University of Minnesota senior Adam Boone smiled when he first heard Alabama-Birmingham guard Carldell "Squeaky" Johnson's name.
It didn't take Boone long to turn serious.
There's nothing amusing about the challenge the Gophers (5-2) will face tonight when Johnson and UAB (4-2) bring their "40 Minutes of Hell" defense to Williams Arena.
Boone expects the Blazers' aggressive full-court pressure to be the biggest test for Minnesota's backcourt since a loss to Maryland (22 turnovers). The Blazers have forced an average of 23 turnovers a game. Leading the way is Johnson, who had a school-record 12 steals in a victory last month over South Carolina State. He was one steal shy of the NCAA record.
"They get people to play real fast," said Boone, Minnesota's starting point guard, who has a 4-3 assist-to-turnover ratio. "We understand that that's going to be the key to this game. We have to handle their pressure well if we're going to beat them."
UAB has distinguished itself among midmajor programs. The Blazers made back-to-back trips to the NCAA tournament, including a Sweet 16 berth after upsetting No. 1 seed Kentucky two years ago. UAB has a better RPI (Rating Percentage Index) than the Gophers, 92 to 118, according to collegerpi.com.
With All-Big Ten Conference senior swingman Vincent Grier back from a broken left finger and senior Moe Hargrow likely to return from a right ankle sprain tonight, Minnesota has a better chance to win its fourth in a row.
But Gophers coach Dan Monson admitted to having a tough time preparing for the Blazers.
He introduced some new full-court press breakers into the offense, but the scout team couldn't come close to simulating the level of intense pressure the players will see tonight.
"You have to commend them for having a style that is unique," said Monson, who began his coaching career as a UAB graduate assistant under former coach Gene Bartow from 1986-88. "I don't care if you're the ACC or the Big Ten. This is like facing Princeton or Phil Niekro or the wishbone offense."
UAB's defense isn't invincible. The Blazers have victories over Massachusetts and Nebraska, but also proved to be vulnerable. When they forced just nine turnovers against DePaul, the lowest total for an opponent in two years, they lost 70-66. Western Kentucky committed 27 turnovers against UAB but hit 15 three-pointers and shot 59 percent from the field in a 92-76 victory.
UAB coach Mike Anderson was an assistant at Arkansas when head coach Nolan Richardson rode the "40 Minutes of Hell" style to the 1994 NCAA championship. The same approach has helped Anderson become one of the hottest new head coaches in college basketball with three 20-win seasons in his first four years.
"We lost some key components from the last two NCAA tournament teams," Anderson said. "But we have a few guys back that have been able to do some of the same things. One thing we're just trying to do is stay consistent."
Injury update: Grier, who returned to action Saturday against Nevada-Las Vegas, had a scare in practice Monday. He left the workout an hour early after a ball caromed off his injured finger. Monson was pleased to report there was no swelling.
? Monson said he is hopeful Hargrow will play tonight. It would be Hargrow's first appearance since playing nine minutes Nov. 30 against Maryland. Hargrow averaged 15.2 points in four games this season.
It didn't take Boone long to turn serious.
There's nothing amusing about the challenge the Gophers (5-2) will face tonight when Johnson and UAB (4-2) bring their "40 Minutes of Hell" defense to Williams Arena.
Boone expects the Blazers' aggressive full-court pressure to be the biggest test for Minnesota's backcourt since a loss to Maryland (22 turnovers). The Blazers have forced an average of 23 turnovers a game. Leading the way is Johnson, who had a school-record 12 steals in a victory last month over South Carolina State. He was one steal shy of the NCAA record.
"They get people to play real fast," said Boone, Minnesota's starting point guard, who has a 4-3 assist-to-turnover ratio. "We understand that that's going to be the key to this game. We have to handle their pressure well if we're going to beat them."
UAB has distinguished itself among midmajor programs. The Blazers made back-to-back trips to the NCAA tournament, including a Sweet 16 berth after upsetting No. 1 seed Kentucky two years ago. UAB has a better RPI (Rating Percentage Index) than the Gophers, 92 to 118, according to collegerpi.com.
With All-Big Ten Conference senior swingman Vincent Grier back from a broken left finger and senior Moe Hargrow likely to return from a right ankle sprain tonight, Minnesota has a better chance to win its fourth in a row.
But Gophers coach Dan Monson admitted to having a tough time preparing for the Blazers.
He introduced some new full-court press breakers into the offense, but the scout team couldn't come close to simulating the level of intense pressure the players will see tonight.
"You have to commend them for having a style that is unique," said Monson, who began his coaching career as a UAB graduate assistant under former coach Gene Bartow from 1986-88. "I don't care if you're the ACC or the Big Ten. This is like facing Princeton or Phil Niekro or the wishbone offense."
UAB's defense isn't invincible. The Blazers have victories over Massachusetts and Nebraska, but also proved to be vulnerable. When they forced just nine turnovers against DePaul, the lowest total for an opponent in two years, they lost 70-66. Western Kentucky committed 27 turnovers against UAB but hit 15 three-pointers and shot 59 percent from the field in a 92-76 victory.
UAB coach Mike Anderson was an assistant at Arkansas when head coach Nolan Richardson rode the "40 Minutes of Hell" style to the 1994 NCAA championship. The same approach has helped Anderson become one of the hottest new head coaches in college basketball with three 20-win seasons in his first four years.
"We lost some key components from the last two NCAA tournament teams," Anderson said. "But we have a few guys back that have been able to do some of the same things. One thing we're just trying to do is stay consistent."
Injury update: Grier, who returned to action Saturday against Nevada-Las Vegas, had a scare in practice Monday. He left the workout an hour early after a ball caromed off his injured finger. Monson was pleased to report there was no swelling.
? Monson said he is hopeful Hargrow will play tonight. It would be Hargrow's first appearance since playing nine minutes Nov. 30 against Maryland. Hargrow averaged 15.2 points in four games this season.
