Give me Dadika over Souf!

[SirScarlet]

You are comparing a freshman Eugene to a Junior Souf...lol

A JUCO is supposed to step in and provide meaningful minutes. You are not taking a JUCO for long term development. That's the difference.

both playing D1 ball for the same time.

I would argue that Souf changed the Central CT game (along with Mike) with his defensive intensity

#5 was having his way with us...Souf shut him down

That's exactly what Pike brought him here to do

Look - I am not saying you're wrong. But you're way too early on this. Just chillax a bit before tossing out a kid after 3 games.

 

[Mr Magoo]

All the data was there when we signed him. I, too was surprised we offered him...but that's "water under the bridge". IMO, he's EXACTLY as advertised...no more..no less. His time may diminish in B1G games, and if Sanders, Baker, Williams, and Thiam produce as expected. Right now, we're 3-0 with him and we would be 3-0 without him. The jury is still out.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

To the people who claim that Souf adds defense, not sure what game you are watching.

relative to Dadika maybe.

 

[knight82]

Not every scholarship needs to be given to a player who will be a star. Every team has role players. There is only one basketball and only five players can be on the court at one time. A kid who can spell one of the starters when he needs a rest is very valuable. Great players are not usually willing to fill this role.

 

[RU-Choppin-Ohio]

You are comparing a freshman Eugene to a Junior Souf...lol

A JUCO is supposed to step in and provide meaningful minutes. You are not taking a JUCO for long term development. That's the difference.

A Juco can also step in and play a role. That role is about 16 minutes in 3 games - facilitate ball movement, etc.

Is this your Biggest Concern about this team after 3 games......those 16 minutes from 1 guy that has resulted in you and others constantly commenting on him ?? Let that sink in...about 16 minutes in 3 games.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

Cleveland state went right to zone when he came in. To our credit we got very good looks both against zone and man last night. The CCST game helped us from the POV of seeing a lot of zone and being able to adjust.

 

[ScarletLongIsland]

A Juco can also step in and play a role. That role is about 16 minutes in 3 games - facilitate ball movement, etc.

Is this your Biggest Concern about this team after 3 games......those 16 minutes from 1 guy that has resulted in you and others constantly commenting on him ?? Let that sink in...about 16 minutes in 3 games.

Last I checked, this a message board and we are free to talk about what we want. If it bothers you, then get lost.

 

[RU-Choppin-Ohio]

Last I checked, this a message board and we are free to talk about what we want. If it bothers you, then get lost.

You can constantly harp on one single issue all you want and I reserve the right to point out how silly it is to constantly talk about ONE guy that played about 16 minutes in 3 games.

 

[kcg88]

The point is that in order to compete we need to bring in B1G talent everywhere. Just as Laurent, Diallo, Foreman, and Goode weren't B1G-caliber, it doesn't look like Souf is either.

The only reason we're spending so much time debating this is because people are so staunchly sticking up for him.

 

[BillyC80]

If Souf comes in for 5 minutes per game and does a good job defending, penetrating, dishing and rebounding, with very few turnovers, while giving us fouls (especially the "to-give" kind) then his contribution will be a net positive.

My only constructive criticism of Souf is that he's gonna have to take wide open looks at times, even if he only makes 25-30%, or else his defender will sag back and clog the lanes.

 

[motel00]

I'll never understand the desire of some people on this board to see walk-ons play major minutes. Yes over the years there have been exceptional walk-ons who were able to become schollie players (Baker for Wichita State for example). Dadika is not one. He is undersized, slow, not a great shooter, can't defend AT THIS LEVEL. He is a great player relative to us mere mortals and I am not denigrating him at all, but he's a walk-on for a reason.

Having said that, I am not in love with Souf. He can't shoot at all, his ball handling is sloppy, and he hasn't shown any great defensive skills. I think he was a reach at this level and I'm not thinking he's going to give us much more than a bit of depth at the position and a good practice player. Remember, he was the safety recruit when plans fell thru for the point guard our staff wanted (can't recall his name).

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

On November 15, 2017 and the day he was signed it is sort of a head scratcher. We've all been wrong before. The other thing worth saying it is clear Pikiell is trying to recruit outstanding people. Unfortunately that has a way of narrowing down the universe of potential players.

 

[SirScarlet]

The point is that in order to compete we need to bring in B1G talent everywhere. Just as Laurent, Diallo, Foreman, and Goode weren't B1G-caliber, it doesn't look like Souf is either.

The only reason we're spending so much time debating this is because people are so staunchly sticking up for him.

I find this post ironically hilarious. the thread - in case you didn't notice - is that a WALK-ON should be playing over a scholarship player. so you can say you like/dislike Souf - have at it. but again, this thread is that Dadika (a walk-on) should be playing over him.

so, I respectfully ask you to re-read your post. You start by saying we need B1G talent at all positions (I totally agree). then you say that the only reason we're spending this much time debating is that people are sticking up for Souf.

I guess you missed the premise of the thread? ironic given your first statement.

LOL

 

[motel00]

Greene,

Remember though, this is a guy that Shoes had in the wings if we didn't get the big point guard recruit we wanted. He was definitely not the target.

 

[PiscatawayMike]

Souf has played 33 minutes in three games and has two turnovers. Not too shabby for a point guard. His ball handling is fine. His job is to move the ball and play smart defense. I think his defense will improve. He's been pretty much what I expected.

My biggest gripe: his FT shooting is awful. I hope we don't see him in games during crunch time. Opponents will be running toward him to foul.

 

[xkiesterx]

Souf has not played well this year, but there are absolutely no advantages to playing Jake. Particularly on the defensive end.

