Gophers’ Hoffarber Expected To Play Thursday

The Gopher men's basketball team is expected to have guard Blake Hoffarber available to them when they host Illinois Thursday night.  Head coach Tubby Smith says Hoffarber is expected to be okay despite suffering a knee injury Sunday against Ohio State.  He wore a brace on his left knee in the 2nd half of Sunday's loss against the Buckeyes.  Hoffarber leads the team in scoring averaging more than 14 points a game.  The Gophers are 16-7 overall and 5-6 in the Big Ten.  Minnesota dropped out of AP poll this week and is ranked #25 in the ESPN/USA Today coaches poll.  The Gophers host Illinois at 8pm Thursday, pregame on AM 1390-the Fan at 7:30.