U rout puts attention on the floor (exhib.)

Jeff Wheeler, Star Tribune

Wearing dress shirts and ties on Thursday night at Williams Arena were, from left, Gophers senior Devron Bostick, freshman Royce White and junior Trevor Mbakwe.

With three players sitting out for the forseeable future, the Gophers showed how they might look without them in an exhibition victory over UMD.

By MYRON P. MEDCALF, Star Tribune

Last update: November 6, 2009 - 12:50 AM

Print this story

Follow Myron on Twitter

GOPHERS 114, MINNESOTA DULUTH 47 (EXHIBITION)

Up next: 7 p.m. Monday vs. MSU-Moorhead (exhib.) • Williams Arena • No TV or radio

More from Gophers

During the most turbulent week in coach Tubby Smith's tenure at Minnesota, the Gophers finally got a chance to focus on basketball Thursday night.

Playing their first of two exhibition games, the Gophers beat Division II Minnesota Duluth 114-47 at Williams Arena, while providing some insight into how their rotation will operate without Royce White, Devron Bostick and Trevor Mbakwe, all of whom are sidelined indefinitely.

White, Mbakwe and Bostick were on the sidelines wearing dress shirts and ties Thursday. White, who was arrested two weeks ago for shoplifting and fifth-degree assault at the Mall of America, and Bostick are suspended indefinitely due to unspecified rules violations, Smith announced Tuesday. Those suspensions came one day after athletic director Joel Maturi said Mbakwe won't play until his legal case stemming from a felony assault charge in Miami is resolved.

Smith said it felt good to play a game and get away from some of this week's distractions.

"That's what it's about," Smith said. "Everybody's disappointed because [Bostick and White] hurt the team. Guys are not here. They're suspended for something, some conduct. ... But certainly, they haven't held up their end of the bargain."

Thus, the same players who led the Gophers to an NCAA tournament appearance in March will once again carry the load, at least initially. White and Mbakwe are expected to play major roles -- if they are allowed to compete.

Damian Johnson had the best all-around performance for the Gophers on Thursday with 16 points, 10 rebounds, four assists, three blocks and seven steals against the Bulldogs. Fellow senior co-captain Lawrence Westbrook led all scorers with 19 points.

Rodney Williams, a versatile 6-7 small forward from Cooper, provided a spark in a reserve role on both ends of the floor in his first collegiate action, albeit unofficial. The freshman finished with 11 points, three blocks and two steals.

Williams' two-handed slam over Minnesota Duluth's Erik Powers in the first half was a hot topic after the game. "The dunk Rodney had was probably 'SportsCenter' No. 1, " Johnson said.

It was also a sign of the team's upgraded athleticism, the result of a nationally ranked recruiting class.

Second-year big men Ralph Sampson III and Colton Iverson added 13 and 12 points, respectively.

And sophomore Devoe Joseph provided depth at point guard and shooting guard. He gave the Gophers 18 points.

Ryan Rasmussen led UMD with 12 points.

"You got to play someone," Smith said after the blowout. "You need a game under your belt. ... It's like a crescendo, you want to build your momentum as you go along."

Recent Gophers stories

Hobson has career-high 30 points to lead New Mexico over Louisiana Tech 81-52 - November 6, 2009

Hobson has career-high 30 points to lead New Mexico over Louisiana Tech 81-52 - Junior-college transfer Darington Hobson scored a career-high 30 points Saturday to lead New Mexico to an 81-52 victory over Louisiana Tech in the Basketball Travelers World Vision Classic. More