College basketball writer Myron Medcalf and I just shot a video for startribune.com that should be up shortly.

After watching the Gophers practice today, I was struck by how loose and confident they all seemed. Especially coach Tubby Smith. I don't know if that means anything, or if they're just more comfortable in the tourney after having had the experience last year, but I wouldn't be surprised if they beat Xavier on Friday.

Myron and I will be back at Bradley Center early Friday for the game - and all the games here. We'll be blogging, tweeting and writing for the paper as long as the Gophers are alive.

I"ll be watching a few players who could end up with the Timberwolves, including Ohio State's Evan Turner and Georgia Tech's Derrick Favors.

I love Turner's game, and he'd be able to help the Wolves right away. But John Wall is one of those lightning point guards who makes everyone better. Turner is the better player today, but I'd take Wall over Turner for a team building for the future.

I'm on am-1500 at 7:45 a.m. and 6:05 p.m. on Friday. Sunday, we have the Ron Gardenhire show on am-1500 at 9:30 a.m., then Sunday Sports talk from 10-noon.

You can follow me on Twitter at Souhanstrib.