Smith: Gophers PG Hoffarber's Knee Will Be Fine

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Minnesota coach Tubby Smith says he expects point guard Blake Hoffarber's sore left knee to be fine for the Golden Gophers' game against Illinois on Thursday.

Smith spoke to reporters during the Big Ten teleconference Monday. He says Hoffarber is receiving treatment on the bursa sac behind his left knee. Hoffarber limped through the second half of the loss to top-ranked Ohio State on Sunday with a brace on his knee.

Hoffarber leads the Gophers with 14.2 points per game. But he is playing out of position, having moved from his natural shooting guard to point guard to take over for the injured Al Nolen.

Smith says Hoffarber is "carrying a major load" and may be getting worn down by all the minutes he has been playing.

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