Why Mbakwe wont be starting anytime soon

[GopherinPhilly]

I am as high on this kid as anyone...great size, leaping ability and a mean streak I wish RSIII had...that said, his perimeter defense, help defense and pick and roll defense where horrible in the pre-season.

On numerous occassions he was out of position, let his player shoot a wide open three, actually knocked the guard off his guy on the perimeter and too often allowed the guard to dribble accross his face at the top of the key while picking his teammate off the play.

I think Tubby will coach him up...but if I'm a competing coach...I make Mbakwe come out of the paint anytime the Gophs play man to man...it is Trevor's weakness.

Hopefully he gains some composure and has a steep learning curve through the NC schedule and is ready for the Big Ten...but tOSU, MSU and Purdue will make us pay for his shortcomings as they all have 4s that can stretch a defense...RSIII is a much better perimeter defending ...and he aint that good.

Just my opinion...but the tape don't lie

 

[From the Barn]

Dallas Lauderdale will stretch a defense?

 

[CDH27]

You raise some interesting points, but I think Trevor has more quickness to defend out on the floor than Ralph does. I agree that he is not there yet, but I think he will improve in that area significantly as Tubby and the staff work with him early this year. Even if Trevor doesn't start, he is a great spark off the bench.

 

[Ogee Ogilthorpe]

Relax

Some people need to remember a few things;

The Gophers have played a whopping two exhibition games, mixing in a ton of players who won't play significant minutes this year, lineups of players who won't regularly see the floor together, etc.

Trevor hasn't played a D-1 basketball game in a LONG LONG time. A LONG time. I think it's reasonable to see a sampling size of 8-10 games before you can make any definitive assessments of just what he can and can't do. Good grief, for a good portion of the Winona game, from what I recall, Trevor was out on the floor with mostly the freshmen. Played very few, if any, minutes with the starters.

Nolen has been somewhat rugged already this year but even HE missed the second half of last year. Again, I'll give him a few games before trashing his game just yet.


This is an endurance race, not a sprint. I'll reserve much of my judgment until at least after Puerto Rico.

 

[Eye of the Gopher]

Trevor is an absolute lock to start if you ask me. Ralph looks like he has improved ZERO since last year, Colton is clearly the superior post player.

This SHOULD be our starting lineup, they are clearly the most talented 5 players on our team

Joseph
Hoff
Rodney
Mbakwe
Iverson

 

[figi]

When Trevor plays near the basket he is the best player on the floor. His ability deteriorates in direct proportion to his distance from the hoop. If the gophers play man to man, I can see opponents luring him away from his comfort zone.

 

[glovedgopher]

When Trevor plays near the basket he is the best player on the floor. His ability deteriorates in direct proportion to his distance from the hoop. If the gophers play man to man, I can see opponents luring him away from his comfort zone.

Shurna and Leuer will be the type of players that present the Gophers with huge match up problems. Hummel would have been another player we have no answer for. Lucky for us power forwards that can shoot are not a dime a dozen. However, there are a number of good ones in the Big Ten. Thank God, Sims is gone for Michigan. Tubby might have to use the zone more than he wants too this year.

 

[aero74]

A better debate would be who finishes in close games (far more important than who starts).

 

[Ogee Ogilthorpe]

Trevor is an absolute lock to start if you ask me. Ralph looks like he has improved ZERO since last year, Colton is clearly the superior post player.

This SHOULD be our starting lineup, they are clearly the most talented 5 players on our team

Joseph
Hoff
Rodney
Mbakwe
Iverson

Ummmm... talent isn't exactly going to determine who starts and who plays. The guys who start and get the minutes are going to be the ones who show that they can play and execute what Tubby wants done out on the floor.

 

[Gold Vision]

Shurna and Leuer will be the type of players that present the Gophers with huge match up problems. Hummel would have been another player we have no answer for. Lucky for us power forwards that can shoot are not a dime a dozen. However, there are a number of good ones in the Big Ten. Thank God, Sims is gone for Michigan. Tubby might have to use the zone more than he wants too this year.

On the flip side, Mbakwe is a mismatch for Shurna and Leuer on the Gopher offensive side, especially on the boards.

 

[Dr.Don]

Sometimes...As I experienced in my coaching background before I went back to med-school to become a proctologist, I had a Junior in High School who deserved to be on the starting 5. I talked to him, one on one, he said, "I am too nervous to start the game. Let me get into the flow on the bench, and when I am ready, I will let you know." That, my friends, is honesty.

 

[figi]

Sometimes...As I experienced in my coaching background before I went back to med-school to become a proctologist, I had a Junior in High School who deserved to be on the starting 5. I talked to him, one on one, he said, "I am too nervous to start the game. Let me get into the flow on the bench, and when I am ready, I will let you know." That, my friends, is honesty.

Yes a good story. Mbakwe gets his minutes whether he starts or comes off the bench. I can't see him as nerve case. Still, maybe it was nerves that made him miss all those free throws.

 

[dpodoll68]

I went back to med-school to become a proctologist

So...you're the Assman!

 

[Hoop33]

Hilarious! Saty away from Fusilli Jerry!

 

[gopheralum2000]

I am as high on this kid as anyone...great size, leaping ability and a mean streak I wish RSIII had...that said, his perimeter defense, help defense and pick and roll defense where horrible in the pre-season.

On numerous occassions he was out of position, let his player shoot a wide open three, actually knocked the guard off his guy on the perimeter and too often allowed the guard to dribble accross his face at the top of the key while picking his teammate off the play.

I think Tubby will coach him up...but if I'm a competing coach...I make Mbakwe come out of the paint anytime the Gophs play man to man...it is Trevor's weakness.

Hopefully he gains some composure and has a steep learning curve through the NC schedule and is ready for the Big Ten...but tOSU, MSU and Purdue will make us pay for his shortcomings as they all have 4s that can stretch a defense...RSIII is a much better perimeter defending ...and he aint that good.

Just my opinion...but the tape don't lie

Submit your resume to Tubby. I'm sure he'll hire you as an assistant coach without even conducting an interview

 

[Dr.Don]

So...you're the Assman!

dpodoll68. I met so many of them, imperfect as they were, that I had to finally retire to maintain my bit of sanity, so I could enjoy beer. I did and I do.

 

[dboy]

Trevor is an absolute lock to start if you ask me. Ralph looks like he has improved ZERO since last year, Colton is clearly the superior post player.

This SHOULD be our starting lineup, they are clearly the most talented 5 players on our team

Joseph
Hoff
Rodney
Mbakwe
Iverson

Hoff was horrible against WS.. a non-factor.. Tucker owned him. Tucker!

also, if Trevor plays such bad D, why did tubby assign him to #24 after #24 went off down the stretch? Trevor needs to learn to not bite on head fakes ( happened several times ) and to not turn his head on D ( beaten back door for an almost-dunk in 2nd half ).... remember he's been a low block guy all his career so playing D against a 3 is new.. i like his energy and athleticism though...

the All-lockdown-D lineup will be nolen, Rodney, and Trevor at the 1/2/3 or 1/3/4 by January.

 

[Dr.Don]

WHY? WHY? Is everyone so hung up on who starts? Is that all you people understand? You don't give a ratzazz if the Gophers win or not, all you care about is "WHO STARTS!!!" Good grief, become a real fan and go with the flow. It is Tubby's TEAM. I don't care who starts. All I care about is the Gophers WIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Go Gophers!