Coach Pikiell on Myles Johnson, our new west coast import. Welcome to Piscataway!‬

[Tango Two]

 

[NewJerseyHawk]

I know we had a lot of fear less than a year ago about finding replacements for a lot of upperclassmen, but Myles Johnson and Doucoure give RU a boost for the future of frontcourt and rebounding....I know both players will in a year or two, give a much improved defensive presence and increased footspeed that can only help.....Johnson is better passer and shooter than we are used to seeing out of bigs in recent years, CJ Gettys helped expand our offense by providing a shooting threat from the Center position away from the basket and on the offensive glass.....Johnson should add both as well.

Johnson is my sleeper for this class (I think he'll add numbers at CJ Getty's level in a year or so), while I'm certain Baker is going to contribute at a high level.

 

[bowlgoal]

I know we had a lot of fear less than a year ago about finding replacements for a lot of upperclassmen, but Myles Johnson and Doucoure give RU a boost for the future of frontcourt and rebounding....I know both players will in a year or two, give a much improved defensive presence and increased footspeed that can only help.....Johnson is better passer and shooter than we are used to seeing out of bigs in recent years, CJ Gettys helped expand our offense by providing a shooting threat from the Center position away from the basket and on the offensive glass.....Johnson should add both as well.

Johnson is my sleeper for this class (I think he'll add numbers at CJ Getty's level in a year or so), while I'm certain Baker is going to contribute at a high level.

I hope you are right on Johnson? CJ was almost there as a post up threat. He had that little shot using glass and gave us some tip ins and clearly was a good rebounder. If he was a bit more athletic and could move a little better to the hoop without the ball, I think that's the missing ingredient in his game. So in other words, he want Derrick Coleman. I don't think you need a super talent in that role but you need more than what we've ever had? Maybe Doucoure is one of those guys?

I think the sleeper player that comes alive this year might be Sa? He started the season very strongly but he faded in the Big 10. I hear he's been working like an animal in the gym and I think our coaches are going to make him better. I also want to see Eugene get even more scrappy on the offensive glass and on defense. He could really break out off the bench this year.

 

[Scangg]

I know we had a lot of fear less than a year ago about finding replacements for a lot of upperclassmen, but Myles Johnson and Doucoure give RU a boost for the future of frontcourt and rebounding....I know both players will in a year or two, give a much improved defensive presence and increased footspeed that can only help.....Johnson is better passer and shooter than we are used to seeing out of bigs in recent years, CJ Gettys helped expand our offense by providing a shooting threat from the Center position away from the basket and on the offensive glass.....Johnson should add both as well.

Johnson is my sleeper for this class (I think he'll add numbers at CJ Getty's level in a year or so), while I'm certain Baker is going to contribute at a high level.

I hope you are right on Johnson? CJ was almost there as a post up threat. He had that little shot using glass and gave us some tip ins and clearly was a good rebounder. If he was a bit more athletic and could move a little better to the hoop without the ball, I think that's the missing ingredient in his game. So in other words, he want Derrick Coleman. I don't think you need a super talent in that role but you need more than what we've ever had? Maybe Doucoure is one of those guys?

I think the sleeper player that comes alive this year might be Sa? He started the season very strongly but he faded in the Big 10. I hear he's been working like an animal in the gym and I think our coaches are going to make him better. I also want to see Eugene get even more scrappy on the offensive glass and on defense. He could really break out off the bench this year.

I like the Johnson Coleman comparison. He seems to have that big rear end base to clear space with good hands and a nice touch

Sa is very interesting to see this season. Don't seem to hear a lot of positive buzz on the boards about him but hopefully he does make some big strides this year. It was a big jump in competition and another year with Pike and staff and we should see a better version this season

 

[bowlgoal]

I know we had a lot of fear less than a year ago about finding replacements for a lot of upperclassmen, but Myles Johnson and Doucoure give RU a boost for the future of frontcourt and rebounding....I know both players will in a year or two, give a much improved defensive presence and increased footspeed that can only help.....Johnson is better passer and shooter than we are used to seeing out of bigs in recent years, CJ Gettys helped expand our offense by providing a shooting threat from the Center position away from the basket and on the offensive glass.....Johnson should add both as well.

