Inside the Hall - Latest Comments in Nick Williams will not return next season

Re: Nick Williams will not return next season

tberry — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 12:59:05 -0000

I think the coaching staff has a great deal of power and influence in who will stay and who will leave.

Crean recruited the best he could get for this past year but it is obvious that all coaches over-sign if they find a really good player. They do this because they know they can loose the kid one way or the other if they need to.

Re: Nick Williams will not return next season

Seth — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 10:03:13 -0000

I thought he had a chance to be really good, and become a really good defender, Ron Artest type. I think he will be missed.

Re: Nick Williams will not return next season

JerryCT — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 07:59:51 -0000

I would argue that Dumes's experience should be in the game when Hulls is and therefore agree that coming off the bench might eventually be DUmes's role.

In addition his mentality is to make stuff happen which is one of the most valuable assets of a bench player.

Re: Nick Williams will not return next season

James — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 01:30:38 -0000

Nick was a winner everywhere he went before IU...and its always hard to lose a player like that. I just always thought that he would eventually be the best player out of the 08 class...even with VJ's scoring burst at the end of the season. Although I agree that there are some kids that might have trumped him eventually...i feel he would have made those young kids earn it. Its just tough to lose these players that had the "trial by fire" big ten treatment last year. Creek, Watford, and Elston are gonna figure that out and may struggle early. Of course Hulls will too but VJ and Rivers will take a lot of pressure off him. It would just be nice to not have to start/rely on more than one freshman again. But thats college ball...
That being said...im glad to hear someone else mention Elston as a possible starter/major contributor next year. I have seen him play a couple times and I really think the kid will be more ready physically then the others coming in. He could be the hidden jem of this class...maybe

Re: Nick Williams will not return next season

Sandman — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 00:27:42 -0000

I liked Nick's effort & enthusiasm, best of luck. I think that the logjam at the 2/3 has him thinking of reduced PT. However, he seemed to be coming around toward the end of the year. His experience this year would have given him a big competitive edge. His impatience is sad, but common nowadays.

Perhaps, many arrived hoping for big minutes at a D1, but the fact of the matter is, the work is hard and long just to compete let alone start or play serious minutes, even in a struggling reloading program.

So, the key question is would you rather probably play more minutes at a mid-major OR play for IU no matter the situation & just work to earn your minutes?!? Personally, I want those who REALLY want to be at IU and are not afraid of good competition to get to play.

Re: Nick Williams will not return next season

aerialM — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 18:42:12 -0000

am disappointed about NW. He was/is a passionate kid who did lots of the little things. That being said, he's got to do those little thing to see some playing time because he's not the best shooter or the best passer or the best on-the-ball defender. And yeah, he'd have had some tough competition for time next year, but transfers are a part of EVERY major program and involve all sorts of things. Not just basketball issues, but classes and the living situation and you never know when you get a kid playing ball away from his home area. Plus, there have been a few coaching changes in SEC country since he was a high school senior, so some schools he never looked at, he might seriously consider now. Purely me guessing here, but I'd say he's looking at/thinking about going home to Alabama where Anthony Grant now is...
best of luck to him. He fought the good fight. He was a part of a team, that, for better or worse, we won't soon forget here at IU.

Re: Nick Williams will not return next season

HoosierOdi — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 18:37:34 -0000

I think Dumes would be good coming off the bench. All Roth needs to do is work out, he has the basketball skills just needs to hit the weights and get into great shape. One thing i hope we wont see next year is VJ3 throwing those hero type of passes that get stolen 99% of the time. I don't think he will throw as many because there is now someone off the bench that TC can stick in for him. There is a bright future for this squad, I can feel it.

Re: Nick Williams will not return next season

MillaRed — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 18:06:30 -0000

A lot of interesting reactions here.

I'm dissappointed with a few comments about NW. That guy had a lot of passion. He chose to pursue the rats nest that was IU basketball 2008-2009 and I give him a lot of credit for that. As far as the "excuse" they gave? They have to say something. Fact is he was looking into the crystal ball and PT was not looking good.

I agree with the Mo Creek theories. That guy will start.

If we end up going, Rivers, VIII and Dumes, who guards the small forward? Rivers while Dumes guards the point? I guess it's possible.

There is more talent left on the table for 2010 than 2009-10. I hope we pursue the 2010 class because we still aren't competing at a high level this fall.

Every team needs a Matt Roth. We have to understand, IU did not have the inside/outside talent to free this kid up. Every team played us on the perimeter. He could develop into the best pure shooter in the Big Ten if he isn't already.

I liked Story and Williams. What we are seeing is the painful part of this rebuild is not over. It's a process that continues to show its ugly side. I'm looking forward to it moving on........

Re: Nick Williams will not return next season

brucew — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 14:26:10 -0000

If NW was unhappy at least he waited untill the season was over. He didn`t make waves during the season, and create problems we didn`t need. Have to give him credit for that and wish him well in the future.

Re: Nick Williams will not return next season

Disco_Briscoe — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 12:30:59 -0000

People seem to sleeping on Creek. I wouldn't be surprised if he plays over Jones or Dumes.

Re: Nick Williams will not return next season

Disco_Briscoe — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 12:27:17 -0000

Creek starts...prob over Jones.

Re: Nick Williams will not return next season

Ben — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 12:01:37 -0000

I don't know if anyone has said this, but I would hold the 1 scholly off for 2010, or a possible APR hit. I don't want to be losing 5 players every year. If we could get top tier talent then I would consider it, but we already have a good class coming in.

