The Wake

So what makes Aaron Robinson move so darn quick on the basketball court? Is it the Jay-Z album bumping in his headphones before the game or his motivational prayer during the national anthem? Both of these pre-game rituals and a desire to change the game to a faster level has made Aaron Robinson one of the scrappiest players in the Big 10.

The junior guard from Rockford, Ill. relishes in his spark-plug style of play and loves to use his energy to change the tempo of the game. Coaches welcome that attitude from any player but especially coming off the bench when the team looks lethargic.

The host of schools recruiting Robinson includes the Universities of Connecticut, Miami (Fla.), Michigan and Minnesota, proving players with his aggression cannot be looked over despite his five-foot-ten-inch frame.

The Gophers won the recruiting battle to land Robinson but the choice to come to the “U’ was an easy one after he visited the campus, talked with the coaching staff and toured the facilities.

A torn meniscus in Robinson’s knee, suffered against Indiana in March of last year, threatened his speedy and aggressive style of play. But Gopher fans, as well as Robinson’s opponents, find the knee isn’t holding him back from his in-your-face defense and darting cuts toward the basket.

“It was a struggle because I couldn’t play, I couldn’t run all summer and I couldn’t really even bend my leg past 90 degrees,” Robinson said.

Robinson first picked up a ball after his injury in August and now he is seeing significant playing time, even starting, at times, for the Gophers this season. He hopes to evolve from a spark plug off the bench to an efficient starter heading into his senior year, but he knows there is some unfinished business for the Gophers this season.

“If we finish strong, that’s gonna carry over to the summer, have a good summer and come in next year looking for big things to happen,” Robinson said.