Sampson, famous father watch films with motive

The alter ego shows up from time to time.

Ralph Sampson III seems to have arrived when he pumps his fists after making big shots, demands the ball and uses his 6-11 frame as an offensive weapon.

But there are other times the Gophers junior center, he admits, suffers lapses in focus and aggression, and misses the mark he expects for himself.

That's when it's nice to have a dad who's recognized as one of the best college basketball players in history.

Sampson watched film with Ralph Sampson Jr. -- the three-time college basketball player of the year at Virginia from 1981 to '83 -- during his trip to Minnesota last week. Big Ralph told his son that he has to play to his own strengths and showed him where he failed to do that in various games.

Sampson said the film sessions with his dad helped him see where he's still evolving and learning.

"He pointed out some things I need to improve on and some things I'm doing well," said Sampson, whose 22nd-ranked Gophers (7-1) face St. Joseph's (3-5) Wednesday in Philadelphia. "I still think I have a long way to go before I'm back to the level I want to be."

Sampson said his dad told him he has to do a better job of putting those tough performances behind him.

"I think it took my dad coming back up here to kind of refresh my mind," said Sampson, who scored 13 points against Cornell on Saturday. "I haven't played well in two [of the past three games] and so I was still frustrated with that. My dad noticed that I was carrying my frustrations to the next game. So him coming up and watching film with me, breaking stuff down about the game, really helped me refresh my mind."

Junior power forward Trevor Mbakwe, who has recorded five double-doubles in eight games, said the Gophers haven't put together a complete game this season. Every player has work to do, he said, but the squad knows an effective Sampson makes everyone better.

"He still hasn't played as good as he can be," Mbakwe said. "Ralph's a special player and we're still waiting for him to have his breakout."

Gophers coach Tubby Smith clearly wants more from his starting center, a point he's made with public critiques absent in Sampson's first two seasons.

Sampson said he's aware of the expectations and is working to improve every game. He said the best part of his strong start is he knows his struggles don't represent his ability.

But with some of the Gophers' personnel challenges -- starting point guard Al Nolen is expected to miss his third consecutive game Wednesday because of a foot injury -- the Gophers need their veterans to carry them.

Sampson said he knows he will only play his best basketball and help his team succeed if he's dialed in every night.