Gophers flexing some offensive skill

If this is, in fact, a turnaround for the Gophers, there's no single thing that can be called the reason.

In a two-game turnaround heading into Sunday's game against Northwestern, the Gophers have shot better, defended better and gotten to the free-throw line far more often than they did earlier in the Big Ten season.

As always, it's about execution. But recently, the Gophers have taken a new approach to that execution. And as it turns out, it's making them a more efficient team.

The flex, an offense designed to maximize ball movement by screening and cutting to the basket, is something the Gophers have used on and off throughout coach Tubby Smith's tenure. Recently, though, it has become the heart of their new identity.

"It's not something we're doing exclusively, but it gives us some real continuity," Smith said. "We kind of use it because we needed more movement, more screening."

The aggressive scheme first became really noticeable this season in the Gophers' 77-74 victory at then-No. 7 Indiana on Jan. 12. With the ball moving better and through more hands, the Gophers were able to free up players to shoot more often. The result was a faster-paced offense that seemed to catch the Hoosiers off guard and enabled the Gophers to exploit their athleticism.

By design, the flex gets a lot of players involved, and in constantly creating screens, it requires a more up-tempo style of play, something Smith has been seeking since the beginning of the season.

"He wants us to get up and down the court more -- I think this offense helps that out," junior forward Rodney Williams said.

The Gophers have changed a lot since losing Trevor Mbakwe to a season-ending knee injury in November. Without the same presence inside, the high-low offense the Gophers have traditionally used with recent big men hasn't been effective and created a stagnant perimeter. But the flex works perfectly for a team heavy on wing players who can essentially play guard or forward and thrive around the basket.

So far, that approach has seemingly allowed the Gophers to best utilize their strengths and has confused defenses with its many scoring options, making it, perhaps, a legitimate possibility to use as the Gophers attempt to claw their way back into conference contention.

"The flex can take so many shapes that Coach Smith can take it and, even though it looks like it's one continuous type of continuity, there's so many different ways that you can attack with a flex offense," Michigan coach John Beilein said. "It's always difficult because the parts are so interchangeable."

The addition of Joe Coleman in the lineup is one of the main reasons the Gophers have been able to make the offensive change and do it well. With the freshman starting, the Gophers looks more athletic, and his aggressiveness makes him a good candidate to run the baseline and cut to the hoop.

With about five minutes left in the first half against Penn State last Sunday, the Gophers went into the flex, and the result was Coleman twice getting layups, making a short jumper, getting to the foul line four times and snatching the momentum heading into halftime.

"I think guys like Joe Coleman, he's only 6-3, 6-4, but he's excellent around the basket," Smith said "So if he can get an angle or beat you to the spot or if he can rub his man off, then he'll have a better chance. Same thing with Rodney. So that's why it's been helping."

With two consecutive victories after four consecutive defeats, the Gophers hope that help will continue.