Marcus reports on Nolen/Westbrook fight

[BleedGopher]

which was detailed on here about a week ago, but it looks like the guys are moving on which is good:

http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci_13927220

Minnesota Gophers: Nolen, Westbrook were benched because of fight
By Marcus R. Fuller

University of Minnesota starting guards Al Nolen and Lawrence Westbrook said they were benched the first half of Sunday's loss to Texas AM because they had fought with each other on Saturday.

"It wasn't serious at all," Nolen said, declining to specify what caused it. "It was like getting into a fight with your brother, and the next day it's done. Coach (Tubby) Smith looks to us as leaders, though. He probably felt like we could have handled it in a different manner. He's right."

The Gophers basketball team practiced Saturday, following Friday's 76 Classic semifinal loss to Portland in Anaheim, Calif. After the team finished with a film session, a heated argument broke out between Westbrook and Nolen, and teammates eventually had to separate them.

"Stuff like that happens on a team; we're just competing," Westbrook said. "Right after the incident, we didn't think twice about it. Me and Al are just trying to help the team win."

After Minnesota lost to Texas AM 66-65, Smith said that Westbrook and Nolen "didn't do anything that seriously wrong. It's just that I want to see the leadership better. I want to see them take that responsibility." But Smith didn't specify what exactly they did to cause him to bench them.

Westbrook and Nolen were back in the starting lineup in Wednesday's 63-58 loss at Miami (Fla.) in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge. Westbrook led the team with 14 points. Nolen had nine points, six assists, six rebounds and five steals. But they and the rest of the team struggled down the stretch.

The Gophers (4-3) will try to end their three-game losing streak Saturday at home against Brown.

Senior captain Damian Johnson said the incident between Westbrook and Nolen hasn't hurt the team's chemistry.

"It's not a big deal," Johnson said. "The guys are still cool with each other and hang out. Everything is under the rug."

Go Gophers!!

 

[andy]

Unfortunately, the "no big deal" fight could be a mighty big deal come Selection Sunday.

 

[SelectionSunday]

"Unfortunately, the 'no big deal' fight could be a mighty big deal come Selection Sunday."

Yes, though I understand that Damian was just saying it's water under the bridge, I think he could have phrased that a little differently. Losing to or beating Texas A&M could end up being the difference between the NCAA or the NIT. Ya' never know which game(s) is going to be the one that makes the difference. Hopefully, Damian's speaking from his confidence that the one-half suspensions of his teammates will be a moot point.

 

[JohnnyGopher]

From what I understand, it wasn't that big of a fight and was basically over the amount of shots a certian player was taking without looking for his teammates first or ever attempting to feed the post, but what got them in trouble with Tubby was he expects more from a senior and a junior who are supposed to be leaders

 

[GopherHomer]

In terms of making the tourny or not, hopefully these early season losses are pretty much forgotten about because of how we were playing shorthanded.

 

[LBSDM49]

Westy hasnt been a "sharing" type player for 4 years. His father has been in his ear to shoot first for the past 4 years.

The only way it will happen is is Tubby sits him down.

 

[Lincoln gopher]

Westy hasnt been a "sharing" type player for 4 years. His father has been in his ear to shoot first for the past 4 years.

The only way it will happen is is Tubby sits him down.

His dad was in the stands in California. I noticed Lawrence looked at him in the stands at every break in the games. He would look at this dad before he would look to the bench. I thought it to be a weird deal.

 

[Sour1729]

Westy hasnt been a "sharing" type player for 4 years. His father has been in his ear to shoot first for the past 4 years.

The only way it will happen is is Tubby sits him down.

Long Beach State Dan Monson 49?

Dan is only 48, but that still is an interesting moniker.

 

[Mikie S]

From what I understand, it wasn't that big of a fight and was basically over the amount of shots a certain player was taking without looking for his teammates first or ever attempting to feed the post, but what got them in trouble with Tubby was he expects more from a senior and a junior who are supposed to be leaders

I thought a certain player was sharing the ball much better the last game. Maybe a short term glitch will pay off in the long run.

 

[Gopher4Life]

>>Maybe a short term glitch will pay off in the long run.<<

Improving talent at every position will pay off in the long run.

 

[From the Barn]

Noticed today that Westbrook and Nolen a couple of times took a second to make sure they were on the same page, Westbrook quickly congratulated Nolen coming out of the game, etc. Looks like they needed their brief fight to remember that despite their different roles on the team and very different personalities that they actually do have the same goal, to win.