Without Nolen, Gophers must recreate themselves

Well, now we know that Tubby Smith’s early guess on Al Nolen’s foot was incorrect. That wasn’t a sprained ankle that the Gophers senior point guard suffered Saturday, it was a broken foot.

With it, the Gophers’ chances of competing for a top one, two or even three spot in the conference seem over, as does Nolen’s college career. Smith is leaving open the idea that Nolen could return before the season is done. Surgery is scheduled for Wednesday. But it’s tough to image Nolen healing up fast enough to make that happen. Nolen has a pro career to also think about — likely not in the NBA, but in Europe — and he won’t want to risk some kind of permanent damage by returning too soon.

Nolen is the team’s best ballhandler, best penetrator and best defender. So yes, this is a major blow to a team that has some great pieces and is ranked 16th in the country. Now, Minnesota is left to pick up those pieces. Blake Hoffarber will likely play lots of point guard now, which is not a good thing for the team’s best shooter. And when he’s not playing the point, expect freshmen Maverick Ahanmisi and Chip Armelin to man that spot. Ahanmisi isn’t a great athlete, but is a true point guard. Armelin is a great athlete, but isn’t a true point guard. Minnesota’s best move likely is letting Hoffarber become the primary point guard (he is lethal as a shooter and strong and smart with the ball, though not a penetrator), and give Armelin and fellow freshman Austin Hollins the primary minutes at shooting guard.

Do that, hope that Hoffarber doesn’t wear out, and that the freshmen evolve in a hurry. And of course cling to the hope that Nolen makes a miraculous return.

— Pat Ruff