2008 Woodie Awards
Men's basketball host Minnesota
Matthew Pucak
Issue date: 11/21/08 Section: Sports
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Tim Miles and the Rams welcome the Minnesota Golden Gophers and coach Tubby Smith to Moby Arena at 8 p.m. Saturday night. The first 2,000 fans will receive a t-shirt featuring the game slogan "Timmy vs. Tubby."
The head coaches are getting the top billing, and Miles is certainly excited to go head-to-head with Smith, who has over 400 career wins, including a 1998 National Championship at Kentucky.
"He has won a National Championship, and I was just like anyone else, sitting on my couch watching it on TV," Miles said. "Anyone who has been that successful, you admire and respect."
Miles isn't just impressed by Smith's past accomplishments. He is also weary of the challenge Minnesota (3-0) will present to the Rams (2-0).
"We have to be able to handle their pressure. They have great pressure on defense, and if you beat the press, then they block shots like crazy, and then on offense the will run it right back at you," Miles said. "They have a lot of size, good shooters."
Handling the pressure would usually fall squarely on the shoulders of senior guard Willis Gardner, but he will be unable to go for the Rams after spraining his ankle in Tuesday night's win over Northern Colorado. He is still wearing a boot, and Miles knows that his loss will make a big impact.
"What has me worried is not having Wills Gardner. He is one of our best players and a senior leader," Miles said. "It is going to force guys to step up and play in positions that they aren't used to."
Miles stated the Rams will need guards Jesse Carr, Harvey Perry and Josh Simmons to step up to handle the ball if they want a chance to be successful. Miles said they did well against UNC, but they will face even more pressure from the Gophers out of the Big Ten Conference, which features bigger and more athletic players than UNC's Big Sky.
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