He's played some of the best ball in the second half. This team needs a #3 and he looks ready. Uhl has disappeard and even hurting the team. Give all of Doms minutes to Williams and see.
Can Williams becomes #3 threat and spark?
- Thread starter HawkeyeGoldnBlack
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Williams has definitely shown that he's a baller, but I'm just not seeing him as our 3rd best scoring threat, YET. I think we'll all be happy to have him on our side in the years to come. As far as this year goes though, we're going as far as these seniors will take us.
Uthoff and Jok will get theirs, but if we could get a couple games from Woody like the one he had against Tennessee a few years back, or Mike like he did against MSU this year or North Carolina last year, and Sapp doing what he does on the defensive side, we'll be able to string some W's together.
Uthoff and Jok will get theirs, but if we could get a couple games from Woody like the one he had against Tennessee a few years back, or Mike like he did against MSU this year or North Carolina last year, and Sapp doing what he does on the defensive side, we'll be able to string some W's together.
Cart, meet horse. I like the kid, said he would and should see more minutes earlier in the season. I don't think, as we enter tourney play, we are all of sudden going to start going to a freshmen in crunch time. Maybe you're right but that is a pretty big leap so late in the game. And unless he starts playing the 4/5 position, I don't think he's taking Uhl's minutes.
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I just really like the potential of CW along with Wagner and Baer. Uhl has ability but I am not sure he has the mental toughness needed. We need all these guys to make our bench strong to have any chance at a run.
This is very positive to get CW onto the floor yet this year win or lose. These minutes will do a great deal for his confidence and set us up for next year's transition. Smooth, long player that reminds me of Dev Marble. He's going to make some mistakes though so patience is key with a young player.
This is very positive to get CW onto the floor yet this year win or lose. These minutes will do a great deal for his confidence and set us up for next year's transition. Smooth, long player that reminds me of Dev Marble. He's going to make some mistakes though so patience is key with a young player.
Of all the players that have played this year, which one do you see as being the Iow'a most solid 3rd scorer?
I know I'm in the minority here, but I think Mike is under appreciated. I think he's a legit scoring threat when he's not being unselfish. Scoring 25 against Michigan State wasn't by accident. His pull-up jump shot is solid and it's a shame he doesn't let it fly more. I wish he would take it to the hole like he did at North Carolina and not because the shot clock is running down. When he's calling his own number good things usually happen at the rim.
To each his own. Mike's a four year starter, has played in the dance, and has shown that he can go off for 20. At this point in time I'd take him over CW in a heartbeat, but that still doesn't mean I'm not excited for the years to come with CW running the show. Glad he's a Hawk.
You're right I was too harsh. We've seen what Mike can do so he's a known quantity. He has been more aggressive finishing (dunking) but his short pop jumper has disappeared.
There are only so many more minutes to find a cohesive unit that can compete with the best.
I'd like to see:
Sapp
CW
Jok
Uthoff
Woodbury
There are only so many more minutes to find a cohesive unit that can compete with the best.
I'd like to see:
Sapp
CW
Jok
Uthoff
Woodbury
I would rather we have a 3a & 3b in Clemmons and Gesell. Those two are the key to the tourneys. They have the potential to crank it up. They just need to hit at a higher percentage.
They are seniors. They both play great and good defense. They both have all-around good ball handling skills.
The B1G and moreso the NCAAs are about good guard play. If these two can turn it up a notch and have Jok play some non-foolish ball, we will go far.
Two things, they need to make their free throws and hit a clutch shot every game
They are seniors. They both play great and good defense. They both have all-around good ball handling skills.
The B1G and moreso the NCAAs are about good guard play. If these two can turn it up a notch and have Jok play some non-foolish ball, we will go far.
Two things, they need to make their free throws and hit a clutch shot every game
I'd rotate CW with MG & Sapp with MG or Sapp on the floor with him at all times. CW gives the Hawks a dynamic that MG/Sapp don't provide, plus it gives them a little more rest. Jmo.
I think you are right here. We will see more CW for sure. We need to. If we are to advance in the B1G, Williams will need to play extensive minutes. Not a ton. But quite a bit.
I hope we play Illinois, and he can turn it on against his home state. That would be just what we need. Give AC & MG some breaks early in the tournament. Keeping the legs fresh. While giving Christian some confidence for the reminder of the tourney.
I wish Dom would just pump the brakes a bit. I think some of them bunnies that are just missing would finally go down.
Williams has shown a Devyn Marble-esque ability to get to, and finish at, the rim, make free throws, and rebound from the guard position, all while not being a liability on defense. These are all traits that this team desperately needs and for that reason, Williams has earned extensive minutes.
Excited to see how he continues to develop. An improved jump shot would be deadly
Excited to see how he continues to develop. An improved jump shot would be deadly
I was not suggesting/proposing that Fran play all 3 at the same time. Only 2 of the 3 to include CW playing significant minutes to change things up defensively/offensively and to give MG & Sapp a little more rest.
I think Vabeach is right. Fran just has to keep pushing buttons until he finds a mix that works. We know what we will get with the starting 5 with the once per month semi breakout game from Clemmons or Gesell. I think Williams has the best shot at getting 8-10 points off the bench and impacting the game at both ends. I am beginning to get that Devon Archie feeling about Uhl.....dude just seems to accept mediocre play.
