Even after Ralph Sampson III had a promising return off the bench in Tuesday's win over Appalachian State, coach Tubby Smith – addressing the media on Friday -- sounded uncertain about whether the senior center will start tomorrow against St. Peter. "It depends," Smith said of Sampson, who has missed two games and come off the bench for another after turning an ankle in late November. "He looked good yesterday in practice. I think he's getting stronger, he's getting his wind back. So he possibly will." With an easier matchup Saturday, Smith could be easing Sampson back in with the expectation that the rest of the team should be able to handle St. Peter. But the coach also had high praise for Elliott Eliason, who has aptly been filling in while Sampson was out. "If Elliott's playing well, I'll go with whoever's playing well," Smith said. Not much else out of access today, which this time of year is a good thing. Some other notes:
- Andre Hollins – who played on a turned ankle Tuesday --looked good in practice yesterday, Smith said and is expected to play again Saturday.
- Former Gophers assistant coach Jimmy Williams is in line for a new job as an assistant at The University of Memphis under Josh Pastner. Williams was an assistant at Minnesota in the 1980s under Bill Musselman and Jim Dutcher. When Smith was hired at the 'U', he offered Williams – who was then at Oklahoma State – an assistant position once again, but later was allegedly 'vetoed' by AD Joel Maturi. Williams, who had quit his job and sold his house in preparation for the move, filed a lawsuit against the University of Minnesota and Smith and was awarded $1 million for lost past and future income. The appeal process from that case is ongoing.
