I am suddenly optimistic.....am I wrong?

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HHH_Gopher

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The latter half of the last two conference seasons have taken their toll on me. I've had many moments of frustration with Tubby and the players. The low point for me was the Indiana game in which none of the 13,000 or so people in the building (including Tubby & Co.) wanted to be there (except those in crimson). Really, really low night.

However, I really like the way some of the elements of this team have come together in the past few games. The breakdown at the end of the Michigan game notwithstanding, this team, now led by a promising point, have played well. The NW game was one in which the purple had everything to play for, and yet we managed to do what was needed to win. Michigan is a solid team and we controlled the game most of the way. Last night we went into a little band box that was amped up, fended off a second half surge, and clearly demonstrated we were the better team.

Now, this certainly isn't a stretch of knocking off MSU in Indianapolis and then walking into Lexington and getting a victory, but it's really nice to see the guys play hard and finish the season strong. That did not happen last season.

My biggest reason for optimism, at least for next season, is the emergence of our guard corps. Guards get you W's in college hoops, and I'm as optimistic about this group as I've been since the late 90's. I'm not certain if Andre will ever be 1st team all-Big Ten, but he's got the potential to be a top 5 point in the league. I'm super pleased with the development of Austin in the latter half of the year. Seems willing to take shots. Has a nice all around game with good hoops IQ. Can defend. Type of kid you love to have on your team. Dan C. has had a rough go of it since the early stages of the conference season, but he's a glue guy. Does the dirty work and goes to the basket hard. Needs to shoot a million jump shots this summer, but I really like what he brings to the table. I've always loved watching Chip and hope that he sticks with the program all four years. Can continue being an offensive spark plug off the bench. Some nights he'll look great, others not so much. That's ok. As for Maverick, doesn't quite have it to be a regular at this level, but can provide a brief rest here and there. Throw in Welch, who exceeded some expectations, for next season and there is a solid group of guards to build around.

As for 2012-13, I maintain hope. I think Tubby deserves another year to get this thing going in the right direction. I don't believe I had that thought after the Indiana game, but the past few games have kept me interested. I'll definitely be renewing my seats and hopefully improving my location.

Trevor or not, we can be a good Big Ten team next year. That's my belief and I'm sticking with it.......and I'm ready for the onslaught of people telling me I'm crazy.
 

These posts are much more enjoyable to read than all the sky-is-falling posts. I'm obviousuly disappointed we didn't make the NCAA tournament, but I'm still optimistic about next year and had a lot of fun watching our game against La Salle. Hoping the Gophers run the table and win the NIT.
 

GophersOnTheRise said:
These posts are much more enjoyable to read than all the sky-is-falling posts. I'm obviously disappointed we didn't make the NCAA tournament, but I'm still optimistic about next year and had a lot of fun watching our game against La Salle. Hoping the Gophers run the table and win the NIT.
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Agreed...If you don't think these young Gophers are exciting to watch, I can't help you. It's nice to see a post finding that middle ground that SS was talking about in another thread. It hasn't been a great season, but there's reason to believe things are improving as we look towards next season. It won't satisfy the Anti-Tubby Instant Gratification Patrol who remain unimpressed by any signs of progress, but I see:

1. Another 20-win season. A three win improvement over last year with a chance to add to it.

2. An NIT birth with a chance to give our young team crucial postseason experience (theoretically allowing them to learn how to win close games in a lower-pressure environment).

3. The chance for Rodney to build on his leadership skills. Regardless of what happens with Trevor, Rodney is going to need to take the reigns next year. He needs to demand the ball.

We desperately need someone to fill that true leader role. In my opinion, our future hinges on it.

Are we where we thought we would be 5 years ago? Probably not, but you have to be able to put things into perspective. To quote Eric Kaler from a recent StarTrib article, "I drive a lot better when I'm looking through the windshield instead of the rear-view mirror."
 

As frustrating as the latter part of the season was, I'll freely admit that I've had a lot of fun watching this team the last four games. Keep playing. The only downside to playing more games is the risk of injury. If players get worse with extra experience, they probably weren't cut out for Big 10 basketball to begin with.
 

