Steve Pikiell's Conference Call Before Wisconsin

[RU-Choppin-Ohio]

Good insights...I especially liked this part, "I just explained to them last night the good things they do, too. Everyone will point out the bad things. There's good things that go on in every game".

He must read this board, specifically, game day threads........lol


Conversation with Jay Williams:

“We do a lot of things. Every day they walk in the room, there's something up on the board. We send them clips. We talk about where we're picked. This is what people think of us. That's OK. We don't have to finish in that place. We're the ones that control what we do. But we're also understanding of the league that we're in and the difficulties that elite teams bring to a program like us. … I just explained to them last night the good things they do, too. Everyone will point out the bad things. There's good things that go on in every game. It's a constant teaching. It's a constant battle to get them to play at the highest level – an elite level. We try to do it from clips. We try to do it with quotes from people that we respect or quotes from other athletes. We just continue to build this. Our identity has been, we're tough. We compete. We've had a few games where we haven't done that. We constantly remind them of the four non-negotiables that are here. That's togetherness. That's toughness. That's competitiveness and that's high energy. I think we do a good job of that, but every now and then, they go a little south of those. We have to keep reminding them of what the important things are that we want to establish this program to be.”

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

Not sure why Mike Williams doesn't start based on those 4.

 

[RU-Choppin-Ohio]

Not sure why Mike Williams doesn't start based on those 4.

Mike Williams adds a lot coming off the bench, but, IMO, you can view this in two ways.

Do you want him to help set the tone at the start of the game with intensity,

OR

Do you NEED him to inject intensity off the bench if it is lacking.

Either way, he is on the court down the stretch and I think that is the most important thing.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

The punishment for Sanders missing his plane AND being an a...ole in practice is not starting. Mike Williams doesn't start.

I get what you are saying AND Williams play isn't exactly screaming starter material.

 

[Agents of KAOS]

The punishment for Sanders missing his plane AND being an a...ole in practice is not starting. Mike Williams doesn't start.

I get what you are saying AND Williams play isn't exactly screaming starter material.

If you do the math
Corey avg 31.6 mins = 13.2 per gm
Geo avg 32.3 mins = 11.9 per gm
Issa avg 27.3 mins = 7.8 per gm
Mike avg 21.9 mins = 9.4 per gm

He should start and finish especially as a senior captain. This team needs to start out strong and maintain a lead, when he goes out whoever he was guarding is turning it up on others, from the games I've watched.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

I am not sure whether to like your post or put you on ignore. That avatar is going to give me nightmares.

 

[RUich]

, but every now and then, they go a little south of those.

My guess is that they are somewhere near Brazil by now. [laughing]

 

[Agents of KAOS]

I am not sure whether to like your post or put you on ignore. That avatar is going to give me nightmares.

HeheHohoHahahaHaaaaa...Boo...Like it

 

[Plum Street]

Not sure why Mike Williams doesn't start based on those 4.

Williams is something like under 25% shooting the 3 ball, including the big miss against Michigan state. That’s just brutal.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

Williams is something like under 25% shooting the 3 ball, including the big miss against Michigan state. That’s just brutal.

This is true, unfortunately other than Baker, the same can be said for everyone else. I'd argue Thaim's performance from the 3 point line hurts Rutgers more than Williams.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

Against Top 100 (5 games) opponents Thaim has 11 3 point attempts in 135 minutes. Only 1 game did he get off 3 or more 3pt attempts. he was 2-4 vs. Minnesota

In other games he has gotten off 3 or more 3 point attempts in EVERY game.

 

[kcg88]

This is true, unfortunately other than Baker, the same can be said for everyone else. I'd argue Thaim's performance from the 3 point line hurts Rutgers more than Williams.

What? Issa Thiam shooting 41% is more detrimental that Mike Williams shooting 25%?

I must be misunderstanding you.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

What? Issa Thiam shooting 41% is more detrimental that Mike Williams shooting 25%?

I must be misunderstanding you.

