Myron blog: Gophers addressing, fixing flaws in Big Ten play

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Which is great

I'll take basic reporting any day in this town, where everyone thinks they are an opinion columnist. The ones that really are columnists are either senile, bitter, terrible or some combination of those three. Virtually all of the rest have interpreted this bastardized era of blogging/multi-channel/24-7 hybrid media as an opportunity to play columnist in order to become a sports "personality" (ugh). We could use a good number of additional true reporters but, alas, that doesn't fit the emerging model where opinion, speculation and a diminishing demand for primary sources are viewed as not only adequate but preferable. I can get enough opinion and speculation from discussion board posters (which is expected and greatly enjoyed). I guess I'm old school, in that I'd rather the "professionals" spend less time participating in the discussion and more time taking advantage of their unique opportunity and access to the actual players and coaches to report factual news that the rest of us cannot unearth. That would have value. What a concept.
 

Nicely done, Myron.

Somewhere in there is a between the line admission that Tubby and his staff can coach. One of the perks of the Smith Era is that we can be virtually assured that his teams will be playing better at the end of the season than the beginning. It's been true every year and especially true in the chaos ridden season of last year. Your analysis proves the point they are getting better.

This was decidedly not true of the previous administration, whose teams mailed it in at the end of most seasons.
 



So Myron is done with this garbage?

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For the first time in Tubby Smith's tenure at Minnesota, the Gophers might have a few players who will consider their pro options before graduation.

Ralph Sampson III has the height, the skill set and pedigree to play at the next level. We're all waiting, however, for him to put it all together and add a little aggressiveness to his game so he can fulfill his potential. A big year by Sampson will certainly get the scouts talking even more than they are now. Plus, consider guys like Hassan Whiteside, Jerome Jordan and even, Cole Aldrich. The year before they hit the NBA radar, few knew much about them. It doesn't take much for a big man to raise his draft stock.

If Devoe Joseph adds some muscle to his frame and builds on his All-Tournament worthy performance in March's Big Ten tournament, he'll have a shot at the next level. Down the stretch, Joseph ran the team. I think he's a point at the next level, if he gets there. And I think the Gophers will play him at point guard next season, too. He needs to be consistent. But he has raw skills that were on display during that magical run in the Big Ten tourney. He's not there yet, but he could be the next Big Ten guard to land on the NBA map.

Rodney Williams should be a different player next season. During a short stretch his freshman year, he lived up to the premature hype about his pro potential. He was a top-5 pick on nbadraft.net's 2011 mock draft at the start of the season. But he struggled throughout the year and didn't play much during the Big Ten season. He should've redshirted. But when he was on the floor, he pulled off some above-the-rim maneuvers that are hard to describe. He needs to prove that he can handle the ball, hit a 15-foot jump shot and defend on the perimeter. But he has all the makings of a poor man's Wesley Johnson. If he cracks the starting rotation, a possibility with Minnesota's lack of depth at small forward, and plays well during the Big Ten season, Williams will move up on a lot of real NBA draft boards.

Different people say different things about Trevor Mbakwe. A few days after he signed with the Gophers in 2009, he told me that he'd already talked to Tubby Smith about going pro after his junior season. Legal issues prevented him from playing last year and they might keep him off the floor next season, too, depending on the outcome of his trial in June. One person close to the program told me that he doesn't think Mbakwe will start for the team. Others think he'll lead the Gophers to big victories over their toughest opponents. The 6-8, 240-pound forward certainly has an NBA frame. If he showcases pro-level skills next year, he'll get NBA looks, too.

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Third time is not a charm for Tubby Smith's 2010 recruiting class

I still believe Elliott Eliason, Oto Osenieks, Mo Walker and Austin Hollins all have potential. But this group is missing the immediate contributors featured in Tubby Smith's first two classes at Minnesota. A couple of them might redshirt. Some of these guys might surprise us. But after losing their top scorer (Lawrence Westbook) and top defender (Damian Johnson), it's hard to see how this class helps the Gophers get back to the NCAA tourney in 2011, considering what they've lost vs. what they've gained.

