Derkack was awesome yesterday. His help defensive and ability to push the fast break is going to create a lot of points for teammates. He also didn’t take any bad shots. Derkack has clearly bought in and is make the extra pass. It’s fun to watch.
Derkack
- Thread starter needmorecowbell
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It's like you can tell he realizes he has the maturity, tenacity and unselfishness to really help this team and get a ton of minutes.
He's pretty good going to the rim too.
He's pretty good going to the rim too.
Zach is a perfect fit also.
He’s going to get in there and fight against B1G teams
He’s going to get in there and fight against B1G teams
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Against St. John’s he over drove inside, has played smarter the past three games.
I've said previously I believe the best line up is jwill, Harper, derkack, ace, martini but I like the current minute distribution. Just will have to see how Somerville/ogbole/martini will hold up against better bigs.
Derkack is a good passer but he should not be taking 3 point shots.
We also need guys that move the ball and set screens to free up Dylan and Ace . It’s can’t be 5 guys on the floor that take their guy 1v1. Sommerville is going to get his minutes but Martini knows how to spread the floor for Ace and Dylan plus the opposing big won’t be able to protect the rim if Martini is there. Jwill, Derkack and Martini are the perfect role players.
Jordan has gotten a big boost of confidence starting both in practice leading up to the season with Dylan and Acuff hurt and now with ACE and JWill hurt . He has now earned a starting position and the confidence that goes with it. But he still gives you his defensive grit and hustle , rebounding , The most surprising part of his game is his psssing has been much much better than anyone expected. He realizes how many offensive weapons we have with Ace and Dylan , plus the 3 point assassins Zach and PJ , and then Lathan. That is 5 legitimate offensive weapons we haven’t had in years ..Jordan feeding them has been terrific to watch.
Mulcahy was the best help defender I’ve seen in CBB. Not as good in 1 v 1, but his ability to identify and disrupt other teams’ plays, by moving off his man, was elite.
Derkack seems like a better passer, though.
I’m not sold on JWill’s role, beyond leadership. Derkack is a more natural passer. JWill isn’t a good outside shooter and struggles to get downhill against good teams.
In his defense, he’s been hurt. He was the best player on the team the second half of last year, a lock down defender, a captain and Pike trusts him.
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And, though RU needed him to be more last season, Williams IS actually a natural PG - stylistically, more of a "lead" PG than a "pure PG (I describe Davis is a pure PG, Harper as a "lead" PG).
People do not realize Williams was the STARTING PG for Temple, in the then AAC (with Houston and Memphis in it) as both a freshman and sophomore, averaging 9.5 PPG and 4.5 assists/g in each season.
We really won’t know anything until the tournament. So far he’s playing against the same competition he played against last year but with a better supporting cast. I like him - the intangibles are there - but we should wait.
I was not sold on his play last year, either. His energy helped at times. But he had the same limitations in his game. Not very fast, not a great shot, not a great passer. He tends to play with composure, though, and that’s not nothing.
Mulcahy did lead the Big 10 in assists one year. They’re both great passers and good rebounders. Mulcahy a better shooter and Derkack a better man defender although Mulcahy was a good help defender. Jordan seems a better fit for this team because of his speed and ability to push the ball.
I absolutely love Derkack , Martini and Hayes" roles on this team and they play with energy and confidence.
Mulcahy got caught over helping off good 3 point shooters too often though bc he loved helping too much
Derkack clearly looks to have realized he should focus on distribution first and it's paying off. He has excellent vision in the open floor and a great job drawing contact when he drives to the rim. Defense energy grit. Just an excellent glue guy
