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August 1st,
2006
By Joel
Welser
Broadcast Basketball
Minnesota Golden Gophers
Overall Rank:
#103
Conference
Rank: #10 Big Ten
2005-06:
16-15, 5-11, 10th
2005-06
postseason: NIT
 Seven players
started ten or more games for
Minnesota last year. Five of them
are gone and one of the returning players was a walk-on. Sure
there are some lingering thoughts of 2004-2005 and some
interesting unknowns regarding the newcomers, but you don’t lose
4 ½ starters and get better, at least not in the preseason
rankings.
Who’s Out:
Vincent Grier, Maurice Hargrow and Adam Boone provided a dynamic
backcourt trio. Those three all averaged in double digit points
as seniors and were the only three players to average over 24
minutes per game. Another guard, Rico Tucker, started two
contests and has opted to transfer. Up front the Gophers lose
J’son Stamper and Zach Puchtel. Stamper averaged 6.1 points and
5.8 boards last season. Puchtel, who earned 14 starts, is off
to Harvard to finish up his degree, or off to the Bears to play
some tight end.
Who’s In:
The
perimeter needs some help. Lawrence McKenzie, Limar Wilson,
Lawrence Westbrook and Kevin Payton isn’t a bad group to provide
it. McKenzie, a transfer from Oklahoma, will be asked to pick
up the scoring. He averaged 9.5 points for the Sooners two
years ago. McKenzie can play some point, but is better suited
worrying about scoring. Wilson is a proven distributor at the
junior college level. He can shoot a bit to keep the defense
honest, but his playmaking and experience will earn Wilson a
starting gig. Westbrook is a scorer. Putting up 40 points in
high school was common place for the 6-0 guard. He’ll see some
minutes at the two spot and, if things work his way, those
minutes could increase quite a bit by the time March rolls
around. Payton is a versatile guard who can fill in anywhere on
the perimeter. The 6-5 redshirt freshman brings quality depth
and versatility to the backcourt. In the paint Damian Johnson,
Bryce Webster and Engen Nurumbi will battle for minutes.
Johnson, who redshirted last year, can play anywhere on the
floor. At 6-7 and 192 pounds, he’ll most likely see his minutes
at the three and four spots. Johnson can beat the opposition
off the dribble, but isn’t expected to make a big impact as a
freshman. Webster has all the tools to be a great center in the
Big Ten. He’s a solid rebounder and has good size at 6-10 and
250, but needs to get tougher to compete with the big bodies in
the conference. Nurumbi might be the answer at the power
forward spot. The 6-7 transfer from Arizona Western Community
College averaged 16.7 points and 8.0 rebounds last season. Some
academic issues kept some schools away, but once that is taken
care of the Gophers have themselves a quality big man.
Who to Watch:
Spencer Tollackson has quietly improved over the last two
seasons. The 6-9 center from the basketball hotbed of Chaska,
Minnesota, averaged 8.1 points and 4.1 rebounds as a sophomore
last season. Tollackson plays strong under the basket and will
use his 267 pound frame to his advantage. Dan Coleman, a 6-9
junior, would ideally be by Tollackson’s side up front, but
Coleman may end up at the three spot due to necessity. Coleman
has the potential to be a surprise leader for the Gophers with
an increase in playing time.
Final
Projection:
Jamal Abu-Shamala
started ten games after walking on to Minnesota. He hustles,
which every walk-on does, and has a decent shot. It is hoped
that the Gophers talent level will make Abu-Shamala see less
minutes; which would be a shame, since he is fun to watch.
Overall Coach Dan Monson and company have the talent to
surprise, but it will take a little while for the rotation to
work itself out. By the time it does, the postseason will be
out of reach. The good news, at least for 2007-2008, is that
the team has no seniors on the roster.
Projected
Post-season Tournament:
none
Projected
Starting Five:
Limar Wilson,
Junior, Guard, DNP last season
Lawrence
McKenzie, Junior, Guard, DNP last season
Dan Coleman,
Junior, Forward, 7.3 points per game
Engen Nurumbi,
Junior, Forward, DNP last season
Spencer
Tollackson, Junior, Center, 8.1 points per game
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