University of Minnesota Athletics
No Regrets: Senior Spencer Tollackson
2/13/2008 12:00:00 AM | Athletics
In the Big Ten, one thing remains certain. Winning is synonymous with solid play in the post. The typical Big Ten big man hovers around seven feet and plants himself down low, waiting for plays to develop around them.
Spencer Tollackson isn’t the prototypical Big Ten center playing in a prototypical Big Ten system. Instead of making a home in the paint, Tollackson uses his newfound mobility to set up anywhere from the top of the key to the baseline and gives Minnesota a versatility most teams are oblivious to. In this, Spencer’s final season, hopes are high that his presence will help lead Minnesota to a Big Ten title, with his final games being played in the NCAA Tournament.
Coming into this season as a slimmer, more athletic player, Tollackson has discovered that decreased weight has lead to an increased all-around performance. Moving more freely than before has allowed Tollackson to be a steady defender inside and across the perimeter. He attributes this to both his hard work in the offseason and the new style of play from Coach Tubby Smith.
“I think the whole weight loss thing helped a lot, losing 24 pounds,” Tollackson said. “I think (Smith’s) style of play is more fitting, with getting up and pressuring and denying passing lanes. Our offense runs a lot of low post plays, a lot of post screens and that’s allowed me to excel down low.”
Running a full court pressure defense is a physically demanding task, one Tollackson knew would be vital in playing “Tubbyball.” Needing to shed weight and improve his speed, Tollackson turned to dieting and a testing physical regimen to help drop the weight.
“First thing over the summer I started watching what I was eating and did the whole low-carb thing,” Tollackson said. “I did that along with our preseason conditioning, which was pretty hardcore this year. We were on the track everyday, running miles and 200-yard sprints or 40-yard dashes and things like that. Basically just eating better and running a lot before the season started has made me better.”
“Spencer has always trained hard throughout his career,” head strength and conditioning coach Cal Dietz said. “The difference this year for him has been his nutrition. Fifty percent of training is eating correctly. Spencer is very carbohydrate sensitive so when we made some changes in his diet and specifically what he drinks after practice, it has paid off. He is much leaner now.”
However, on paper many may think that Tollackson’s performance has remained steady from last season, with no real improvement. Granted, his scoring, minutes, and rebounds are about the same from last season but one statistic that cannot be overlooked is his assists. Already, only halfway through the season, Spencer has amassed almost as many assists (25) as he did all of last season (27). This can be attributed to his new role in Coach Smith’s offense. Instead of being strictly a scoring threat, Tollackson has found ways to disperse the ball to his teammates, leading to four different Gophers scoring in double figures.
With this being his last Big Ten season, Tollackson has been stepping up more than anyone. Bringing a higher level of play to the Big Ten this season, Tollackson has been a top player for Minnesota. Through their matchup with Penn State, Tollackson is leading Minnesota in points, minutes, blocks, and is second on the team in rebounds in conference play.
While increasing his performance helps, Tollackson knows that he alone cannot win every game. When faced with a 16-point deficit against Penn State in State College this season, Tollackson pointed out what makes this team different from teams in the past: coaching and poise.
“I think the whole time, Coach Smith was really calm about it. He never yelled that much that game, especially when we were losing. I think there is a certain kind of poise about him and I think it showed down the stretch at the end,” Tollackson said. “Guys were really poised and didn’t seem panicked as much as we did in the past. I think his poise and confidence really helped us in the game towards the end.”
Knowing his time as a Gopher is winding down, Tollackson has made the most out of his senior season so far going all out whenever on the court. Despite coming off a disappointing finish in his junior season, he sees this season as an opportunity to finish on top and make a lasting impression at Minnesota.
“I think the ultimate goal, being a senior and having one last year is to make the NCAA Tournament. To make it I think we need at least 20 wins but I really want to make the NCAA Tournament. The Big Ten is wide open this year and we definitely have a shot to make a run at the Big Ten title too. You see Iowa beating Michigan State and holding them to 30 something points so you never know what can happen this year. It’s wide open,” Tollackson said.
“I think with senior leadership in myself, Dan (Coleman) and Mac (Lawrence Mckenzie) and the freshmen, who have really impressed me so far, we’re looking good. If we keep doing what we’re doing and playing hard and not giving it up, I think we can get the Big Ten Championship.”
While finishing out his career at Minnesota, Tollackson leaves behind a program soaring towards unimaginable heights, knowing he was the start of something great. Upon departing the Gophers, Tollackson hopes his work ethic and never-die attitude will be remembered by players and fans alike.
“I want them to think I had a good career and that I played hard, unselfish, and would do anything to help the team win. That’s what’s great about this year, we have all unselfish guys. We don’t care who scores as long as we win games.”
Acknowledging the potential of young players like Al Nolen and Blake Hoffarber and a coaching staff that completely renewed a faltering program, Tollackson believes the Gophers are in good hands for quite some time to come. Years after he graduates, with the maroon and gold number 50 jersey hanging in his closet rather than a locker room, Tollackson hopes one piece of advice for the team rings true: play with no regrets.
“Don’t take anything for granted. This three and a half years went by fast, faster than any years of my life. Have no regrets and never say I wish I would have done more or wish I would have done this or that. Take advantage of every opportunity they have.”
story by Ben Flattum, athletic communications student assistant