Also, he's going to play a few minutes to spell the other guards. What we really need is an ability to defend and hopefully not turn the ball over. I'm sure he'll improve.

 

[kcg88]

I find this post ironically hilarious. the thread - in case you didn't notice - is that a WALK-ON should be playing over a scholarship player. so you can say you like/dislike Souf - have at it. but again, this thread is that Dadika (a walk-on) should be playing over him.

so, I respectfully ask you to re-read your post. You start by saying we need B1G talent at all positions (I totally agree). then you say that the only reason we're spending this much time debating is that people are sticking up for Souf.

I guess you missed the premise of the thread? ironic given your first statement.

LOL

If you read my posts you'll see I haven't advocated for Dadika. I think we can get away with playing nine guys: the four guards plus Doucoure, Freeman, Omoruyi, Sa, and Shaq. Pikiell likes a larger rotation but it's hard for me to see Souf being a positive part of that. Considering that one scholarship is held by Kiss who can't play and another by Bullock who doesn't look like he'll play, that's why we're discussing this so much.

 

[SirScarlet]

If you read my posts you'll see I haven't advocated for Dadika. I think we can get away with playing nine guys: the four guards plus Doucoure, Freeman, Omoruyi, Sa, and Shaq. Pikiell likes a larger rotation but it's hard for me to see Souf being a positive part of that. Considering that one scholarship is held by Kiss who can't play and another by Bullock who doesn't look like he'll play, that's why we're discussing this so much.

Your rationale is perfectly reasonable.

BUT...that's not what the OP is positioning. s(he) is saying that Dadika should be in over Souf. which is why I found your response so ironic, and which is why so many people are reacting the way they are.

I dont see anyone saying Souf is going to replace sliced bread anytime soon. But, Dadika is a better option? 3 games in?

yeah, like I said...typical knee-jerk reaction IMHO.

 

[FrankZ]

Learned back in college to stay far away from the name-calling of a player's talents. A friend of mine and I (neither one of us were scrubs) took on a very end of the bench RU hoops player in '21' at the Livingston gym (some very tall guy, don't remember the name). He wiped the floor with us in seconds by getting every rebound with ease and making one easy layup/put-back after the other.

Now with that said, I'll still take my chances from the 3 point line. LOL :)

 

[Scarlet Knut]

If Baker, Williams and Thiam all become good perimeter shooters than the narrative changes. A guy who plays OK defense and knows his role is to find shooters can be an asset.

Corey Sanders (his D was much better than OK last night!) is that guy playing against a zone defense. Against man he has a tough time wearing 2 hats (scorer and distributer).

On a separate note i wanted to scream after Thaim hits a 3 on the next possession......Freeman is doubled teamed , Thaim is asking for the ball wide open, and doesn't get it

Happened more than once.

 

[needmorecowbell]

Souf cannot be in the rotation. He moves the ball because he has no choice - he can't shoot it. I haven't necessarily seen the great defense yet either. He was put in, for example, for defense on the last possession of the first half and promptly got taken to the hole plus he fouled. It's not fair to pick on that one play but I have not seen anything that says he should get minutes.

And I don't think anyone on the board hates him. He's just not a Big 10 player, not even close.

Souf is a pass first facilitator that doesn't need to score. He will be used on defense and to help move the ball. He's a 10 minute guy that will help the team more when the Big Ten schedule hits. He was brought in to bridge the gap with Sanders and the NBA discussion. That probably won't happen but Souf was a 2 year insurance policy.

 

[Unionst]

Souf is a pass first facilitator that doesn't need to score. He will be used on defense and to help move the ball. He's a 10 minute guy that will help the team more when the Big Ten schedule hits. He was brought in to bridge the gap with Sanders and the NBA discussion. That probably won't happen but Souf was a 2 year insurance policy.

He might not need to score but you can't have guards that don't. That makes it too easy on the defense. I expect that during Big 10 games his time will diminish. We'll go with just 3 guards.

 

[Groz]

I think there will be a few games this year when Souf comes into a game that we look listless and puts some energy into our team.

Best of Luck,
Groz

 

[BKIn118]

Don't get the hate on a kid at all...But much less on a young man playing his 3rd D1 game that actually counts.

I haven't seen anything I didn't expect out of Soufy...Except the free throws. The ball moves when he plays and he's a strong vocal guy on the floor. He wasn't brought here to score 15 a game.

He has a role to play on this team. Pikiell knows it, and he will fit it perfectly. He's a plus personality on a team finding it's identity...Absolutely nothing to complain about as far as I can see

 

[RU-Choppin-Ohio]

Don't get the hate on a kid at all...But much less on a young man playing his 3rd D1 game that actually counts.

I haven't seen anything I didn't expect out of Soufy...Except the free throws. The ball moves when he plays and he's a strong vocal guy on the floor. He wasn't brought here to score 15 a game.

He has a role to play on this team. Pikiell knows it, and he will fit it perfectly. He's a plus personality on a team finding it's identity...Absolutely nothing to complain about as far as I can see

Thank you BK..this was a much needed comment to try to tone down the excessive negativity towards one guy after a few games.

 

[RUDead]

This is a ridiculous thread.

 

[MadRU]

Watch the bench during the game. Souf is the first guy up encouraging, cheering etc.

Coach said Souf is the guy that organizes the team events, movies outings etc. Team unity is big for success, give him some time to get use to this level and play some.

Even if its just 5-10 minutes to rest Geo and Corey so they are fresh for end games.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

Probably should have let this thread die........

Worth noting the team came out looking like crap in the 2nd half and the insertion of MENSAH, Eugene, Sa, and Williams turned things back around.

Great move by Pikiell.