Gophers Wrap Up 12-0 Nonconference Schedule with Easy Win over High Point
December 28, 2008

The Minnesota Gophers had no trouble wrapping up an undefeated nonconference schedule with an 82-56 win over the High Point Panthers, the alma mater of Minnesota coach Tubby Smith. It was the fourth time Smith has coached against High Point (the other three times when he was head coach at Kentucky), and his teams have beaten the Panthers each time.

“There’s nobody at High Point that does not recognize Tubby Smith’s name,” said High Point coach Bart Lundy after the game. “He’s done so much to contribute as a student, after graduating, and still contributes to High Point University. I don’t think there’s an alumni [sic] we’re more proud of not only for his accomplishments, but for what he does for our university. He genuinely loves High Point and we’re very very proud to have him as an alumni.” Smith, who played for the Panthers from 1968 to 1973, has a photo in the High Point media guide (a publication that also gives an acknowledgement for “creative credit to God” in it).

A small school from north-central North Carolina, High Point came to Minnesota with a young squad that had three freshmen and two juniors in its starting lineup. After the teams exchanged opening baskets, Minnesota pulled away from the Panthers. “I thought our guys played with purpose,” said Smith. “We played with good concentration and good focus tonight. You’re always worried that the team might be looking ahead to the holiday break, but this was a good performance for us.”

Blake Hoffarber, who scored 11 points off the bench, added, “I thought we looked pretty good. I think we had some ups and downs that we’ve seen before so far this season. We had a lot of guys play really well which was great to see. It’s going to be a benefit to us to have a lot of guys that can contribute during the Big Ten season. It was great to see everybody stepping up like they did today.”

Ralph Sampson led Minnesota scorers with 17 points and had six rebounds. Although Al Nolen did not score for the Gophers, he had a team-high seven assists in the game. Colton Iverson led the team with seven rebounds.

For High Point, junior guard Eugene Harris had 18 points, 13 of them in the second half. Freshman forward Steadman Short came into the game with an average of 4.7 points and 4.0 rebounds per game and improved on both with 13 points and seven rebounds.

The Gophers take their 12-0 record into Big Ten play, opening at home with games against Michigan State and Ohio State.