Will JAS and Williams start on Senior Day?

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BleedGopher

BleedGopher

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Last year Tubby obviously started McKenzie, Spencer and Coleman who were all regular starters anyway, so we don't know how Tubby usually handles Senior Day.

But I hope both seniors get the starting nod. They've been through a lot together in their careers at The U and have earned the right to start on Saturday. These two won't have their pictures hanging from the Rafters, but they have played an important role with leadership through the coaching transition and in handling their reduced role with the new recurits over the last two years. The way they have handled themselves says a lot about their character.

Congrats to these two and I hope they each walk away with a degree.

Go Gophers!!
 

I'm pretty sure that is customary for Senior Day.
 

I would be surprised if JAS and Jon start. Senior Day or not, you don't begin a near "must-win" game with a weakened first five just to get your seniors the start. I would put the odds of this happening at less than 10%.

And, that isn't a knock on either senior. They will get honored after the game and have a chance to talk to the crowd.
 

tjgopher said:
I would be surprised if JAS and Jon start. Senior Day or not, you don't begin a near "must-win" game with a weakened first five just to get your seniors the start. I would put the odds of this happening at less than 10%.

And, that isn't a knock on either senior. They will get honored after the game and have a chance to talk to the crowd.
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Tubby wouldn't do that. He will start them, but have their replacements ready for the first dead ball. They will play about the first 45 seconds.....
 

No game is bigger than giving players their proper due. Starting on senior day is part of respecting their time at the U. I'll lose some respect for Tubby if they don't.
 


Um, I'm pretty sure this is custom everywhere. I didn't know there were teams that didn't start their Seniors on Senior Day. You know they're gonna bring their best effort. Who knows, maybe JAS hits a couple shots to really spark the team or Big Jon gets a big block and sets the tone defensively. You start seniors on Senior Day, you just do. It'd be disrespectful not to IMO. It's not like they'd play starter minutes, just the first few minutes of the game, get their run, then pass it on to the rotation.
 

My opinion...Tubby will start the two seniors, and they both will go on a tear to lead the Gophers to a big win over Mishegun.
 

Blizzard said:
No game is bigger than giving players their proper due. Starting on senior day is part of respecting their time at the U. I'll lose some respect for Tubby if they don't.
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He started his seniors every year at Kentucky. Even Josh Carrier in 2005. And Steve Masiello in 2000.
 

It's not like we have.........

a star player that we can't live without for a few minutes of action. JAS can easlily guard Novak or Douglas. I'd worry a little about Williams on Sims cause he can step outside and WILL. Put DJ on Manny, and the rest of the match ups aren't bad.
 



What about Payton?

If RUMORS are true about this being his last year as a GOPHER does he fall into the SENIOR category especially if he is going to graduate this spring?
 

JAS has already started several games this year and is actually a three point threat.

Big Jon got a warm-up last night, playing 8 meaningful minutes. That gives him double digits in meaningful minutes on the season.
 

Honoring after or before the game is enough recognition

I respectfully side with TJ on this one. It's always a nice gesture & everything, but I'm not a fan of coaches starting seniors on senior night, and especially when something as significant as a NCAA bid could ride on the final result. If we were going nowhere, hanging around .500 with no chance of the NCAA, I'd be fine with it. But not Saturday. Too much at stake. You never know when a game is going to be decided. I'd hate to lose a game of this magnitude because it was ultimately decided in the first few minutes. Not likely, but certainly possible.
 

Interesting point rrjack

Payton might get a few seconds of PT to start senior night if it looks like he is graduating. Saunders was honored last year with Coleman, Tollackson and McKenzie before the game but obviously didn't play because he was out with an injury all season. Payton certainly isn't a bad player, he just can't keep up with this level and style of play. When he does get in, I know the crowd will be supportive.
 



After the game last night the announcer said the Gophers would be honoring JW and JAS next game -- no mention of KP.
 

JAS and Williams are solid. There's no worry for them getting a few minutes early.
 

Blizzard

Blizzard said:
No game is bigger than giving players their proper due. Starting on senior day is part of respecting their time at the U. I'll lose some respect for Tubby if they don't.
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I agree completely. Start 'em!
 

Schnoodler said:
JAS and Williams are solid. There's no worry for them getting a few minutes early.
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Yeah really, it's not like these are complete scrubs who can't do anything right. They're solid guys who can give a few good mintutes early in the game. If the Gophers are down 10-2 after three minutes, I'll be shocked. Start them, then after a couple minutes, switch 'em out to get the cheers from the crowd as they leave the floor. I think as seniors who have been with the program for four years, they've earned that moment, since every other class gets that treatment.
 

Guaranteed they will start. Put money on it. They will play significant minutes as long as the game is in hand. Expect to see them re-enter the game near the end to be taken out to receive the appreciation from the fans. The fans need to do their part.
 

rrjackIII said:
What about Payton?

If RUMORS are true about this being his last year as a GOPHER does he fall into the SENIOR category especially if he is going to graduate this spring?
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Officially, Payton is a red-shirt junior so I'd understand if he weren't in the starting line-up on Senior Day.