There is no doubt that the last two weeks have provided more hope for the future. The development of both Hollins, and in particular Andre, is very exciting. HHH, you are correct, college hoops is a guards game and we have some good young guards that are improving.

Heading into next season we have a good foundation: the most athletic player in the BT, depth in the back court with a nice balance of the type of guard (Welch, Hollins, Hollins, Coleman all have different skills), and potential in the front court.

There will/should be specific expectations put on the coaching staff for post-season success next year and no reason why we can't achieve that.

Go Gophers!!
 


BleedGopher said:
There is no doubt that the last two weeks have provided more hope for the future. The development of both Hollins, and in particular Andre, is very exciting. HHH, you are correct, college hoops is a guards game and we have some good young guards that are improving.

Heading into next season we have a good foundation: the most athletic player in the BT, depth in the back court with a nice balance of the type of guard (Welch, Hollins, Hollins, Coleman all have different skills), and potential in the front court.

There will/should be specific expectations put on the coaching staff for post-season success next year and no reason why we can't achieve that.

Go Gophers!!
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I agree the gophers have 4 solid guards. Dre appears to have a lot of upside. Coleman has a lot of upside once he gets a jump shot. Austin has looked really good down the stretch and Welch has been very solid.

With Rodney back next year, EE coming back a little bit stronger and the return of Mbakwe(he played in less than 30% of games and lost his season to injury, which meets the criteria for a 6th year.) This team will be very competitive. Throw in Oto, who is surprisingly solid, with Chip and you have a pretty good 9 man rotation. Ingram will probably have to play at times for depth purposes. I really like the athletes on the team next year though. The biggest thing is turnovers, which experience and physical strength will help.

As good as Dre, Coleman, EE, Oto and Austin have looked, I'd be pretty optimistic especially 2 years from now on where these guys could take you. They will have a ton of experience by then and it might even help get Tyus Jones.
 

notagopherfan said:
I agree the gophers have 4 solid guards. Dre appears to have a lot of upside. Coleman has a lot of upside once he gets a jump shot. Austin has looked really good down the stretch and Welch has been very solid.

With Rodney back next year, EE coming back a little bit stronger and the return of Mbakwe(he played in less than 30% of games and lost his season to injury, which meets the criteria for a 6th year.) This team will be very competitive. Throw in Oto, who is surprisingly solid, with Chip and you have a pretty good 9 man rotation. Ingram will probably have to play at times for depth purposes. I really like the athletes on the team next year though. The biggest thing is turnovers, which experience and physical strength will help.

As good as Dre, Coleman, EE, Oto and Austin have looked, I'd be pretty optimistic especially 2 years from now on where these guys could take you. They will have a ton of experience by then and it might even help get Tyus Jones.
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Don't forget about Big Mo.
 

yeah... if that dude comes back healthy he certainly could be a force, though I would like to say give him a year in the Big Ten. However, he is a top 150 player who a lot of D1 schools wanted coming out of high school so obviously the talent and potential is recongnized. If Mbakwe doesn't come back and Mo is healthy, Tubby will play him a lot. He's a Tubby type of Center. Big, Strong, Talented, Unselfish and he can finish.
 

notagopherfan said:
I agree the gophers have 4 solid guards. Dre appears to have a lot of upside. Coleman has a lot of upside once he gets a jump shot. Austin has looked really good down the stretch and Welch has been very solid.

With Rodney back next year, EE coming back a little bit stronger and the return of Mbakwe (he played in less than 30% of games and lost his season to injury, which meets the criteria for a 6th year.) This team will be very competitive. Throw in Oto, who is surprisingly solid, with Chip and you have a pretty good 9 man rotation. Ingram will probably have to play at times for depth purposes. I really like the athletes on the team next year though. The biggest thing is turnovers, which experience and physical strength will help.

