Rodney and Trevor's careers

[gopherbadgerman]

What are peoples thoughts on the careers of these two seniors? Better or worse than expected? About what you thought? Just curious of peoples thougts as their careers wind donw this year.

For me Trevor has been better than expected and Rodney maybe slighty below what I was hoping for. I had thought that Rodney would be a multiple all B10 player maybe leaving after 3 years into the NBA and I was hoping that Trevor would be a 10 and 8 guy playing alongside Royce White up front...I remember those were my thoughts when they all signed here a few years ago...

what say you?

Also - not to say I am not satisfied at all with Rodney, he has been a wonderful player and is turning into a real leader, and would take 12 of him any day of the week on my team.

 

[mnsportsgeek]

Trevor has met expectations. He has been productive and played with a lot of heart and shown leadership.

Rodney was played in the wrong position for 2 and a half years and I think we would have a very different view of his career had he been playing the 4 for his entire career. As a senior, Rodney has finally reached his potential and shown a lot of leadership to go along with that.

Both of them have a very real possibility of having long careers in the NBA.

 

[MadtownGopher]

I don't think people realized how raw Rodney was coming in, which really skewed their view of him. I think most people just saw that he was a 4 star player and assumed he was as polished as Royce. I'm thrilled to have both and am happy that both stayed in school as long as possible.

 

[beavergopher]

Rodney has the skills of a 4 in the body of a 3. Not big enough to play 4 spot in the NBA. Has played great since Trevor got hurt, but still does not have the consistent outside shot to play at the next level. Love watching him this year. Go Gophs.

 

[Blizzard]

I'm thinking we're really, really, going to miss them next year.

 

[Gold Vision]

I think Rodney is one of my all time favorite Gophers despite expectations.

 

[Gopher Warrior]

I'm thinking we're really, really, going to miss them next year.

I think Rodney is one of my all time favorite Gophers despite expectations.

Agreed - elite rebounders like Trevor don't come along often and what Rodney can do athletically is difficult to comprehend. Add to that what they are capable of accomplishing this year and they'll be remembered by Gopher fans for decades to come. Not to mention both of them being Minnesotans.

Both worth the price of admission for fans of college basketball.

 

[Addicted2Gophers]

Trev has been great for us very hard worker goin to be a tough guy to replace just because of the leadership he has he really gets the team into it with his yelling after big plays gotta love that. No complaints on rod either he has really worked hard to improve his game gettin better every year he's been here.I am sure going to miss his big dunks !

 

[BleedGopher]

I don't think we've had a player improve every year like Rodney, since Quincy. And while Rodney shouldn't be patted on the back for staying the course and showing his commitment to the program, it is interesting that he has been the pillar of dependability for his recruiting class that included him, Royce, Trevor and Cobbs. Not to mention the others that have come and gone in his time.

He's been a rock for the program.

Trevor has been a beast down low. For a variety of reasons I wish he could have fulfilled his eligibility in the two years we initially thought, as the U not being able to get production out of a four-year player two of the years is hard on a program, I am very glad we have him this year. He's a fun player to watch no doubt and it may be another decade until we find a rebounder like him again.

Go Gophers!!

 

[sunnyday2]

Both have been better than I expected when they were high school seniors. I mean, Trevor was pretty much indistinguishable from Bryce Webster at the time, and he was known as not a hard worker. Rodney was known to have issues with his temper and I agree that he was especially raw at the time. Athleticism only goes so far. Both became hard workers and both have improved themselves individually and as teammates. If every player improved as much as they have, and especially Rodney, it would be a coach's dream.

 

[Cayman]

Both have been better than I expected when they were high school seniors. I mean, Trevor was pretty much indistinguishable from Bryce Webster at the time, and Trevor was known as not a hard worker. Rodney was known to have issues with his temper and I agree that he was especially raw at the time. Athleticism only goes so far. Both became hard workers and both have improved themselves individually and as teammates. If every player improved as much as they have, and especially Rodney, it would be a coach's dream.

First time I've ever heard either of those things said about those players, but I also didn't follow their recruitment or anything. Has Rodney ever even gotten a technical? I don't think I've ever heard anyone say anything about Rodney's temper.

As for my own opinion, not sure I expected Trevor to be quite as good as he ended up being. I remember hearing after Rodney's first and second seasons that next season he would get it together and be a star, and that finally happened part way through his third season and has thankfully continued into this one. Also agreed about Rodney being a rock for the team. Staying four years and never getting in trouble has not been the most common occurrence in this program over the past few years.

 

[macgopher]

Agreed - elite rebounders like Trevor don't come along often and what Rodney can do athletically is difficult to comprehend. Add to that what they are capable of accomplishing this year and they'll be remembered by Gopher fans for decades to come. Not to mention both of them being Minnesotans.

Both worth the price of admission for fans of college basketball.

Echo my sentiment on both. Last year watching Rodney turn it on at the end of the year was something else. And Trevor besides his raw talent, what a grinder, what intensity-a 'born on Monday, died on Sunday but what the hell did you do that week' player. I hope the NBA treats them both well.

 

[JDGopher]

I didn't follow Trevor in HS, so I can't comment there...

I would've guessed Rodney would be slightly better (only because he was such a highly regarded recruit), but I am very happy with where he is now after seeing how he struggled to adjust as a freshman and sophomore. I was pretty sure (after his first two years) that he was going to be, at best, a limited role player or below-average starter. Instead, he's a very productive and reliable player who has all B1G level ability, I think.

Both will be greatly missed.

 

[mnsportsgeek]

Rodney and Trevor are going to need to stop going out in public. They were absolutely mugged at the Target Center by kids wanting pictures. Thanks for the patience guys! It's not easy being 9th in the country.

 

[Costa Rican Gopher]

Trevor has definitely exceeded expectations. No one lost any sleep over it when he went to Marquette. In fact I'd say well over 1/2 of GH was against him coming here from Miami Dade. His knee was shot, he wasn't explosive & he'd moved so many times that he must have some type of baggage. Ryan James was the one I clearly remember telling people that Trevor would bring a whole new "above the rim" type rebounding to the team & would be the best 4 since Courtney James. Then he had the legal problems which led to an avalanche of "I told you so's!!". He's been everything he was advertised & then some. I don't envision him playing in the NBA. He's too small to play PF @ 6'7", he'll be a 25 yo rookie & he's got two repaired knees. That said, he had to come back this year to show the pros (not just the NBA) that he can still play at a high level & he has. I see a 7-8 year career in Europe in Trevor's future.

Rodney has been a little underwhelming. He was hyped up because of his athletic dunks, but many forgot that's only one aspect of the game. Then we realized he wasn't that quick off the dribble & his shot never really developed. The best thing that ever happened to Rodney was Trevor getting hurt & RS3 having a mystery the knee injury during our NIT run. Rodney is 1000% better when he has a physical banger next to him to do the dirty work & that was just what he got with EE, Ingram & Oto carrying that load in the NIT run as opposed to Ralph lined up next to him. The dirty secret is that in spite of the acrobatic dunks, Rodney's not very physical. As long as he's lined up next to Trevor, or EE, or Ingram he's fine, but the minute he's expected to rough it up with the other teams bangers he disappears. Rodney has what NBA teams covet, athleticism. He'll be drafted towards the end of the 1st round & will make a team as a defensive stopper off the bench. If he continues to develop (and I think he will) he could turn into more than a role player.