His inability to be a threat kills us. Can't have a perimeter player on the floor who either is unwilling or can't get a shot off. We end up having the ball late in the shot clock and end up with a bad shot, and often times not in a position to get an offensive rebound.

The REALLY depressing thing is Williams 25% 3 point shot that is an effective abysmal 37.5% isn't far off our 2 point percentage that is 43.3%

 

[RUKnights86]

And if Williams starts the game with Corey, Geo Freeman & Duke where is the scoring coming from off the bench?

Atleast when Mike comes into the game now off the bench it gives Geo or Issa a blow and balances out whatever offense we have as a team. Starting him you put all your eggs into one basket is my thinking.

Having him down the stretch in close games for leadership, rebounding, creating a shot & FT shooting are what matter to me.

 

[goru7]

And if Williams starts the game with Corey, Geo Freeman & Duke where is the scoring coming from off the bench?

Atleast when Mike comes into the game now off the bench it gives Geo or Issa a blow and balances out whatever offense we have as a team. Starting him you put all your eggs into one basket is my thinking.

Having him down the stretch in close games for leadership, rebounding, creating a shot & FT shooting are what matter to me.

You can start Mike and let Geo come off the bench. You can start Sa or Shaquille and let Duke come off the bench. Let Duke watch our other bigs guard first so that when he comes in maybe he doesn't foul as much. Also, when he comes in, get on the block and get ready shoot or drive. Mike starting will solve the excessive minutes for Geo. Geo comes in for Corey and runs the point and then Corey and Geo play together when Mike goes out or Mike slides to the three for Issa for a three small guard lineup.

 

[bac2therac]

this..start and let him watch and learn the pace of the game and how it is being called before just throwing him to the wolves where he almost always will pick up quick fouls

 

[RUKnights86]

You can start Mike and let Geo come off the bench. You can start Sa or Shaquille and let Duke come off the bench. Let Duke watch our other bigs guard first so that when he comes in maybe he doesn't foul as much. Also, when he comes in, get on the block and get ready shoot or drive. Mike starting will solve the excessive minutes for Geo. Geo comes in for Corey and runs the point and then Corey and Geo play together when Mike goes out or Mike slides to the three for Issa for a three small guard lineup.

I like the concept of starting Sa or Shaq and letting Duke gain an understanding of the game flow and how it is being called. He clearly does not play for long periods at a time whether it is due to pace or his propensity to foul or both. I wonder if Pike starts him and does it because he knows he can adjust with Sa & Shaq depending on how the game goes since those two have different styles.

I think Geo & Mike are interchangeable and both get their minutes. Not sure if the 30 min a game is impacting Geo overall in performance. Mike would help the rebounding for sure but you would lose Geo's shooting and ball handling skills. Both can create their own shot. You are splitting differences here but I could see Pike change it up if things do not become more efficient offensively over the next couple games. All in all we can agree to disagree but support the program is what counts.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

I like 0 3 5 11 33. Or 0 3 5 21 33

OR

3 5 11/1 44 5

 

[RUChow]

You can start Mike and let Geo come off the bench. You can start Sa or Shaquille and let Duke come off the bench. Let Duke watch our other bigs guard first so that when he comes in maybe he doesn't foul as much. Also, when he comes in, get on the block and get ready shoot or drive. Mike starting will solve the excessive minutes for Geo. Geo comes in for Corey and runs the point and then Corey and Geo play together when Mike goes out or Mike slides to the three for Issa for a three small guard lineup.

Arguing Thiam vs. Williiams is one thing, but there is no way Geo should come off the bench. He's one of our two best players and our best passer by far.

 

[AreYouNUTS]

I am not sure whether to like your post or put you on ignore. That avatar is going to give me nightmares.

 

[Agents of KAOS]

My starting 5

My starting 5!

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

STOP IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

666

 

[AreYouNUTS]

STOP IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

666

Sleep well my friend!

 

[bethlehemfan]

Having a strong experienced guy Ike Mike off the bench is critical. He is being used the way he should imo and it shows a lot about the young man that he brings it the way he does. He has obviously bought in.