What is going on with our team?

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Go Gophs eh?

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Royce will never be a gopher, Mbakwe in my opinion is as good as gone, Oto, our plan B or even C might not even play for us. Mav, though im sure he is a good kid and a good player, well idk if he is D1 material yet. Hopefully we strike gold in next year's recruiting class because things don't look good right now. Especially in terms of post players. 4 centers, 1 will probably be redshirted, no PFs. 4 guard lineup? :(

RE: The above statement about Royce, obviosly i'm not proud of his actions but he would've been a hell of a player for us. So don't hate me for wanting him on our team.
 



PG: Devoe Joseph / Al Nolen / Maverick Ahnamisi
SG: Blake Hoffarber / Austin Hollins
SF: Rodney Williams / Blake Hoffarber / (Oto Osenieks)
PF: Colton Iverson / (Trevor Mbakwe) / (Oto Osenieks)
C: Ralph Sampson III / Maurice Walker

Bench looks pretty weak without Mbakwe or Osenieks, that could cause problems. But if even one of them are here, the bench is much better.

The starting 5 on the other hand? That is a team that can absolutley contend for a Big Ten Title depending on player development. Ohio State last year had NO bench, granted they had Evan Turner, but with big years from Ralph, Colton, and especially Devoe this time is just fine. Plus with Al's defense back, Blake's hot shooting, and an improved and year older Rodney. This team is not half bad. People need to stop focusing on what weve "lost" and focus on what's coming back. Not to mention the loss of the chemistry killer Lawrence Westbrook.
 

"What is going on with our team?"

Am anxious to find out. The season can't get here soon enough after last season's off-court circus. It's not like the Gophers are starting from scratch. We'll still have 6 guys (Hoffarber, Joseph, Iverson, Nolen, Sampson, Williams) who have played a lot of minutes of Big Ten basketball. If Mbakwe sticks around and is acquitted/charges are dropped, I'll consider that a bonus recruit to add to our freshmen.
 


scher215 said:
PG: Devoe Joseph / Al Nolen / Maverick Ahnamisi
SG: Blake Hoffarber / Austin Hollins
SF: Rodney Williams / Blake Hoffarber / (Oto Osenieks)
PF: Colton Iverson / (Trevor Mbakwe) / (Oto Osenieks)
C: Ralph Sampson III / Maurice Walker

Bench looks pretty weak without Mbakwe or Osenieks, that could cause problems. But if even one of them are here, the bench is much better.

The starting 5 on the other hand? That is a team that can absolutley contend for a Big Ten Title depending on player development. Ohio State last year had NO bench, granted they had Evan Turner, but I am predecting / expecting huge years from Ralph, Colton, and especially Devoe. Plus with Al's defense back, Blake's hot shooting, and an improved and older Rodney. This team is not half bad. People need to stop focusing on what weve "lost" and focus on what's coming back. Not to mention the loss of the chemistry killer Lawrence Westbrook.
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1. Ohio state also had and all american in Buford, One of the best shooters in the ncaa in Diebler, 4 star lighty, 4 star lauderdale, and Mark Titus to keep the team in good spirits.
2. Lawrence W may have been a chemistry killer, but he was the closest thing we had to a consistant scorer.
3. I know people are being optimistic, but without Oto or Mbakwe, which with our luck will probably happen to us, we have NO Post players on the bench besides Walker who I assume will be good in time, but this year will be out of shape, probably need to be subbed out constantly like Derrick Nix of Mich. state, and probably get into foul trouble for his lack of speed. This linep also has problems rebounding. Its not that we don't have good players, its that we have no one to back them up, if you dont remember we had a pretty long and good bench last year.
4. Lastly, this years B10 is probably the best in the country, we have to compete with Purdue, Michigan State, Ohio State, Illinois, and a good NW team. This would have been no cake walk with RW and Mbakwe.
 

Go Gophs eh? said:
1. Ohio state also had and all american in Buford, One of the best shooters in the ncaa in Diebler, 4 star lighty, 4 star lauderdale, and Mark Titus to keep the team in good spirits.
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Blake was a better shooter last year than Diebler, not saying he's better than Diebler, but he did shoot a better percentage, and if the headband is out this season. Watch Out. Devoe, Ralph, Colton, Trevor and Rodney, were all 4 star players out of HS. And Tubby Smith, IMO, is a MUCH better coach than OSU could hope to have.

