University of Minnesota Athletics
The Secretary of Defense; Gopher Sophomore Guard Aaron Robinson
11/30/2002 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
According to Webster's Dictionary this is the standing definition of the word "defense." However, Webster may have left something out of that definition: see Aaron Robinson.
Sophomore guard Aaron Robinson has rapidly become one of the best Golden Gopher perimeter defenders for head coach Dan Monson. In fact, Robinson's ability to "resist the attack" of opposing guards will certainly play a major role for Minnesota's game plan.
"Aaron is an asset to have because he speeds the game up and forces the other team to play the tempo we want," assistant coach Vic Couch said. "He has great quickness and tenacity on the ball and our other guys feed of that. His defense is like a slam-dunk for us. His quickness allows our other defenders to pick up a step. Our bigger guys can cheat out a step or two because Aaron is able to cover the lanes so well."
Robinson represents Minnesota's lone true point guard and don't let his size fool you. At 5-9, Robinson represents the vertically challenged fraternity at the University of Minnesota. However, size does not always matter.
A graduate of Guilford High School in Rockford, Ill., Robinson collected a batch of prep honors. He was named a Street & Smith All-American as a senior and an honorable mention All-American his junior season. As conference player of the year, Robinson averaged nearly a triple-double with 15 points, 10 assists, and seven rebounds per game.
Last season for the Golden Gophers, Robinson filled a backup role behind Kerwin Fleming and current point guard Kevin Burleson. This season, Robinson should be seeing substantially more minutes, mainly due to his ability to stop the ball on the perimeter. Robinson attributes much of his defensive success to his development as a player.
"Since I came to Minnesota, I have learned a lot about patience," Robinson said. "The coaches and my teammates have been great and I have gained so much from all of them. So far, it has been a real positive experience for me. As far as my defense goes, when I defend bigger guys I just have to beat them to the spot every time. I also try to expose their slowness and utilize my quickness to get the advantage."
Robinson is also ready for the challenges he will face this season. One thing is clear. He won't be backing down from them anytime soon. "This year my role on this team is a little different. I need to come in and make plays, play tough defense all 94-feet and keep the team going. I want to lead in any way I can."
Don't be deceived in assuming Robinson's defensive prowess has come easy for him. Tireless practices, hours in the weight room and sheer determination have all paid huge dividends for Robinson's basketball success. Success that teammate Kevin Burleson attributes to Robinson's solid work ethic.
"When you see him, he looks like a strong Mike Tyson," Burleson said. "He works hard in the weight room and it shows when he's playing. You can't push him around the basket because he is strong enough to hold his ground."
Burleson knows of Robinson's resolve because they usually end up guarding each other in practice and that is a welcomed battle for Burleson.
"(Robinson) pushes me all the time," Burleson continued. "In pick-up games, I want him sticking me every time because he puts a lot of pressure on the ball and that makes me better. He has quick hands, quick feet-he's just a quick human being. I haven't seen many guys that can put that kind of defense on someone all they way down the court. He is a great defender and he is the type of guy who takes pride on defense and that is rare in basketball. He is such a competitor too. He is so good for the guards on our team. You have to have a good handle on the ball every time if he's guarding you or it's gone. He brings a lot of intensity to the floor."
Robinson admits defense is simply a matter of stopping the opposition but doing it consistently and successfully takes skill.
"Coach (Bob) Rohde helps a lot in the weight room and I work a lot on my legs to be able to stay down all game long," Robinson said. "On defense, I just try to not allow the guy get past me, it's as simple as that. I move my feet and keep my head up and always try to be aware where my man is going."
His decision to attend the University of Minnesota was a natural fit for Robinson. Just eight hours from his home in Rockford, Ill., parents Tony and Tami Box are able to make it to many of Robinson's games. He is also quick to point out that his educational priorities at Minnesota take precedence.
"I chose Minnesota because of their academic programs and because I had a chance to jump right in and play as a freshman. Originally, I was studying architecture, but now I am going for a degree in mathematics. I have been really happy with the academics here so far. Eventually, I could see myself teaching and coaching at some level. I love kids and I think the experiences I have had as a basketball player could really be helpful."
