Wally Ellenson, a 6-foot-5, 195-pound senior wing from Rice Lake (Wis.) High who signed with Minnesota, played in the Timberwolves Shootout Saturday as Gopher head coach Tubby Smith and assistant Ron Jirsa watched him at the Target Center. Unfortunately, the Warriors lost for the first time, falling to Duluth East 88-69 as Ellenson, who scored 38 points and grabbed 17 rebounds Friday, was held to nine points and 10 rebounds. He was just four of 14 from the field.
Ellenson is averaging 19.7 points as the Warriors are off to a 9-1 start.
GopherHole.com caught up with Ellenson to learn more about his senior season and playing for the Gopher next year.
GH: I know it wasn’t quite the results you were looking for at the Target Center, but you have to be pretty pleased with how well you have started the season. You are ranked No. 2 in Division 2 in Wisconsin. How pleased are you with the team’s start?
Wally Ellenson: I think it is great. We got off to a great start. Today was not what we were looking for. We did not come out and attack right away in the first half
GH: I know that you had a terrific game Friday with 38 points and 17 rebounds. Unfortunately, your point guard, Joe Shervey, suffered a knee injury in the game and you really seemed to miss him against Duluth East and it had to affect your play.
Wally Ellenson: It did. We are going to miss him a lot and we are not really sure what is up with him right now.
GH: You went to the Gopher game Sunday and they are struggling right now, but hopefully they can get things turned around. Have you had a chance to watch a lot of their games?
Wally Ellenson: Yes. I’ve been watching all of them that I can lately. They have been hanging in there. They just have to hit a few more outside shots.
GH: I am planning to watch your game against Hudson, which is one of your big rivals Tuesday. What are you expecting out of that game?
Wally Ellenson: We are going to go out there and attack. Knowing that (his freshman brother) Henry played with (Hudson sophomore) Alex Herink this year and knowing Alex, it will be fun to play against them.
GH: When you are watching the Gophers and they are struggling a little bit, does that change your perception of things at all or do you think that next year when you are there that hopefully, the team will get things turned around?
Wally Ellenson: Next year will be a lot of fun playing with them.
GH: Have you gotten to know many of the guys who will be on the next year very well yet?
Wally Ellenson: During my official visit, I have talked to them and going to games, I have seen them, but I’ll get to know them more in the summer time.
GH: Who have you gotten to know the best?
Wally Ellenson: I feel like Joe Coleman. I got to talk to him a lot at the Gopher football game, a little while back.
GH: You stayed at the Timberwolves Shootout and watched Onalaska, who is ranked No. 1 ahead of your team. Were you doing a little scouting for a possible matchup later on this season?
Wally Ellenson: Right. We are watching them to see how they do and what we can do against them.