The only reason Rodney Williams became an inside player for Minnesota was Trevor Mbakwe's torn-up knee. Playing together in the post for the first time in their college career, Mbakwe and Williams are turning into quite the pair for the 13th-ranked Gophers. Williams scored a season-high 19 points, including a 360-degree dunk off a fast break, and Mbakwe grabbed a career-best 18 rebounds in 21 minutes to lead Minnesota past North Dakota State 70-57 on Tuesday night.