Gophers get Verdell Jones, 2008-2009 roster presumably set

Posted on 01. May, 2008 by JF in Recruiting

The Gophers got their man, incoming freshman point guard Verdell Jones, over Kentucky and Indiana. Sources, including radio station KFAN, are saying that Jones will announce his intention to play for the Gophers during his Monday afternoon press conference. Arizona was his first choice, but earlier this week it became clear that Wildcat coach Lute Olson was content with his current roster and wouldn’t be adding an additional players.

Jones is the 4th top 150 player joining the Gophers for the 2008-2009 season, and by all account the purest point guard. While many were hoping for another front court player and a more tradition Big Ten banger, count me firmly in the “Horray for point guards” camp. Al Nolen was much better than expected last year, but the offense (and defense) fell apart when he was hurt or out of the game. Devoe Joseph has previously said he wants to play point guard, but if he turned out to be more of a shooting guard, that would leave the Gophers only with Nolen, and occasionally Westbrook to run the offense. Westbrook also showed he is most effective playing off-guard, even though he is undersized. The point guard situation became so bleak near the end of the season that both Kevin Payton and Blake Hoffarber, both playing out of position, were responsible for handling the ball. Jones may turn out to be a better shooting guard, or, being the freshman that he is, may not turn out at all. But his apparent arrival gives the Gophers their best chance at a steady presence when Al Nolen is not on the floor.

So what say you? The roster is set. Is Jones a good (apparent) signing? With the roster set, what are you predictions for next year? What are you most excited about or most worried about. October is only 6 months away!

Tags: Arizona Wildcats, Indiana Hoosiers, Kentucky Wildcats, Verdell Jones

12 Responses to “Gophers get Verdell Jones, 2008-2009 roster presumably set”

Goldy

02. May, 2008

We are going all the way to the Rose Bowl!
Ryan

05. May, 2008

He definitely fills a void. Minnesota has gone too long without a Verdell
paul

05. May, 2008

haha wrong….IU strikes again…go hoosiers! Verdell to Hoosiers heres the link….

http://news-gazette.com/news/local/2008/05/05/central_basketball_player_jones_picks_indiana
John

05. May, 2008

GO HOOSIERS ! GO TO HERALDTIMESONLINE.COM and RIVALS.COM YOU ARE REPORTING FALSE INFORMATION!!! MINNESOTA SUCKS!!!! AHHAHA
Troy

05. May, 2008

Not so fast there Tubbsters……….counted your chicken before it was hatched !

Go Cats…………..congrats IU ……

The Gophers men’s basketball team was hoping to add a sixth player to the 2008 recruiting class today, but Champaign Central High School point guard Verdell Jones III picked Indiana over the University of Minnesota.

A 6-foot-4, 165-pound senior, Jones announced his decision at a press conference in Champaign, Ill.

Jones has the ball-handling skills and vision of a true point guard. The Gophers were hoping to add another player to provide depth behind freshman Al Nolen Jr. next season.

But the Hoosiers won the services of Jones even in the midst of recruiting violations from former coach Kelvin Sampson.

Jones visited new coach Tom Crean, formerly of Marquette, before making a trip to Minnesota on April 23.
bluebaron

05. May, 2008

hahahahahahaha…. too bad for Tubby! hahahahahahahahaha
bluebaron

05. May, 2008

I’m a GOON!
JF

05. May, 2008

Myron Medcalf strikes again.
JF

05. May, 2008

And a special shout out to the three teethed Kentuckians who can’t seem to realize I wrote the previous post a while ago. You’d think you would all be over Tubby by now.
TubbySucks

06. May, 2008

Tubby still sucks
JF

06. May, 2008

No. Dan Monson sucks.
From The Barn » Joe Biden is Obama’s VP choice

22. Aug, 2008

[...] the Verdell Jones fiasco, I learned something valuable: who needs sources? The internet was built on rampant unfounded [...]