I do agree with the button thing too for Fran. It could be Mike or Sapp or Woody maybe even Williams or Baer. No one has been on the Williams band wagon more or a bigger fan (well Dan53 was too a big fan of Williams but a few of you complained about his content too much so I don't blame him for taking his 2,000 plus liked posts to the Lounge) since I saw him play at last year's Illinois HS State Championship...
The kid is a stud BB talent and it's a matter of time and maybe, I hope, it's now for him to start showing it. Better now than later.
And many of you are way too hard on Dom's play at the moment. He'll be fine, another kid with a ton of talent and upside. It's basketball for a big one, playing time (huge), match ups and just the feel of the game with the little amount of minutes these subs get is a small canvas to work with to be overly productive. Miss a shot here or there or maybe turn the ball over or miss a defensive assignment and your toast and back on the bench....small canvas fans. Lighten it up on the critique or at least allow these player more minutes, maybe starter minutes on the floor to get into the flow of the game......
I remember Jarrod with all his talent, struggling with sub minutes when he was coming off the bench and an All American today. And boy do I remember the posts back in the day on Jarrod.....lighten up.
I think Uhl has tremendous up side. I wonder how consistent of a shooter he can be with a very unorthodox stroke, but athletically he could be a game changer. Is he more / less athletic than Aaron White? I would say pretty similar, but IMO, Uhl has more offensive tools than White, but lacks White's motor and 'chip on the shoulder' attitude.
The thing I've heard about Dom and this is coming from Tom K that Dom is one of the first guys on the floor working on his game prior to games and works very hard in practice as well. The one game I was able to attend this past season, I was able to watch Dom in warm up dribbling drills and my goodness does he have great handles for a player his size. Dribbling lower and tighter than Mike or Sapp...just impressive handles so he has a lot skills to offer with his size.
And some others have said this, he is playing that 5 position which is a testament to Dom's range as a player because imo, he's not a 5 and out of position....I think Dom would more like to play the 1 in his mind much like a Kevin Durant type of player. He often times brings the ball up the floor because he can and just as well as the next player...
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Christian reminds me of one Clarence "Bill" Jones. They are almost the same player but Williams might be a little quicker and a better jumper.
I agree with everything you say and add that there is a question in my mind as to how hard Dom is willing to work (dedicate himself) to take his game to another level. If he has White's level of drive/desire to be successful, Dom can become a really good player. If not, he will be what you see today, imo. Lots of talent and innate skills, just needs to work hard and do the work. Gym rats become the best they can be.
I also am a big CW fan. It will be interesting to see how he develops. I don't think he has Dev's shake n' bake, but is quicker and a better rebounder. If he becomes a solid/good 3 pt shooter, he will be really tough to guard as he already is a good shooter at 15 feet and can get to the rim with ease.
Next year has the potential to be very interesting. It has been quite a few years since we have been able to field a team as athletic as next year's team has the potential to be. Cook will need to adjust, but he has been playing high level competition and freshman can have an impact (see Happ for WI and Bryant for Indiana).....neither of these guys is playing like a freshman. What can Hutton and Moss do? Can Jok continue to improve his dribble drive game to be more dynamic? Will a legitimate sniper emerge from the trio of Ellingson, Fleming, and Bohannon? Uhl, Baer, Wagner will come back seasoned and hopefully with more muscle. How much impact can Jones have / will he start?
Definitely good to have some excitement around the hoops program.
Definitely good to have some excitement around the hoops program.
After his freshman year, I thought MG would be a 15+ ppg scorer by his senior. It didn't happen and it's not going to happen over the last however many games he has left. He just doesn't have the confidence in his jumper to be anything more than a fourth or fifth scoring option. His inability to be a consistent scorer and outside threat has been one of the main things that's prevented this team from turning a good year into a great year.
Next year also has the potential to be a dumpster fire. We might not have anyone that can dribble the ball against pressure or defend/rebound in the paint.
This may be true to an extent, but people fail to look at things like this from a different angle. Where would this team be if we didn't have him? Where would our program be in general? Mikes career at Iowa is part of the reason why we get looks from guys like Charlie Moore, Tyler Ulis and others I'm forgetting. He brought winning back to Iowa hoops and I'm sure he'll bring more W's over the next few weeks.
Hard to figure why some guys are not able to remain scorers at the college level when they score a ton of points in high school. MG gets pretty good looks, so it's not like he is being stymied by better defenders. He is no slouch athletically, so again, not like he can't by his guy. MG's shot has never looked fluid and repeatable. You look at Jok and they guy is like a machine. The ball leaves his hand with almost no effort, perfect rotation, fluid motion, etc., same with Uthoff. You rarely see MG's and AC's shots look the same twice.
I must have missed it, when did Devon Archie reach mediocre?
There was that one game when he, ah, then there was another game when he almost scored. Clearly the DA highlight reel would end with the warm up's coming off, but man, that guy looked the part and had major hops.
Who was the guy under Lickliter that sat for most of the season, then went bonkers against Purdue and was never heard from again? Something Palmer or Webster?? Yikes, just had a series of horrible flashbacks.
This is key.
Jok starts to think hes Steff Curry sometimes and then pouts when it doesn't work.
He needs to play hard and be aggressive but selective like he was in January.
Well hes allot bigger and more athletic than Marble was as a freshman, probably more athletic than Marble is now.
Agree, hes really a 3 not a 5. Wagner is getting most of the time at the 5 now, Uhl has been at the 4.
No, it has the potential and likely will be a rebuilding year.
Between Williams, Moss, Uhl, Jok, Flemming, the ballhandling will ok at worst and with all the bigs comming in someone will step up and be adequate.
