Jim Souhan: Simplicity has turned shot into thing of beauty

In an end-to-end game that left sleek athletes gasping for air and barking insults, the key player was a guy with all the quickness of lava and the temper of a drowsy monk.

Amid the explosive leaping and flammable tempers that marked the Gophers' 73-62 victory over Ohio State on Saturday at Williams Arena stood Blake Hoffarber, following a metronomic routine simple as shampoo instructions: set, catch, release.

Last year, those steps often led to a loud clanging sound, as his three-pointers caromed off the rim. Earlier this week, in the Gophers' loss at Purdue on Tuesday, he had trouble even getting open to take his shot, winding up 1-for-4 from the three-point line and scoring only three points.

Saturday, though, Hoffarber dominated a frenetic game with a motion seemingly simple as brushing his hair, making seven of his nine three-point attempts and scoring a career-high 27 points in a game the Gophers, considering the difficulty of their upcoming schedule, had to win to remain in contention in the Big Ten.

Hoffarber fell one three-pointer short of tying his school record of eight in a game, set against Northern Illinois on Dec. 15.

Considering Hoffarber is often the slowest player on the court, it was like watching a statue win a dance contest. "I was a little stagnant at Purdue," he said. "I wasn't moving to get open. I started moving my feet and my teammates set great picks to get me open."

Preventing Hoffarber from shooting three-pointers has to be one of the points of emphasis for any opposing coach, so Hoffarber admits to surprise when he actually finds himself open. "Any time I get a little open," he said, "I get a little excited and surprised."

It's a productive state of mind for the junior from Hopkins. Saturday, he hit all six of his free throws, had two assists, and didn't turn the ball over against an athletic, if shallow, group of athletes from Ohio State.

While Buckeyes star Evan Turner, a 6-7 wing who took over at point guard Saturday, displayed NBA skills all over the court -- driving end to end for layups, driving and dishing, leaping above the rim -- Hoffarber concentrated on the subtleties of his role.

He slid toward open areas of the court. He reminded himself to move his feet, to make himself more difficult to cover. He repeated the mantras that have helped him recover his sweet stroke.

As a freshman, Hoffarber made 42.7 percent of his three-point attempts and averaged 8.4 points per game. As a sophomore, he lost confidence in his form and made only 34.1 percent of his attempts from behind the line, averaging 6.4 points per game.

Over the summer, Hoffarber refined his shot and noticed a flaw: noticed that when he shot poorly, it was often because his elbow stuck out. He also put on some muscle, to help him shoot with more consistency and confidence.

The result: This season, Hoffarber is making 52.1 percent of his three-point attempts and is averaging 12.2 points, second on the Gophers only to Lawrence Westbrook's 13.6 average.

Hoffarber has transformed himself from a liability into a team strength. When he hits a three, he does more than score three points. He stretches defenses, opening up driving lanes for his teammates and gives the Gophers a chance to set their defense.

With Hoffarber eliminated against Purdue, the Gophers offense looked stagnant. With Hoffarber hitting shots on Saturday, the Gophers' lack of an inside game never mattered.

As for his slump, his coach, Tubby Smith, said: "You go through that. Pitchers go through that, hitters go through that, people go through that.

"And people are going to design certain defenses to stop you, and to make you do something else, and Blake is better at shot-faking and getting to the basket, and I think that's one of the things he's worked better at, to be a little more patient."

Hoffarber doesn't have much choice. He can't blow by defenders, can't leap over them, can't outmuscle them. He must stand and slide and wait for his teammates to set him up for that slight opening that leads to set, catch, release.

And, this year, more often than not, a swish.

Jim Souhan can be heard at 10-noon Sunday, and 6:40 a.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday on AM-1500. His Twitter name is SouhanStrib. • jsouhan@startribune.com