For me, the bigger question is not whether he starts as much as whether Tubby plays him at all. (I'm assuming the rumors are true and that this is his last scholarship year and he'll not return to the team.)

If it's a blow-out for our Gophers -- great and I hope he plays some. But if it's close :)rolleyes:) I suspect Tubby won't play him regardless of whether it's his last year or not.
 

Maybe I'm cold..but I would prefer to start our best players. There is too much on the line. That said..it would be a nice gesture to start them. If they do start..expect a short stint.
 


I'd agree with Blizzard, Schnoodler and Section 201 on this one although I understand Hodger's point. Call me a sentimentalist, but I really think seniors should start if at all possible. And I have to admit I feel even more strongly for JAS to start given his role with the Gophers in his freshman year.

Does anyone else remember how dismal the season felt when we lost the first six B10 games that season? JAS was a key part of a revamped starting line-up and we beat Indiana handily at home and then Michigan State at our next home game.
 

Williams will foul within 30 seconds, and will promptly return to the bench.
 

JAS and John W are loyal players and deserve to start. Besides, Tubby is a gentleman. Coach prepared them by giving them some time in the Badger game and they both did ok. No terrible blunders. You'll see JAS and John W with significant time and a few points for each. I'm more concerned about the rest of the Gopher team -- continue the great defense and points in the paint.
 

I have mixed feelings on JAS. In one respect he's a walk on and his career is pretty impressive for a walk on. And in another respect his role seems to diminish as he goes on, despite getting better. it's got to be a little bitter sweet for him.

He's gone from a role/bit player as a shooter, and a killer one at that, to a mediocre well rounded player and a so/so shooter. It's baffled me, and like all things I blame monson. My belief is that instead of honing what he does best he's spent his time working on the parts of his game that stood in the way of a starting spot. I think he fancied himself as a SG. he's just too slow there. And as a SF he'd be OK in the right system, but he's really not that either. In the end like Busch he's a tweener. he would have been better off working on his shooting.

I hope we crush Mich early and leave those two in for the whole game.
 

Monty519 said:
Um, I'm pretty sure this is custom everywhere. I didn't know there were teams that didn't start their Seniors on Senior Day.
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I don't think it is customary everywhere. Penn State did not start senior Danny Morrissey tonight on Senior Night. Illinois did not start senior Calvin Brock this past Sunday for Senior Day. Michigan did not start Jehvon Shepherd or David Merritt on Senior Day a week ago. Northwestern did not start Sterling Williams on their Senior Day this past Saturday (in fact he didn't even play and he's been a contributor all year). All of those guys have started games in the past for their respective schools.

Last year, the Gophers played at Illinois and at Indiana on Senior Day. Indiana did not start seniors Mike White or Adam Ahfelt Illinois did not start senior Chris Hicks last year. Iowa did not start senior Curt Looby at its Senior Day last year. Wisconsin did not start senior Greg Steimsma at Senior Day last year and he started the first seven games of the season a year ago.
 

SelectionSunday said:
I respectfully side with TJ on this one. It's always a nice gesture & everything, but I'm not a fan of coaches starting seniors on senior night, and especially when something as significant as a NCAA bid could ride on the final result. If we were going nowhere, hanging around .500 with no chance of the NCAA, I'd be fine with it. But not Saturday. Too much at stake. You never know when a game is going to be decided. I'd hate to lose a game of this magnitude because it was ultimately decided in the first few minutes. Not likely, but certainly possible.
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I know Tubby didn't recruit recruit these players, but if a player commits four or five years of hard work and dedication to your program, you owe him a start on senior day. Just a minute or two to say thank you.
 

I have no problem with either of them starting on Saturday...in fact, I'd openly welcome it. It's maybe not the best possible lineup, but it's the right thing to do, regardless.

Further, it's not like the starting lineups the last two months have exactly lit the world on fire or anything...maybe a little emotion in the lineup would be good.
 

tjgopher said:
I don't think it is customary everywhere. Penn State did not start senior Danny Morrissey tonight on Senior Night. Illinois did not start senior Calvin Brock this past Sunday for Senior Day. Michigan did not start Jehvon Shepherd or David Merritt on Senior Day a week ago. Northwestern did not start Sterling Williams on their Senior Day this past Saturday (in fact he didn't even play and he's been a contributor all year). All of those guys have started games in the past for their respective schools.

Last year, the Gophers played at Illinois and at Indiana on Senior Day. Indiana did not start seniors Mike White or Adam Ahfelt Illinois did not start senior Chris Hicks last year. Iowa did not start senior Curt Looby at its Senior Day last year. Wisconsin did not start senior Greg Steimsma at Senior Day last year and he started the first seven games of the season a year ago.
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Well my mistake, I know the Gophers do, and also when I watch on highlights, it seems like I've seen numerous examples where they'll say "So-and-so started the seniors on senior day..blah, blah". It seems though, that Tubby has historically done this for his seniors, and we've done it historically for our seniors, so it seems that would continue this year as well.
 

Looks like they both get the start.

Joseph, Hoff, JAS, DJ, and Big Jon. Congrats to the seniors, and best of luck in their careers!
 

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