Smith won't sweat the Gophers' playing-time puzzle

MINNEAPOLIS - Minnesota has the top nine scorers from last season's NCAA tournament team returning this fall, plus a nationally lauded recruiting class.

Don't think coach Tubby Smith is stressed about finding everyone ample time on the court, though. Lineups were always fluid during Smith's first two seasons here, and the use-it-or-lose-it philosophy toward playing time certainly will continue. Eleven players averaged 11 minutes or more last season, while the Gophers went 22-11.

"Rotation, it never comes into my mind to be honest with you," Smith said. "That's just the way I coach. Guys earn their time in the rotation by performing in practice and on and off the court."

The Gophers in particular have a glut of players at the traditional small forward position with freshmen Royce White and Rodney Williams arriving to join seniors Damian Johnson and Devron Bostick and junior Paul Carter. The 6-foot-7 Williams also could play as an oversized off guard, where senior Lawrence Westbrook, junior Blake Hoffarber and sophomore Devoe Joseph are also significant contributors.

Joseph can play point guard, too, where junior Al Nolen lost his confidence and his touch last season and freshman Justin Cobbs comes in from California. Underneath, sophomores Colton Iverson and Ralph Sampson have a year of Big Ten bruising for their experience. Transfer Trevor Mbakwe, who will have two years of eligibility remaining if he's cleared to play despite his legal trouble, adds bulk.

"We've got a bunch of good players coming in and a bunch of returning players who've proved they can do stuff, and hopefully that's a good recipe to have," said Hoffarber, whose 3-point percentage dropped from 42.7 as a freshman to 34.1 last season.

Carter is another returning player who might see some of his time going to the newcomers.

"It goes through my mind as a player, definitely, but I kind of just leave it up to the coaches," Carter said. "That's their headache, you know? I just go out there and practice hard and play and give 'em what I can and not think about it."