Gophers to Battle Central Michigan on Tuesday
GAME DAY TID-BITS
• The matchup between the Gophers and Chippewas will be the third between the programs. It will be the second time Tubby Smith has coached against Central Michigan.
• The Chippewas traveled to Minneapolis during the 2007 non-conference schedule. It was the third game of the season for Minnesota, its first under the direction of Smith.
• Central Michigan is led by sophomore Trey Zeigler, the son of head coach Ernie Zeigler. As a freshman, Zeigler was the third highest scoring newcomer in Division I.
• The Chippewas are coming off of a 65-57 loss on Saturday at Tennessee State. Central Michigan hasn’t played a home game since a loss to Charlotte on Nov. 15.
• Minnesota has led the Big Ten Conference in blocked shots during the last three seasons, including three of the top four season block totals in the history of the Gopher program: a program leading 201 in 2008-09, 199 in 2009-10 and 169 last season. Senior Ralph Sampson III led the team in blocked shots last season and is currently fourth all-time in program history with 172 career swats. Minnesota has blocked 62 shots already this season for an average of 5.6 per game, tied for the Big Ten lead with Illinois, led by Rodney Williams with 18. Williams is third in the conference with an average of 1.6 bpg.
SAMPSON III RETURNS
• Gopher senior co-captain Ralph Sampson III played 19 minutes off the bench against Appalachian State (12/6). He had missed the previous two games with a sprained left ankle. He has missed a total of three games this season with the injury.
• Coming into his senior campaign, Sampson had played in 53-straight games. He missed two games during his sophomore season with a sprained right ankle.
• Sampson returned to the starting lineup against Saint Peter’s (12/10) and led the Gophers in scoring (15), rebounding (8) and blocks (4) and tied for the team lead with four assists.
THE STREAK ENDS
• Minnesota junior guard Julian Welch went into the game against Saint Peter’s in the midst of a free throw streak He made his first two attempts to bring the streak to 25 straight but missed his next attempt.
• Welch’s streak of 25-straight was the longest Gopher free throw streak since Lawrence Westbrook hit 31 straight from the charity stripe.
• Welch is currently fourth in the Big Ten Conference in free throw percentage at .861 (31-36).
• Gopher freshman Andre Hollins is third in the conference at .875 (21-24).
• Terrance Woods (1986-87) holds the Gopher season free throw percentage record at .882 (45-51).
• The Gophers career free throw percentage leader is Voshon Lenard (.810).
WILLIAMS IS SHOWING HIS VERSATILITY
• Minnesota foward Rodney Williams has adapted well since being moved to the power forward position following the loss of Trevor Mbakwe.
• Williams tied a career high against Appalacian State with 18 points & five blocks.
• He has led the team, or tied for the team-lead, in blocks, rebounds & steals in three of the four games played since Mbakwe’s injury.
• In the four games Williams’ numbers have improved across the board:
