Hitting Big Ten's road is a new test for Gophers

The Gophers will gauge how good they really are in Iowa, where they could face anything from flying pizza to personal insults.

By MYRON P. MEDCALF, Star Tribune

Last update: January 8, 2009 - 6:11 AM

A few seasons ago, a Northwestern basketball fan threw a piece of pizza at an Illinois student manager before a game. Illini fans have been known to taunt opposing teams' doctors and Ohio State fans distribute fliers that list birthdays, favorite movies and other personal information about its opponents.

With so many involved crowds in the Big Ten, Gophers coach Tubby Smith doesn't expect the fans at Carver-Hawkeye Arena to seek handshakes and autographs when the Gophers arrive to face Iowa tonight in Minnesota's first Big Ten road game.

The Hawkeyes (11-4, 1-1 Big Ten) are undefeated (9-0) at home this season.

For the No. 22 Gophers, 13-1 overall and 1-1 in the Big Ten, it will be their first major road test of the season.

"On the road, it's a matter of execution because Iowa's not going to beat themselves," Smith said after Wednesday's practice. "Every game's important. Certainly, we haven't been away from home in a while, so this will be interesting, how we respond in a real hostile arena."

Freshman post player Ralph Sampson III will experience that kind of atmosphere for the first time.

He expects something similar to a high school state title game, which at the moment is his only point of reference.

"I'm pretty sure the fans will be loud, the gym will be loud," he said. "It'll definitely be something to get used to. I'm pretty sure it'll probably be something like a state championship game, except for only bigger."

In the Big Ten, playing well at home is the norm. The good road teams wiggle their way into the NCAA tournament. The Gophers were 3-6 on the road in the Big Ten last season.

Since road victories are often hard to come by in the Big Ten, beating the Hawkeyes could have long-term benefits for a Gophers team with its sights set on its first NCAA tournament bid since 2005.

"We have to win at least four or five, I feel, on the road because the Big Ten gets tough this year, real difficult," said junior forward Damian Johnson, who leads the team in blocks with 27. "I think you need a couple of wins on the road to be successful and go to the NCAA [tournament]."

With crowd support and familiarity -- Minnesota's opponents often think twice before diving for loose balls on the elevated court at Williams Arena -- Big Ten squads find ways to make the away team play their style of basketball. The road teams that can overcome that homecourt mojo will likely battle for the conference crown in a league with seven teams that received votes in the latest ESPN/coaches' and Associated Press polls.

"From one to 11 is definitely more competitive," said Wisconsin coach Bo Ryan. "Road wins, you're going to have to hit shots, you're going to have to try to keep the crowd out of the game as much as possible ... I don't know if the numbers are going to change very much but boy, when you can get one in the Big Ten, that's huge."

In last season's home game against Michigan State, Iowa held the Sweet 16-bound Spartans to 36 points in an upset. This season, Iowa has held opponents to 55.9 points per game, the second-best mark in the league. The Hawkeyes also spread defenses as the league's best three-point shooting team (41 percent).

The Gophers will have to find ways to control the tempo, Smith said. But for the first time in Big Ten play, a young Gophers squad will have to do that without the backing of a home crowd.

"The Big Ten is really good this year," said sophomore point guard Al Nolen. "So you really gotta try to steal some wins away from your home court and take care of home. I think that's going to be really key down the road for us."