At first glance, you may not figure that Robinson would be able to play "above the rim." However, if you were in attendance at the annual Madness at Midnight celebration in October, you would have seen a spectacular high-flying show from Robinson. Although he was not crowned "Slam-dunk King" (honors going to Michael Bauer), Robinson did get the entire crowd on their feet more than once.
Robinson showcased a variety of dunks varying from bouncing the ball off the glass and dunking it, to tossing it in the air and putting it down. Truly, Robinson brought the house down and became a fan favorite that evening.
"In Midnight Madness, I had a couple dunks go down but my knee was kind of bothering me so didn't get the kind of ups I wanted. I hadn't really worked on them much in practice, right before the competition. Stan Gaines and I worked on a few and he gave me some good tips. It was his idea to have me bounce it off the glass and put it down."
You may or may not see any dunks from Robinson this season but you can be guaranteed a solid performance on defense. Robinson states that his main goal this season is to play patiently and play hard in every aspect of the game. With his upbeat manner and never-ending quickness, the Golden Gophers definitely have the winning combination.
"As a person, my strength is that I am good with people and my positive attitude. I am a 'people person.' On the basketball floor, my strengths are my defense and quickness and with those I just want to always work hard. I try to have my on-court attitude carry over to my off-court life as well."
Robinson will have many opportunities this season to display his talents and one thing can be sure, he'll have fun doing it. "Playing for Coach Monson is exciting. You never really know what you're going to get. He keeps it fun but he works us hard too. That's probably why we have the potential to be good. Basketball is meant to be fun. Coach helps us remember that."
So what does Robinson have planned after his career at the University of Minnesota?
"I want to be in the NBA but if that doesn't work out, I would like to move out to California and live on the beach. I would like to be able to swim and surf in the ocean everyday."
Perhaps if those plans fall through, Robinson should consider making his defensive skills into a career. Maybe there will be an opening for the Secretary of Defense...
Written by Athletics Media Relations Graduate Assistant Tim Ellis de - fense, n. the act of resisting attack, preparation to meet attack, something which defends fortifications.
According to Webster's Dictionary this is the standing definition of the word "defense." However, Webster may have left something out of that definition: see Aaron Robinson.
Sophomore guard Aaron Robinson has rapidly become one of the best Golden Gopher perimeter defenders for head coach Dan Monson. In fact, Robinson's ability to "resist the attack" of opposing guards will certainly play a major role for Minnesota's game plan.
"Aaron is an asset to have because he speeds the game up and forces the other team to play the tempo we want," assistant coach Vic Couch said. "He has great quickness and tenacity on the ball and our other guys feed of that. His defense is like a slam-dunk for us. His quickness allows our other defenders to pick up a step. Our bigger guys can cheat out a step or two because Aaron is able to cover the lanes so well."
Robinson represents Minnesota's lone true point guard and don't let his size fool you. At 5-9, Robinson represents the vertically challenged fraternity at the University of Minnesota. However, size does not always matter.
A graduate of Guilford High School in Rockford, Ill., Robinson collected a batch of prep honors. He was named a Street & Smith All-American as a senior and an honorable mention All-American his junior season. As conference player of the year, Robinson averaged nearly a triple-double with 15 points, 10 assists, and seven rebounds per game.
Last season for the Golden Gophers, Robinson filled a backup role behind Kerwin Fleming and current point guard Kevin Burleson. This season, Robinson should be seeing substantially more minutes, mainly due to his ability to stop the ball on the perimeter. Robinson attributes much of his defensive success to his development as a player.
"Since I came to Minnesota, I have learned a lot about patience," Robinson said. "The coaches and my teammates have been great and I have gained so much from all of them. So far, it has been a real positive experience for me. As far as my defense goes, when I defend bigger guys I just have to beat them to the spot every time. I also try to expose their slowness and utilize my quickness to get the advantage."
Robinson is also ready for the challenges he will face this season. One thing is clear. He won't be backing down from them anytime soon. "This year my role on this team is a little different. I need to come in and make plays, play tough defense all 94-feet and keep the team going. I want to lead in any way I can."