Not saying they'll miss next year's NCAA tournament, but the Gophers win based on their depth. And they're going to have a lot of youngsters on the bench next year. We'll see what happens.
 

Looking at the old link above, Starks missed a good opportunity to get some playing time on the big stage. I don't know why he decided not to play, but he probably would have been able to compete with Mav for back-up pg minutes.

Myron- The Gophers have also asked Grand Rapids senior guard Eric Stark to join the program as a recruited walk-on, an offer he's expected to accept.

I watched Stark play during the Grand Rapids-St. Paul Johnson 3A state title game at the Target Center in March. I like his game. He's a scorer. He's certainly strong enough to play at this level. Seems like a good situation for both parties.
 

Am I the only one who hasn't thought Rodney's defense has been that great? He often out of position.

Williams has been a surprise. He's struggled on offense this year. But the sophomore's commitment to defense has created a new weapon for the Gophers on that end of the floor. His versatility, length and athleticism have helped the Gophers limit players such as Ohio State's Jon Diebler (3 for 8) and Purdue's E'Twaun Moore (2 for 14).

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"I had some shots. They just didn't go down," Moore said. "The same shots I've had before."

Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/ba...ash/2011/01/13/65816_recap.html#ixzz1BiRFn2gf
 

HOOP DREAMS said:
Looking at the old link above, Starks missed a good opportunity to get some playing time on the big stage. I don't know why he decided not to play, but he probably would have been able to compete with Mav for back-up pg minutes.

Myron- The Gophers have also asked Grand Rapids senior guard Eric Stark to join the program as a recruited walk-on, an offer he's expected to accept.

I watched Stark play during the Grand Rapids-St. Paul Johnson 3A state title game at the Target Center in March. I like his game. He's a scorer. He's certainly strong enough to play at this level. Seems like a good situation for both parties.
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This is pure speculation- He was with the team until shortly after the Canada trip, maybe not being able to go and get a chance to play left him feeling like he wasn't really part of the team and he said forget it.

That is just what popped into my head when I heard he wasn't sticking with the team. If anyone knows the reason I would be interested to hear.
 



Williams has shown flashes this year. Here's to hoping he's smart and sticks around at least for next year. It would be awesome to see him put it all together. Rooting for the kid - he's got potential and seems like a good kid.
 

Jeshurun said:
Williams has shown flashes this year. Here's to hoping he's smart and sticks around at least for next year.
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Someone should give him the Rick Ricket talk. Unless he's becomes a projected lottery pick and guaranteed top 24 pick (which won't happen) he needs to keep working on his game. He doesn't want to get picked in the second round by Boston, dunk on KG, get punched in the face and cut from the team.
 

NurumbiCongo said:
Third time is not a charm for Tubby Smith's 2010 recruiting class

I still believe Elliott Eliason, Oto Osenieks, Mo Walker and Austin Hollins all have potential. But this group is missing the immediate contributors featured in Tubby Smith's first two classes at Minnesota. A couple of them might redshirt. Some of these guys might surprise us. But after losing their top scorer (Lawrence Westbook) and top defender (Damian Johnson), it's hard to see how this class helps the Gophers get back to the NCAA tourney in 2011, considering what they've lost vs. what they've gained.

Not saying they'll miss next year's NCAA tournament, but the Gophers win based on their depth. And they're going to have a lot of youngsters on the bench next year. We'll see what happens.
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I guess he wasn't factoring in Trevor's impact or expecting Blake's improved game.

Also, Chip has been a pleasant surprise.
 

9194Gophs said:
Someone should give him the Rick Ricket talk. Unless he's becomes a projected lottery pick and guaranteed top 24 pick (which won't happen) he needs to keep working on his game. He doesn't want to get picked in the second round by Boston, dunk on KG, get punched in the face and cut from the team.
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Very nice!
 



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