STrib: Mo Walker: From question mark to one of Minnesota's best assets

[BleedGopher]

per Amelia:

One of the best Minnesota stories of the year is almost being ignored right now.

With the top-seeded Gophers steadily advancing in the NIT -- they head to New York to play Florida State in the semifinals at 8 p.m. CT on Tuesday -- there has been plenty of talk about the seniors. There has been speculation about Andre Hollins, who has struggled. There has been commentary on coach Richard Pitino's handling of Year One.

Tuesday night, with Austin Hollins exploding for a new career-high 32 points, Mo Walker quietly put up one of the most ridiculous stat lines imaginable, as much as one can quietly do something like that.

Twelve points. Nine rebounds. Four assists. Three blocks. Three steals. Zero turnovers.

And the only reason the performance didn't warrant more turned heads is that most are no longer surprised to see Walker go off.

http://www.startribune.com/sports/blogs/252702281.html

Go Gophers!!

 

[GoldenRodents]

I won't be satisfied until he improves just as much next year.

 

[SelectionSunday]

Assuming Mo remains diligent in the offseason, he should be the Gophers' starting center from Day 1 next season. He's too big of an asset to have coming off the bench any longer. Center is one position I'm not worried about for the Gophers in 2014-15. Mo backed up by EE is a pretty solid situation.

Decent big guys don't grow on trees, and we'll have 2 bigs with a ton of experience. Most importantly, Mo has become a weapon not many Big Ten teams have. ... a legitimate low-post scorer from the center position. Hammons at Purdue. Anyone else? Kaminsky can score some down low, but he's definitely more of a stretch 5.

Now let's get a couple shooters, and a power forward that can hit the boards & play right away.

 

[station19]

Assuming Mo remains diligent in the offseason, he should be the Gophers' starting center from Day 1 next season. He's too big of an asset to have coming off the bench any longer. Center is one position I'm not worried about for the Gophers in 2014-15. Mo backed up by EE is a pretty solid situation. Decent big guys don't grown on trees, and we'll have 2 bigs with a ton of experience.

Now let's get a couple shooters, and a power forward that can hit the boards & play right away.

Right on SS. I can see games where one or the other will provide a better match-up. Nice having 10 fouls to give.

 

[jovs]

If you need scoring Mo is definitely the better option, if defensive stops in the middle is the greatest need then Elliot is your man, I hope Mo can develop into a defensive stopper, he could be All Big Ten if that happened.

 

[oleboy41]

There's value in starting EE. Presumably your best perimeter offensive players are in the starting lineup and EE gives you a defensive presence early on. Plus with Mo coming in EE can be aggressive on D. Then Mo anchors the 2nd unit offensively for a few possessions.

 

[tikited]

There's value in starting EE. Presumably your best perimeter offensive players are in the starting lineup and EE gives you a defensive presence early on. Plus with Mo coming in EE can be aggressive on D. Then Mo anchors the 2nd unit offensively for a few possessions.

Yep. I don't see things changing next year. Mo will still get more minutes but will continue to come off the bench.

 

[bga1]

If you need scoring Mo is definitely the better option, if defensive stops in the middle is the greatest need then Elliot is your man, I hope Mo can develop into a defensive stopper, he could be All Big Ten if that happened.

Mo has a ways to go on defense, but he has improved dramatically. He needs to start. You want to start the game by establishing yourself inside- which Mo does and EE doesn't. In my view the only reason Pitino didn't start Mo in the latter half was to avoid crushing EE mentally. EE is so affected by his mental approach. When his head is right he's a great defensive player who is a very good asset to the team.

 

[MadtownGopher]

Starting Mo gives you the opportunity to get the other team's starting big guys in foul trouble which is obviously a huge advantage. Bring in EE as a defensive and hustle spark off the bench.

 

[SelectionSunday]

Starting Mo gives you the opportunity to get the other team's starting big guys in foul trouble which is obviously a huge advantage. Bring in EE as a defensive and hustle spark off the bench.

That's where I'm at with the center position. Silly not to start Mo next season with the kind of weapon he's become. I'd argue EE can play with more reckless abandon coming off the bench, anyways.

 

[WhoFellDownTheGopherHole?]

