If you don’t play defense for Coach Tubby Smith you don’t play. It’s that simple. And for Devron Bostick, that was a season long lesson. The former junior college player of the year came to the Gopher program as a junior for the 2008-09 season with high expectations of bringing his offensive skills to Minnesota. Bostick has showed great maturity by admitting to giving inconsistent effort that led to inconsistent playing time; he has had to do some soul searching. After taking an inventory of his game, Bostick has spent the summer working on his defense and ball handling – both skills that Tubby hoped he’d work on.

GopherHole.com caught up with Bostick at the Howard Pulley League to get an update on his progress and goals for the upcoming season.

GH: Now that you’ve had time to look back and analyze your first year at Minnesota, did it play out like you thought it would?

DB: Last season: last year I thought I’d do better than I did. I didn’t hustle like I needed to early on. I need to work on my D. I was too stubborn.

GH: Were you prepared for the pace of the Big Ten?

DB: I was kind of nervous. After a while I got used to it and now I know I need to play harder and more consistently.

GH: What are you working on during the offseason?

DB: I am working on my D and ball handling this offseason. Coach Tubby said I need to work hard on dribbling and D and getting in the weight room. I’ve been working hard in the weight room and working out, ball handling. I’m in better shape now and have actually lost weight.

GH: Have you given any advice to Trevor about the transition from JUCO to the Big Ten?

DB: He’s ready. He’s already strong, plays hard, passes well. He has a real nice game.

GH: Now that you’ve played with the guys on the team, who will surprise people this upcoming season?

DB: Me (laughing) and Royce. Royce is very strong, stronger than I thought he’d be.

GH: Are you on track to graduate?

DB: I am on tack to graduate on time in business marketing.


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