Spencer Tollackson, or "The Big Swede" as I like to call him, is about as effective as....well, a big uncoordinated swede. When facing smaller opponents he does dominate, and that'll be missed next year, but when he matches up against a skilled big man it is just embarrassing. He isn't quick enough to make a move toward the hoop. It often looks like he's just going for the foul rather than trying to make the shot. In the Big Ten, they let people play, especially down low, and he's not gonna get that call very often....when it does get called, he'll miss the free throws. He'll try fade-aways but he's not a natural shooter. Even on great passes which should lead to easy buckets, he'll often put the ball on the floor instead of just going up strong, allowing defensive help to come over and stuff him. To top it all off he misses out on half the rebounds he should have....so really, I ask, how can Ralph Sampson or Colton Iverson do any worse as freshmen?
Dan Coleman is a bit more talented, but after last night, I'm really not sure....fouls out with 0 points??? You're a senior leader on your last game at home in a tournament, and that's how you step up????
Maybe I'm being a bit harsh. I know that without them we wouldn't have even won 9 games last year (or 20 this year), but will we really be taking a step back next year?
I don't think you can consider the gophers worse off, at least they will have some freshmen that can be coached and molded into what Tubby Smith wants out of them. I mean all of these players that Tubby inherited were already set in their ways. If Tubby had 4 years with Tollackson and Coleman, I guarantee you they would have been better players. Tubby Smith said before the season that he thought that Coleman could be one of the best players in the country, wow, then what a bust he turned out to be for Tubby. I think you miss their Senior leadership in practice, and maybe Tollacksons overall hustle. Other than that, you don't look back and start developing the young talent that will hopefully bring us dancing soon.
I have been saying it all season though, for the gophers to get back to the tourny, and to get another big ten champ, they have to mold someone they can rely on down the stretch. They can't rely on Hoffarber to keep making miracle shots at the buzzer (though his resume of them is sick). Overall a sensational season for the gophers, for what they had to work with, they exceeded all of my expectations. Tubby Smith is the real deal, and we are very lucky to have him. Good job U OF M, especially Joel Maturi (Chisholm Alum, my hometown), for breaking the mold of every MN team in this state, and going out and spending some money to get someone special.
I've been wavering on how much we'll miss our seniors. They must provide leadership off the court and in practice. They knew how to prepare for games and classes. I, like all of you, don't have special access to know if this is true, but in my mind it must be the case.
Any college student who sticks to his/her studies and finishes a four year career in any extracurricular activity deserves respect. For that I am impressed with McKenzie, Spencer and Coleman. I hope that they find success overseas or in any other professional endeavor.
Their shortcomings on the court need-not be mentioned here...we all know what they were. Bringing in the young guys next year will be both frustrating and exciting...much like this year was.
We are not going to miss Coleman and Kudos for their four years of service but their lack of production in most if not all big games was disappointing. Both seemed to be be timid on the court. I blame Monson for a lot of it. I imagine both would have been better players if they had played four years for Tubby. The Gophers are going to miss McKenzie. Fortunatly, having Nolan and Westbrook around will ease that transistion.
Well, yeah, clearly they have my respect and admiration on a personal level. But as far as the sport of basketball and more importantly the Gophers team next year, I think it will be better than this year, not worse.
Damien Johnson really has grown into a good player. He only had 1 foul going into the last few minutes of the game against Maryland (with a double double) and he was our most physical player. You gotta tip your hat to Tubby on molding a guy to play stellar defense without fouling. Offensively, he really came around those last few games. He'll step up big time next year. I think Sampson will start at center, and be better than Tollackson in every aspect from day 1. Throw in Paul Carter and Colton Iverson for depth and you have 4 quality big men to build a team around.
For the guards, we really will miss McKenzie....Devoe Joseph is our only hope at replacing his playmaking ability, but that's near impossible for a freshman to do. I guess I'm hoping Westbrook might put all the pieces together and fill the void out of necessity as the senior leader. If that happens and if Nolan develops any shooting game whatsoever and if Hoffarber learns to make something happen off the dribble, we will definitely be better than last year. That all seems very tangible, too, especially with coach Smith as their teacher.
I think both of them were good players, but Coach Smith will get better athletes in here and make them a better team. I wish nothing but the best for them as giving 4 years to a losing program(3 out of 4 years anyway) is commendable, but I think we will only get better on the court. Maybe someday we can wear final four stuff that will count, glad I got mine before the NCAA took it away.
I don't think the Gophers are going to miss Tollackson as much as they do Coleman. Tollackson just got pushed around by all the other big men in the Big Ten. He didn't stand a chance against players like DJ White or Kosta Kufous from Ohio State. Coleman came out and played hard as long as he was on the floor. Thats more than you could say about Tollackson. You could really tell how tough Spencer was when he was willing to sit on the bench for possibly his last game against Indiana with a sprained ankle!! Come on Spence. Coleman got the hustle points and toughed out some injuries and played his heart out. Thats all that you can ask of a player.
We are going to miss there leadership off the court, but I think Coach Smith got to them late. If he had to to work wirh them both for about 3 year I think they could have been beast this year. Thats nor here nor there, but I think the next group of kids coming in are going to do great under Coach Smith.
I'll miss Coleman and McKenzie.. not Tollackson. He tried hard but he just couldn't get it done. I like our freshman next year tho.. I'm thinking big dance already
Hats off to the three seniors, but honestly, the can not compete with what Tubby is bringing in. Tollackson was not a great bigman, Coleman could not produce in big games. Mckenzie was the only one with true talent, but even he was weak going to the basket compared to other B10 guards.
Yeah nice job staying for 4 years and finishing school.
Its not like the NBA would have welcomed them with open arms.
Those seniors played a lot at times like true freshman. Neither was really good at anything except taking up space on the floor and breathing oxygen.
They cut their teeth and dealt with some really bad seasons with the gophers, however they did get a free education out of the deal that cost well into the high thousands.
So really I dont feel bad for what they put up with considering they didn't pay a dime for school.
