Sid Hartman: Mutual admiration for Crean, Mbakwe

[BleedGopher]

"[Mbakwe] has a great ability to rebound and score and is an excellent defender," said Crean about the Gophers star, who contributed 19 points and 14 rebounds in Wednesday's 84-67 victory at Illinois. "He's a tough, physical, imposing player, the way he can rebound and the way he can defend the other end.

"He was already one of the hardest matchups in college basketball, and now he might have become the hardest matchup."

"He was the first coach that I started with out of high school, and obviously it was tough when he left, but he did what was best for him and his family," said Mbakwe. "We've kept up a pretty good relationship over the last few years."

http://www.startribune.com/sports/gophers/186380521.html

Go Gophers!!

 

[UofMdad]

Both men are A+ in my book.

 

[Jon]

"[Mbakwe] has a great ability to rebound and score and is an excellent defender," said Crean about the Gophers star, who contributed 19 points and 14 rebounds in Wednesday's 84-67 victory at Illinois. "He's a tough, physical, imposing player, the way he can rebound and the way he can defend the other end.

"He was already one of the hardest matchups in college basketball, and now he might have become the hardest matchup."

"He was the first coach that I started with out of high school, and obviously it was tough when he left, but he did what was best for him and his family," said Mbakwe. "We've kept up a pretty good relationship over the last few years."

http://www.startribune.com/sports/gophers/186380521.html

Go Gophers!!

Indiana basketball: What a difference a year makes in Saturday's top 10 battle

"But in terms of confidence, mentality and mindset this is a completely different Gophers squad. Minnesota is 15-1, 3-0 in Big Ten play and ranked No. 8 in the nation. Wednesday night, the Gophers went into the other Assembly Hall and pounded No. 12 Illinois by 17 points."

http://www.indystar.com/article/201...ifference-year-makes-Saturday-s-top-10-battle