Benny Williams to return

[cuseincincy]

...He had a reputation for letting guys have the freedom to do their thing...

One of the truest statements on this board in a while. JB used to be accused of just rolling the ball out there and letting his players play. What a fun time that was to be an SU fan.

 

[Niastri]

Hope Benny can be more than just a jump shooter. For a 6’9” kid, he sure plays below the rim and out of the paint far too often. Hopefully with more athletic guards and overall better offensive spacing, perhaps he can be more of a slasher too. He’s not super athletic but should be far more impactful around the rim than he has been.

Williams is very athletic. Watch the highlight video put out yesterday to see what he can do.

One problem has been his handle. He hasn't done any of those amazing dribble through everybody and dunk on someone drives that make you say wow. He was far more likely to turn it over on dribble penetration. If he could tighten his handle, it wouldn't surprise me if we did start seeing that type of play from him.

The other problem has been his decision making. I attribute this largely to JB, but we'll see. Williams has seemed like a far from instinctive player most of his career... Somebody suggested JB might have been forcing square legs into round holes, and Williams is a perfect example of that. Any time Williams made a mistake, he'd hang his head and head to the bench for his whooping. Playing free should help him a lot.

I think the coaching change will help Williams more than any other player. And I'm ignoring any scheme changes when making that estimation. If Red puts in a scheme that is less focused on isolation and has more movement, Williams should be helped even more.

 

[tbonezone]

seems benny lacks confidence. or alpha drive. needs to get more assertive.
he's got the skills. needs to step up his aggression level. punish the enemy.

 

[OrangeXtreme]

 

[SUintheVille]

Great pic! Looking forward to next year already.

 

[Orangefizz]

Love this picture and watching kids enjoy their college experience

 

[cusefan88]

He's a happy guy now.

 

[two3zone]

He's a happy guy now.

I can’t put my finger on why.

 

[CuseLegacy]

 

[Fly Rodder]

HCFLJ is an absolute great person.

 

[kcsu]

HCFLJ is an absolute great person.

Shes a huge fan of Red

 

[kcsu]

seems benny lacks confidence. or alpha drive. needs to get more assertive.
he's got the skills. needs to step up his aggression level. punish the enemy.

Wait to you see Williams play with proper, positive not fear based motivation.

 

[OrangeXtreme]

 

[orangefog]

 

[cusefan88]

Benny needs positive reinforcement and hype. He's a new player now.

 

[Hopkins16]

Benny and Kaleb are two really nice guys who I rooted for during the tough times. I'm hoping that things turn around and turn out much better for Benny on our team than they did for Kaleb.

 

[Orangezoo]

Benny and Kaleb are two really nice guys who I rooted for during the tough times. I'm hoping that things turn around and turn out much better for Benny on our team than they did for Kaleb.

Benny has stuck with it and shown progress along the way. I'm cautiously optimistic he breaks out.

 

[orangefog]

Benny has stuck with it and shown progress along the way. I'm cautiously optimistic he breaks out.

I'm a big believer in Benny. I think Red's style of coaching him will let him play more freely. You could tell that he was thinking about every move he made the last two years. He was terrified to make a mistake. He can make open threes, but I really hope he learns how to attack the basket. He really hasn't taken advantage of his explosive athleticism here. He should be catching lobs and passes going to the basket at least 5 times per game. Judah and JJ driving and dishing to Benny, Maliq and Naheem for easy dunks...that's my dream.

 

[sufandu]

I'm a big believer in Benny. I think Red's style of coaching him will let him play more freely. You could tell that he was thinking about every move he made the last two years. He was terrified to make a mistake. He can make open threes, but I really hope he learns how to attack the basket. He really hasn't taken advantage of his explosive athleticism here. He should be catching lobs and passes going to the basket at least 5 times per game. Judah and JJ driving and dishing to Benny, Maliq and Naheem for easy dunks...that's my dream.

We've been missing points from easy baskets like dunks off drives and dishes and fast breaks for way too long. I'm excited to see that return.

 

[Orangezoo]

We've been missing points from easy baskets like dunks off drives and dishes and fast breaks for way too long. I'm excited to see that return.

Yeah we use to rave at how fluid we were on the break and boy has it been hit or miss for several years now.

 

[SU91]

Developing some sort of handle would benefit Benny greatly.

 

[orangefog]

Developing some sort of handle would benefit Benny greatly.

Honestly, I don't think he is going to develop that. He needs to be a one or two bounce and take off kind of player. Any more than that and he is going to get called for an offensive foul. He lacks creativity off the bounce. He is a good passer from a standstill, but as soon as he starts dribbling, it is all or nothing, and defenses are too good to allow a straight line drive from the three point line.

 

[sufandu]

Developing some sort of handle would benefit Benny greatly.

It would with regards to his pro prospects, but we don't necessarily need that for him to help us. Not everyone needs to be able to create for themselves. If our guards are slashing and creating and Benny knows how to move without the ball, goes hard after missed shots, and finishes strong off of rebounds and dishes, he'll help us a lot.

 

[IthacaMatt]

Benny has stuck with it and shown progress along the way. I'm cautiously optimistic he breaks out.

I could see him getting a consistent 10-12 points and 6 rebounds a game. If he can do that, he'll get 30 minutes.

 

[Orangezoo]

I could see him getting a consistent 10-12 points and 6 rebounds a game. If he can do that, he'll get 30 minutes.

I'm looking for more guys to be at that 25 min mark unless they are performing like Judah for example. In a system intended to push and play 10 guys especially.