I've got to agree with SS; Start Mo and establish an inside presence, opening up everything else. Then when Elliot comes in, he can focus on defense, and (ideally) we can avoid surrendering any big runs when Mo has to sit.

 

[howieramone]

That's where I'm at with the center position. Silly not to start Mo next season with the kind of weapon he's become. I'd argue EE can play with more reckless abandon coming off the bench, anyways.

It makes no sense to have by far your best rebounder on the bench on a poor rebounding team. So you would start a team of Not So Huge Mo and King, neither of whom shine at rebounding or defense? EE won as many games with his shot blocking, as Not So Huge Mo won with his scoring.

 

[freshtrout]

Assuming Mo remains diligent in the offseason, he should be the Gophers' starting center from Day 1 next season. He's too big of an asset to have coming off the bench any longer. Center is one position I'm not worried about for the Gophers in 2014-15. Mo backed up by EE is a pretty solid situation.

Decent big guys don't grow on trees, and we'll have 2 bigs with a ton of experience. Most importantly, Mo has become a weapon not many Big Ten teams have. ... a legitimate low-post scorer from the center position. Hammons at Purdue. Anyone else? Kaminsky can score some down low, but he's definitely more of a stretch 5.

Now let's get a couple shooters, and a power forward that can hit the boards & play right away.

And that power forward could be Josh Martin .. let's hope he can be the Dude to come right in a play that position well. Fingers crossed.

 

[MN1nAZ]

.... Most importantly, Mo has become a weapon not many Big Ten teams have. ... a legitimate low-post scorer from the center position. Hammons at Purdue. Anyone else? Kaminsky can score some down low, but he's definitely more of a stretch 5.

Don't forget McGary. He is very good and both he and Mo are rostered as 6' 10" 250 255 lb power forwards.

 

[GopherCountry]

Why can't EE improve his offensive game this off-season as much as Big Mo has become not so big Mo? As others have mentioned, EE starts because he is the better defensive and rebounding option, and because the starting five already has many more scoring threats than the second team. I'm not sure one can improve their hands as Mo's are terrible.

 

[BeaversMN]

Mo is just smoother, tougher, stronger and obviously bigger than EE. He has improved a lot and will continue to hopefully. I'm loving the situation for next year having two senior centers, although we do need to worry about not having anyone once they're gone.

 

[bga1]

From the Wisconsin game where Mo had a breakout game - there have been 17 games played:

Mo
22 minutes 10.2 pts - 5.2 boards
EE
18 minutes 3.2 pts - 4.4 boards

Unless EE takes a big step next year - which I hope he does- Mo should start.

 

[Moonlight]

Very early, before Mo was injured and had surgery, we saw shades of this scoring ability. Glad to see w/rehab and weight loss he's showing signs of fulfilling this promise. And we're actually seeing some fire as he excels. A good story to be enjoying as this season finishes: To be continued...

 

[SelectionSunday]

Don't forget McGary. He is very good and both he and Mo are rostered as 6' 10" 250 255 lb power forwards.

Good point. Was thinking there's a decent chance McGary will go pro, even though he's coming off back problems.

 

[Monty519]

Why can't EE improve his offensive game this off-season as much as Big Mo has become not so big Mo? As others have mentioned, EE starts because he is the better defensive and rebounding option, and because the starting five already has many more scoring threats than the second team. I'm not sure one can improve their hands as Mo's are terrible.

I don't think you can equate developing an offensive repertoire in the offseason before you senior year to shedding weight in the offseason. Especially for a big man, that stuff usually comes pretty slowly. For Mo, it's a natural part of his game, a lot of it he already had, just needed to get the body right, and hone it in. For EE, it's not as natural, and I wouldn't anticipate him suddenly gaining back to the basket post skills for next year. His calling card will always be defense, rebounding, hustle, etc.

As far as who starts, I'm not opposed to EE starting, but with the way Mo has closed, it's hard not to think it will flip next season. But you never know, it may be a nice rhythm thing for both to have EE start and Mo come off the bench. Either way, I hope both guys have a great offseason and let the best man win.

