If Royce is all of a sudden flirting w/ the 1st-2nd round, what about Rodney's surge

Donate To GopherHole
Jim Dutcher chimes in:

U’s Williams Lifting NBA Draft Status

Junior Rodney Williams could be playing his way into the first round of the NBA draft this June.

That’s the opinion of former Gophers coach Jim Dutcher who believes Minnesota may have to play without Williams next season. “He’s playing as well as any small forward in America,” Dutcher said.

The Gophers meet Washington tomorrow night in the semifinals of the National Invitation Tournament in New York. Williams scored 66 points in three qualifying games to help Minnesota earn a trip to Madison Square Garden. “He’s had a great stretch,” Dutcher said.

The 6-7 forward, labeled for awhile now as the Big Ten’s best basketball athlete, has been an underachieving player for most of his career, but not lately scoring 24, 21 (twice) and 20 points in the last four games while lifting his scoring average to a team best 12.1. He’s become a leader on the floor and solid defensive player, but what’s flashy is his offensive profile. He’s found a consistent outside jump shot to go with his explosive drives and dunks.

Dutcher said pro scouts will be paying even more attention to Williams now that he’s arrived on the big stage of Madison Square Garden and been playing so well. The silky smooth Williams will be playing for his future — one that could either have him in the NBA next season or back at Minnesota for his senior year and a projected first round position in the 2013 draft. “What happens in the Garden will do a lot to determine it (Williams’ draft position),” Dutcher said.

What about the Gophers (22-14) and Washington (24-10) tomorrow night? The Huskies are the Pac-12 regular season champs (14-4 record) but Dutcher has watched Washington play and a Minnesota win wouldn’t surprise him. “There’s a reason they (the Huskies) weren’t invited to the NCAA tournament,” he said.

The Gophers won three road games to qualify for the NIT. After finishing 6-12 during the regular season in the Big Ten Conference, Minnesota has won four of five postseason games including one Big Ten tournament game.

Some of the program’s negative image has lessened. Minnesota has played its way into the NIT semifinals with perhaps more energy and good play than any other team. Coach Tubby Smith has received a lot of criticism the last two years, but Dutcher said his postseason work in 2012 deserves praise. “You have to give him credit now,” Dutcher said.

http://shamasportsheadliners.com/

Go Gophers!!
 

Sorry, he's not playing better than any other small forward in the country, BECAUSE HE'S NOT PLAYING SMALL FORWARD
 

What a joke. Playing well at power foward against disinterested nit teams. Royce is out there playing at the level of the elite Kentucky players. Dutcher must want to be noticed. I guess one moron NBA scout could make Rodney some money. He gets the big stage in the garden tommorrow. Let's see if the Myrons who had him going in the lottery two years ago are finally right. Me thinks not. If Corey Joseph is a first round pick anything is possible. I know one thing Royce is a better player than Joseph or Williams and it's not close.
 

Blackhammer said:
What a joke. Playing well at power foward against disinterested nit teams. Royce is out there playing at the level of the elite Kentucky players. Dutcher must want to be noticed. I guess one moron NBA scout could make Rodney some money. He gets the big stage in the garden tommorrow. Let's see if the Myrons who had him going in the lottery two years ago are finally right. Me thinks not. If Corey Joseph is a first round pick anything is possible. I know one thing Royce is a better player than Joseph or Williams and it's not close.
Click to expand...

Yeah, there was no intensity in the last game. I mean the crowd was terrible, everyone was just ready to go home.

I will say this: Yes, Rodney is technically playing the 4-spot, but he has done things well of late that are that more represent what a wing player general does. He's hitting some outside shots. He's driving and cutting well to the hoop. I don't see him posting up like a normal PF does a whole lot. I think if he does play some 3 next year, he'll be fine. JMO.
 

GophersInIowa said:
Yeah, there was no intensity in the last game. I mean the crowd was terrible, everyone was just ready to go home.

I will say this: Yes, Rodney is technically playing the 4-spot, but he has done things well of late that are that more represent what a wing player general does. He's hitting some outside shots. He's driving and cutting well to the hoop. I don't see him posting up like a normal PF does a whole lot. I think if he does play some 3 next year, he'll be fine. JMO.
Click to expand...

