In his first media availability since before the season, Mo Walker sounded somewhat frustrated by the decision to redshirt this season, which was made public yesterday.

"Coach kind of made the decision for me," Walker said. "I've been working since the beginning of the season and the offseason to come back. But it was decided with him and the trainers and myself that I would redshirt at this point. "… It's pretty tough. There's been games where we've struggled inside, rebounding and finishing. I feel like I could have helped, but there is nothing I can do about it except to encourage my teammates and help build them." On Saturday Smith said that Walker had experienced a "minor setback" when he was experiencing pain in November, and the doctors recommended that the center be "slowed down" for four or five weeks. Walker is essentially healthy and ready to play now, Smith said, but the coach felt it was best to wait since the team has already played six games in the Big Ten schedule. Walker, however, dismissed any real setbacks, saying "I wouldn't say so; it's been pretty uphill since it happened." The 6-10, 289 center dismissed speculation that academic issues have played a role in the slowed comeback. "Nope, my grades are pretty good," Walker said "I'm attending all classes like I'm supposed to. Things are going well this semester so far. Things went well last semester too.