Michael Rand: Who is the Gophers men's basketball team's most important player?

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Right now, it's Nolen. An injury to him would send things down the tubes pretty quick.
 

Nolen, Hoff and Trevor are on equal footing. Loose any of them and we are toast.
 

I don't think it's that clear cut anymore like it was last year with Damian. Probably Nolen only because of the lack of depth at PG, but Trevor and Blake aren't far behind.
 

It is hard to say Nolen, with his scoring problems, but he really is a key piece to this team. I would say either Hoff or Mbakwe. Those two float our team.
 


Nolen is the worst basketball player of the three, but the most important. Unfortunately.
 

It really depends on the team (and type of defense) that we are facing. AN does a lot of things right - just wish his shooting was more consistent. TM keeps this team in games with his defensive presence and rebounding. IMO his scoring will go up as well. Blake is the best all around player on the team. When he scores like he did last night, his value goes way up. Just wish his long pass to Rodney would have connected, if so, the game wouldn't have been so close at the end. Having said that, if the team needs a basket, it's Blake. If it's needing a stop, or pressure on the ball, AN can do that. If it's rebounding, TM is all over that. One player that is going to be more and more important is Rodney...what a job on Moore last night.
 


USAFChief said:
Nolen is the worst basketball player of the three, but the most important. Unfortunately.
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Great defense (it is part of the game) 13 points, 8 assists, 1 turnover, 3 steals, 3 boards and the winning three point shot in 39 minutes against the #8 team in America. Yeah Chief - he's very important and a very good balllplayer.
 



Trevor,IMO and its not even close. The rest of the guys just look lost out there without him.
 

Trevor

I ask myself who can we most afford not to lose and imo its Trevor -- he can't be denied just mollified. That makes us a special team.
 

bga1 said:
Great defense (it is part of the game) 13 points, 8 assists, 1 turnover, 3 steals, 3 boards and the winning three point shot in 39 minutes against the #8 team in America. Yeah Chief - he's very important and a very good balllplayer.
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I don't buy the 'great defense' line, never have. Good defender, not great, and offense is a part of the game, too.

He did hit the three pointer, he also spent a good part of the last 10 minutes of that game keeping Purdue close.

Unfortunately, the very fact he played 39 minutes demonstrates he's the most important player on the team, since Tubby ran off the only other viable point guard option. Do you really want to see Ahanmisi and Hoffarber for 40 minutes at PG?

However, that does not make him a 'very good ballplayer.' By definition, 'very good ballplayers' are very good on both ends of the court.
 

Ran off?

Joseph couldn't beat out Nolen or Hoffarber. He had his chances and then blew it.
 



I think Nolen and Hoff are the most important. And without one, the other would be much less effective. Without Nolen, Hoff would have trouble getting the points he gets and without Hoff, Nolen wouldn't have anyone to dish to.
 

USAFChief said:
I don't buy the 'great defense' line, never have. Good defender, not great, and offense is a part of the game, too.

He did hit the three pointer, he also spent a good part of the last 10 minutes of that game keeping Purdue close.

Unfortunately, the very fact he played 39 minutes demonstrates he's the most important player on the team, since Tubby ran off the only other viable point guard option. Do you really want to see Ahanmisi and Hoffarber for 40 minutes at PG?

However, that does not make him a 'very good ballplayer.' By definition, 'very good ballplayers' are very good on both ends of the court.
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Sounds like someone has a self-fulfilling prophecy when it comes to Al.
 

If al Nolen got hurt against Iowa they wouldn't have a snowballs chance in hell at going .500 in the big ten. If anyone else on the team got hurt it would be rough, but they still would.
 

Just curious Air Force guy, are you one of those guys who joined the USAF to get the free flight training so you could fly commerical jets? If so please tell us what airline you fly with so I can avoid finding you behind the controls. You are one crazy ass dude and might want to avoid the 'shrooms.
 

Unfortunately the Gophers are not a team that can afford to lose anybody more than what they already have. The lack of an effective back-up isn't make Hoff, Mbakwe or Nolen an argument for who is the MVP. All 3 would be difficult to impossible to replace. But if somebody has to be the MVP, I say Hoff. When all is said and done, the team with the most points wins, and if he's not scoring then most nights we're not gonna have the most points.
 

Drex96 said:
Just curious Air Force guy, are you one of those guys who joined the USAF to get the free flight training so you could fly commerical jets? If so please tell us what airline you fly with so I can avoid finding you behind the controls. You are one crazy ass dude and might want to avoid the 'shrooms.
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I'm not in the Air Force but I think we owe those who are a debt of gratitude for their service.

Your post was nonsensical.
 


USAFChief said:
...since Tubby ran off the only other viable point guard option...
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Ridiculous statement. Talk to someone with connections to the program, anyone at all, and they will fill you in on the truth. Hell, most in athletic department know at least a bit about it. The Quitter's actions over the course of the last 1.5 years are not a secret.
 

USAFChief said:
Nolen is the worst basketball player of the three, but the most important. Unfortunately.
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I'd tend to agree with this statement. Agree that Trevor and Blake are better players, but there is no quality depth at the PG spot.
 

Friend Of Tubby said:
I'm not in the Air Force but I think we owe those who are a debt of gratitude for their service.

Your post was nonsensical.
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First my bad for pulling your quote..in that context my post made no sense.

That being said have you read USAFs posts? Most are only opportunities to take pot shots at Nolen.

As for service & respect, as a person from a family with many generations of service to this country, I'm more offended by some anonymous jerk defaming the honor that should be afforded armed forces personnel by posting villainies on a sports blog.

Air Force guy has lost the privilege by my standard.
 

Drex96 said:
First my bad for pulling your quote..in that context my post made no sense.

That being said have you read USAFs posts? Most are only opportunities to take pot shots at Nolen.

As for service & respect, as a person from a family with many generations of service to this country, I'm more offended by some anonymous jerk defaming the honor that should be afforded armed forces personnel by posting villainies on a sports blog.

Air Force guy has lost the privilege by my standard.
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He's a negative nancy, that's for sure. I have a feeling if we were undefeated right now, he'd still be complaining about something or finding ways to get shots in at Tubby, Nolen, or anyone else on the team.
 

I didn't read the article, but I would have to say Chip Armelin withhout a doubt. He brings to much to this team off the bench. His knuckle ball rainbows are a thing of beauty. Just kidding. I think it's Colton, the offensive juggernaut, Iverson.
 

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