Coach Tubby Smith hinted Monday during the weekly Big Ten media conference call that Andre Hollins could start Tuesday against Ohio State based on how he has played recently off the bench -- particularly in Thursday's loss to Wisconsin, when the freshman scored 20 points, had six rebounds and was instrumental in forcing overtime.
"He played well and he may start tomorrow, the way he played the other day," Smith said. "He's given us a new energy level even though we lost the game. The minutes he's been getting, he's been doing a good job with."
Smith has not said who would replace in the starting lineup, but hinted that it would not be freshman Joe Coleman, who has gone scoreless in his last three games. A likely candidate could be point guard Julian Welch, who has failed to reach double-figures in points three of his last five games and who has 15 turnovers in that span.
The Gophers' opened the season with Hollins starting at point, but the freshman was inconsistent and wound up sharing a lot of time with backups Welch and Maverick Ahamisi. When he turned an ankle in December, he lost the starting job altogether, with first Ahanmisi, then Welch stepping in as replacements.
One of Smith's greatest concerns about Hollins has been his defense, which still needs to mature. But at this point, the Gophers are more desperate for and offensive spark.
"The confidence comes when you're healthier, when you're making shots, when you're playing good minutes and you're doing good things with the quality minutes that you get," Smith said.
I'll have more on this later this afternoon when the Gophers have media access after practice.