Re: Nick Williams will not return next season

D.R. — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 11:23:57 -0000

Williams was soft. Soft with the ball, soft around the basket and apparently metally soft. He could have embrased the challenge of the incoming class, instead he wants to be the leading scorer for a mid-major.

I am happy that Jobe is still around. I think he will be beneficial in Bawa's development. He will be great to practice against. ESPNU ranked BAWA #7 center coming out of high school. Not the best source, but interesting.

I wouldn't sleep on Creek. He has all the skills of Dumes with more size. Dumes might start at the beginning of the year, but Creek could finish the year.

Rivers is perfect for this team. A floor leader on offense and someone that can pressure the opposing point guard. Image this team without Moore and VJ3 launching passes into the third row. Dumes, Cheeks and Roth knocking down 3's. VJ3 slashing. And Elston, Watford and Pritchard in the middle. Maybe get some development time for Bawa, Capobianco and Hulls. We are getting there.......

Re: Nick Williams will not return next season

Sallad — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 11:20:03 -0000

Don't forget Capobianco. We may not be as tall as you like down low, but we have greater number of guys to rotate in there. It's not just Taber, Pritchard, and Jobe anymore, luckily.

Re: Nick Williams will not return next season

CraiginOR — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 11:18:32 -0000

if coach ran the motion for Roth he could be all Big Ten. Think box and one and Tijan. Always like your comments Kelin.

Re: Nick Williams will not return next season

Hoosierlawyer — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 10:35:33 -0000

How much influence do you think Coach Crean has in these kids decisions to transfer? I am curious as to how much these types of things surprise the coaching staff. Does he (Crean) have a plan in play and in order to make it work he makes it extremely difficult for certain players to stay or is he completely taken aback by a decision like Story's or Williams?

Re: Nick Williams will not return next season

Kelin Blab — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 10:23:10 -0000

Ahhhh dustin you said those words I don't want to hear right now....combo guard......if we don't get another big man I am going to scream. Although I believe denim shirt was recruiting dennis and he came to visit our midnight madness a couple of years ago.....

Re: Nick Williams will not return next season

tg1438 — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 10:19:30 -0000

The problem with going after Dennis is that he's looks to be following Cal to UK. He is a major talent, but not sure the Hoosiers could get a player of that quality late in the game, when others have made inroads to get him. I thought I heard that IU had been looking at Painter, Creek's teammate who is a post player. Not sure if he'd be good enough to go after as a big, and worth losing it for a potential recruit next year.

Re: Nick Williams will not return next season

SB_Hoosier — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 09:44:12 -0000

I think you're right that he's not a starter or 6th man on a Top 10 team, but we're not a Top 10 team either. Nor will we be one next year. While he wouldn't have been the most talented player on the team, his experience would have been valuable. Kyle Taber would not see the court with a Top 10 team, but you could see the difference between his understanding of the game and court presence, and the rest of the teams. Even with subpar talent, his experience was valued last season. I don't think Nick Williams talent will be missed as much as his experience and leadership.

Re: Nick Williams will not return next season

Hardwood83 — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 09:42:39 -0000

Isn't Roth the perfect candidate to R/S and develop some of those additional skills? I like him too, but there were only a few games he impacted this year- with a year off to improve/develop he could be a real weapon in the future.

Re: Nick Williams will not return next season

Hardwood83 — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 09:39:18 -0000

No, he probably wouldn't have been a starter- but he's a hard-working, skilled player with potential to continue improving. If we want to be an elite team we'll need lots of good players- not just starters. Depth & experience are huge, and can't have either one with good players leaving. Losing Williams doesn't help the team, anyway you look at it.

Re: Nick Williams will not return next season

Dustin — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 09:35:29 -0000

Crean should go after Nolan Dennis. A 6-5 combo guard. He is a top 50 player in the incoming class. A perfect fit to fill Nick's shoes next year.

Re: Nick Williams will not return next season

Kelin Blab — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 09:31:14 -0000

So let me revamp my starting line up again....

G- Rivers - is the perfect fit for this team next year and to tutor Hulls

G- VJ - with a year of experience will be hard to handle with his size

G- Dumes - Still like Devans game, and it will get better with help on the inside and out......hope the kid rebound from the things he dealt with on and off the court...

F - The easy thing to say is Wateford, but I think Elston comes in with a chip on his shoulder and something to prove and will fight for this spot, so I make this a toss up

C. - TP - Let me speak for big Tom, thanks for the help coach....

Off the bench/in the rotation
Hulls, Creek, Tijan, Bawa, Roth

Playing three combo guards help our rotation a ton with a lot of flexibility based on match ups.....

Re: Nick Williams will not return next season

Dustin — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 09:30:00 -0000

Although it would be nice to have Nick around next year, it does not worry me. I kind of expected at least a couple guys to transfer after this year. It is just the way things work out when a program is rebuilding from nothing...literally. The same thing happened at Purdue when Gene Keady retired and Painter took over. Guys who looked to have bright futures in the program chose to leave like Korey Spates, Nate Minnoy, and Ije Nwakno. Now Purdue is the reigning Big Ten champs. The guys that stay are the guys that are worth having on the team because it shows they are passionate about IU.

Re: Nick Williams will not return next season

Kelin Blab — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 09:22:12 -0000

Jerry I agree, He can't live out at the NBA three point line for the next 3 years. He DOES have a unique opportunity on this squad being one of the top 3 shooters and having some inside help coming in.....we will see what he does.