Excellent analysis
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I liked the times when Lairy and Tatum were on the floor together. Tatum is a better defender than some of the other guys that see those minutes, and he doesn’t try to do too much offensively. With Kamari out there with those two, the lack of size is somewhat neutralized.
Well done Jackson! Great energy out there. Fun to see the team rally around him.
I also like that Coach Steele has taken on less of a ‘these refs seem like they’re out to get us’ posture in the last few games. I think it shows the team that the focus is on us doing things right and getting better - and that has very little to do with the refs.
And yes, we need to remind ourselves every game that Anderson averaged less than a point a game last year. It’s a spectacular story. Respect!
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I thought when Mabrey hit his first two 3s we were in for a good chance to win. Shame he couldn’t knock a few down Saturday.
This is not a knock on Rylee, but if I were him, I would be reading the tea leaves as to where I will be playing next year. I don’t think it is at Miami.
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Pretty sure that’s a decision he’s capable of making on his own.
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I still wish they would give Kamari 4 or 5 starts in a row with 25 to 30 minutes a night. I think he is very talented but a little insecure. Last season, late in the year when he was given that security, his play really improved.
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What about giving a junior who’s been inconsistent his whole career says trying to win year three? I like Williams. He’s incredibly talented. But this take screams short sighted. He’s 6’7", played 22 minutes and had 2 rebounds. In his last 5 games he’s played >17 minutes four times, had >5 points twice, had >2 rebounds twice, and had 1 assist twice (0 the other three).
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I am not a fan of the trying to win in year 3 mantra. I think we should be trying to win now. And next year. The everything is geared to year 3 says play the younger guys over someone else who could help us win now. That is what you are saying, I think. As you said, he is incredibly talented. Unlocking that talent and getting him comfortable could be the difference maker for now and next year.
Dick, I doubt very much the coaches aren’t trying to win now. It would seem silly for them to tank since it’s not like we get a high draft pick for finishing last! Also, they have pride. Steele hates losing. My sense is year three means “I’ll have my team exactly where I need it to be to win at the level I want to win at. And by then, beating teams in the top 75 will be my bar.” I think they have to be realistic. Until the talent catches up across the board to the roster. Also, from what I can tell, that means all 15 guys. Even walkon’s since Steele might very well play everyone (case in point Jackson) if he thinks they can help us win.
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No need for hostility. I was simply making an observation. As this is a sports message board. Or so I thought. I haven’t picked up the phone to call him.
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You’re making an assumption that he’s showing things in practice he isn’t showing in games. He’s fighting for time with Safford, Lewis, and Smith. Billy is already getting some reduced minutes. He’s hit a wall as a freshman right now and that’s fine. They’re letting him sort it out. Williams isn’t showing close to the effort Safford is, and Safford has shown he’s willing to make a difference in games. Lewis has struggled on offense, but has played decent defense. Williams has fallen asleep for entire positions on both sides of the ball.
Again, I ask the question, which junior do you ever play because of potential instead of consistent play?
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Dick-to be honest, based on his play, Kamari hasn’t earned the starts you are suggesting. But I am sure that is a decision Steele is capable of making on his own.
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Jivehawk. 2 weeks ago when I argued that Williams wasnt the player we have been promised from the fall you argued the other side
Are you just arguing to argue?
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There’s a big difference between I think he should get some time and he should be getting 25-30 minutes a night. Miami has 4 players getting >=25mpg. There are options between 5mpg and 25mpg. Nothing here says 25mpg. In the context of the team, he’s probably the 5th or 6th option. And that’s exactly the amount of time he’s getting. His numbers over the last 5 games are all over. 5 rebounds one game, 0 another. Is Steele going to get 12 points or 3? But right now, he’s exactly who we were promised: an incredibly talented player who didn’t put it together in the ACC.
His last 5 games:
We were hearing he was the best player in practice from the coaching staff.
And I agree with you that he is the 5th-6th best player on the team and I agree his minutes should be limited. He can jump and occasionally shoot but he is never going to be a defensive rebounder or assist guy.
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So if I’m hearing you right (and I think I am) the role of Glass Kamari in my after school special “Me and my rebounding Cyborg” also called “Not without my rebounder” starring Sally Fields, won’t be played be played by Kamari?
For JiveHawk and Yellow #5. I spent my career in teaching (35 years) and coaching ( 20 years). So one thing I know from experience is that people react very differently to how they are treated. A lot of it has to do with their family background, how confident they are, how they handle adversity. I am not the only person on Hawktalk who has commented that Kamari seems to be looking over his back to see if he is being taken out or not. To me he just seems a little insecure.
Last year was much the same, but late in the season, because of injuries to Dalonte and Mekhi, and the lack of production from Maja White, Kamari was given the starting job. In those last 6 games his stats and performance showed a big improvement. He played between 28 and 34 minutes over those games. He averaged 11.3ppg and 5.6 rpg over those 6 games. He was 22 for 43 from the floor, just over 50%, he was 11 for 24 on threes, just under 50%. He was relaxed and knew the job was his.
That is why I have said and will continue to believe that the answer to our teams lack of production from that 5th spot is probably Kamari Williams. None of our coaches were here at that time so that performance is not in their memory. But there it is.
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Just want to be clear, Dick I replied to your notion that the coaches only care about year 3 and don’t want to win now. (Which I 100% don’t agree with as I do think they care about winning now and later.) I know nothing about what does/doesn’t motivate Kamari or anyone else.
I appreciate your professional and athletic accolades. I’m happy to share mine and why they’re relevant. My professional and athletic history is probably why we disagree on this topic.
Unfortunately I don’t prescribe to the belief that you treat minors the same way you treat adults. And don’t forgot, Williams is an academic senior. You can’t go through life only performing when nobody is in the rear view mirror. What happens next year when he’s looking at Smith, Elmer, and Kotecki behind him? You’re asking to give him the third most minutes behind Lairy and Safford. Even in those six games you keep talking about, he was all over the place. His points ranged from 5 to 21. His rebounds from 2 to 12. His FG% from 25% to 80%. His 21 point game was the only one he had over 12 pts. Only had more than 4 rebounds twice. Only had a block in one game. Only had more than 1 assist once (and had two games with 0).
Williams is getting the 5th most minutes on the team because he’s playing like the 5th best player on the team. If he wants the third most minutes, he needs to play like the 3rd best player. Steele doesn’t take players out because they made aggressive mistakes. Mabrey got to go 0-9 because he didn’t hesitate when he was open. Williams would get the exact same grace.
With that said, I thought he played a decent game against WMU. If he strings another couple games, then I’ll be all for giving him more minutes. College sports is a “what have you done for me lately” business. And right now what he’s done lately is put up the widest range of performances across all the regulars. I just don’t think it’s good for the program, even if it might be good for Kamari. And your 6 game sample tells me it doesn’t solve the consistency issue, it just widens the range.
We have different views on programs from our personal experiences, and that’s fine.
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