The first edition of my new podcast, MedCast, is up and running on the Gophers page at startribune.com. And check out the story about Hopkins forward Royce White, while you’re there.

That was a tough story to write. After talking to numerous people around Royce and spending time with him, I was impressed by the way he owned up to some of his past errors. At 17, that’s rare. I think he also has a lot to work on. And I think he knows that. Those around him hope Tubby Smith will help keep him in line.

From a basketball standpoint, he’s probably as good as anyone in the state. I think Rodney Williams is a great athlete. But White is a more polished player. When I watch him play, I always notice how easy the game is for him. That’s probably part of the problem. He gets frustrated when he’s not playing with the kind of athletes that can do the things he’s able to do on the floor. White has more talent than anyone on Minnesota’s current roster. But that can only take you so far. Far less “talented” players have excelled in Smith’s system. Think Al Nolen and Blake Hoffarber. And some talented players, like Brandon Smith, didn’t even make it through training camp last season.

Here are my grades, based on talent, for Minnesota’s class of 2009 recruits:

Justin Cobbs (B) I think the Gophers could use Cobbs now. He knows how to get to the basket. And Minnesota needs another ball handler to play behind Al Nolen.

Trevor Mbakwe (B+) He’s 6-7, 240 pounds. In a league with players like Michigan State’s Raymar Morgan, Wisconsin’s Marcus Landry and Penn State’s Jamelle Cornley, you need solid power forwards. Mbakwe was hindered by a knee injury during his freshman year at Marquette. When healthy, however, he’s proven that he can play at a high level.

Rodney Williams (A-) No one questions Williams’ talent. He’s extremely athletic and explosive. Check out his YouTube highlights if you don’t believe me. I think the Gophers will have a lot of talented wings and forwards on their 2009-10 roster. But Williams should play a big role for Minnesota during his first year. Williams said his grades have improved and he just needs a slightly higher ACT score to get into the school.

Royce White (A) He’s the best player in this class. He’ll be tough for any player in the Big Ten to guard. He’s not extremely flashy. But, he gets buckets. He has to mature on- and off-the-court, but if he does, he’ll be the kind of athlete that can make the Gophers a Big Ten title contender next season.

-ESPN.com’s Joe Lunardi predicts that Michigan State, Ohio State, Purdue and Wisconsin will represent the Big Ten in the NCAA tournament. That’s not surprising. But he lists Wisconsin as a No. 2 seed, the highest ranking of the four teams.

-Some of the country’s top prospects are undecided, but as of now, Minnesota has the No. 22 recruiting class for 2009, according to rivals.com, and the No. 11 recruiting class, according to scout.com.

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