Blake Hoffarber News

The University of Minnesota men's basketball team let out its frustration with a 91-55 win Saturday against Brown at Williams Arena.

Minnesota beat No. 10 Butler 82-73 last week on its way to winning its first four games of the season.

Minnesota is patiently waiting to see if it will get three suspended players back this season.

Last season's win for the University of Minnesota over then-No. 9 Louisville was the only test for Tubby Smith's team in nonconference play.

Butler was a projected Final Four team. Minnesota wasn't even predicted to get out of the NCAA first round this season.

Besides the Louisville game last season, Minnesota coach Tubby Smith's team mostly tested itself against lesser competition in nonconference play.

Tubby Smith has turned Minnesota around, but a first-round exit in the NCAA tournament won't be acceptable to him in his third season.

Al Nolen doesn't have to shoot to impact the game. But the Gophers would be a much more dangerous team if they had a scoring threat at point guard.

MINNEAPOLIS - Devoe Joseph made five 3-pointers and scored 20 points to lead No.

After snatching the ball off the rim, Trevor Mbakwe landed in a swarm of defenders who hacked at him.

Tubby Smith has preached his commitment to University of Minnesota basketball and athletics in greater Minnesota since taking over the Gophers men's basketball program two years ago.

THE GOOD NEWS: Minnesota returns all but two players from last year's team and adds one of the best recruiting classes in the nation.