CBS College Hoops Nightcourt: Minnesota is more than just an also-ran in the Big Ten.

What else we'll be talking about in the morning: Minnesota is more than just an also-ran in the Big Ten.

Heading into the season, everyone talked about the loaded Big Ten. Most of that talk centered on Indiana, Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State -- and even Wisconsin. Minnesota was mostly regarded as an afterthought, with most people thinking of the Golden Gophers as a middle-of-the-pack and likely bubble team. Not after Tuesday night. Tubby Smith's troops went into Tallahassee and thoroughly handled Florida State, 77-68. Wins over Memphis and Stanford were good, but this was on another level. Minnesota got off to a great start, knocking down perimeter shots, grabbing offensive rebounds and taking care of the ball. The Gophers got points in transition and were unselfish. Moreover, they defended tremendously well -- forcing Florida State to shoot below 38 percent from the field. Guys like Andre Hollins and Rodney Williams are scoring well, and Trevor Mbakwe is still getting back to 100 percent.

Minnesota won't win the Big Ten but the Gophers are certainly more than an afterthought in the conference race this season.

http://www.cbssports.com/collegebas...urt-minnesota-makes-statement-with-win-at-fsu

Go Gophers!!

ESPN: ACC/Big Ten: Leftover first night thoughts

Minnesota might just be that good: Sure, sure, this Florida State defense is not your typical Florida State defense. After years of being the best defense in the country, the post-Bernard Scott Seminoles are merely OK on that end of the floor. Even so, Minnesota went from an impressive run in the Bahamas, to a stopover in Tallahassee, and emerged with a 7-1 record and a host of very tired-seeming tweets. Impressive stuff.

http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebask...8480/accbig-ten-leftover-first-night-thoughts

Go Gophers!!

per Myron:

Do you smell what Tubby is cooking? Past seasons in Tubby Smith's tenure at Minnesota have been defined by the same question: “What if?” What if Royce White and Trevor Mbakwe had played together in 2009-10? What if all those kids hadn't transferred? What if Mbakwe hadn't torn his ACL last November? That's not this year's question. The Gophers are healthy, deep and effective, which they proved in their 77-68 road win over Florida State Tuesday. They've played their way into the national conversation via Rodney Williams' undeniable growth, Andre Hollins' emergence and one of the nation's top defenses. And they're doing this as Mbakwe plays limited minutes. I had a lot of doubts about the program's potential entering 2012-13. They're gone now.

http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebasketballnation/post/_/id/68594/accbig-ten-it-was-a-tie-but-acc-won

Go Gophers!!