Andy Katz says Mbakwe is coming back, making Gophers B1G top-3 potential

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He must be assuming he is coming back given he hasn't declared for the draft. Just a guess.

It's amazing what the NIT run did for the Gopher's stock. I haven't quite bought into the top B1G finish like the national media has, but I'd be ecstatic with those results. With the emergence of Indiana and Michigan, I just don't see us leap frogging the other perennial contenders. Can't wait for next year though.
 

The date for underclassmen to remove themselves from the draft was April 10th. Because that date has passed and Mbwake hasn't declared I think he is assuming that he is comming back.

Mbwake could still notify the NBA office in writing that he wants to be eligible for the NBA draft by April 29th but if he did that he would automatically lose his college eligibility without any recourse.
 

Gold Vision said:
He must be assuming he is coming back given he hasn't declared for the draft. Just a guess.

It's amazing what the NIT run did for the Gopher's stock. I haven't quite bought into the top B1G finish like the national media has, but I'd be ecstatic with those results. With the emergence of Indiana and Michigan, I just don't see us leap frogging the other perennial contenders. Can't wait for next year though.
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I agree, but while it's common to talk about where we stand in the B1G, keep a couple things in mind. For one thing, the conference is so loaded that "top 5 in the B1G" (while not sounding like much) basically means you're at least a sweet 16 quality team. And if we did in fact finish in the top 3 in the B1G, we're talking about a team that likely would be ranked in the top 10 in the nation. And for another thing, once the NCAA tourney starts you can pretty much throw the conference standings out the window (the exception being, you want to finish well enough to avoid a 7-10 seed).

It sure is refreshing the last few years not to hear about how the ACC is better than the Big 10. Now if we can just do something about the SEC and football...
 

Gold Vision said:
He must be assuming he is coming back given he hasn't declared for the draft. Just a guess.

It's amazing what the NIT run did for the Gopher's stock. I haven't quite bought into the top B1G finish like the national media has, but I'd be ecstatic with those results. With the emergence of Indiana and Michigan, I just don't see us leap frogging the other perennial contenders. Can't wait for next year though.
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I agree, I don't like to make predictions. I do see it is going to be very unpleasant to visit Williams Area for the next 3 years.
 


"In the hunt" is kinda open, but over the last few years, top 3 has meant a 13-5 B1G season at least. Potentially, yeah, they could hit that. It'd require a lot of good bounces, and that's just not something Minnesota is accustomed to. I'd still be inclined to go more 11-7, assuming Trevor is 100%, and Rodney, who will move back to the 3 I'm guessing, is prepared to attack the rim with the aggressiveness he ended this season with.
 


NurumbiCongo said:
Say what?
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He means the Gophers are going to be very tough to beat at home the next few years, opposing teams will dread coming here to play. I think 3 years is a bit far ahead to be saying that we will be finishing in the top half of the conference consistently. I certainly hope howieramone is right, I just think it's a bit too far off to project with reasonable accuracy.
 

Monty519 said:
"In the hunt" is kinda open, but over the last few years, top 3 has meant a 13-5 B1G season at least. Potentially, yeah, they could hit that.
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In the 16-game conference schedule era, what is now a 13-5 season (.722) was the equivalent of 11.55 wins, meaning one would need at least a 12-4 record to surpass that mark. In the 10 seasons of that era (1998-2007 seasons), it was accomplished 0 times, including the cheater's last two seasons. That winning percentage (.722) has been meet or exceeded by the Gophers twice since 1965 (1982 and 1972, both by other cheating coaches), and 3 times since 1949 (add 1965 under Kundla). Thus, that conference winning percentage has been met or exceeded 3 times in 63 seasons, and only once by a reputable coach. Is this going to be the once-every-32-seasons campaign that happens under coaches of integrity at Minnesota?
 



Gold Vision said:
He must be assuming he is coming back given he hasn't declared for the draft. Just a guess.

It's amazing what the NIT run did for the Gopher's stock. I haven't quite bought into the top B1G finish like the national media has, but I'd be ecstatic with those results. With the emergence of Indiana and Michigan, I just don't see us leap frogging the other perennial contenders. Can't wait for next year though.
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I think the NIT made some people sit up and take notice of what this team can look like when all the cylinders are firing. To provide some perspective, this is a far different deal than last year when Austin was having trouble making jump shots or earlier this year when I described the team as a collection of parts, none of which seem to do anything very well. The 6-12 record was somewhat deceiving, in that it reflected the team playing poorly for key stretches, rather than being devoid of talent or depth. The challenge for Tubby and players is to get some consistency going and play at a high level more often. Whether or not they can get that motivated and more mentally tough will be the deciding factors.
 