Johnson is my sleeper for this class (I think he'll add numbers at CJ Getty's level in a year or so), while I'm certain Baker is going to contribute at a high level.

I hope you are right on Johnson? CJ was almost there as a post up threat. He had that little shot using glass and gave us some tip ins and clearly was a good rebounder. If he was a bit more athletic and could move a little better to the hoop without the ball, I think that's the missing ingredient in his game. So in other words, he want Derrick Coleman. I don't think you need a super talent in that role but you need more than what we've ever had? Maybe Doucoure is one of those guys?

I think the sleeper player that comes alive this year might be Sa? He started the season very strongly but he faded in the Big 10. I hear he's been working like an animal in the gym and I think our coaches are going to make him better. I also want to see Eugene get even more scrappy on the offensive glass and on defense. He could really break out off the bench this year.

I like the Johnson Coleman comparison. He seems to have that big rear end base to clear space with good hands and a nice touch

Sa is very interesting to see this season. Don't seem to hear a lot of positive buzz on the boards about him but hopefully he does make some big strides this year. It was a big jump in competition and another year with Pike and staff and we should see a better version this season

That's what I'm hoping for and I think Sa should be better as is the case with Thiam. It's an adjustment for sure.

 

[higgins3]

That's what I'm hoping for and I think Sa should be better as is the case with Thiam. It's an adjustment for sure.

Something tells me Johnson and Sa will end up splitting time by middle of the season. Depending on what BK's news brings.

I know Johnson has the put back ability that I never saw out of Sa. Also, just in general as a passer and a little jump shot Johnson has. Johnson has a bright career on the Banks. It will be interesting to see how he manages an engineering degree and Basketball. As a Knight, I am sure he is up for the challenge.

 

[RUMBA-JK]

From back when he first popped up on the RU radar - there was something about the recruiting films of Johnson - while the films were from earlier in his Senior year & he may have still been getting back into his game after having been injured & still ramping up to his potential - but he just seemed to have a great court sense - a form of on-court intelligence - and a knowledge of where he needed to be - could see it in his eyes - and occasionally in his demeanor - a sly smile - a quick survey of the court - looked like he was constantly assessing where his teammates were.
That would seem promising - sort of an engineer's mind at work - accounting for all of the moving parts and the visualizing the possibilities.

 

[NewJerseyHawk]

I think the face up shooting game is something we can take advantage of....the days of a post up big man becomes an immediate double-team, where anything dumped into the low-post, is usually double-teamed to generate a turnover and a pass back out of the block.....

if Johnson can run pick-and roll or pick and pop at 12-16 feet away, he will be able to pass the ball and moving the ball may be his best asset. Coleman was an elite player, nowhere nearly a fair comparison IMO, but I'm hoping for a Northwestern-type of PF/C that provides spacing and lanes for the guards to create offensively....you cannot get that unless your bigs can do a little passing and screening with an occasional set-shot or jumper that gives the defense something to think about.

Once the other news happens, things will fall into place and adds another layer of the rebuild.

 

[ScarletLongIsland]

I think the face up shooting game is something we can take advantage of....the days of a post up big man becomes an immediate double-team, where anything dumped into the low-post, is usually double-teamed to generate a turnover and a pass back out of the block.....

if Johnson can run pick-and roll or pick and pop at 12-16 feet away, he will be able to pass the ball and moving the ball may be his best asset. Coleman was an elite player, nowhere nearly a fair comparison IMO, but I'm hoping for a Northwestern-type of PF/C that provides spacing and lanes for the guards to create offensively....you cannot get that unless your bigs can do a little passing and screening with an occasional set-shot or jumper that gives the defense something to think about.

Once the other news happens, things will fall into place and adds another layer of the rebuild.

Hawk, is there any timeline on this news?

 

[Hamilton's Cannon]

IMO, Getty's had something that lacked on this team last year and for many years past- basketball sense/IQ. It can make up some of the gap in athleticism.