Filed under: Minnesota, Big Ten
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico - At first glance, the Minnesota Golden Gophers appear to be a team riddled with bad karma. The list of who's out at times has overshadowed the list of who's in.The team's best player, Devoe Joseph, was suspended indefinitely for violating team rules last week and did not make the trip to this Caribbean destination for the Puerto Rico Tip-Off Tournament.
Starters Colton Iverson and Rodney Williams were disciplined for team violations and have had to work their way back into the good graces of coach Tubby Smith.
And, last February, prized freshman forward Royce White, the state's Mr. Basketball, left without ever playing a game following two brushes with the law.
Despite the chaos, Minnesota has remained steady and focused. It opened this eight-team tourney just outside the AP Top 25 and is considered a contender in the Big Ten. That's not enough.
The Gophers believe they're one of the top programs in the country, and now have the opportunity to win this tournament against West Virginia, a Final Four squad last season, in Sunday's title game.
With a first-round victory over Western Kentucky on Thursday and a signature victory over No. 8 North Carolina on Friday, the Gophers are clicking and digging in for the long haul.
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