BleedGopher
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and other tid bits:
This third installment is late. I apologize. But I wanted to gather some more info from people who have actually had a chance to watch some of Minnesota's first practices before posting this.
For the third year in a row, reporters aren't allowed to watch Gophers men's basketball practice. Trust me, I've sought access many, many times. But that's not Tubby Smith's style.
I talked to a team source Monday morning who gave me this rundown of Gophers men's basketball, after nearly two weeks of practice:
-Royce White is the team's top post presence, and he's playing like a go-to guy in practice sessions.
-Rodney Williams is holding his own and he's going to contribute this season.
-Al Nolen is playing well.
-Justin Cobbs gives the team a lot of extra speed.
-Colton Iverson has had some struggles so far, which isn't surprising when considering Minnesota's upgrade in athleticism.
-Trevor Mbakwe, if he's allowed to play, could be a major difference-maker for the Gophers.
-Devoe Joseph and Lawrence Westbrook are both making strong cases for the starting two-spot.
I guess I'm not surprised by any of this.
After the Midnight Madness scrimmage and conversations with team insiders, and I don't get too excited after a loose scrimmage and a few practices, I think:
-Mbakwe has the potential to be the one of the Big Ten's best power forwards. Can anyone name a true power forward in the Big Ten? DeShawn Sims doesn't mind settling for jump shots. Dallas Lauderdale is all defense. I still see JaJuan Johnson as more of a center. There just aren't a lot of them in this league. Plus, he's a rebounder.
-In the end, White's talent, size, strength and skill set will be too valuable to use in a reserve role. I think Smith will bring him off the bench at the start of the season. But as the Gophers get closer to the 76 Classic, an event that will grant the Gophers a chance to earn every necessary nonconference victory for their NCAA tournament resume, White might be a starter.
-Cobbs is ready to play now. He's 190 pounds as a freshman. One of Joseph's challenges last season and Nolen's two years ago was a lack of strength. I think his physicality alone elevates his status in Smith's eyes.
-I'm so confused about Williams. One minute, I can't figure out how the Gophers will use him. Other times, I think about the Big Ten and its lack of athleticism. Don't get me wrong. The Big Ten has some good, athletic players. But I don't know how many guys have Williams' next-level, did-he-just-do-that, I-didn't-know-a-human-being-could-jump-that-high athleticism. Williams has that. There has to be a way for Minnesota to use that to its advantage, right?
-Ralph Sampson III is one go-to move and a few rebounds per game away from a shot at the NBA. He's going to get a chance. If NBA scouts aren't sold on his game, they'll definitely appreciate his 6-11 frame and genetics. That's not enough to send him to The League. But it's enough to help him earn an opportunity. My prediction: If he averages a double-double this season, he'll get serious consideration from the pros. I don't know if that will happen this season, but the addition of Mbakwe and White will help him by giving him an opportunity to focus on being a center. No more part-time power forward because that's not who he is.
-When I tell my grandkids about Paul Carter, I wonder if I'll describe him this way: "Kids, he was good. He had a solid all-around game. He could dribble, pass, shoot and score in a variety of ways. But he was the odd man out in a deep talent pool." I just get the feeling that Minnesota's new depth will hinder the potential of a few guys, but I think Carter might take the biggest blow.
-I don't know what to make of the slimmed down Westbrook. I appreciated the bulky Westbrook. Bulky Westbrook used his strength to compensate for whatever he lacked in height. Bulky Westbrook had the mass to create space for himself against taller defenders. Slimmed down Westbrook says he hasn't lost any of his strength. We'll see.
http://www.startribune.com/blogs/66...EyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUgOy9cP3DieyckcUsI
Go Gophers!!
This third installment is late. I apologize. But I wanted to gather some more info from people who have actually had a chance to watch some of Minnesota's first practices before posting this.
For the third year in a row, reporters aren't allowed to watch Gophers men's basketball practice. Trust me, I've sought access many, many times. But that's not Tubby Smith's style.
I talked to a team source Monday morning who gave me this rundown of Gophers men's basketball, after nearly two weeks of practice:
-Royce White is the team's top post presence, and he's playing like a go-to guy in practice sessions.
-Rodney Williams is holding his own and he's going to contribute this season.
-Al Nolen is playing well.
-Justin Cobbs gives the team a lot of extra speed.
-Colton Iverson has had some struggles so far, which isn't surprising when considering Minnesota's upgrade in athleticism.
-Trevor Mbakwe, if he's allowed to play, could be a major difference-maker for the Gophers.
-Devoe Joseph and Lawrence Westbrook are both making strong cases for the starting two-spot.
I guess I'm not surprised by any of this.
After the Midnight Madness scrimmage and conversations with team insiders, and I don't get too excited after a loose scrimmage and a few practices, I think:
-Mbakwe has the potential to be the one of the Big Ten's best power forwards. Can anyone name a true power forward in the Big Ten? DeShawn Sims doesn't mind settling for jump shots. Dallas Lauderdale is all defense. I still see JaJuan Johnson as more of a center. There just aren't a lot of them in this league. Plus, he's a rebounder.
-In the end, White's talent, size, strength and skill set will be too valuable to use in a reserve role. I think Smith will bring him off the bench at the start of the season. But as the Gophers get closer to the 76 Classic, an event that will grant the Gophers a chance to earn every necessary nonconference victory for their NCAA tournament resume, White might be a starter.
-Cobbs is ready to play now. He's 190 pounds as a freshman. One of Joseph's challenges last season and Nolen's two years ago was a lack of strength. I think his physicality alone elevates his status in Smith's eyes.
-I'm so confused about Williams. One minute, I can't figure out how the Gophers will use him. Other times, I think about the Big Ten and its lack of athleticism. Don't get me wrong. The Big Ten has some good, athletic players. But I don't know how many guys have Williams' next-level, did-he-just-do-that, I-didn't-know-a-human-being-could-jump-that-high athleticism. Williams has that. There has to be a way for Minnesota to use that to its advantage, right?
-Ralph Sampson III is one go-to move and a few rebounds per game away from a shot at the NBA. He's going to get a chance. If NBA scouts aren't sold on his game, they'll definitely appreciate his 6-11 frame and genetics. That's not enough to send him to The League. But it's enough to help him earn an opportunity. My prediction: If he averages a double-double this season, he'll get serious consideration from the pros. I don't know if that will happen this season, but the addition of Mbakwe and White will help him by giving him an opportunity to focus on being a center. No more part-time power forward because that's not who he is.
-When I tell my grandkids about Paul Carter, I wonder if I'll describe him this way: "Kids, he was good. He had a solid all-around game. He could dribble, pass, shoot and score in a variety of ways. But he was the odd man out in a deep talent pool." I just get the feeling that Minnesota's new depth will hinder the potential of a few guys, but I think Carter might take the biggest blow.
-I don't know what to make of the slimmed down Westbrook. I appreciated the bulky Westbrook. Bulky Westbrook used his strength to compensate for whatever he lacked in height. Bulky Westbrook had the mass to create space for himself against taller defenders. Slimmed down Westbrook says he hasn't lost any of his strength. We'll see.
http://www.startribune.com/blogs/66...EyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUgOy9cP3DieyckcUsI
Go Gophers!!
