BleedGopher
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http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci_14267245
Among top prep recruits, Cory Joseph keeping tabs on U
By Marcus R. Fuller
Devoe Joseph wasn't the University of Minnesota's starting point guard until last week when Al Nolen was ruled academically ineligible.
But the sophomore from Canada looked like he should have been in that role a lot sooner after finishing with 16 points, seven assists and only one turnover in a 65-64 loss Saturday to No. 6 Michigan State at Williams Arena.
It certainly seems as if the Gophers (12-7, 3-4 Big Ten), who are hoping to snap a three-game losing streak tonight against Northwestern (14-5, 3-4) at home, have found their floor leader for the rest of this season. Joseph clearly needs to continue to play at a high level for them to have a shot at making the NCAA tournament.
But if he does, what happens next season?
Nolen's future status is unclear. Joseph will have two years left. And Minnesota's top recruiting target is Joseph's brother, Cory, one of the top high school senior point guards in the nation.
The Joseph brothers don't appear to be concerned. For one, they played together and dominated opposing teams sharing ball-handling duties for two years at Pickering High School in Ontario. And the younger Joseph is all about supporting his older brother, even though he wants to play for a school that is the best fit for him.
"I've been playing the point all my life," said Cory, ranked the No. 7 senior and No. 3 point guard in the 2010 class by Rivals.com. "But if he was playing the point, then I would play the two. If I play the point, then he would play two. Whoever gets the ball brings it up the court, so it really doesn't affect my thoughts on the program."
The younger Joseph called his brother after he watched the Michigan State loss from Las Vegas, where he attends Findlay Prep, a national high school power.
"He said it was a tough loss, but to just keep it up," Devoe Joseph said. "He said we looked good. He said to keep up the hard work, and that we were going to take it to the next level."
Devoe doesn't know if he will be the starting point guard next season. He's not even sure he wants to, because his natural position is shooting guard. But Minnesota coach Tubby Smith needs him in that role right now, especially with freshman Justin Cobbs lacking experience. And he's making the most of it.
After going 0 of 11 shooting in three straight games, Devoe has 35 points in the past two games combined, including a season-high 19 points with two jump shots that sent the game into overtime in a loss at Indiana.
Devoe had trouble matching up defensively against Indiana's Verdell Jones III and Michigan State's Kalin Lucas, who had 24 and 22 points, respectively, against the Gophers. But while he isn't as capable as Nolen locking down opposing guards, he gives the team a much different offensive dynamic.
"I believe that Devoe is bringing a lot of energy to the team and a different look to the point-guard position," sophomore big man Ralph Sampson III said. "It changes the whole face of the way we play right now."
Devoe said he helped teach Cory how to be a better shooter, but he's picking up tips from him on how to run a team and play defense.
"My brother is a real poised point guard," said Devoe, who is averaging nine points and three assists a game this season. "He takes care of the ball, and he takes his time. He's real solid. I watch his games and see what he does well. If it's an area I need to work on, then I try to improve on it, too."
The younger Joseph's national reputation is as high as anyone in the 2010 class right now, especially after he led Findlay with 23 points in a victory last week over No. 1 St. Patrick (N.J.) and Duke-bound guard Kyrie Irving on ESPNU.
He's tracking the success of all five of the schools on his final list: Minnesota, Texas, Villanova, Connecticut and Nevada-Las Vegas. It's obviously easier to follow the Gophers. He has enjoyed seeing his brother finally shine as a starter in Smith's system, but Cory said he wouldn't let that sway his decision, which he might not make until after his high school season.
"My brother having fun there makes me feel good," he said. "But at the same time, I'm thinking personally. If he does bad or good there, it doesn't necessarily mean I will."
Go Gophers!!
Among top prep recruits, Cory Joseph keeping tabs on U
By Marcus R. Fuller
Devoe Joseph wasn't the University of Minnesota's starting point guard until last week when Al Nolen was ruled academically ineligible.
But the sophomore from Canada looked like he should have been in that role a lot sooner after finishing with 16 points, seven assists and only one turnover in a 65-64 loss Saturday to No. 6 Michigan State at Williams Arena.
It certainly seems as if the Gophers (12-7, 3-4 Big Ten), who are hoping to snap a three-game losing streak tonight against Northwestern (14-5, 3-4) at home, have found their floor leader for the rest of this season. Joseph clearly needs to continue to play at a high level for them to have a shot at making the NCAA tournament.
But if he does, what happens next season?
Nolen's future status is unclear. Joseph will have two years left. And Minnesota's top recruiting target is Joseph's brother, Cory, one of the top high school senior point guards in the nation.
The Joseph brothers don't appear to be concerned. For one, they played together and dominated opposing teams sharing ball-handling duties for two years at Pickering High School in Ontario. And the younger Joseph is all about supporting his older brother, even though he wants to play for a school that is the best fit for him.
"I've been playing the point all my life," said Cory, ranked the No. 7 senior and No. 3 point guard in the 2010 class by Rivals.com. "But if he was playing the point, then I would play the two. If I play the point, then he would play two. Whoever gets the ball brings it up the court, so it really doesn't affect my thoughts on the program."
The younger Joseph called his brother after he watched the Michigan State loss from Las Vegas, where he attends Findlay Prep, a national high school power.
"He said it was a tough loss, but to just keep it up," Devoe Joseph said. "He said we looked good. He said to keep up the hard work, and that we were going to take it to the next level."
Devoe doesn't know if he will be the starting point guard next season. He's not even sure he wants to, because his natural position is shooting guard. But Minnesota coach Tubby Smith needs him in that role right now, especially with freshman Justin Cobbs lacking experience. And he's making the most of it.
After going 0 of 11 shooting in three straight games, Devoe has 35 points in the past two games combined, including a season-high 19 points with two jump shots that sent the game into overtime in a loss at Indiana.
Devoe had trouble matching up defensively against Indiana's Verdell Jones III and Michigan State's Kalin Lucas, who had 24 and 22 points, respectively, against the Gophers. But while he isn't as capable as Nolen locking down opposing guards, he gives the team a much different offensive dynamic.
"I believe that Devoe is bringing a lot of energy to the team and a different look to the point-guard position," sophomore big man Ralph Sampson III said. "It changes the whole face of the way we play right now."
Devoe said he helped teach Cory how to be a better shooter, but he's picking up tips from him on how to run a team and play defense.
"My brother is a real poised point guard," said Devoe, who is averaging nine points and three assists a game this season. "He takes care of the ball, and he takes his time. He's real solid. I watch his games and see what he does well. If it's an area I need to work on, then I try to improve on it, too."
The younger Joseph's national reputation is as high as anyone in the 2010 class right now, especially after he led Findlay with 23 points in a victory last week over No. 1 St. Patrick (N.J.) and Duke-bound guard Kyrie Irving on ESPNU.
He's tracking the success of all five of the schools on his final list: Minnesota, Texas, Villanova, Connecticut and Nevada-Las Vegas. It's obviously easier to follow the Gophers. He has enjoyed seeing his brother finally shine as a starter in Smith's system, but Cory said he wouldn't let that sway his decision, which he might not make until after his high school season.
"My brother having fun there makes me feel good," he said. "But at the same time, I'm thinking personally. If he does bad or good there, it doesn't necessarily mean I will."
Go Gophers!!
