Elliott Eliason still plans on redshirting, says he has a lot to learn

[BleedGopher]

per this blog from Marcus:

Gophers recruit Eliason leads team to state

By Marcus Fuller on March 4, 2010

The Gophers might have suffered an embarrassing loss to Michigan on Tuesday. But this week hasn't been all bad for the program, because big man recruit Elliott Eliason continued his successful senior season by leading his team back to the state tournament.

Eliason, a 6-foot-11, 235-pound center from Chadron High School in Nebraska, has been a dominant force inside this year while averaging 18 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks a game. He had 27 points and 12 rebounds to help his team win the C1-6 district title on Tuesday night.

A sign of his improvement from last season was evident with his game high of 36 points, 20 rebounds and six blocks in his final home game. He also had 25 points, 23 rebounds, four blocks and nine assists in a game.

"That's what I set out to do to start the year," said Eliason, who also had a triple double this season. "I wanted to work hard enough to accomplish my goals. I worked on a lot of my footwork in the low block. I tried to have a lot more touch around the basket. I think that has really helped me to be more aggressive."

Eliason said he isn't just a back-to-the-basket player anymore. He can now face his defender and make a move to score off the dribble. He has also extended his range to 10-12 feet.

Many of the opposing big men Eliason faces during the season have been between 6-5 and 6-7. He only played against a couple players taller than 6-8, but he said the competition was still better than last season.

"Some of these guys are a little undersized, but they're very physical and very strong," he said. "I actually thought there were some pretty good matchups this year, which was pretty nice."

The Gophers have seen some improvement from sophomore center Ralph Sampson III this season. But fellow second-year player Colton Iverson has been slower to develop. Even if Eliason was able to help inside next season, he said he still plans to redshirt right now.

"I have a lot to learn, obviously, and they have a lot to teach me," he said. "It's coach (Tubby) Smith and the coaching staff's decision. I'm not going to say how I compare to (Sampson and Iverson). I really don't know. I have no idea. Everyone wants to play, but I don't know the situation."

-- McDonald's finalists for the Morgan Wooten national player of the year award were released today, but there was one key omission. Gophers target and Findlay Prep (Nev.) point guard Cory Joseph was not on the list of six players. Surprisingly, Joseph's high school teammate Tristan Thompson joined Harrison Barnes from Iowa, Brandon Knight from Florida, Jared Sullinger from Ohio, Kyrie Irving from New Jersey and Perry Jones from Texas. Problem is Joseph carried his team while Thompson has been sidelined with an ankle injury for several games. I'm not sure what happened with the voting, but it clearly is a mistake.

Joseph is coming off averaging 29.5 points, 10 rebounds and 9.5 assists while earning co-MVP honors in his own school's tournament last weekend. It was Joseph's fifth MVP performance this season. His next game is April 1-3 in the ESPN National showcase. After that, Joseph said he would make his college decision. I've heard Texas, Villanova and Minnesota are the favorites.

http://blogs.twincities.com/gophers/2010/03/gophers-recruit-eliason-has-bi.html

Go Gophers!!

 

[Friend Of Tubby]

per this blog from Marcus:

Gophers recruit Eliason leads team to state

By Marcus Fuller on March 4, 2010

The Gophers might have suffered an embarrassing loss to Michigan on Tuesday. But this week hasn't been all bad for the program, because big man recruit Elliott Eliason continued his successful senior season by leading his team back to the state tournament.

Eliason, a 6-foot-11, 235-pound center from Chadron High School in Nebraska, has been a dominant force inside this year while averaging 18 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks a game. He had 27 points and 12 rebounds to help his team win the C1-6 district title on Tuesday night.

A sign of his improvement from last season was evident with his game high of 36 points, 20 rebounds and six blocks in his final home game. He also had 25 points, 23 rebounds, four blocks and nine assists in a game.

"That's what I set out to do to start the year," said Eliason, who also had a triple double this season. "I wanted to work hard enough to accomplish my goals. I worked on a lot of my footwork in the low block. I tried to have a lot more touch around the basket. I think that has really helped me to be more aggressive."

Eliason said he isn't just a back-to-the-basket player anymore. He can now face his defender and make a move to score off the dribble. He has also extended his range to 10-12 feet.

Many of the opposing big men Eliason faces during the season have been between 6-5 and 6-7. He only played against a couple players taller than 6-8, but he said the competition was still better than last season.

"Some of these guys are a little undersized, but they're very physical and very strong," he said. "I actually thought there were some pretty good matchups this year, which was pretty nice."

The Gophers have seen some improvement from sophomore center Ralph Sampson III this season. But fellow second-year player Colton Iverson has been slower to develop. Even if Eliason was able to help inside next season, he said he still plans to redshirt right now.

"I have a lot to learn, obviously, and they have a lot to teach me," he said. "It's coach (Tubby) Smith and the coaching staff's decision. I'm not going to say how I compare to (Sampson and Iverson). I really don't know. I have no idea. Everyone wants to play, but I don't know the situation."

-- McDonald's finalists for the Morgan Wooten national player of the year award were released today, but there was one key omission. Gophers target and Findlay Prep (Nev.) point guard Cory Joseph was not on the list of six players. Surprisingly, Joseph's high school teammate Tristan Thompson joined Harrison Barnes from Iowa, Brandon Knight from Florida, Jared Sullinger from Ohio, Kyrie Irving from New Jersey and Perry Jones from Texas. Problem is Joseph carried his team while Thompson has been sidelined with an ankle injury for several games. I'm not sure what happened with the voting, but it clearly is a mistake.

Joseph is coming off averaging 29.5 points, 10 rebounds and 9.5 assists while earning co-MVP honors in his own school's tournament last weekend. It was Joseph's fifth MVP performance this season. His next game is April 1-3 in the ESPN National showcase. After that, Joseph said he would make his college decision. I've heard Texas, Villanova and Minnesota are the favorites.

http://blogs.twincities.com/gophers/2010/03/gophers-recruit-eliason-has-bi.html

Go Gophers!!

The Wooten POY voting has less to do with on-the-court results than "other factors" like where the player is ranked, where he signed to play, etc.