Concerned about Laurent

[BigEastPhil]

I really like Laurent as I thought he played his heart out last year and is a real good teammate.

However under the past few games, his minutes have dwindled and for the 2nd half tonight - he did not start - which he has for every game prior.

In fairness, Laurent's play to date this season has been poor - taking ill advised outside shots - and making lazy passes and thus Pikiell and staff have properly and fairly reduced his minutes.

I also noticed during the 2nd half that his body language seemed somewhat down.

I am rooting for Laurent to up his game and hopefully he stays within himself by driving; taking high percentage shots and putting in a strong effort on the defensive front.

 

[willisneverrana43]

On a team with significant shooting deficiencies, he may be the worst.

 

[MadRU]

I don't like singling out players, but his struggles aren't only on the offense side. He has lacked defense intensity also. Maybe coming off the bench will light a fire for him.

 

[RutgersMC]

Agree, I also noticed he didn't start the 2nd half. after a traveling call, don't think he played again. I also thought he was one of the toughest competitors last year so I hope he gets his game back on track .

 

[MadRU]

Laurent has the attributes to be this teams version of what Daryl Smith gave us. A high motor defensive specialist, that hits the boards and runs the floor. He is athletic and long, can guard a few positions on defense. If he dedicates himself to doing these things he will make us a better team.

 

[RUJMM78]

The starting lineup should be changed.Laurent and Thiam aren't producing and should be replaced with Williams and SA .The team needs some energy and scoring to start games .

 

[NewJerseyHawk]

The staff can change the lineup, but the reality is, it would be harder to find minutes to develop Laurent and Thiam, if you don't start either....Mike Williams and Nigel Johnson log the most minutes, so I don't think starting either solves that much, they are already scoring at a decent clip and I don't think you can generate points with Thiam and Laurent off the bench, like you can as starting each half....

Each player is learning how to play through a system that teaches them value based on not scoring....fans are focused on shooting percentages, which is understandable, but there are so many other things you can do beyond that.

Mike Williams best play this year has nothing to do with how many 3's he's made....it's been the offensive rebounds, the defensive rebounds, diving on the floor, hustle plays and making the extra pass that has elevated his game three levels from last season.....If you looked at Williams shooting percentages, it may eventually look exactly like last year or slightly better.....but you would be missing the entire value of what the staff is teaching and developing.

My concerns with Laurent have nothing to do with scoring....he would be the 4th offensive option, most times he's on the court and sometimes that's when the ball finds you, you are open and need to make a team pay.....but Laurent's value will be slowing down Victor Law of Northwestern, trying to keep up with a Desi Rodriguez of Seton Hall and making hustle plays onf defense.....everyone else is impacting the game defensively and getting offense elsewhere....Laurent can crash the glass, get a deflection and make other things happen beyond shooting from 3.....

RU won a game by 14 points, with Johnson and Sanders combining to shoot 3-22 from the floor....to both players credit, the plays that helped solidify this win, wasn't their shooting, it's defense, hustle, a steal here or there......the last 2 home games are won, strictly because of coaching defense and rebounding, because an offensive minded coach preaches points and offense......and when you don't score, is when your defense and rebounding suffers.....both games could have been really bad losses or at least a much closer game, if not for defense.

If RU has a hot shooting game once in awhile, there may be an upset brewing here or there. But it's asking way too much of Laurent to contribute offensively. Following Mike Williams' leadership and effort is what turns programs around.....

 

[Degaz-RU]

I think the problem is that Laurent's skill set is not conducive to playing in a zone offense. He's more of a slasher with a good game in the paint, but he's playing the SF/wing position which is expected to shoot threes when the defense is playing zone.

Square peg in a round hole right now. I actually think his skill set is more of a 4, except he's undersized for that spot.

 

[S_Janowski]

The starting lineup should be changed.Laurent and Thiam aren't producing and should be replaced with Williams and SA .The team needs some energy and scoring to start games .

If they are going to give Thiam the minutes he's getting they need to find a way to get him shots. No way you can give a guy 20 + minutes a game and take limited shots on a team that is so offensively challenged.

 

[shields]

Mike Williams is one tough kid.

 

[rubaseball78]

The starting lineup should be changed.Laurent and Thiam aren't producing and should be replaced with Williams and SA .The team needs some energy and scoring to start games .

I like the points and energy coming off the bench. It's not as if Johnson and Williams are wasting away on bench. Thiam is a young player who us a legitimit 3 point threat. He needs minutes to develop. I've been pleasantly surprised by his D in the guard position for someone 6'9".

 

[motel00]

Granted he's not a great shooter but there are opportunities to drive the seams against a zone. there's more to this than shooting. he has to up those qualities that Williams is showing.

 

[MadRU]

As I stated above Laurent needs to bring it on the defensive side of the ball. Been watching him closely on defense and he looses his man, and drifts a lot. Most of the time Mike Williams comes in early is because the guy Laurent is guarding has gotten off to good starts. Mike comes in and changes that.

Corey did the same last night. Number 5 was hot and to me Corey wasn't working hard enough on him.

 

[higgins3]

As I stated above Laurent needs to bring it on the defensive side of the ball. Been watching him closely on defense and he looses his man, and drifts a lot. Most of the time Mike Williams comes in early is because the guy Laurent is guarding has gotten off to good starts. Mike comes in and changes that.

Corey did the same last night. Number 5 was hot and to me Corey wasn't working hard enough on him.

How about that play with about 4 minutes left when Morgan state put an outlet pass and their man was at the half court. They made that outlet pass to the half, and one more pass to the corner. There was no reason the defense should have been pulled towards the middle of the court, even the other side. The pass came from the right side of the court at half. They should have been in basic formation.Morgan state made one pass, and took the 3. Totally unguarded with no one anywhere near the man. They missed, but the point still stands.

Pikiell with 7 minutes made the change with Laurent, Shaq, and Sa coming in. I get making a change for one kid, but it took our best players out, and had Sanders being the only person on the floor that can handle the ball.

 

[higgins3]

Laurent needs to continue to expand his offensive game....like well.....many if not all of our players. The only players playing within their skill set right now if Freeman. Laurent needs to continue working his jumper, and 3.

Piekiell has no favorites. He favors kids who play the hardest.

 

[mikefla]

I am not worried about Laurent at all. If he doesnt up his game he just wont get minutes.

The OOC sched is for looking at players and see who responds and who EARNS minutes

So far some guys have earned major minutes
Sanders(So)(easy one)
Freeman(Jr)(better than advertised)
Mike Williams(Jr)(better this year)
Gettys(Grad)(wow what a great transfer!)

While some guys have risen unexpectedly
Nigel Johnson(RS Jr)(what a great find!)XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Omaruyi(Fr) (looks like he can play some good D)

There are others who are battling for minutes
SA(Jr)(looks VERY good at times)
Thiam(Fr)(also looks VERY good at times)
Laurent(So)(looks good at times)
(all the above AVE 5pts & 2 REBS)
also
Doorson

others have hardly been tested at all
Diallo
Bullock

To me,,,looking at these guys is what the OOC is for
and so far
WE,,,are looking very DECENT!

 

[RUinFla]

If Laurent works hard on defense, he will get his minutes. Looking at our 3-point shooting numbers (27% as a team), only Williams (37.5%) and Sa should be shooting them. Corey is 1 for 15 for the season, and only 30% overall.
TL

 

[rudad02]

Laurent is a good hooper. Hope he & coaches can work this out.