Turn Devoe loose!

Donate To GopherHole
U

UptownMaroon&Gold

longtime gopher sufferer
Joined
Feb 20, 2009
Messages
504
Reaction score
0
Points
16
(didn't see a thread on this yet)

While it was a disappointing loss, it was nice to see the emergence of Devoe as our one on one breakdown guard from the top of the key for end of game situations. Although his last one came up empty, I would like to see him continue to take more shots, especially off the dribble!

We need someone to step up to take this role, especially if Westbrook is too distracted by trash talking. Nolen has the quickness to be this guy, but he has proved to be non-threatening as a jump shooter, keeping his defender sinking back into the lane, clogging up passing lanes, etc.

I say to Tubby, give Devoe more minutes and more shot attempts...turn this kid loose!
 

He had one good game.. I am a big fan of Devoe, but he's struggled so far this season. If he has some more good games I'll be thrilled, but as of now, 1 good game doesn't convince me that the majority of the season up to now was just a fluke.

I've always thought he's had a ton of skill though, so I really hope that he does string together some nice games. You can easily tell from the substitution patterns that Tubby liked what he saw for most of the game too, long before those big shots at the end of regulation/early in OT.
 

I had hopes prior to the start of the year that Joseph would turn into our scoring leader and go to guy. Westbrook and Hoff have been the guys but each is fairly easily stopped by better teams. The only way this game is worth the suffering is if this is the start of Joseph playing this way regularly.
 

Saber said:
He had one good game.. I am a big fan of Devoe, but he's struggled so far this season. If he has some more good games I'll be thrilled, but as of now, 1 good game doesn't convince me that the majority of the season up to now was just a fluke.

I've always thought he's had a ton of skill though, so I really hope that he does string together some nice games. You can easily tell from the substitution patterns that Tubby liked what he saw for most of the game too, long before those big shots at the end of regulation/early in OT.
Click to expand...

I think Devoe got the minutes because of Tubby's disgust with Westbrook. To his credit Joseph took advantage.
 

My post from last week; I still expect him to have a breakout game, but I'm not sure it will mean much for the rest of his season. After his two best games, 23 point at Penn State, followed up with 14 at Michigan... The following six games of the season vs Big Ten opponents he shot 4 of 23, 1 of 12 3PA/3PM. Add in the Texas game and Devoe finished the season going 5 of 28 and 1 of 14.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/player...1567&year=2009

Tubby has been discussed with Westbrook since he got here, he tired to show him who was boss last year and put him on the bench, but we had so few weapons he had to let him do his thing.

I hope Devoe continues playing well... its gonna take more then a few games to convince me. He's not my favorite player, but as a Gophers fan, first and foremost I want him to succeed.
 


I want to make a slight conjecture here, and maybe because I am rooting for Devoe to become a more dependable scorer for us.

IMO he has suffered from Tubby's substitution patterns. He seems like the kind of shooter who needs to get into the flow of the game to find his rhythm and build confidence. When he comes in for one shot and comes back to the bench, he never gets a chance to find his rhythm, therefore sub par shooting continues. Maybe he needs to become a better defender and then Tubby will find him more time. It just pains me when the gophers have a lineup out there without someone who can create their own shot if need be, and he can provide that.

Hopefully the way he played at the end of the game will be a trend...
 

bga1 said:
I think Devoe got the minutes because of Tubby's disgust with Westbrook. To his credit Joseph took advantage.
Click to expand...

That and he was very productive. Made it easy to let LW get some splinters. This would have sounded absurd before today's game, but.....

Is there any chance Devoe starts in place of LW vs. Michigan State?
 

GopherJake said:
That and he was very productive. Made it easy to let LW get some splinters. This would have sounded absurd before today's game, but.....

Is there any chance Devoe starts in place of LW vs. Michigan State?
Click to expand...

It still sounds absurd for him to start in place of Lawrence. It's would be more impressive if plays well enough that Tubby selects him to finish the game.
 

MnHoops said:
It still sounds absurd for him to start in place of Lawrence. It's would be more impressive if plays well enough that Tubby selects him to finish the game.
Click to expand...

There's a big chance he starts. Westbrook has been involved in the game ending OSU business and now the stupid jawing in the Indiana game while down 10 points. I'm sure Tubby warned him after OSU and he went out and did it again. If Tubby wants to send a message - here's the chance.
 



Tubby showed a lot of confidence in him at the end yesterday. Cleared everyone out in NBA fashion and put the game on his shoulders. He was feeling it.
 

bga1 said:
There's a big chance he starts. Westbrook has been involved in the game ending OSU business and now the stupid jawing in the Indiana game while down 10 points. I'm sure Tubby warned him after OSU and he went out and did it again. If Tubby wants to send a message - here's the chance.
Click to expand...

Westbrook acts like a fool. I would rather see Carter get the nod if he wants to sit Westbrook, 9 points and 10 rebounds in 22 mins, doubling Ralph's 5 rebounds in 37 minutes.
 

