the court. We look at him to lead us in games. We all have an appreciation for his talent."

Jamal Abu-Shamala, starting junior forward: "Jamal and I are the best of friends. He's a fierce competitor. He's a shooter, but even if the shots aren't falling, he's going to be emotional ... do everything he can to light the fire in us."

Lawrence McKenzie, starting senior guard: "Another fierce competitor. We want him on our side at the end of a game. He's also my roommate this year. We thought, as co-captains, it was a good idea to be in the same apartment, so if there's a team matter, we can walk in the next room and talk about it."

Damian Johnson, backup sophomore forward: "It usually takes a while at this level to show everything you can do. This is his third year in the program, and he's come into his own. He's by far our best defensive player. He's also the funniest person I've ever met. He says the goofiest stuff, and in that Thibodaux, Louisiana, drawl ... he's hilarious."

Al Nolen Jr., backup freshman guard: "Every time I came to the gym this summer, Al was shooting. Every time I went to the weight room, Al was lifting. He put in the effort and he's been outstanding for us."

Blake Hoffarber, backup freshman guard: "Any time he shoots the ball, everyone in the arena -- including us -- expects it to go in. He's fairly quiet, as are most freshmen."

Lawrence Westbrook, starting sophomore guard: "He's my boy. He can joke around with the best. He came in with a reputation for wanting to shoot all the time, but he's not that way. He's a terrific teammate."

Travis Busch, seldom-used sophomore guard: "Trav is another close friend. He was hurt early in the season, and that set him back. He definitely can shoot."

And, finally, Spencer Tollackson, starting senior center?

"I guess I'm a romantic," he said. "I always look for the best in people, look for the best in any situation. And I can tell you, I've never been as excited as an athlete as I am for the start of this Big Ten season."

Good luck, Spencer, starting tonight with big, bad Sparty. We'll be watching.

Wait. On second thought, most of us won't.