Spring Break
Men's basketball host Minnesota
Matthew Pucak
Issue date: 11/21/08 Section: Sports
CSU center Dan Vandervieren is from Eden Prairie, Minn., which is about 20 miles from Minnesota's campus. Vandervieren grew up a Minnesota fan and wanted to be a Gopher. After going to Purdue for one season before transferring to CSU, he said he always relishes the chance to go up against them.
Vandervieren was a high school teammate of Minnesota guard Blake Hoffarber, who scored 21 points last season when the Gophers topped that Rams 91-74 in Minneapolis.
Hoffarber is best known for winning an ESPY Award in 2005 for hitting a game-tying, buzzer-beater while sitting in the 4A Minnesota state title game (consult Collegiansports.com for the video), while an incredulous Vandervieren looked on.
Further connecting the two teams is that CSU's other transfer, 6-9 forward Andy Ogide, played with Smith's son Brian Smith while at Mississippi.
Despite all the storylines connecting the two teams, the Rams still remember that the Gophers dominated them last season, and they want to prove that this is a new year.
"People are starting to give us a chance because we won the first two games," Ogide said. "If we can get Moby filled up, then anything is possible, and I think that they may take us lightly."
Men's basketball beat writer Matt Pucak can be reached at sports@collegian.com.
Vandervieren was a high school teammate of Minnesota guard Blake Hoffarber, who scored 21 points last season when the Gophers topped that Rams 91-74 in Minneapolis.
Hoffarber is best known for winning an ESPY Award in 2005 for hitting a game-tying, buzzer-beater while sitting in the 4A Minnesota state title game (consult Collegiansports.com for the video), while an incredulous Vandervieren looked on.
Further connecting the two teams is that CSU's other transfer, 6-9 forward Andy Ogide, played with Smith's son Brian Smith while at Mississippi.
Despite all the storylines connecting the two teams, the Rams still remember that the Gophers dominated them last season, and they want to prove that this is a new year.
"People are starting to give us a chance because we won the first two games," Ogide said. "If we can get Moby filled up, then anything is possible, and I think that they may take us lightly."
Men's basketball beat writer Matt Pucak can be reached at sports@collegian.com.
Be the first to comment on this story