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The Gophers started Rodney Williams and Devoe Joseph for the first time and stomped the Wolverines.

By MYRON P. MEDCALF, Star Tribune

Last update: November 20, 2009 - 12:00 AM

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GOPHERS MEN 76, UTAH VALLEY 51

Up next: vs. No. 11 Butler (76 Classic in Anaheim, Calif.) • 7:30 p.m. Thursday • TV: ESPN2 (830-AM)

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The value of the Gophers men's basketball team's depth -- because of suspensions, legal challenges and now illness -- continues to rise.

And Minnesota will need it when it enters the toughest stretch of the nonconference season, beginning with a matchup against No. 11 Butler on Thanksgiving as part of the 76 Classic in Anaheim, Calif.

They had success, after some early struggles, with a couple of new starters in their final tuneup before that crucial tournament, a 76-51 victory over Utah Valley on Thursday night at Williams Arena.

Leading scorer Lawrence Westbrook missed the game because of food poisoning, prompting another change in the starting lineup.

The Gophers (3-0) used two first-time starters: sophomore guard Devoe Joseph, who went 3-for-13 and scored eight points, and freshman forward Rodney Williams, who finished with a game-high 17 points and scored eight in a row during one second-half run.

Although Joseph had his worst game of the young season, Gophers coach Tubby Smith said he appreciated the way Joseph attacked the basket. Williams likely will remain a starter, after averaging 15 points through three games, Smith said.

"I got a lot of confidence in all these guys," Smith said. "They earn that opportunity every day in practice and certainly, I wish I could play them all 40 minutes or 30 minutes a game, but I can't."

There were some chemistry problems early with the team's second starting rotation in three regular-season games. Minnesota shot 34.3 percent from the field in the first half and went 3-for-14 from the three-point line.

Utah Valley (1-2), competing in its first season as a full-fledged Division I program, made 42.9 percent of its shots before halftime, when Minnesota led 32-24 after a late 11-4 run broke open a 21-20 back-and-forth tussle.

The Gophers, in trademark fashion, turned up the tempo in the second half, when they connected on more than half of their shots (15 of 28, 53.6 percent), in a game played in front of an announced crowd of 11,912.

The benefits of the tougher-than-it-should-have-been victory? Minnesota continues to prove to itself and everyone else that it's dangerously deep.

"I think today Rodney really gave us a heck of a boost in the game," said point guard Al Nolen, who finished with 11 points and seven assists. "And I think Devoe, he came out and did well, too. ... But most of all, I think those guys stepped in really well. And we have a deep team, so we're able to do those things."

But the Gophers know a ranked team such as Butler won't give them much time to figure things out. Utah Valley was down by only seven points with 11:08 to play Thursday.

"I think we gotta just learn how to get it going early," said senior forward Damian Johnson, who had 15 points, six boards and two steals.

Utah Valley outrebounded the Gophers 34-29. Trevor Mbakwe and Royce White, sidelined because of legal issues, were expected to help them on the boards. Senior guard Devron Bostick also is suspended indefinitely.

But Minnesota's defense was stellar. A refined press helped the team force 26 turnovers and make 15 steals.

Smith said he's comfortable with all of his players, going into next week's critical tournament.

"We have good chemistry on this team," he said. "I like this group of guys and how hard they're working."

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