I still don't see Devoe having a good enough handle to routinely get by people. He dribbles upright, and is slow in a spin move and cross over. I don't see any defender wetting his pants manning up on him at the top of the key. In my opinion he is a slightly more athletic (less difference than I had expected) version of Hoffarber. I don't think the Indiana defenders were all-stars, either. Put Devoe at the top of a 1-4 set against Purdue or Michigan State (even Becky) and I don't think he could consistently get it done. Joseph needs to be a shooting guard (if only our offense knew how to take advantage of one... but that's another post). Now Cobbs I have hope for. When he develops a little more knowledge of the Big Ten game he could be special as a penetrator. I still hold out hope we land the younger Joseph, as well.
 

Great game by Devoe. He wil be a major contributor next year.
 



Maurice Hargrow comes to mind when people keep citing how he can create his own shot and will be great next year. Over the years, Gophers fans have expected big things from players in their last two years, only to be disappointed by guys who showed little improvement, if any.

Posters have talked about how Devoe has been forced to play point and that has hurt is game. I think being asked to be a combo guard is pretty common and if anything it should make him a stronger player the next two seasons. I'm expecting Joseph to get 28 mins and 14ppg next year. In order to call him great he will need to improve other aspects of his game, create shots for his teammates and play better defense.
 

goldenboy said:
I still don't see Devoe having a good enough handle to routinely get by people. He dribbles upright, and is slow in a spin move and cross over. I don't see any defender wetting his pants manning up on him at the top of the key. In my opinion he is a slightly more athletic (less difference than I had expected) version of Hoffarber. I don't think the Indiana defenders were all-stars, either. Put Devoe at the top of a 1-4 set against Purdue or Michigan State (even Becky) and I don't think he could consistently get it done. Joseph needs to be a shooting guard (if only our offense knew how to take advantage of one... but that's another post). Now Cobbs I have hope for. When he develops a little more knowledge of the Big Ten game he could be special as a penetrator. I still hold out hope we land the younger Joseph, as well.
Click to expand...

Agreed that Devoe will never be great in penetration. He's not quick enough, although he has very good body control. However, Devoe showed yesterday that he can get his own shot with the fade away and on the move. That's an important skill. Only Westbrook has shown the consistent ability to hit a shot on the move for this team. DJ's done it on occasion as well, but we're lacking in that area. If Devoe can start hitting midrange jumpers, especially on the move, it'll be huge for this basketball team.
 

98VQueens said:
Maurice Hargrow comes to mind when people keep citing how he can create his own shot and will be great next year. Over the years, Gophers fans have expected big things from players in their last two years, only to be disappointed by guys who showed little improvement, if any.
.
Click to expand...

Totally agree with this. Same with Bauer, Coleman, Rickert, Holman, and also McKenzie. Lots of people seem to think many of these kids will do 180 degree shifts in a year or two. Although there are some that do really improve (Bob Jackson made great strides and so did Quincy), many are just what they are, and improve slightly. Does anyone really believe there is a active player on the roster who will be able to take over games at some point on a regular basis? I don't. There is no one with the talent level, IMO, of a Lenard, Jackson, Burton, or Humphries on this team now, and maybe the Joseph kid is that. Too bad westbrooks game could not be put into Carter's body, then we would really have a player...
 

Minutes played....I was going to start a new thread but thought it might fit in here.

From looking at the box score; Nolen played 6 minutes in the second half. Westbrook played 7 in second half and I believe 0 in OT. Joseph played quite a bit of pg in 2nd half. Obviously Joseph had the hot hand but it is still interesting that Nolen and Westbrook's minutes were drastically reduced. Westbrook's T was obviously part of the reason but was it just this games or some changes coming? Thoughts.
 

gopherbadgerman said:
Totally agree with this. Same with Bauer, Coleman, Rickert, Holman, and also McKenzie. Lots of people seem to think many of these kids will do 180 degree shifts in a year or two. Although there are some that do really improve (Bob Jackson made great strides and so did Quincy), many are just what they are, and improve slightly. Does anyone really believe there is a active player on the roster who will be able to take over games at some point on a regular basis? I don't.
Click to expand...

It's true, without Royce and/or Cory we will need a lot out of Devoe. If he follows suit to what players like Colman, Spencer, Bauer, McKenzie and Hargrow did in their final two season we could be in serious trouble.

I'm not sure why Rickert and Holman are on you're list, they were both 2 season D1 players.
 

These are some stats for Westbrook, Hoffarber, and Joseph this season so far:

...............FG%..3P%..FT%
Westbrook 50.9 42.2 74.4
Hoffarber... 52.7 49.5 83.3
Joseph...... 39.6 33.3 65.6

THe followings are stats for Big Ten games only this season:

...............FG%.............3P%.............FT%
Westbrook 50 (31-62) 45.8 (11-24) 73.3 (11-15)
Hoffarber... 52.3 (23-44) 50 (17-34) 91.7 (11-12)
Joseph...... 35.7 (15-42) 26.3 (5-19) meaningless (1-2)
 

9194Gophs said:
It's true, without Royce and/or Cory we will need a lot out of Devoe. If he follows suit to what players like Colman, Spencer, Bauer, McKenzie and Hargrow did in their final two season we could be in serious trouble.

I'm not sure why Rickert and Holman are on you're list, they were both 2 season D1 players.
Click to expand...

I think that most people still expected improvement from them from 1st year to 2nd year, and they never really got much better.

You could add Lenard to the list too, he regressed late in his career, but his floor was so much higher than any of these other players. (Except maybe for Rickert)
 

You must log in or register to reply here.



Top Bottom