Spring signing period begins; U plans on hold

The two men's basketball players the Gophers want remain undecided.

By MYRON P. MEDCALF, Star Tribune

Last update: April 15, 2008 - 11:17 PM

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The Gophers aren't anticipating a lot of action on the first day of the national spring men's basketball signing period. That's because the two players that Minnesota wants to add to its next recruiting class -- point guard Verdell Jones III of Champaign, Ill., and center Krys Faber of Los Angeles -- haven't made up their minds.

Both Faber, who averaged 15.8 points and 17.5 rebounds for Ribet Academy last season, and Jones, a top recruit from Champaign Central, have the Gophers, along with a few other schools, at the top of their lists. And both players intend to make decisions in the near future.

Verdell Jones Jr. said Tuesday that his son might take a few more recruiting trips to Arizona and Virginia before making a final decision, but he likes Minnesota's coaching staff and enjoyed his trip to Minneapolis last fall. "I know he's fond of [coach] Tubby [Smith]," he said. "We're fond of Tubby."

Faber's high school coach, Willie Middlebrooks, said other schools, such as UCLA, continue to pursue the center, but the Gophers remain as one of his top choices. Faber recently visited DePaul and enjoyed the visit there, Middlebrooks said, but he will also wait to pick a school.

ACC/Big Ten Challenge field set

Minnesota's men's basketball team will face Virginia next season in the 10th annual ACC/Big Ten Challenge at Williams Arena Dec. 2. The Gophers are 3-1 against Virginia and 3-6 overall in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge.

The Gophers and Virginia have met twice previously in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge, most recently in 2003 when Virginia claimed an 86-78 victory. The Gophers defeated Virginia 74-62 in 1999.

Gophers coach Tubby Smith has an 0-1 career record against Cavaliers. The Gophers lost at Florida State Nov. 26 in last season's ACC/Big Ten Challenge matchup.

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