Had the chance to watch the gophers workout and scrimmage this weekend and while I don't want to say much about what they worked on and plays and other details, here we're some player observations. One thing to note is we are a really big team and thats not including 6'9 Oto, who was the only player missing.
Devoe was clearly the leader and taking charge. He even took some time to explain things to Maverick when the freshman was confused. His shot was amazing, he is shooting with so much confidence. Was playing point on first team.
Blake was pretty much the same as he has always been, didn't notice anything different except he was wearing a headband.
Sampson also played like he did most of last season. He wasn't hitting his jump shots but did knock down a few hooks and rejected an Elliot layup that suprised the freshman.
Iverson Played like he did the last 15 games, was scoring with both hands, rebounding, very confident with his post moves
Rodney Alot of people are really expecting Rodney to make a huge jump this year and he was playing first team but he didn't have the best of days, not that it's anything to worry about, his shots just weren't falling and he missed his big alley opp. The encouraging thing is he looks very confortable and confident on the court and it's just a matter of time before he puts it all together and becomes the player we all think he can be. My guess is it will happen like it did with Colt and Devoe last year.
Nolen Al was on the second unit for now but I'm sure when he gets conformation that he is fully back, he may start again at some point. Pretty much the same Al, streaky with his shot, got in the lane at will but rarely finished, got fouled alot and made most of them, and normal suffocating defense.
Trevor Also on the second unit for now but like Nolen, may change pending the trial outcome. Trevor actually looks kind of small out there with all of our big guys but he is definately noticeable when he explodes around the basket. Showed a nice jump hook and reverse layup as well but it's his high flying rebounds and forceful dunks are what seperates him and make him so valuable.
The Freshman
I'll start with my favorite, Hollins Couldn't take my eyes off him and I think this kid has a very bright future. It may not come this year although he will play decent minutes, but he will be a fan favorite in the coming years. Whats not to like. He had long arms that made him a pest on defense and he moves his feet real well and gave Blake and Devoe trouble at times. He is the typical coaches kid and it showed as he was the only freshman to look totally comfortable. He is an outstanding shooter but really had a couple pump fakes that got Nolen and Devoe flying in the air as he drove by them and once made a beautiful pass to Elliot for a dunk. He's had some turnover problems at Pulley so far but has a solid handle and a nice mid range jumper. This kid was a steal out of Memphis.
I also am becoming a really big booster of Eliason. He really should redshirt but he's much further along than any of us thought. He has a really nice touch out to about 8 feet and took the ball right at Colton and Ralph a couple times and was perfect from the line. Haven't seen much from him defensively and Trevor and Colt have pushed him around and Kept him off the boards, but that will come as he gets stronger. He will struggle at times much like Colt did that first year, but in a couple years he will be a very nice BT center. He is a legit 6'11 and moves really well and doesn't appear to have any knee problems like so many guys his size do.
Walker He is a very large kid. Not as tall as some had reported, closer to 6'9 but he is a very thick kid and it was clear he is out of shape right now. He will need to shed around 30-40 pounds to improve his stamina as he was clearly winded easy and he wasn't getting up like he did in his highlight video from last year. He likes to shoot and looks comfortable shooting the ball and he was able to push colton around some. Before some label him Jonathan Williams Part II, he is much more skilled than JWill I'm sure the coaches will get him in better shape and will tweak his diet. said he was making his Pulley debut this week although I think he will struggle in that league with the pace of play.
Maverick Little worried after seeing him at Pulley but I liked him alot more when he 's in a more structed environment. Don't know if he will ever be a star or more than a quality role player but he definately isn't Engen Nurumbi. He has talent and can knock down the three and had severl nice assists. Don't know if he does anything spectacular but a solid player who it will be interesting to watch him develope as the season goes on, Cobbs was making alot of progress towards the end of the year so hopefully Maverick follows that same path.
Nothing new on Oto.
All three walk ons we're also playing. Not sure where all this hype for Dawson is coming from but he was barely noticeable, Halvorson is pretty much the same as he was at Sibley, impressive athlete but really needs to upgrade his offensive skills if he wants to see meaningful minutes in the future. Was getting alot of tips from coaches and appeared to be paying close attention and working on things he was just taught so who knows what the future will hold. He is exactly the type of walk on you love to have though. I also was really impressed with Starks. He was fearless and the coaches we're already digging the way he plays, didn't look intimidated at all and ran all the drills well and he has some skills and was knocking down his shots. He is limited by his size and athleticism but reminds alot of Travis Busch. I really hope he sticks it out here but if he decideds to transfer down the road for a ride and playing time, he would be a great player at Winona or Mankato.
-Also worth mentioning that both the Pavilion and Williams had leaks in them dripping onto the courts during Fri. and Sat. storms and there we're a few comments about the need for new facilities. Same goes for how damn hot it was in there, even with those huge industrial fans.