He hasn't made the full transformation yet, but he has certainly been showing more of a small forward's game lately. Been putting the ball on the floor and hitting jumpers more frequently. Definitely encouraging to see. Having said that, both he and the Gophers would greatly benefit from another year in college. I'm sure most here agree.
 



Rodney had a few good games during the regular season followed by games where he would disappear. It has been fun to watch Rodney string a few good games together, but I'm not sure how that changes the perception of his entire season. I have yet to see Rodney projected to be drafted in the first round. If Rodney performs extremely well in the NIT final 4 that could change. If he reverts to a bad game or two, this discussion will go away completely.
 

Rodney needs to show he can play at the small forward position, and play well both offensively and defensively against other small forwards. It's a lot easier to isolate and drive when you are being guarded by a slower power forward, as he is now. He would have an excellent chance to show his perimiter skills next year, especially with Mbakwe coming back, as he could start at the 3 with Mbakwe at the 4 and Elliason or Walker at the 5.
 

ECreppinUofM said:
Rodney needs to show he can play at the small forward position, and play well both offensively and defensively against other small forwards. It's a lot easier to isolate and drive when you are being guarded by a slower power forward, as he is now. He would have an excellent chance to show his perimiter skills next year, especially with Mbakwe coming back, as he could start at the 3 with Mbakwe at the 4 and Elliason or Walker at the 5.
Click to expand...

Rodney could have a very succesful NBA career if he simply focuses on being able to knock down an outside shot on a consistant basis. He has all the tools to be an effective defender, a good rebounder for being a SF, he will excel in transition, and if he can knock down an open 3 in the NBA (out of double teams), he will have a long NBA career.
 



Dutch is senile, Rodney not a first rounder this year. Royce first round Lock close to lottery
 

Being a badger fan, I'm sure Myron is hoping Rodney goes pro. I wonder if anyone has any quotes from him about how Jordan Taylor should have left after last year.
 

CDH27 said:
. I have yet to see Rodney projected to be drafted in the first round. If Rodney performs extremely well in the NIT final 4 that could change.
Click to expand...

Royce was projected in the top 60 until after the blowout Kentucky loss either.
 

I'm as thrilled as anybody at Rodney's recent surge. BUT,.... one must put the competition level into perspective... he didn't do this in the B1G. He's not putting up 20+ against the NCAA sweet 16 level in which the B1G had 4 teams. Not to mention the teams that he has been seeing recently have been studying him for at tops a few days. Miami completely mailed in that game after seeing the intensity of the Gophers... I'm partly saying this because I desperately want him back next year as a fan, but I truly feel that the recent competition is not the B1G and these games have been completely different style of game than the B1G. I do agree that tomorrow is a giant stage (as giant as the NIT gets) to show off his skill. I am happy for him, but I hope he comes back. If he does come back and Trevor comes back... I'm very curious to see how these guys are going to play together and both excel along with Andre and Austin... cuz I think all of those guys could potentially be looking at giant years.
 



He scored 21 and had 9 rebounds against one of the final four teams.
 

Madman said:
I'm as thrilled as anybody at Rodney's recent surge. BUT,.... one must put the competition level into perspective... he didn't do this in the B1G. He's not putting up 20+ against the NCAA sweet 16 level in which the B1G had 4 teams.
Click to expand...

Royce averaged 13ppg vs. lessor comp than the gophs/rod is currently facing. Rodney has had a big season, fas more impressive than I thought he would ever have.
 

The Nba is filled with "jump the gun" scouts who drool over one game (Johnny Flynn anyone?) so I wouldn't be at all surprised if Rodney was taken in the first round. Is he ready to be a legit nba player? Not even close in my mind. Getting drafted and making it are very different things. The list of knuckleheads thinking they were ready for the nba seems endless. I guess I don't know why Rodney would want to be added to that list when he can continue to improve his jump shot, his ball handling, his defense, etc. and improve his stock?
 

katze019 said:
Royce averaged 13ppg vs. lessor comp than the gophs/rod is currently facing. Rodney has had a big season, fas more impressive than I thought he would ever have.
Click to expand...
He also led his team in 5 categories including scoring. He's not just a scorer.
 

You must log in or register to reply here.



Top Bottom