 

[bga1]

I don't think you can equate developing an offensive repertoire in the offseason before you senior year to shedding weight in the offseason. Especially for a big man, that stuff usually comes pretty slowly. For Mo, it's a natural part of his game, a lot of it he already had, just needed to get the body right, and hone it in. For EE, it's not as natural, and I wouldn't anticipate him suddenly gaining back to the basket post skills for next year. His calling card will always be defense, rebounding, hustle, etc.

As far as who starts, I'm not opposed to EE starting, but with the way Mo has closed, it's hard not to think it will flip next season. But you never know, it may be a nice rhythm thing for both to have EE start and Mo come off the bench. Either way, I hope both guys have a great offseason and let the best man win.

Regardless of who starts I see the possibility for some player combos to work together:

King and Elliason in together may give you a natural scorer in King who is not a good rebounder or defender with a natural defender and rebounder in Elliason.

Meanwhile Mo could potentially pair with Martin who appears to be a banger and has the motor to defend but who may not be polished as a scorer in his freshman year.

 

[howieramone]

Regardless of who starts I see the possibility for some player combos to work together:

King and Elliason in together may give you a natural scorer in King who is not a good rebounder or defender with a natural defender and rebounder in Elliason.

Meanwhile Mo could potentially pair with Martin who appears to be a banger and has the motor to defend but who may not be polished as a scorer in his freshman year.

I agree, I see something like this happening. I see some EE in Martin. I think our frontcourt will be no worst than B1G average, with a chance to be above average at some point in time.

 

[GopherJake]

How about bringing in a competent backup center and moving Mo to starting PF, while EE remains starting C?

 

[MadtownGopher]

How about bringing in a competent backup center and moving Mo to starting PF, while EE remains starting C?

Pitino has said they won't play together. That combo wouldn't fit his system.

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[GopherJake]

Pitino has said they won't play together. That combo wouldn't fit his system.

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Thanks. I missed this and assumed they weren't playing together because they both tend to get in foul trouble and having both on the floor would make the team more vulnerable. What is it about the combo that he said doesn't fit his system? As many have said, don't good coaches mold their system around the resources they have rather than trying to fit square pegs into round holes? I thought this is what he was doing by playing so much zone D?

 

[MadtownGopher]

Thanks. I missed this and assumed they weren't playing together because they both tend to get in foul trouble and having both on the floor would make the team more vulnerable. What is it about the combo that he said doesn't fit his system? As many have said, don't good coaches mold their system around the resources they have rather than trying to fit square pegs into round holes? I thought this is what he was doing by playing so much zone D?

First of all, neither can guard a PF. Can you imagine one of those guys trying to stick with Dekker this year? Scary. They both like to sit on the block as well, that would clog the lane too much. Mo wouldn't be as effective posting up and our guards wouldn't be able to get to the rim. Then of course there is the issue of our full court press...

 

[GophersOnTheRise]

First of all, neither can guard a PF. Can you imagine one of those guys trying to stick with Dekker this year? Scary. They both like to sit on the block as well, that would clog the lane too much. Mo wouldn't be as effective posting up and our guards wouldn't be able to get to the rim. Then of course there is the issue of our full court press...

Yup. And with all the ball screens and pick n pop that our PFs do, they need to be at least solid 3 point shooters. For many reasons, Mo and EE playing together would be a terrible fit both offensively and defensively. Talk about trying to fit square pegs through round holes.

 

[station19]

Yup. And with all the ball screens and pick n pop that our PFs do, they need to be at least solid 3 point shooters. For many reasons, Mo and EE playing together would be a terrible fit both offensively and defensively. Talk about trying to fit square pegs through round holes.

Coach Pitino was asked about playing EE and Mo together many times. He said who would guard the 4? He also said he might do it just to show everyone it won't work.

 

[GophersOnTheRise]

Coach Pitino was asked about playing EE and Mo together many times. He said who would guard the 4? He also said he might do it just to show everyone it won't work.

Might be worth it so people can figure it out. It's surprising to me that so many people ask about it.

 

[MN1nAZ]

....I'm not sure one can improve their hands as Mo's are terrible.

RU Nuts! Mo has very good hands and is a very good passer. EE on the other hand (no pun intended) has a major problem holding on to a rebound or a pass. I cringe every time EE goes for a rebound or a loose ball. 80%+ he won't come away with the ball. No strength.