What's up, everyone? A source close to Gophers men's basketball told me Monday that Rodney Williams will not redshirt this season. When I talked to Tubby Smith this summer, he said Williams "might be a candidate" for a redshirt. But it appears that the team isn't looking at that as an option right now. A lot could change between now and Nov. 13, when Minnesota will open the season against Tennessee Tech at Williams Arena. But my source seemed confident that the freshman wing from Robbinsdale Cooper will play. I think there's a strong case that backs the decision to let Williams suit up this year for the Gophers. But I also think there are a lot of valid reasons to let him sit for a season. Let Him Play It's hard to keep Williams off the floor when you watch a clip like this: He's probably one of the best athletes in college basketball. He's not just a leaper. He has amazing timing and explosiveness. That translates to great shot-blocking on the other end of the floor. At 6-6, Williams will be a tough matchup for any wing in the Big Ten. And the Gophers don't have any player with the same combination of athleticism, size and speed. The Big Ten isn't the country's most athletic league, so it's ideal for a guy like Williams, who should be able to score and defend well based on his natural abilities alone. From an academic standpoint, Williams, who struggled with his grades throughout high school, might have more motivation to excel in the classroom. Without solid marks, he won't be allowed to play. Let Him Sit If the Gophers sit Williams for a year, they'll have a better player for the following four, assuming he doesn't leave early. Right now, Williams is a very raw prospect. He has uncanny leaping ability, but he doesn't have a very consistent jumper and his ballhandling skills have to improve, too. Williams could work on both aspects of his game as a redshirt, while also spending more time in the weight room. He's about 185 pounds or so. The Big Ten is full of big boys who will try to push Williams around and keep him away from the basket. Williams struggled when opponents were strong enough to keep him out of the paint in high school and on the national AAU circuit. Then there's the issue with Minnesota's depth chart. The Gophers probably have more hybrid wing-forward types than any team in the league. Paul Carter, Devron Bostick, Royce White and Damian Johnson will all fight for minutes at the three this season. If Williams is going to play the two, he's up against veterans Lawrence Westbrook, Blake Hoffarber and Devoe Joseph. Where and when will he play? Williams can help the Gophers win this season. But I think he's a much more valuable player for the program if he makes his debut during the 2010-11 campaign as a more refined, physical and skillful competitor. When it comes to academics, Williams will have to get off to a good start. He didn't get through the NCAA's Clearinghouse until this summer because of academic issues. A redshirt season might offer him a chance to get acclimated to collegiate life, which is difficult enough without Division I athletics. -Minnesota's top scorer last season, Lawrence Westbrook, spent time in Denver this summer working out with former Gophers women's basketball standout Emily Fox, as she prepared to play pro ball in Greece, according to his father, Larry.