First Look at the 2004-05 Gophers

The start of the season is still 5 months away, and practice doesn’t even begin for another 3, but the 2004-05 Gopher Basketball team was on display in a hot and steamy Williams Arena this weekend. While pickup games certainly don’t simulate Big 10 conditions, it was still nice to get a look at the newcomers as well as the returning players who will be expected to increase their roles.

Rico Tucker, just three days removed from a late-night flight from San Diego, may be the most anticipated new arrival, but I have at least been able to see him play three times previously. So for me, getting a first glimpse of junior college transfers Vincent Grier and J’son Stamper was the biggest motivating factor. A look at redshirt (transfer) freshman Dan Coleman‘s development was also high on my list. And yes, I was still very eager for another look at Rico.

The trip to The Barn didn’t disappoint. Nearly the entire roster was in attendance, including new walk-ons Everette Pedescleaux, Alex Popp, and Ryan Saunders. There were also a few familiar faces participating in Mike Bauer and Rick Rickert. Stamper did not play due to a minor injury, and freshman Spencer Tollackson was busy moving into his dorm room, but everybody else was on display.

Here are some notes of interest as well as some of my first impressions:

• Adam Boone shot the ball decently and played pretty well in leading his team to an undefeated record (7-0 or so)
• It’s early, and I don’t want to overhype anything, but Dan Coleman is the real deal. He will surely suffer a few growing pains as a freshman, but he will be one of the Gophers top players and scorers this season (and certainly in seasons to come). His strength and aggressiveness are improved, and he has developed the ability to score off the dribble. I anticipate him being the starting power forward, but he’s also capable of playing the ‘3’
• My first impression of Vincent Grier was a good one. He wasn’t exactly what I was expecting (a little stronger, not quite as sleek – whatever that means), but he definitely looks like he can help the team. He’s a good athlete, likes to push the ball and attack the basket, and (probably the most surprising and promising thing for me) has a very good feel for the game and is a good passer. He looks to be much more of a ‘3’ than a ‘2’ to me
• I’ve seen him before, and I definitely consider football to be the sport where his upside is biggest, but Everette Pedescleaux is a very solid basketball player. He’s physically imposing, but he also has a good face-up game and handles the ball well
• Alex Popp can shoot the rock. We don’t know much about the walk-on from Mount Hermon Prep in Massachusetts, but he looks like a very solid pick-up. He has decent size, athleticism, and skills, and he could wind up being the best (or at least one of the best) 3-point shooter on the team. That should definitely earn him minutes at some point in his career
• As mentioned, J’son Stamper was resting a minor injury, but I was able to take away a few things from watching him between games. He’s not real big (probably similar in size to Stan Gaines) and doesn’t “look” like a Big 10 power forward, but his perimeter skills may be better than expected. He showed some good handles and a decent shooting touch, and he looks like he should be quick (ok, I might be reaching a little bit there since I never saw him run). I didn’t see anything to show me that he can’t be a legit combo forward
• Kerry Wooldridge has bulked up into a pretty solid frame and showed more aggressiveness than he did a year ago
• Star running back Laurence Maroney was on the court a lot before and in between the games. He has some solid basketball skills and also threw down some impressive dunks. Oh yeah, it also looks like he’s been spending a ton of time in the weight room, as he’s absolutely ripped
• Former Gopher Moe Hargrow was also in attendance. He’s been participating in many of the pickup games but was just a spectator today
• Armstrong grad (and former Pedescleaux teammate) Grant Hargett was in attendance
• Likely future Gopher Jonathan Williams was in attendance but didn’t play. He was in street clothes but appeared to be in playing shape
• After the games were over, I got a sneak preview of Midnight Madness, as Vincent Grier and Rico Tucker held a mini slamdunk content. Grier won round one with some powerful windmill dunks, but nobody will ever defeat Rico in a dunk contest. As stated before, his hops are absolutely unbelievable. He literally threw down 6 amazing dunks in about 60 seconds…..and that was after playing for 2 hours

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