It's as if everything has flipped. Minnesota's previous strength is now its weakness, while the former biggest question mark is now the closest thing to a certainty. And as Dan Monson prepares for his fifth season in Minneapolis, it's probably fitting that the expectations for this group of Bizarro Gophers have gone from high to low.

With the departure of Rick Rickert, who made an ill-advised decision to leave school after his sophomore season, and the arrival of North Carolina transfer Adam Boone, the Gopher offense has gone from being forward-dominated to perimeter-based. Throw in the fact that the Gophers suffered significant personnel losses (in addition to Rickert), and it isn't shocking that little is expected from a Minnesota program that underachieved a year ago.

But maybe that's better for the Gophers. Monson has done some of his best work at Minnesota when little was expected. The former Gonzaga coach acknowledges that there is work to be done.

"It's going to be one of those things where we have to put all the pieces together," Monson said. "We have to have the right chemistry and get everyone on the right page and in the right direction."

If that happens, the Gophers could record their third consecutive non-losing record in Big Ten play.

FRONTCOURT

Over the past two seasons, the Gophers have created matchup problems because of their length and size up front. Now everything has changed.

Forward Michael Bauer, who made 71 3-pointers last season, is the only returning starter up front. While the emotional Bauer has started 53 games at Minnesota, he is extremely inconsistent. There are games when his jumper falls, he plays with great emotion and he's a huge contributor. But there are other times when he seems to float, letting missed shots impact his defense and rebounding.

Bauer underwent surgery in early August to correct a ligament problem in his ankle, but he is expected to be healed in time for the start of practice.

The Gophers' frontline received a boost over the summer when prized freshman Kris Humphries, who originally signed with Duke, was granted immediate eligibility. A McDonald's All-American from nearby Chaska, Minn., Humphries is a physical forward who should slide right into the starting lineup, and his presence means the Gophers won't have to rely as heavily on the combination of Jeff Hagen and Aliou Kane.

Hagen, a former walk-on, has shown improvement, but it's not certain that he can play extended minutes and stay out of foul trouble. Kane, a top 100 recruit who redshirted last season, has a Big Ten-ready body, but he has yet to play a collegiate game.

BACKCOURT

The emphasis here will be on Boone, the Twin Cities product who spent two years at North Carolina before returning home. He was often criticized by Tar Heels fans, but Boone is the closest thing the Gophers have had to a true point guard since Monson's arrival.

While Boone is just arriving, Moe Hargrow is emerging. Hargrow made a huge jump as a sophomore. An athletic wing player who can slash to the basket, Hargrow also draws the assignment of defending the opposition's best perimeter player.

Hargrow, like Bauer, had to deal with an injury over the summer. He cracked a bone in his wrist but is expected to be ready for preseason practice.

When the Gophers play three guards -- something that will happen often -- Ben Johnson should also be a starter. How good is Johnson? That's difficult to tell, as he played much of last season with mononucleosis that went undiagnosed for a long stretch.

Monson and his staff are optimistic that top recruit Wesley Washington will be able to provide depth at both guard positions.

FINAL ANALYSIS

With improved guard play, the Gophers' drop-off may not be as great as many think after the loss of Rickert. Yet in a league in which nearly every team improved, it may be difficult for Minnesota to finish in the upper division.

However, after three consecutive trips to the NIT, the older members of this team want to prove they're Tournament-worthy. This team has a chance to be better than the sum of its individual talents.

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