The New Mike Williams

[ColonelRutgers]

Has the light finally come on for Mike Williams? As an upperclassman, he seems to have settled in and been much more consistent and confident. We desperately need shooters/scorers and he seems to be embracing his "microwave" role. Another outstanding performance tonight against Wisconsin when everyone else seem to struggle to do anything offensively.

18 points on 6-10 shooting including 4-5 from three, 2-2 from line. 9 rebounds including 4 offensive, 1 assist, 1 turnover, 3 fouls.

I love the guys that stick it out and I think he's destined to be one of those four year guys that we'll really be proud of come senior day next year.

 

[RU-ROCS]

Has the light finally come on for Mike Williams? As an upperclassman, he seems to have settled in and been much more consistent and confident. We desperately need shooters/scorers and he seems to be embracing his "microwave" role. Another outstanding performance tonight against Wisconsin when everyone else seem to struggle to do anything offensively.

18 points on 6-10 shooting including 4-5 from three, 2-2 from line. 9 rebounds including 4 offensive, 1 assist, 1 turnover, 3 fouls.

I love the guys that stick it out and I think he's destined to be one of those four year guys that we'll really be proud of come senior day next year.

He is a joy to watch!

 

[Scarlet83]

Has the light finally come on for Mike Williams? As an upperclassman, he seems to have settled in and been much more consistent and confident. We desperately need shooters/scorers and he seems to be embracing his "microwave" role. Another outstanding performance tonight against Wisconsin when everyone else seem to struggle to do anything offensively.

18 points on 6-10 shooting including 4-5 from three, 2-2 from line. 9 rebounds including 4 offensive, 1 assist, 1 turnover, 3 fouls.

I love the guys that stick it out and I think he's destined to be one of those four year guys that we'll really be proud of come senior day next year.

Oh my God, does this team need
Mike Williams to be a shooting rock and rebounding maniac!

 

[jellyman]

Mike Williams is easily RU's most consistent player right now, and almost certainly RU's best performer over RU's first 14 games.

The announcers also stated during the Wisconsin game that Williams is the player Pikiell has singled out as being the player who has most bought-in regarding what the new coaching staff has asked from the players and team (bad English here, I think).

 

[RUsojo]

Totall different player. Even better than Mike Coburn's senior year transformation.

 

[ColonelRutgers]

Totall different player. Even better than Mike Coburn's senior year transformation.

Excellent comparison.

 

[RU-ROCS]

As much as I love everything Mike is doing, we will not win many games if a 6 foot guard is our best rebounder. His 8 boards tonight were all heart and effort, but guys like Freeman and Gettys have to step up and crash the boards in conference play.

 

[bombers3shooter]

Need to start running more pick plays for him in the half court. Money Mike needs more touches!!!

 

[anon_0k9zlfz6lz9oy]

Hes been our best player this year and it hasnt even been close. He does EVERYTHING well

 

[MadRU]

Mike has been this player since he stepped on the court at Rutgers. Always gives his all. Towards the end of last season he seemed like he was getting confidence in his shot again. Finished the season strong.

He is still a streaky shooter, but always gives his all.

But this staff does seem to have brought out even more to Mikes game. His lateral movement on defense is better. And the attention to attack the ball is paying dividends in rebounding and getting loose balls.

 

[jtung230]

This is the silver lining from last year. Now with fresh legs, Mike will continue to improve.

 

[soundcrib]

Mike Williams needs to start.

 

[ScarletLongIsland]

He has finally learned when to take his shot and it is paying huge dividends to go along with the hustle rebounds and defense. I also love how he is around every loose ball, and I mean every loose ball. How about that scramble for the loose ball on the floor, and he has the presence of mind after gaining control to dish to Nigel across the court in the corner for the three.

My son and I root so hard for this kid. Our favorite player.

 

[S_Janowski]

His stroke looks nice this year. He knows how and when to get his shot off and rises up with confidence.

Hopefully Thiam can improve over the course of the year. He needs a little work getting his shot off faster and smoother with a defender approaching or in his face.

 

[Unionst]

I'm kind of offended by "the light has come on" language. This is the player he has been since he first came to RU, certainly in intensity, rebounding and hustle. 2 years of practice has also improved his shooting. That's called experience and work. The "light has come on" says something way too negative about his first 2 years.

 

[RUsojo]

I think the wording is appropriate and don't associate the phrase with a negative connotation.

 

[RutgersRaRa]

His stroke looks nice this year. He knows how and when to get his shot off and rises up with confidence.

Hopefully Thiam can improve over the course of the year. He needs a little work getting his shot off faster and smoother with a defender approaching or in his face.

During the first game this season, in which Mike was shooting well, I made a quick comment to him when he was on the bench for a blow that he is shooting really well. He turned and said, "I worked on it all summer." Every time I see him get in a rhythm I think about how practice pays off. And he's a seriously nice dude, and funny, too. So easy to root for him.

 

[Chuch Wilder]

He is playing inspired ball thus far this year and that effort level will rub off on other players.

 

[Unionst]

I think the wording is appropriate and don't associate the phrase with a negative connotation.

I think if you said it to him or anyone else you intended it for, it would most likely be taken negatively, as in "what was I before, dim?" Mike just continued to work hard over the last 2 years and got better. He knew what he had to do and did it. There was no "light going on".

 

[ColonelRutgers]

And he might also be offended by your explanation. His response might be "you didn't think I was working hard before?" I didn't put a helluva lot of thought into the phrase "light going on" to be honest. Just thought he deserved his own appreciation thread. With experience comes an understanding of the game, your role on the team and how to compete and contribute at a higher level. Didn't mean anything more than that.

 

[Unionst]

No chance he would be offended by my choice of words. I said "continued to work hard".

I just see that "light finally goes on" type usage a lot on this board and stand by my view of it. Just the first time I said anything about it.

We both do appreciate him.

 

[ScarletLongIsland]

My Quincy Douby jersey comes in handy when rootihg for Mike Williams

 

[goru7]

Mike Williams through 14 games is our MVP! First, to accept coming off the bench and embracing his role is selfless and a team first mentality. Second, playing his usual great defense but really working on his jumper to become a legitimate consistent 3 point scorer. He can probably get to 40% from 3 , which is a tribute to his hard work in the gym all summer. Third, his rebounding, in particular his offensive rebounding is crucial to our success. Going up against trees and coming down with the ball is all desire , which is the definition of "Mike". He deserves every accolade.