Don't be deceived in assuming Robinson's defensive prowess has come easy for him. Tireless practices, hours in the weight room and sheer determination have all paid huge dividends for Robinson's basketball success. Success that teammate Kevin Burleson attributes to Robinson's solid work ethic.
"When you see him, he looks like a strong Mike Tyson," Burleson said. "He works hard in the weight room and it shows when he's playing. You can't push him around the basket because he is strong enough to hold his ground."
Burleson knows of Robinson's resolve because they usually end up guarding each other in practice and that is a welcomed battle for Burleson.
"(Robinson) pushes me all the time," Burleson continued. "In pick-up games, I want him sticking me every time because he puts a lot of pressure on the ball and that makes me better. He has quick hands, quick feet-he's just a quick human being. I haven't seen many guys that can put that kind of defense on someone all they way down the court. He is a great defender and he is the type of guy who takes pride on defense and that is rare in basketball. He is such a competitor too. He is so good for the guards on our team. You have to have a good handle on the ball every time if he's guarding you or it's gone. He brings a lot of intensity to the floor."
Robinson admits defense is simply a matter of stopping the opposition but doing it consistently and successfully takes skill.
"Coach (Bob) Rohde helps a lot in the weight room and I work a lot on my legs to be able to stay down all game long," Robinson said. "On defense, I just try to not allow the guy get past me, it's as simple as that. I move my feet and keep my head up and always try to be aware where my man is going."
His decision to attend the University of Minnesota was a natural fit for Robinson. Just eight hours from his home in Rockford, Ill., parents Tony and Tami Box are able to make it to many of Robinson's games. He is also quick to point out that his educational priorities at Minnesota take precedence.
"I chose Minnesota because of their academic programs and because I had a chance to jump right in and play as a freshman. Originally, I was studying architecture, but now I am going for a degree in mathematics. I have been really happy with the academics here so far. Eventually, I could see myself teaching and coaching at some level. I love kids and I think the experiences I have had as a basketball player could really be helpful."
At first glance, you may not figure that Robinson would be able to play "above the rim." However, if you were in attendance at the annual Madness at Midnight celebration in October, you would have seen a spectacular high-flying show from Robinson. Although he was not crowned "Slam-dunk King" (honors going to Michael Bauer), Robinson did get the entire crowd on their feet more than once.
Robinson showcased a variety of dunks varying from bouncing the ball off the glass and dunking it, to tossing it in the air and putting it down. Truly, Robinson brought the house down and became a fan favorite that evening.
"In Midnight Madness, I had a couple dunks go down but my knee was kind of bothering me so didn't get the kind of ups I wanted. I hadn't really worked on them much in practice, right before the competition. Stan Gaines and I worked on a few and he gave me some good tips. It was his idea to have me bounce it off the glass and put it down."
You may or may not see any dunks from Robinson this season but you can be guaranteed a solid performance on defense. Robinson states that his main goal this season is to play patiently and play hard in every aspect of the game. With his upbeat manner and never-ending quickness, the Golden Gophers definitely have the winning combination.
"As a person, my strength is that I am good with people and my positive attitude. I am a 'people person.' On the basketball floor, my strengths are my defense and quickness and with those I just want to always work hard. I try to have my on-court attitude carry over to my off-court life as well."
Robinson will have many opportunities this season to display his talents and one thing can be sure, he'll have fun doing it. "Playing for Coach Monson is exciting. You never really know what you're going to get. He keeps it fun but he works us hard too. That's probably why we have the potential to be good. Basketball is meant to be fun. Coach helps us remember that."
So what does Robinson have planned after his career at the University of Minnesota?
"I want to be in the NBA but if that doesn't work out, I would like to move out to California and live on the beach. I would like to be able to swim and surf in the ocean everyday."
Perhaps if those plans fall through, Robinson should consider making his defensive skills into a career. Maybe there will be an opening for the Secretary of Defense...
Written by Athletics Media Relations Graduate Assistant Tim Ellis
