U men gameday

December 1, 2007 at 6:24AM
2007-2008 Mens University of Minnesota Basketball.
2007-2008 Mens University of Minnesota Basketball. (Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Preview: California-Riverside (2-4) lost its first four games, all on the road, under first-year head coach Jim Wooldridge, but two of those losses came to 2007 NCAA tournament opponents, Gonzaga and Texas Tech. The Highlanders won their past two games at home, beating Idaho and NAIA school Hope International. The Gophers (3-1) look to recover from a lopsided 75-61 loss at Florida State on Tuesday. The Gophers shot 33.8 percent from the floor, making 24 of 71 shots.

Key players: Gophers senior forward Dan Coleman is averaging 10.5 points and 5.8 rebounds. But coach Tubby Smith wants him to attack the rim more often, after he didn't get to the free-throw line against Florida State on Tuesday. UC-Riverside senior guard Larry Cunningham is the only player averaging double figures for the Highlanders, with 16 points per game.

Numbers: UC-Riverside averaged 20 turnovers in its four losses and 12.5 in two victories. ... Minnesota has hit 68.9 percent of its free throws, and its opponents have made 79.2 percent of theirs. ... The Gophers had 22 offensive rebounds compared to the Seminoles' 13 Tuesday.

MYRON P. MEDCALF

Minnesota's Dan Coleman drives to the basket for two second-half points.
Minnesota's Dan Coleman, right, drives to the basket for two second-half points as Florida State's Jason Rich, left, watches during a college men's basketball game, Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2007, in Tallahassee, Fla.(AP Photo/Phil Coale) (Associated Press/The Minnesota Star Tribune)
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