Topic: Penava and Williams from Smock's Hoops Notebook....

[goherd73]

Williams was critical in helping the Herd get through its personnel shortages in last weekend’s sweep. In 42 minutes, he scored 12 points with 10 rebounds and, yes, four blocks.







Is Williams becoming a Penava “mini-me” of sorts?

“Similar players, really,” D’Antoni said. “He’s not as big but he has a little more quick lift.”

And Williams says he does gets mistaken for Penava every so often.

“I’ll come out of the locker room and [a fan will] say, ‘Ajdin! Ajdin! Will you sign my autograph?’” Williams said. “‘Not Ajdin, darling, sorry. I’ll go get him for you, though.’

“But we’re both long and lanky, kind of look alike, I guess. I think I look better, but …”


https://www.wvgazettemail.com/sports/marshall_university/marshall-men-s-hoops-notebook-illnesses-fade-herd-near-full/article_cedd5d6c-f3ba-5bd0-bcec-aae660c73085.html

[herdorbust]

2 stars developing right before our eyes.

[HoPPy785]

I really like Williams HS tape. Thought he fit well into the scheme. I now believe that even more. In my opinion his game is mostly just lacking real game time experience and as he plays more he will improve quickly.

Going to be interesting to see how Bennett, Peneva, Williams, Cook and George all find minutes next year. We can get creative with the lineup and probably adjust to anyone's frontcourt matchups.

[Buffalo Bop]

Williams, at times, reminds me of a young Randy Knoll.

[herdorbust]

I really like Williams HS tape. Thought he fit well into the scheme. I now believe that even more. In my opinion his game is mostly just lacking real game time experience and as he plays more he will improve quickly.

Going to be interesting to see how Bennett, Peneva, Williams, Cook and George all find minutes next year. We can get creative with the lineup and probably adjust to anyone's frontcourt matchups.

That is exactly what Jansen's dad said also. Just needs to keep getting court time and he will develop. He said that in response to me telling him how I thought Jansen would just explode one day like Peneva is doing. And I still stand by that just like I did the last couple years when I said Peneva would become a great player. Next year we will have 2 very long, athletic and skilled players in Williams and Peneva to go along with the 2 strong men Bennett and Cook.

[herdorbust]

Williams, at times, reminds me of a young Randy Knoll.

That is what Herdmeister always call jansen at practice. And Jansen just smiles.

[QuickStrike]

That is exactly what Jansen's dad said also. Just needs to keep getting court time and he will develop. He said that in response to me telling him how I thought Jansen would just explode one day like Peneva is doing. And I still stand by that just like I did the last couple years when I said Peneva would become a great player. Next year we will have 2 very long, athletic and skilled players in Williams and Peneva to go along with the 2 strong men Bennett and Cook.

DD made an excellent move when he RSed Jansen Williams.

[herdorbust]

DD made an excellent move when he RSed Jansen Williams.

And it will also be a good move redshirting Brooks-Harris and probably George next year. He is now building for stability year after year.

[CoachSkip]

And it will also be a good move redshirting Brooks-Harris and probably George next year. He is now building for stability year after year.

Brooks-Harris needs to be for sure . With George being hurt this year , not knowing how much he'll end up playing , redshirting next year , that will be almost two years before he sees the court again. I know DD knows whats best but that's something to think about .

[2xBison]

my money says George does not RS next year.

[QuickStrike]

And it will also be a good move redshirting Brooks-Harris and probably George next year. He is now building for stability year after year.

I think RSing Darius George next year is a great idea.  That's why I posted the depth chart below on another thread.  Heard the rumors of possibly one of Kojanin/Bledsoe/Thieneman not being here next year.  If the other two guys listed stay and improve, or DD brings in someone else who can help immediately it does allow George to RS.   Go ahead and play George when he returns from injury, then RS him next year, and you have a bigger, stronger George ready to start for 3 seasons after Elmore, Burks, Watson, and Penava leave.   

PG- Elmore/West
W- Burks/George
W- Watson/
F- Penava/Williams
P- Bennett/Cook

???- Koljanin/Bledsoe/Thieneman

RS- Cam/Dillion

[Herdfan2005]

What I like about Williams is his confidence.  Listened to a post game interview with him a few weeks ago and I just smiled ear to ear.  I don't remember verbatim but he said we will beat anybody.  Not your typical interview. 

[MicDrass1]

George avg. a shade over 6pts and 5 rbds a game when he plays 15 min. or more.  He fouls a lot!  But he also shoots 46% from the Field.  I would think he would avg. between 8-10 ppg this year if not injured to go along with a 4-7 rbd per game avg.  Not bad for a true fr.  So as a true soph he would be looking like a possible double-double guy if he can stay out of foul trouble.  Also by playing him next year it gives us more quality fouls we can take on.  So our big men might stay on the floor more and rest more without being in foul trouble.  As a true jr George would be ready for take off much like my man from the "Ville"............ CJ Burks!

[Herdmeister]

That is what Herdmeister always call jansen at practice. And Jansen just smiles.

Yep, been calling him that since early on last year. I was hoping the two would meet when Noll was in town for a game last year but it didn't happen. The next time Randy is in, I will see that they hook up. I haven't seen Jannson's girlfriend but can't imagine her bring any sharper than Sue Noll was back in 1972

[chris88]

my money says George does not RS next year.

I agree for this simple reason:  If you expect him to start in 2 years, you wouldn't want him off the court for the full year prior to that.  Game action is the best chance you have to develop team chemistry, confidence in game/shot, adjusting to game speed etc etc.  Most guys who have made big jumps played a role in year prior to big jump....Peneva, Burks come to mind.  Williams is playing a role this year and getting better. Next year could be a big jump year for him although he won't likely be counted on to start.  I think Browning was the same way.  James Kelly was good from get go but was a SR who was physically and mentally ready for the role. You also can't overestimate the value of an athletic wing player.  The versatility alone is huge.  George has already shown he doesn't need to score big to be impactful.  He is explosive off floor, can rebound, defend multiple positions, and shown flashes of ability to score.  His handle, shot, and defense will all get better as he plays and gets stronger.Just my opinion.

[herdorbust]

If we have Bennett, Cook, Williams and Peneva there isn't going to be many minutes after that. Unless George explodes and becomes a starter next year, he will redshirt from what I have been told. They don't want to only play him 10-15 minutes a game and lose a year. They have more than enough with those 4 to hold down the 2 spots. And sometimes we may even decide to play small ball like we do. That isn't my opinion, but what I was told.

[QuickStrike]

If we have Bennett, Cook, Williams and Peneva there isn't going to be many minutes after that. Unless George explodes and becomes a starter next year, he will redshirt from what I have been told. They don't want to only play him 10-15 minutes a game and lose a year. They have more than enough with those 4 to hold down the 2 spots. And sometimes we may even decide to play small ball like we do. That isn't my opinion, but what I was told.

BINGO.....it comes down to available minutes.  Not enough minutes available for George to make it worth not RSing him and getting the extra year.

Elmore, West will get the point guard minutes.

Penava, Williams, Burks, Watson will get the wing minutes with Elmore getting some time here also when West is at PG.

Bennett, Cook will get the post minutes.  Penava could also get some minutes here.

[2xBison]

If we have Bennett, Cook, Williams and Peneva there isn't going to be many minutes after that. Unless George explodes and becomes a starter next year, he will redshirt from what I have been told. They don't want to only play him 10-15 minutes a game and lose a year. They have more than enough with those 4 to hold down the 2 spots. And sometimes we may even decide to play small ball like we do. That isn't my opinion, but what I was told.

maybe he will make a great graduate transfer someday