U men's gameday: Gophers vs. Eastern Washington

Last update: November 25, 2008 - 10:00 PM

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7:30 P.M. VS. EASTERN WASHINGTON • WILLIAMS ARENA • TV: BIG TEN NET. (830-AM)

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Preview: The Gophers are 4-0 for the first time since the 2002-03 season, but none of the games has come easy. The Gophers pulled off a one-point victory at Colorado State on Saturday in their only true nonconference road game. Tonight, the Gophers face Eastern Washington (3-1), a team that might present some of the same problems that Colorado State did, and they might be without leading scorer Lawrence Westbrook, who has a right shin injury. The Eagles' lone loss came at Illinois 66-50 on Nov. 14.

Key players: Texas Tech transfer Benny Valentine, a tough, 5-7 guard, leads Eastern Washington in scoring, averaging 18 points per game, while 6-9, 245-pound center Brandon Moore averages 13 points and 7.5 rebounds. Gophers guard Al Nolen, who scored 13 of his 16 points in the second half Saturday, could again have to pick up a chunk of the scoring load if Westbrook can't play. Nolen leads the team with 33 minutes per game, and his 10.8 points per game is second to Westbrook's 13.5.

Numbers: A longer three-point line has been a greater challenge for the Gophers, who entered Tuesday eighth in the Big Ten at shooting 33.3 percent from beyond the arc. Eastern Washington has made only 30.3 percent of its three-point tries.

MYRON P. MEDCALF

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