*I previously reported Ralph Sampson III would start -- as a team source confirmed -- but ultimately the team decided to rest the senior.
- Lineup:
PG: Andre Hollins
SG: Julian Welch
SF: Austin Hollins
PF: Rodney Williams
C: Elliott Eliason
Tonight the Gophers face Appalachian State as they start to wind down their non-conference portion of the schedule. After two emotional wins in two games since Trevor Mbakwe left for the season with a torn right ACL and Ralph Sampson III joined him on the bench with a turned ankle, the Gophers hope to keep the momentum rolling.
"I think we've made the transition pretty good so far in playing without Trevor Mbakwe and waiting for Ralph to continue to get healthy," coach Tubby Smith said. "I think guys like Elliott, Rodney, Julian have really stepped up their play and so has everyone on the team. I've been very impressed with our team overall."
Ralph Sampson III will miss his third consecutive start with a turned left ankle.
Andre Hollins is expected to start despite tweaking his ankle in Saturday's game against USC.
Two things Smith is looking for tonight against Appalachian State:
1. Limit the turnovers. In the first half of Saturday's game, the Gophers committed 12 turnovers -- including six from the three starting guards – which ultimately handed USC 10 points. "We just took out a ruler and swatted their hands [at halftime]," Smith joked. But he's not joking about the improvement part. The Gophers have been emphasizing ballhandling in practice and hope to see tighter play tonight.
2. Keep it up, Rodney. Without Mbakwe or Sampson in the lineup, Rodney Williams has had two very solid games, playing with a seemingly new sense of calling and urgency as the veteran on the court.
You can watch tonight's game on the Big Ten Network- Listen to the game live on 1500ESPN or here
Read my preview here
Check out notes on Appalachian State here
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