Cayman said:
He means the Gophers are going to be very tough to beat at home the next few years, opposing teams will dread coming here to play. I think 3 years is a bit far ahead to be saying that we will be finishing in the top half of the conference consistently. I certainly hope howieramone is right, I just think it's a bit too far off to project with reasonable accuracy.
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I agree 3 years are tough to predict. Tubby has 4 tenders for next year and he'll take a C, PF, PG and wing. Banking scholarships makes for interesting discussion on fanboards but seldom happens in real life. I always thought Tubby was a good recruiter, and with the momentum the program currently has I'm expecting a very good class. Funny how quickly things can change with a coach like Tubby.

Go Gophers!
 

howieramone said:
I agree 3 years are tough to predict. Tubby has 4 tenders for next year and he'll take a C, PF, PG and wing. Banking scholarships makes for interesting discussion on fanboards but seldom happens in real life. I always thought Tubby was a good recruiter, and with the momentum the program currently has I'm expecting a very good class. Funny how quickly things can change with a coach like Tubby.

Go Gophers!
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There are definitely teams that bank scholarships in real life. I know Arkansas is an example of a team this year that banked a couple scholarships from the previous year. It's helpful if only to balance out recruiting classes.
 

zambam said:
There are definitely teams that bank scholarships in real life. I know Arkansas is an example of a team this year that banked a couple scholarships from the previous year. It's helpful if only to balance out recruiting classes.
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IMO 2013 may be the year to bank one. We will have 4 scholarships. I say sign Washington and Matt Thomas, and possibly the Duluth east big. And bank 1 more scholly for 2014 to go after Tyus & Co.
 



howieramone said:
I agree 3 years are tough to predict. Tubby has 4 tenders for next year and he'll take a C, PF, PG and wing. Banking scholarships makes for interesting discussion on fanboards but seldom happens in real life. I always thought Tubby was a good recruiter, and with the momentum the program currently has I'm expecting a very good class. Funny how quickly things can change with a coach like Tubby.

Go Gophers!
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Here is how i see it: at wing hope for either Thomas/Parker, at C look for Kyle Washington/Manyang then at PF look for Schilling/Foster. You could also put Manyang at the PF spot. I would bank that PG spot for Tyus then you will have 2 more scholarships available for that 2014 class which is loaded.
 

Winona Gopher said:
Here is how i see it: at wing hope for either Thomas/Parker, at C look for Kyle Washington/Manyang then at PF look for Schilling/Foster. You could also put Manyang at the PF spot. I would bank that PG spot for Tyus then you will have 2 more scholarships available for that 2014 class which is loaded.
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Like your ideas, but can't go 2 years without recruiting a PG.
 


howieramone said:
Like your ideas, but can't go 2 years without recruiting a PG.
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I agree in most cases, but I dont think you recruit a PG in front of Tyus. That could potentially steer him away because he would get less playing time. The issue is that this staff doesnt appear to be recruiting a PG right now, which doesnt surprise me. If they do decide on recruiting a PG look for Kyle Davis from the Chicago area. He is small and quick but that is all i know.

The main issue becomes what happens if the staff misses on Tyus? Gotta look at Andre Wallace from EP. Kid is quick, good court vision, little unsure about his jumpshot and left hand, but you can easily improve on those 2 areas.
 

Winona Gopher said:
I agree in most cases, but I dont think you recruit a PG in front of Tyus. That could potentially steer him away because he would get less playing time. The issue is that this staff doesnt appear to be recruiting a PG right now, which doesnt surprise me. If they do decide on recruiting a PG look for Kyle Davis from the Chicago area. He is small and quick but that is all i know.

The main issue becomes what happens if the staff misses on Tyus? Gotta look at Andre Wallace from EP. Kid is quick, good court vision, little unsure about his jumpshot and left hand, but you can easily improve on those 2 areas.
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Is Matt Thomas not a PG in your eyes?
 


Winona Gopher said:
I agree in most cases, but I dont think you recruit a PG in front of Tyus. That could potentially steer him away because he would get less playing time. The issue is that this staff doesnt appear to be recruiting a PG right now, which doesnt surprise me. If they do decide on recruiting a PG look for Kyle Davis from the Chicago area. He is small and quick but that is all i know.

The main issue becomes what happens if the staff misses on Tyus? Gotta look at Andre Wallace from EP. Kid is quick, good court vision, little unsure about his jumpshot and left hand, but you can easily improve on those 2 areas.
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Kind of a quandary, I almost think you look for a Juco PG if Tyus goes somewhere else and maybe look at Jarvis Johnson for the following year.

