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NCAA Approves Transfer Waiver For Liam Robbins

The Gopher will have another year of eligibility available.

NCAA Basketball: Missouri Valley Conference Tournament-Bradley vs Drake Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

The Minnesota Golden Gophers got some good news earlier this week as the program learned transfer center Liam Robbins had received a waiver for the NCAA for immediate eligibility. He arrived from Drake and fans are expecting big things from him this season.

Robbins committed to Minnesota in April after spending two years at Drake. During last season, he averaged 14.1 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 2.9 blocks per game for the Bulldogs. He is listed at 7-foot-0 and 235 pounds. He was an efficient player that did work in the paint and on the boards. He’s still an improving outside shooter.

Obviously, this is big news for Richard Pitino and his staff. After Daniel Oturu declared for the NBA Draft, there were some major questions about how Minnesota’s frontcourt would look next season. And while many of those questions will remain, Robbins at least gives the team an experienced option down low. Add in Sam Freeman and Isaiah Ihnen and the Gophers suddenly have some decent depth.

Minnesota is largely going to ride and die with star guard Marcus Carr next season, but the addition of a player like Robbins to the lineup shouldn’t go understated. And if Pitino and his staff can find a reliable backup to go with him, Minnesota might just be good enough to push for next year’s NCAA Tournament.