Gophers pass Top 10 test behind Hoffarber, defense

In Blake Hoffarber's first three seasons with the Gophers, defenders accosted him whenever he crept near the three-point line because he rarely took shots from anywhere else.

But Hoffarber set out to become a more versatile player in his final year.

In a 70-67 upset over eighth-ranked Purdue (15-2, 4-1 Big Ten) Thursday, Hoffarber finished with a team-high 26 points, which he accrued on jump shots, runners, floaters and threes.

"Towards the end of last year, I was getting a little frustrated because people were just face-guarding me and I wasn't able to get the looks I'd like to," said Hoffarber who went 4-for-6 from the three-point line. "And this year, especially over the summer, I was working on curling, pull-ups, floaters, stuff like that. I showed it a little bit throughout the season here. I was shooting a lot more twos than I have in the past. And tonight, it just came out a little more."

Behind Hoffarber's offense and clutch defense in the final minutes, the Gophers (13-4, 2-3) beat their first top-10 opponent at the Barn since Feb. 9, 2000, when they defeated ninth-ranked Indiana 77-75.

Hoffarber scored 12 points in the first half, when the Gophers outscored Purdue 41-40. He recorded his team's first four field goals after halftime. And five minutes into the second half, the senior had 22 points. Hoffarber said coach Tubby Smith is drawing up plays, many that end with him coming off a screen, to create more scoring chances for him.

"People had gotten used to what he was doing," Smith said. "So we kind of threw in a couple wrinkles to help him out."

After Hoffarber's jump shot gave the Gophers a 53-45 edge with 15 minutes, 14 seconds to play, Purdue scored nine unanswered points and took the lead.

The two teams continued to tussle in a game that included 10 ties and 12 lead changes. But Al Nolen, who scored in double figures (13 points) for the third consecutive game, hit a three-pointer to give his team a 70-67 edge with 3:15 to go. Hoffarber earned the assist on the game-winning shot.

Matt Painter said Hoffarber's new repertoire has made him tougher to contain.

"Before it was just a jump shot; now he can get in the lane make that one-dribble pull-up or that little floater," said Painter, whose team lost for the first time since Nov. 27. "He does a great job passing the basketball. He's just developed into a great player."

The Gophers' dogged defense secured the victory. Purdue senior center JaJuan Johnson scored 29 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, but the Gophers held him to two points over the last 10:53.

E'Twaun Moore, who went 2-for-14 and scored five points, misfired on a three-pointer in the final minute when Rodney Williams extended his arms on the release. Lewis Jackson drove to the rim and Williams swatted his shot like an annoying fly on Purdue's next opportunity. And with 10 seconds on the clock, Purdue missed a pair of potentially game-tying threes under pressure.

"I couldn't be prouder of our kids in their ability to stay focused, to overcome some of the distractions we've had of late and to rally around their teammates," Smith said.