Everybody talks about 2014 but minus Jones the 2015 class might be as good or possibly better, with Jones 2014 is hands down better but if You can get Jarvis Johnson, Ellenson, and Illikainen for 2015 that could be a very good local class.
 

jovs said:
Kind of a quandary, I almost think you look for a Juco PG if Tyus goes somewhere else and maybe look at Jarvis Johnson for the following year.

Everybody talks about 2014 but minus Jones the 2015 class might be as good or possibly better, with Jones 2014 is hands down better but if You can get Jarvis Johnson, Ellenson, and Illikainen for 2015 that could be a very good local class.
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zambam said:
Is Matt Thomas not a PG in your eyes?
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I dont believe he is. If the staff is desperate, like putting Hoffarber there, then you could. I will say Thomas has a much better handle than Hoffarber.

2015 is loaded with the top 2 of Illikainen and Jarvis. Illikainen is a stud, think of Cody Zeller. He is a bit shorter, but is still growing and should be just as skilled. Jarvis, however not as good as Tyus as a freshmen, will be good. He is quick, explosive, good vision and has a good jumper. I can't say much about the younger Ellenson because i have never watched him play before.
 

Winona Gopher said:
I agree in most cases, but I dont think you recruit a PG in front of Tyus. That could potentially steer him away because he would get less playing time. The issue is that this staff doesnt appear to be recruiting a PG right now, which doesnt surprise me. If they do decide on recruiting a PG look for Kyle Davis from the Chicago area. He is small and quick but that is all i know.

The main issue becomes what happens if the staff misses on Tyus? Gotta look at Andre Wallace from EP. Kid is quick, good court vision, little unsure about his jumpshot and left hand, but you can easily improve on those 2 areas.
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I noticed the same thing. I'm guessing the priorities are C, PF and then the rest. Nothing wrong with a gentlemen's disagreement on PG. I
really like the two incoming recruits and think next year's recruiting will be fun to watch. Keep posting!
 


Potential...sure. The Gophers finishing above Indiana, Michigan, Ohio State and Michigan State next year? I just don't see it when you look at incoming recruiting classes and players that have decided to return for next season.
 

howieramone said:
Like your ideas, but can't go 2 years without recruiting a PG.
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Your opinion is definitely valid, but here's my thoughts: Even if Tyus doesn't commit (quite likely), the table is still going to set for an incoming PG. Because we're trying to set up everything perfectly for Tyus, if he commits elsewhere, the table will still be set for the commitment of an impact PG, because he won't really have a blockade clogging his minutes.

So let's say Tyus commits to Duke. Tubby then calls up the few four and five star PGs left. He is able to offer them immediate playing time on an incredibly deep and talented squad. If we can't land an incoming freshman PG, then we could go the Julian Welch route and sign a JUCO.
 


RoyalGopher said:
Your opinion is definitely valid, but here's my thoughts: Even if Tyus doesn't commit (quite likely), the table is still going to set for an incoming PG. Because we're trying to set up everything perfectly for Tyus, if he commits elsewhere, the table will still be set for the commitment of an impact PG, because he won't really have a blockade clogging his minutes.

So let's say Tyus commits to Duke. Tubby then calls up the few four and five star PGs left. He is able to offer them immediate playing time on an incredibly deep and talented squad. If we can't land an incoming freshman PG, then we could go the Julian Welch route and sign a JUCO.
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IMO I want the next impact PG to be a future junior in our program when Dre graduates. Just a difference of opinion. Hope you're looking forward to next year's recruiting class as much as I am. The last 15 months or so have been painful. Thank God for Tubby and the Gopher Faithful!

Go Gophers!
 

dpodoll68 said:
Silly.

People aren't serious when they say things like this, are they?
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How do you figure? You quote me right there and yes it does seem silly, but the next sentence I explain it better.

Curious, if you think the whole thing is silly, you dont see him as a priority number 1 in state for the class of 2015?
 

Winona Gopher said:
How do you figure? You quote me right there and yes it does seem silly, but the next sentence I explain it better.

Curious, if you think the whole thing is silly, you dont see him as a priority number 1 in state for the class of 2015?
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There's an enormous difference between "best player/#1 priority in the state" and Cody Zeller. Zeller is one of the best players in the country and a no-doubt future top 10 (or even top 5) pick. We've had two post players in the entire history of MN HS basketball (McHale and Humphries) as good as Zeller, and you're telling me Illikainen is going to be the 3rd? He's going to be a 5-star and a McDonald's All-American? Sure, whatever you say.
 

RoyalGopher said:
Well we're going to have to go 2 years without recruiting a PG because of Tyus. We want the table to be set for him.
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You can't recruit like this especially when it is not known whether the PG you want will even commit to your school and if the PG doesn't commit just call "up the few four and five star PGs left" and think any of them are going to sign right up to play for you.
 

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