(The Minnesota Star Tribune)
How a Mo Walker return could help the Gophers
He's not back yet -- but the center has just begun practicing with the team for the first time in a year.
By ajrayno
December 23, 2011 at 2:09PM
One of the greatest mysteries of this season has been that of Mo Walker.
The sophomore injured his knee and had reconstructive surgery in December of 2010 – by traditional standards giving him plenty of time for a 2011 comeback. But all year, coach Tubby Smith has been tight-lipped on the subject, often expressing doubt that the big man would come back this season at all.
In Thursday's first media session in over a week, Smith suddenly revealed that Walker had been back, working out with the team over the long layoff, and that while the team staff was still keeping him limited with certain exercises, he is "almost fully engaged now."
While Smith and Co. still don't want to get into details – there is still no timeline for return – the simple fact that he's back to practicing, after such pessimism just weeks ago, is a great sign.
- Let's say Walker does come back at some point this year. How could he help the Gophers?
Depth. This is the biggest one. Right now, the Gophers are really only three deep in the paint, with Elliott Eliason backing up starters Ralph Sampson III and Rodney Williams. Andre Ingram plays short minutes, but he hasn't been healthy for the whole year, and for now, doesn't seem like a big part of the Gophers' plans. Walker would provide a critical extra body. - Size. Walker has more than just height. Unlike the other two centers, the sophomore actually has legitimate size – at 6-10, 265, he's a big guy. That equals a formidable presence in the paint.
- Options. With Walker available, the Gophers have the opportunity – if they should need it – to go big with their lineup, without totally killing their second team. In that scenario, Sampson could play the 5, with Walker at the 4 and Williams back at the 3.
Walker hasn't participated in any basketball-related activities for a year now, so there's no telling when the team would agree to green-light him for games. Still, it is an intriguing development, even for Smith.
"I don't have any idea [when he could return to games," Smith said. "I really don't. The doctors are the ones – and he is the one that will determine if he does play. He has a couple of games that he could play and still be redshirted. But I would hate to do anything … but he's a kid that could be a big help to us."
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ajrayno
Of the 53 players active for the Vikings' playoff game vs. the Rams, 23 will be unrestricted free agents. Some of the team's coaches might have new addresses in 2025, too.
