Travis Busch is leaving the Gophers

by GopherNation on Apr 9, 2009 9:56 AM CDT in Gopher Basketball Comment 10 comments

We all knew this was coming, Travis Busch was not offered a scholarship for next season and he then has made the decision to leave the University of Minnesota and continue playing elsewhere.

Busch, an academic All-Big Ten Conference honoree with a 3.6 grade-point average last semester, has nothing but positive things to say about Smith and the Gophers.

"(Smith) understands where I'm coming from, and I understand where he's coming from," Busch said. "It's not like there's any bad blood or animosity. He's been a great coach, and I've learned a lot from him.

"It's one of those things, a numbers game. That's why I've got to make a change. I've had a great time there; I love the coaches and players, and it's been a great experience."

According to the Pioneer Press Busch is being pursued by the likes of Winona State and Nebraska-Omaha.

Like I said above, we all knew this was coming. And I'm sure Travis did as well. It really is a numbers game and in order to accomdate the incoming infusion of talent Busch would have had to accept not only paying his own way through school but essentially zero minutes of playing time.

It is unfortunate and while I was critical of what he brought to each and every game I do believe he adds value to the team. A kid with this effort and ability to get things done is extremely valuable to make others around him better. A year from now nobody here will be saying how much better we would have been if Travis "What Else" Busch were still on the team, but he will be missed and hopefully someone can fill his role.

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I was not a huge Travis Busch fan at the DI major level, but would love to see him at Winona State – he would help keep their winning tradition going. He would certainly be a solid starter at D2.

Even if he was willing to play without a scholarship, he knew he would see less time than he saw this season – just too many SG/SF players for him to see anything other than garbage time minutes.

by mraveling on Apr 9, 2009 11:44 AM CDT reply actions

He was a great student, a young man who brought excitement and energy when he was on the floor and he was instrumental in some very big wins. I wish him the best wherever he goes.

by COJOMAY on Apr 9, 2009 2:34 PM CDT reply actions

Sorry to see him go

As much as I didn’t like seeing him play significant minutes, it’s a shame to see Travis leave the program. He’s a stand-up guy and always gives it his all when on the court. His leaving is a product of the program becoming better, but that doesn’t make it any easier to see him transfer.

Any news on KP3? I’m curious to see if he’ll be back next year as well.

Kill, maim, pillage, burn! Kill, maim, pillage, burn! Eat babies! Badger babies!

by Felix on Apr 9, 2009 9:13 PM CDT reply actions

Gophers press release indicated he is leaving the program as well (he is on track to graduate this spring)

by mraveling on Apr 10, 2009 3:23 PM CDT up reply actions

Getting his due

No need to claim Travis Busch is anything other than what he is… a role player. And unfortunately for him, he is a role player on a team with too many role players and not enough real talent (until now). But I’ll say this. Minnesota would not have made the NCAA Tournament without its win against Louisville. And the Gophers would not have beaten Louisvile without Travis Busch. In that game, he had 13 points, 6 boards, 2 steals, and no turnovers in 25 minutes. So, arbitrary as it may sound, he definitely had an impact on this team making the Big Dance.

by Maroon and Old on Apr 10, 2009 12:16 AM CDT reply actions

I wish him well

He gave great effort and was a good team player, but his minutes would definitely be nearly zero next year and you can’t blame him for wanting to play (especially with not having a scholarship). I hope he goes to Winona, that is a good program and I think he would really enjoy it.

This brings on the question that I just asked a couple buddies the other day: Would you rather be a starter for a good DII school or a guy that rides the pine for a High D1 school? I think I would rather play, but it would be cool to say you played for MN (or another big school).

by GreasyLlama on Apr 10, 2009 8:46 AM CDT reply actions

JAS, J Williams, T Busch, K Payton

Traded for R White, T Mbakwe, R Williams, and J Cobbs.

With B Allen and D Dawson as throw-ins (walk-ons).

I like the trade myself.

by FortyYearCatFan on Apr 10, 2009 12:18 PM CDT reply actions

Kevin Payton has now left, too

Gophers junior guard Kevin Payton has decided to not return for his senior season. I doubt he was the deciding factor. I think he got pushed out.

The Gophers needed two scholarships to make room for their incoming class of Hopkins High School forward Royce White, Cooper High School wing Rodney Williams Jr., Bishop Montgomery High School (Torrance, Calif.) point guard Justin Cobbs and Miami Dade College forward Trevor Mbakwe, a graduate of St. Bernard’s High School.

Payton played in 67 games, had 17 starts and averaged 1.5 points, 1.7 assists, 1.5 rebounds and 13.9 minutes per game. But in 2008-09, he played in only nine games and was suspended for a month for academic reasons.

by COJOMAY on Apr 11, 2009 7:39 AM CDT reply actions