Gopher Basketball
It’s about the Gophers basketball player that head coach Tubby Smith compares to Chuck Hayes, one of his best players from his 10 years in Kentucky.
It’s about Blake Hoffarber. You know, the guy widely known for the ESPY-winning shot from his backside while at Hopkins in the state championship game. The highlight that was shown during every Gophers game the last two years.
According to Smith, the Hayes comparison is this: They both are always in the right spot, make others better, and play the game the right way.
Hoffarber is often labeled as one-dimensional because of his ability to knock down three-pointers as well as anyone in the Big Ten outside of Ohio State’s Jon Diebler. The attachment is a bit unfair because he can do more than that. He can handle the ball, pass, and has a high basketball IQ, which includes being a good team defensive player. He is the third-best passer on the team behind Damian Johnson and Ralph Sampson III.
Against meaningful opponents in his career — Brown, High Point, and S.E. Louisiana don’t count — the Gophers are 11-6 when Hoffarber, a junior, scores in double-digits. For comparison’s sake, the team’s record when junior Al Nolen does the same is 5-5. When sophomore Devoe Joseph gets 10 points or above versus competitive teams, their record is 2-4 . Senior guard Lawrence Westbrook averages in double-digits so was excluded.
It’s not a coincidence that when Hoffarber is not making shots — zero points in 40 combined minutes vs. Portland and Texas A&M — the Gophers don’t play well. Hoffarber is not close to being their best guard, but might be the one that makes the most difference.
When he is knocking down three-pointers — approximately 75% of his field goal attempts are from beyond the arc — Smith’s three guard lineup with Nolen, Westbrook, and Hoffarber turns an OK offensive team into an above-average one. It allows them to push the tempo or setup in the halfcourt. Sampson III allows the Gophers to find ways to score in the halfcourt with his improved post presence, something they struggled mightily with last year.
Hoffarber and Sampson III end up on the same side, which can give opposing coaches headaches. Defend the post and Hoffarber, with as quick a release as there is in the Big Ten, has room to release. Play Hoffarber on the ball and he drops it inside and Sampson III goes to the hoop. Bring a help-side defender, and the defense is vulnerable for Westbrook, Nolen, Johnson, etc. on the other side.
Against Indiana, Iowa, Penn State, Northwestern, Wisconsin, and possibly Ohio State, that strategy should generate points. Illinois and Michigan have the necessary bigs to play Sampson III straight-up (in Michigan’s case, it’s just one guy — DeShawn Sims — but he is really good). Michigan State and Purdue are in a separate class.
The Big Ten appears to be as strong as any conference in the country even with Michigan and the Gophers disappointing in the non-conference. Purdue and Michigan State can win the national championship. Ohio State has good talent even with Evan Turner (back) out for another six weeks. Illinois is in the top-25.
Five of the Gophers’ eight January games come against Michigan State, Ohio State, and Purdue, so we’ll know how good the Gophers are by February 1. Smith should have nine wins heading into conference play and he will be trying to get to 20 victories for the 17th consecutive season. For him to get there, Hoffarber will have to be huge.
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