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Utah Valley St.-Minnesota Preview

Nov 18, 2009 - 6:36 PM By ALAN FERGUSON STATS Writer

Utah Valley University (1-1) at Minnesota (2-0), 8:00 p.m. EDT

Minnesota will have a week to prepare for its toughest test of the early season, and gets a chance to work out any weaknesses in its game against Utah Valley State on Thursday night.

So far, the 24th-ranked Golden Gophers haven't exhibited many.

Minnesota hosts the Wolverines on Thursday night before it gears up for a Thanksgiving Day matchup with No. 12 Butler in Anaheim, Calif.

The Gophers already look primed for that game, winning their first two contests by 77 points.

Minnesota shot 54.3 percent, went 20 of 44 from 3-point range and held opponents to 29.4 percent shooting in those contests. The Gophers blocked 23 shots and have not had one of their shots blocked.

They also showcased their depth. Minnesota is without three players due to indefinite suspensions, but reserve Devoe Joseph scored 15 points to tie Lawrence Westbrook for the team lead in an 82-42 home win over Stephen F. Austin on Monday night.

Rodney Williams added 14 points in 17 minutes, registering three dunks and a pair of 3-pointers.

"He's a very gifted and graceful athlete," coach Tubby Smith said of his freshman forward. "He does add some quickness and more athleticism to our team."

Williams and Joseph are among four Minnesota players averaging double figures in points, led by Westbrook with 18.5.

Minnesota put Monday's game away with 56 points in the second half after scoring 50 in the final 20 minutes of its previous win.

"It was critical we came out tonight and showed improvement from last week, and we did that," Smith said. "If we can improve this much from this game to our next game, it will be a good thing."

Smith's team is missing freshman forward Royce White, who is charged with theft and fifth-degree assault and is under investigation for the alleged theft of a laptop computer.

Junior transfer Trevor Mbakwe faces a December trial in Miami for felony aggravated battery, and senior guard Devron Bostick has been suspended for an unspecified violation of team rules.

Even without those players, Minnesota should have a very good chance to earn its 20th straight nonconference home win under Smith on Thursday.

After helping Utah Valley State win its opener, forward Justin Baker was the only Wolverines player to reach double figures in points Tuesday, scoring 10 in a 58-51 loss at Cal State Bakersfield.

Baker, a junior, leads the Wolverines (1-1) with 14.5 points per game while senior guard Jordan Swarbrick, a preseason all-Great West Conference selection, has averaged 14.0.

Utah Valley State was picked to finish second in the inaugural season of the seven-team league.

This is the first meeting between Utah Valley State and Minnesota.