Go Gophs eh? said:
2. Lawrence W may have been a chemistry killer, but he was the closest thing we had to a consistant scorer.
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I'm looking for Devoe to take that role this year, a Derrick Rose type PG, and be able to score like he did in the Big Ten Tourney (notably Vs. MSU) in the clutch and more consistantly.

Go Gophs eh? said:
3. I know people are being optimistic, but without Oto or Mbakwe, which with our luck will probably happen to us, we have NO Post players on the bench besides Walker who I assume will be good in time, but this year will be out of shape, probably need to be subbed out constantly like Derrick Nix of Mich. state, and probably get into foul trouble for his lack of speed. This linep also has problems rebounding. Its not that we don't have good players, its that we have no one to back them up, if you dont remember we had a pretty long and good bench last year.
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Not having both of those would make the season a LOT tougher, not saying it'll be bad, but it would be much more difficult.

Go Gophs eh? said:
4. Lastly, this years B10 is probably the best in the country, we have to compete with Purdue, Michigan State, Ohio State, Illinois, and a good NW team. This would have been no cake walk with RW and Mbakwe.
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The big Ten rarely is a cake walk, but I see your point, no matter what the Gophers have to play great in order to avoid a disapointing season. However, with Tubby as coach, less distractions during the season, and good development from players, that is absolutley doable.
 

If the starters are mentally ready, they can carry this team to 22, 23 wins this season. The problem is definitely our depth has been completely shattered by circumstances really out of the control of the staff. And honestly, it's not like we were loaded in the front court last year with post players, as guys like Carter (whom I think really will be missed a TON) and DJ weren't exactly post players. But not having at least another versatile forward that can at least play the 4 in spurts kills if Mbakwe isn't available. Joseph, Sampson, and Iverson need to carry this team on their shoulders, and Rodney needs to come out attackin fools at the rim with Hoff killin them from deep. This team CAN still be very good.
 

Maybe you should wait to see them play before you declare "all hope lost".

It takes a lot more than 5 star recruits to win it all - just ask Kentucky.
 



Carter

Good point about Carter, Monty. We're going to miss him a lot more than people think. If people insist on focusing on what we "don't have" (not my bag of tea), I'd start with Paul's absence, not Royce or Trevor's.
 

Monty519 said:
If the starters are mentally ready, they can carry this team to 22, 23 wins this season. The problem is definitely our depth has been completely shattered by circumstances really out of the control of the staff. And honestly, it's not like we were loaded in the front court last year with post players, as guys like Carter (whom I think really will be missed a TON) and DJ weren't exactly post players. But not having at least another versatile forward that can at least play the 4 in spurts kills if Mbakwe isn't available. Joseph, Sampson, and Iverson need to carry this team on their shoulders, and Rodney needs to come out attackin fools at the rim with Hoff killin them from deep. This team CAN still be very good.
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Oto is a guy capable of playing the 3 or 4, while not athletic as DJ or PC, he is capable at both and will be a good asset against NW and Wisconsin as he is a pretty close prototype of the types of players they recruit. Hopefully he is cleared, but without him or Mbakwe I am nervous about depth.
 

Wow

Go Gophs eh? said:
Royce will never be a gopher, Mbakwe in my opinion is as good as gone, Oto, our plan B or even C might not even play for us. Mav, though im sure he is a good kid and a good player, well idk if he is D1 material yet. Hopefully we strike gold in next year's recruiting class because things don't look good right now. Especially in terms of post players. 4 centers, 1 will probably be redshirted, no PFs. 4 guard lineup? :(

RE: The above statement about Royce, obviosly i'm not proud of his actions but he would've been a hell of a player for us. So don't hate me for wanting him on our team.
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Holy crap, when you put it like that, how in the world do you sleep at night? Between that and things like global warming, you must have a cupboard full of antidepressants at home.

In light of this new information, I think Maturi should consider either dumping the program altogether or buying out Tubby and starting from scratch again.
 

Ogee Oglethorpe said:
Holy crap, when you put it like that, how in the world do you sleep at night? Between that and things like global warming, you must have a cupboard full of antidepressants at home.

In light of this new information, I think Maturi should consider either dumping the program altogether or buying out Tubby and starting from scratch again.
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I'd suggest he (or she) consume all of the antidepressants at once.
 



Compare these lineups

Tubby's first year
Coleman Sr
Tollackson Sr
McKenzie Sr
Nolen Fr
Westbrook So
Hoff Fr
D Johnson So
Shamala Jr

This year
Nolen Sr
Joseph Jr
Hoff Sr
Sampson Jr
Williams So
Iverson Jr
Walker Fr
Hollins Fr
Osenieks Fr

If Tubby's first squad got us 20 wins there's no reason this one can't be a lot better. No one thought DJ would be a contributor or that Nolen would start and be pretty effective at the point or that Tubby could get much out of Westbrook at the time. This gorup undoubtedly has a lot more size and talent.

