Smith undecided on Mbakwe’s starting status

Published 2:52 pm Friday, January 21, 2011

MINNEAPOLIS  — Minnesota coach Tubby Smith says he has not decided if star forward Trevor Mbakwe will start on Saturday against Michigan.

Mbakwe has come off the bench the last two games after he was arrested for allegedly violating a restraining order by sending an ex-girlfriend a message on Facebook.

Smith said after practice on Friday that he is still mulling over his starting lineup for the 15th-ranked Gophers’ game against the Wolverines.

Mbakwe leads the Big Ten with 10.4 rebounds per game and is averaging 13.2 points per game. He says it doesn’t make a difference to him if he starts or comes off the bench.

Colton Iverson has started in Mbakwe’s place the last two games.