Joseph, Devoe not Cory, to play point guard for Minnesota

I think Devoe Joseph might make the biggest jump from last season to this year because he won't have to devote his time to playing point guard for the Gophers. That's what I thought. The addition of freshman Justin Cobbs and football/basketball player Bryant Allen seems to clear the way for Joseph to go back to where he belongs at the two-spot. But Minnesota's coaches may have other ideas. A source close to the team told me earlier this week that Joseph will still compete for minutes at the point guard position, even though he's more suited for shooting guard. The source also said that a lineup featuring Lawrence Westbrook and Joseph is a possibility. Joseph backed up point guard Al Nolen but played like a combo guard. I assumed Joseph would battle Westbrook all season, but according to the source, Joseph will play both positions this year. I'm convinced, however, that Cobbs is good enough to back up Nolen and Joseph will do more for the Gophers at shooting guard. So that's where he'll play the bulk of the season. Correction: That's where he should play the bulk of the season. -Join me Thursday at 12 p.m. on startribune.com for a live chat about Gophers men's basketball. -Tubby Smith was on KFAN with PA Wednesday morning. No earth-shattering news. But he said all of Minnesota's players made their required times in the mile run Wednesday. The guards had to complete it in 5:30 and the team's post players had to finish in six minutes.