5ive Questions: How will the Gophers handle the road?

Philadelphia - The No. 22 Gophers (7-1) face St. Joseph's (3-5) at Hagan Arena (seating capacity 4,200) in Philadelphia at 6 p.m.

This is the first true road game for the Gophers, who will kick off Big Ten action with three of their first four games away from Williams Arena.

What's the big deal about a road game against a subpar team?

The Gophers should beat a struggling St. Joseph's squad that's lost three consecutive games. But this will be the first time that the Gophers, who rely on four freshman in their second unit, play a true road game. They haven't experienced a really hostile environment at the Division I level.

The Gophers entered the 2010-11 season with a 6-5 record in nonconference games away from Williams Arena during Tubby Smith's tenure. The Puerto Rico Tipoff was a huge step.

But this is still a team that's struggled at times away from home. And the Gophers have proven that they can beat a good team (North Carolina, West Virginia) and still find a way to lose to a mediocre one (Virginia) days later.

I don't expect a letdown, but you never know with this squad.

Who will run the show?

Devoe Joseph is expected to start against the St. Joseph's. Fitting since the school was named after him.

What the junior combo guard lacks in on-the-ball defense and game management, he makes up for with his offensive ability.

This is the kind of game that could end before halftime if the Gophers get off to a good start and maintain their momentum in the second half. Joseph's offense could be key to that kind of an effort.

Where can I watch the game?

Not sure why a nationally ranked college basketball team in this market isn't on TV, but that's the way it's gone for the Gophers this season.

What's up with Ralph Sampson III?

I talked to Sampson about his inconsistency for Wednesday's paper. And he admitted that he has trouble maintaining a high energy level from game to game.

I don't think he'll ever play with Ron Artest's emotion. He's not built that way. But you can see when he's engaged on the floor and when his mind is somewhere else.

I've talked to people who say he's not hungry because he didn't grow up poor like his father and other great basketball players. Funny how Kobe Bryant traveled the world with his family and no one ever tries to connect his upbringing to his desire. Michael Jordan didn't grow up poor, either.

And Sampson has to make a real decision this season about who he wants to be on the basketball court. If his goal is to make money doing this and pursue a professional career after college, then he has to find a way to stay engaged for 40 minutes. That's when he plays his best basketball.

I think his teammates and coaches are pushing him more than ever to play with that kind of heart.

What's your prediction?