Gophers pregame: Senior day at the Barn

Today is senior day at Williams Arena. Coach Tubby Smith said on Friday that he plans to start all of his seniors: Trevor Mbakwe, Rodney Williams, Julian Welch and Andre Ingram.

Trevor Mbakwe has been here before, honored at last year's senior day in dress clothes because the Gophers didn't know whether he'd be back. It's been a long collegiate career for the Gophers' sixth-year senior, who missed a year first for a suspension due to legal proceedings and then last year to a torn ACL.

For Rodney Williams, it's gone by quickly, even if the memories amount to a lot.

"It didn't really hit me yet. I'm sure it will hit me right when they're bringing our parents out," the senior said on Friday. "I didn't think it would come so fast. All the time you hear people say that these are going to be four of the fastest years of your life but you never really believe until it happens to you. They were right."

At the same time, a lot has happened. Williams came in with a recruiting class that included Royce White, Justin Cobbs and Mbakwe, who was a transfer. Only one – the latter, and the one who wasn't supposed to be – is still at Minnesota. The Gophers made the NCAA tournament his first season, charged through the NIT last year, brought the fans gleeful moments and bitter disappointments – words that could describe moments of Williams' career as well.

"For me, it's been a long four years," Williams said, his eyes watering just a little. "We've been through a lot of ups and downs, but it's always good to be here in front of our home crowd, and I'm going to miss it."

Williams was the only senior made available at yesterday's media access. But from Smith and teammates, some other thoughts on the emotional day:

Austin Hollins: "We're definitely going to miss those guys. Rodney has been here since I've been here, Trevor as well. It's going to be a big night. We want to go out and get the win, not just for us as a team, but for the seniors that will be here. It's going to be special."

Smith: "It's good to have three seniors from the area – Andre Ingram, Rodney and Trevor … I hope they can play well. I hope they have a memorable game for them and for the fans. That's always a bittersweet type thing, when you have senior day. But this has been a good group to coach. Rodney has done a lot of good things here at the University of Minnesota. He should get his degree, Trevor's working on his master's. That's what you come to school for, to get an education, and hopefully they'll leave here better people because of it."

Other notes on today's game:

Extra points: