About two years ago the Gophers lost a valuable player from Ontario when guard Devoe Joseph left the program during his junior season because he wasn’t happy, but Maurice Walker, also from Ontario, said not to be concerned he will leave Minnesota. Walker, a redshirt sophomore forward-center, told Sports Headliners that despite minimal playing time so far during his Minnesota career he’s committed to being a Gopher.
“Of course,” he said. “I’ll be here. I love it here.”
The 6-foot-10, 289-pound Walker is averaging 8.6 minutes per game, 11th lowest on the team. Only deep reserves Wally Ellenson, Kendal Shell and Chris Halvorsen are playing fewer minutes than Walker who has been used in 11 of 12 games this season.
But Walker is a potentially key part of the Gophers’ drive for an NCAA Tournament invitation. He’s the biggest body on the team and a player who has the skill set to relieve the Gophers’ primary inside players—Elliott Eliason, Trevor Mbakwe and Rodney Williams.
Walker can contribute by knocking down opponents who drive the lane against the Gophers. He can block some shots and take up space on defense. On offense he has soft, large hands for grabbing rebounds, and he has shown a shooting touch outside and inside that is exceptional for such a big player.
It’s next season, though, that Walker would appear even more valuable to the Gophers because Mbawke and Williams are seniors. They will be gone and so too will Andre Ingram, an undersized 6-7 senior who sometimes is used ahead of Walker to help with interior defense. In 2013-2014 Walker and Eliason, who is also a sophomore, will be the team’s only returning big men.
The opportunity for a lot more minutes for Walker is obvious. “I realize that,” he said. “I understand that. Coaches are really like, easing me into it so I am ready.”
Walker is averaging just 3.3 points per game and 2.6 rebounds. He’s struggled to find his game, at times looking tentative and perhaps out of shape. He said last month the Minnesota coaches want him to lose about 10 pounds but more recently he told Sports Headliners the goal hasn’t been reached.
“I feel like my conditioning is pretty good,” Walker said. “I don’t really get too winded out there so that’s good.”
Although he is 21 years old, Walker hasn’t seen much playing time since arriving in Minneapolis two years ago. He played as a reserve averaging 9.6 minutes in 12 games and showed promise including by making two of five three point attempts. Then on December 23, 2010 he injured his right knee and missed the rest of the season. Last season he missed all of 2011-2012 recovering from that injury.
Gophers coach Tubby Smith said on WCCO Radio’s “Sports Huddle” yesterday that Walker’s mishap was the worst knee injury he’s seen, comparing it with someone being in a “major car wreck.” Smith said he’s pleased with Walker’s “growth and development” this fall. He also noted that while at Minnesota Walker’s weight has dropped from close to 350 pounds to under 300.
While working on his comeback from the long layoff, Walker has drawn some of the biggest cheers from fans at Williams Arena. They particularly delight in seeing him score, or even coming close to putting the ball through the hoop.
Walker appreciates the support. “I got a large fan base,” he said. “I love the fans. I love everything about here, and the Barn and the atmosphere, and my teammates. Everything is great.”
Worth Noting
Walker and the Gophers (11-1 and ranked No. 13 in the country by Associated Press) haven’t played a game since last Tuesday when they defeated North DakotaState. Next up—and the final nonconference game—is Saturday night at home against a 4-8 Lafayette team that lost to Kentucky, 101-49, and Maryland, 83-74. Lafayette is located in Easton, Pennsylvania, also known as the home of former heavyweight champion Larry Holmes.
Lafayette has one Minnesotan on the roster, 6-7 sophomore guard Seth Hinrichs from Clara City. He’s the team’s second leading scorer at 14.2 points per game.
Gopher football fans have a reputation for travelling in small numbers to bowl games. A transplanted Minnesotan now living in Texas emailed Sports Headliners about the virtues of Houston (VisitHouston.com) where the Gophers play on December 28 against Texas Tech in the Meineke Car Care Bowl. He suggests Minnesotans head to Houston first to watch the Vikings next Sunday and then stay in town for the Gophers.
“Texas Tech sold out their ticket allotment the first day and we can’t let the Big 12 show up the Big 10! It is a great event for players, fans and families,” my friend wrote in the email. “Lots to do in the area and fans can take…light rail directly to Reliant Stadium. Best of all there is no snow on our palm trees!”
Coach Kevin McHale will have his Rockets in town on December 26 to play the Timberwolves at Target Center. It will be a difficult holiday homecoming for the Hibbing, Minnesota native whose 23-year-old daughter Sasha died in a Twin Cities hospital last month. McHale was in tears during a post-game hug with Kevin Garnett after Friday night’s Rockets-Celtics game in Houston. McHale drafted Garnett for the Wolves in 1995 and assisted Garnett’s career for several years in Minnesota before trading him to the Celtics.
Gophers assistant head baseball coach Rob Fornasiere emailed that “final touches are going in and construction trailers are moving out” for the new Siebert Field. Next season will be the 125th year of baseball as a University of Minnesota sport. The first game at the new Siebert Field will be April 5 against Ohio State.
The Twins will switch their Single-A Beloit farm team to Cedar Rapids next year, setting up a shorter drive for curious fans wanting to travel from Minneapolis-St. Paul to see prospects. Twins general manager Terry Ryan said on WCCO Radio’s “Sports Huddle” yesterday that among the interesting players likely to play there in 2013 will be German outfielder Max Kepler. Miguel Sano, the power hitting third baseman who needs improvement in the field, is likely to play for Single-A Ft. Myers where manager Doug Mientkiewicz is a an adept defensive instructor, Ryan said.
Dave Mona, co-host of the “Sports Huddle,” will be the speaker on January 10 at the C.O.R.E.S. luncheon in Bloomington. Anyone interested in more information can email Jim Dotseth at dotsethj@comcast.net. C.O.R.E.S. is an acronym for coaches, officials, reporters, educators and sports fans.