Additionally I am very interested to see Tubby operate with a more defined roster that has a more defined gorup of leaders and go to gusy thatn he has the past few years.
 

scher215 said:
PG: Devoe Joseph / Al Nolen / Maverick Ahnamisi
SG: Blake Hoffarber / Austin Hollins
SF: Rodney Williams / Blake Hoffarber / (Oto Osenieks)
PF: Colton Iverson / (Trevor Mbakwe) / (Oto Osenieks)
C: Ralph Sampson III / Maurice Walker

Bench looks pretty weak without Mbakwe or Osenieks, that could cause problems. But if even one of them are here, the bench is much better.

The starting 5 on the other hand? That is a team that can absolutley contend for a Big Ten Title depending on player development. Ohio State last year had NO bench, granted they had Evan Turner, but with big years from Ralph, Colton, and especially Devoe this time is just fine. Plus with Al's defense back, Blake's hot shooting, and an improved and year older Rodney. This team is not half bad. People need to stop focusing on what weve "lost" and focus on what's coming back. Not to mention the loss of the chemistry killer Lawrence Westbrook.
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The best post in here in a long time. Thank you.

Go Gophers
 

I agree that there's no sense whining about what you don't have. The starters are still solid. The lack of experience on the bench is a concern, but some of the freshman will simply have to step up. Trevor coming back would be huge. If he can, it strengenths the bench and minimizes the need to use Ralph at the 4. If he can't play, Ralph will be forced to play out of position a lot and probably start there.
 

Not concerned

howeda7 said:
I agree that there's no sense whining about what you don't have. The starters are still solid. The lack of experience on the bench is a concern, but some of the freshman will simply have to step up. Trevor coming back would be huge. If he can, it strengenths the bench and minimizes the need to use Ralph at the 4. If he can't play, Ralph will be forced to play out of position a lot and probably start there.
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As long as the starters are solid and healthy, it doesn't take THAT much to spell the starters for enough to make a difference.

If people like Mo Walker, Maverick, Hollins, and possibly Oto can even average 5-6 minutes per game (not a lot), that would be enough to make a huge difference for some of the starters.

Needless to say however, whether or not Trevor plays will make a huge impact on the season.
 

Dominique Dawson is still on the team, right? I dont think that I saw his name mentioned above. I think he will get some significant time if the no Oto, no ... happens.
 

If Al is back i dont see him coming off the bench. His defense is far to valueable to be a backup. Especially with Hoff starting. Nolan is a better PG than Devoe, but Devoe is a better overall player IMO. Maybe putting Nolan (PG), Devoe (SG), Hoff (SF), Colt (PF), and Sampson (C) as the starting five. Then getting Williams, Austin Hollins, Maverick Ahnamisi, and Walker off the bench. And Devoe can still play PG when Nolan needs a break by putting Hoff at SG and Williams at SF. I wouldnt be giving any freshman big PT anytime soon unless they really impress.
 

If Dawson sees significant playing time, I think we are in for some serious trouble. Perhaps he can get some in the non-conference cupcakes, but I just can't see him getting time for a decent team this year. Maybe by his junior or senior year...maybe. But, I respect the hell out of his commitment and dedication to the team and hopefully he sticks it out and helps the team in whatever way he can.
 


Anybody know if the rumor that Mbakwe has informed the staff of his transfer this weekend is gain any steam? I imbibed a few at the local still next to a athletics department pencil pusher that said it was bible truth, but he has been about as reliable a inside source in the past as short Applebee's bartenders sleuthing on football decommits.

If true Royce and Trevor both landing at BCS programs, in short order, is pretty frustrating as a fan. Disappointed in the AD. Disappointed in the athletes.
 

I agree that the chances of Mbakwe playing this year are slim. If Oto doesn't play I think we have to allow for the very real possibility that Eliason will not be able to red-shirt. If he plays it frees up Sampson to play some power forward. To my mind Walker is also a natural for the 4 spot. We would have 4 players for the 2 positions. Numbers wise that's not to bad.

However, it is my feeling that nothing makes up for the loss of Mbakwe. It would answer the losses of White Carter and Oto if Trevor could play. Nothing seems to go right for this team' but I'm hoping Mbakwe will be there when the season starts.
 

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