As good as Dre, Coleman, EE, Oto and Austin have looked, I'd be pretty optimistic especially 2 years from now on where these guys could take you. They will have a ton of experience by then and it might even help get Tyus Jones.
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Quick, before GW sees! This would get him a medical hardship waiver, 6th year is another story. Obviously would love to see him back next year, and it sounds like he would definitely want to be back if it were allowed, but I guess I'm not holding my breath.
 



notagopherfan said:
I agree the gophers have 4 solid guards. Dre appears to have a lot of upside. Coleman has a lot of upside once he gets a jump shot. Austin has looked really good down the stretch and Welch has been very solid.

With Rodney back next year, EE coming back a little bit stronger and the return of Mbakwe(he played in less than 30% of games and lost his season to injury, which meets the criteria for a 6th year.) This team will be very competitive. Throw in Oto, who is surprisingly solid, with Chip and you have a pretty good 9 man rotation. Ingram will probably have to play at times for depth purposes. I really like the athletes on the team next year though. The biggest thing is turnovers, which experience and physical strength will help.

As good as Dre, Coleman, EE, Oto and Austin have looked, I'd be pretty optimistic especially 2 years from now on where these guys could take you. They will have a ton of experience by then and it might even help get Tyus Jones.
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For how many times people, including you, have been corrected for making this error you would think it would stop by now.
 

I think Trevor meets the criteria. He's torn an ACL twice which has caused him to miss 2 season plus being held out by Minnesota over the legal issue. I think he'll get enough sympathy to get a 6th year if he wants one since he's really only played 2 years of college ball.
 


notagopherfan said:
I think Trevor meets the criteria. He's torn an ACL twice which has caused him to miss 2 season plus being held out by Minnesota over the legal issue. I think he'll get enough sympathy to get a 6th year if he wants one since he's really only played 2 years of college ball.
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Except that isn't what you said. Either way it comes down to he committee or whoever makes the decision and how they define "out of the player's control" Trevor could have sat all of his freshman year and taken the medical redshirt but he chose to play in the last 9 games, causing him to lose a year of eligibility. The year he sat out for legal issues is the real question though. If they are sympathetic towards him about how drawn out the court case was he will likely get the 6th year, as you said, but I don't think it's nearly as cut and dry as you make it seem.
 




Yes I am also too excited for the thinking of having a sixth year for Mbakwe. Suck it grammar and NCAA rules police...I will talk good or gooder if I want to!
 

zambam said:
Except that isn't what you said. Either way it comes down to he committee or whoever makes the decision and how they define "out of the player's control" Trevor could have sat all of his freshman year and taken the medical redshirt but he chose to play in the last 9 games, causing him to lose a year of eligibility. The year he sat out for legal issues is the real question though. If they are sympathetic towards him about how drawn out the court case was he will likely get the 6th year, as you said, but I don't think it's nearly as cut and dry as you make it seem.
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If the NCAA says they take into account the best interests of the student-athlete, this case is one that shouldn't be debatable. You have a kid who has had 2 injuries, an AD that wouldn't let him play and he has a degree and is enrolled in graduate school. He needs another year of college basketball to prove he is healthy and capable of making a living playing basketball and to deny him that opportunity would be a betrayal by the NCAA. I wish I had a law degree because making this case is easy. Trevor deserves it, has earned it and to deny it is just being cruel.
 

If he is granted eligibility, Trevor will definitely be back as a Gopher, if he decides not to play elsewhere. And that's the truth.
 

GoodasGold said:
If he is granted eligibility, Trevor will definitely be back as a Gopher, if he decides not to play elsewhere. And that's the truth.
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Trevor has already said he will come back if granted a 6th year.
 

One quibble with the critique of the guard corps. I really don't see Joe Coleman as a guard. To me, he's an undersized small forward, and while I like a lot of the things he does, I'm just not sure if he can play guard in the B1G - UNLESS he can develop a reliable 15-ft jump shot. If he can't shoot well enough to make other teams guard him close, I'm just not sure how much he can help. Granted, he appears to be a decent defender, works hard, and is a good rebounder for his size, but he needs to be a better ball-handler, and make some outside shots to be a major contributor going forward. I think Coleman is one player who belongs in an up-tempo, open-court system - which Tubby has been reluctant to play.
 

