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Gophers still overlooked?
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Minnesota is currently ranked No. 9 in the country, sitting at 13-1 after an impressive victory over conference rival Michigan State earlier this week. Things are going great for Tubby Smith's group right now. But is it possible they're still not getting all the recognition they deserve?

The Gophers haven't won an NCAA Tournament game since 1997, and have only made four appearances in that time. So they're going to have to prove themselves on the big stage to truly land on the national radar. Complicating matters even further is the fact that they're buried in the ultra-competitive Big Ten, where ranking ninth in the country still puts them behind three league foes (Michigan, Indiana and Ohio State). The grueling schedule that comes from being in such a tough conference will provide them with plenty of opportunities to assert themselves in big games though. And if they can continue to clean the glass on offense while improving their rebounding on the defensive end -- much like they did against the Spartans -- they have the pieces to hang around for quite awhile.

- Luke Lapinski



Jay Bilas
The right combination?

"Minnesota has athletic guards, size along the front line and some older players that seem to "get it." Andre Hollins can knock down perimeter shots and get to the free throw line and ring the bell, and with Trevor Mbakwe and the super-athletic Rodney Williams, the Gophers lead the nation in offensive rebound percentage, pulling down nearly half their misses."
 


4. Minnesota Golden Gophers
AP rank: 9 | BPI rank: 7



Tubby Smith had to listen to the naysayers question him all summer, when he has done a terrific job at Minnesota. Smith had to deal with injuries, a suspension or two and a lack of continuity late last season because of those two things. This season everyone is healthy, and the results are clear. The polls are even starting to catch up (No. 9 in the AP), but the Gophers' place on this list is a reflection of just how good they are and how (relatively) little recognition they're getting.


Minnesota has athletic guards, size along the front line and some older players that seem to "get it." Andre Hollins can knock down perimeter shots and get to the free throw line and ring the bell, and with Trevor Mbakwe and the super-athletic Rodney Williams, the Gophers lead the nation in offensive rebound percentage, pulling down nearly half their misses.


The only downside to Minnesota's chances is the high number of second shots the Gophers give up. If Minnesota can clean up the defensive glass, this is an outstanding defensive team that has the pieces to be really good in the Big Ten and beyond.

(Bilas says gophers are 4th best "underrated" team in the nation)
 



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