5ive Questions: Why can't I watch this game on TV!?!

What's up, Gophers fans?

The 17th-ranked Gophers (10-1) will face South Dakota State (8-3) Thursday night at the Barn.

Here are five questions about that game:

What kind of impact will Al Nolen have in the team's final nonconference game?

That's the big question for Thursday's game. Nolen is anxious to get back out there and work off the "rust" before Big Ten play begins. In theory, it's a smart decision. If Nolen doesn't feel right against SDSU, Tubby Smith can sit him and give him more rest before back to back Big Ten road games next week.

But players have supported Nolen's claims that he's approaching 100 percent. He's practiced at full speed in recent days. Trevor Mbakwe said he competed like he hadn't missed any time.

The Gophers miss his on-the-ball defensive pressure and poise. His 9.2 points and 4.2 assists per game should help, too.

Not everyone, however, agrees.

What player could use a big game and a boost before Big Ten play starts next week?

Rodney Williams attacked the rim in stretches in Minnesota's last game against Akron. The result? A 12-point, 10-rebound game, his first career double-double. A big game built on the same strategy will give him a confidence boost and proof that he can contribute consistently if he's more aggressive.

How can SDSU pull off the upset?

For starters, Nate Wolters (18.9 ppg) played at St. Cloud Tech. And Minnesota kids love to fill it up at the Barn.

The Jackrabbits have hit 40.5 percent of their three-point attempts. And the Gophers struggle to defend the three-point line.

It can happen.

How will Devoe Joseph respond to a reserve role?

Joseph isn't a point guard. But he'll probably play that role with the second unit, if Smith starts Nolen ... no guarantee. The biggest thing is that Joseph has to lead the reserves, if he ultimately comes off the bench. So his attitude will be very important.

But I don't think he'll be coming off the bench for long if that move happens now. I like the three-guard lineup for this team.

The SDSU-Minny matchup is available on ESPN3.com. No TV for the seventh time this season, including exhibitions.

But why?

"All of the home Big Ten games go into what can sort of be described as a draft, and there is a selection process from there," according to Big Ten Network spokesman Mike Vest.

Within that process, ESPN won the rights to Thursday's game.

And ...