Westbrook - C+ - A terrible liability defensively and offensively, sloppy with the ball...Can't blame him for trying to make things happen at times because nobody else does...But his shooting is wildly inconsistent and he's never really tried to drive and dish to open players. His performances against Penn State and aggressiveness were the biggest reasons I give him the lofty(for this team) grade.
Hoffarber - C - Smartest player on the team but has never developed anything off the dribble...He had a chance to develop into a poor man's JJ Redick, but he never really has. His hot games against OSU and Northwestern won 2 games for the Gophers but he had other games that were forgettable, particularly against the better teams on the road.
Sampson - C - Took 2 steps forward this season and then 1 step back...that was his trend. Still has more upside than anyone on the roster if he gains confidence and some better footwork. Defensively, he's got to get stronger...Sims abused him.
Damian Johnson - B - Highest graded player, mostly because he produces in a variety of ways. He never did learn to block out and allowed Sims several key offensive rebounds in both games with Michigan. Wish he woulda developed a pull up jumper from 10 to 12 feet, but apparently its not in the cards for him. He can only score on layups and dunks and that makes him easy to guard for foes.
Devoe Joseph - D - Shooting percentages dropped and his turnovers are up. Lost 2 or 3 close games with his poor shooting and clutch misses...Defensively, opponents shoot over 50% against him. A huge liability.
Paul Carter - D - Never saw a more talented player get less from his skills for the Gophers. He is more talented than Johnson but he's a mental midget and dissappears in most games. Commits bad, sloppy fouls and can't block out or rebound commensorate with his athleticism. I'm pretty sure, Tubby and coaches have scared him from being more aggressive on the offensive end.
Colton Iverson - D+ - I'd give him a C or C+ if he'd only learn to value the ball more...but all too often, he loses the grasp or has it poked away too easily. Offensively, he's got better low post moves than Sampson, but he can't be trusted to hold on to the ball or make FT's when he's fouled. I'm not sure his issues are correctable.
Bostick - F - Forgot his first name and don't care to look...he's been a failure in every facet.
Cobbs - D - He's clueless as most Freshman PG's tend to be. I'm not ruling out that he'll develop but I wouldn't bet on it. He seems to lack awareness and vision. Good athlete though.
Al Nolen - F- His grade probably looks familiar to him. Woulda been a solid C until he showed his Minneapolis public school pedigree in the classroom.
Tubby Smith - F - Never has a coach gotten a freer pass for failing so dramatically. He cost his team games by recruiting criminals who never saw the court unless it was a court-room with a judge presiding. He also cost the Gophers at least 5 games with his in-game coaching, timeouts down the stretch when letting players play, would given the team a better shot. He's failed to get players to play freely and comfortably in a role. He's failed to develop a workable offense for the players to succeed in while his defense has gotten worse as the season as gone along. Players play scared and tight. It's all on Tubby.