Right now Joe Coleman is a undersized and less atheletic Rodney.
 

zambam said:
Right now Joe Coleman is a undersized and less atheletic Rodney.
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That's fairly accurate. I'd say more physical with far less hops, obviously. But both are a good jumper away from reaching their potential.
 

This season had two 'in the ditch' moments, IMO. After the Purdue game (0-4 start) and again during the Indiana game. Both times they did a decent job of pulling it out of the ditch. There's reason to be hopeful for next season. And hopefully even Tubby's most ardent haters can accept that there's 90% + chance he will be here next year and join us in looking forward to next year.
 

howeda7 said:
This season had two 'in the ditch' moments, IMO. After the Purdue game (0-4 start) and again during the Indiana game. Both times they did a decent job of pulling it out of the ditch. There's reason to be hopeful for next season. And hopefully even Tubby's most ardent haters can accept that there's 90% + chance he will be here next year and join us in looking forward to next year.
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Agreed although I'd add the two losses to Iowa. They win those two games and we'd be dancing right now.
 


short ornery norwegian said:
One quibble with the critique of the guard corps. I really don't see Joe Coleman as a guard. To me, he's an undersized small forward, and while I like a lot of the things he does, I'm just not sure if he can play guard in the B1G - UNLESS he can develop a reliable 15-ft jump shot. If he can't shoot well enough to make other teams guard him close, I'm just not sure how much he can help. Granted, he appears to be a decent defender, works hard, and is a good rebounder for his size, but he needs to be a better ball-handler, and make some outside shots to be a major contributor going forward. I think Coleman is one player who belongs in an up-tempo, open-court system - which Tubby has been reluctant to play.
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+1
 

howeda7 said:
This season had two 'in the ditch' moments, IMO. After the Purdue game (0-4 start) and again during the Indiana game. Both times they did a decent job of pulling it out of the ditch. There's reason to be hopeful for next season. And hopefully even Tubby's most ardent haters can accept that there's 90% + chance he will be here next year and join us in looking forward to next year.
Click to expand...

+1
 

short ornery norwegian said:
One quibble with the critique of the guard corps. I really don't see Joe Coleman as a guard. To me, he's an undersized small forward, and while I like a lot of the things he does, I'm just not sure if he can play guard in the B1G - UNLESS he can develop a reliable 15-ft jump shot. If he can't shoot well enough to make other teams guard him close, I'm just not sure how much he can help. Granted, he appears to be a decent defender, works hard, and is a good rebounder for his size, but he needs to be a better ball-handler, and make some outside shots to be a major contributor going forward. I think Coleman is one player who belongs in an up-tempo, open-court system - which Tubby has been reluctant to play.
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+19
 

zambam said:
Not really... Sorry, I want him back too but it's not even close to a slam dunk.
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Yeah, it's not so much a slam dunk. It's more of a Trevor Mbakwe 15-foot jump shot kind of odds.

:(
 

I guess I am curious to see how players like Andre Hollins, Joe Coleman, Mo Walker and Elliot Elliason improve from now to the start of next season than I am about Williams. Rodney Williams is going to be a senior and we are starting to see him become more effective but as far as the team goes the development of the four younger players is going to be the key to this team becoming a top half of the Big Ten team.

Austin Hollins, Rodney Williams, and Mbakwe (if he is back) will give the team a nice solid base but the four younger players need to be ready to produce from day 1. Andre Hollins may need to be this teams leader as the point guard he needs to lead the team especially with Tubby's horrible offense. So many late game situations get thrown into the lap of the point guard to create a shot for himself or someone else with the shot clock running down. It will be up to Hollins to make something happen. If he can be the type of player that can either score or get open shots for others the Gophers will be a pretty good team. If he cant it could be another tough season.
 

Before this season Myron said the coaches did not expect Rodney to return for his senior year. Has something changed? Has Rodney or the coaches indicated that he will be back?
 

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