It's time to throw Rickman to the wolves

[Jason Svoboda]

Since the staff decided he didn't need to redshirt (or was forced to make that decision with the losses of Bell and Kessinger) after watching 4 of the 5 games, I think it is time to insert Rickman into the starting lineup.

Yes, he is going to make mistakes. Yes, he is going to have some defensive lapses but both Murph and Niels seem to be beyond lost on the defensive end still whereas Rickman's height and length make him disruptive and allow for him to be out of position yet still be able to alter shots. I liken Rickman to SIU's Bola Olaniyan a couple years ago that played from day 1 and ended up starting as the season went on. I say skip waiting like Henson did and just throw him to the wolves now and let him learn through the burn.

 

[hans1950]

There's a good chance he will foul out in the first half but I agree that he does look like a keeper.We forget he is taking a huge step up in competitive level sometimes but he has the physical tools to help right now.Experience will make him or expose him but learning at this level can't be done only in practice.
That being said,Murph and Neils are also learning as they play.For some reason coach has a short leash for Murphy,foul trouble plays a part here too.Neils didn't play awful at times and also is making a big step up in competition.Time will tell but perhaps between the 3 of them we can get production as the year goes on.

 

[BrokerZ]

Since the staff decided he didn't need to redshirt (or was forced to make that decision with the losses of Bell and Kessinger) after watching 4 of the 5 games, I think it is time to insert Rickman into the starting lineup.

Yes, he is going to make mistakes. Yes, he is going to have some defensive lapses but both Murph and Niels seem to be beyond lost on the defensive end still whereas Rickman's height and length make him disruptive and allow for him to be out of position yet still be able to alter shots. I liken Rickman to SIU's Bola Olaniyan a couple years ago that played from day 1 and ended up starting as the season went on. I say skip waiting like Henson did and just throw him to the wolves now and let him learn through the burn.

I'm on board. I really like what I'm seeing from Rickman in the short amounts of playing time he's received. He's active on both ends, and seems to impact the game in a positive way in the little minutes he's seeing.

I'm certainly not ready to give up on Murph or Niels, but I just like Rickman's upside and he's only going to get better the more he plays. He'll probably also be exposed in some fashion, but he needs to be baptized by fire. I also cringe every time I see Niels on defense when his man has the ball.

 

[ISU_TREE_FAN]

Even if he fouls out so what............he can't foul out sitting on the bench. I agree to put him on the floor to let him learn now on the job.

 

[ISUCC]

Big fan of Rickman too, let the kid play!

 

[Jason Svoboda]

There's a good chance he will foul out in the first half but I agree that he does look like a keeper.We forget he is taking a huge step up in competitive level sometimes but he has the physical tools to help right now.Experience will make him or expose him but learning at this level can't be done only in practice.
That being said,Murph and Neils are also learning as they play.For some reason coach has a short leash for Murphy,foul trouble plays a part here too.Neils didn't play awful at times and also is making a big step up in competition.Time will tell but perhaps between the 3 of them we can get production as the year goes on.

My thoughts between him and the other two is just the fact that his length sets him apart. When our guards got beat, he was at the rim waiting and when he learns to go straight up instead of into the offensive player, he's going to be even bigger so to speak. As much as coaches beat that into you in practice, I think that is something you just learn as you transition from green rookie into cagey vet.

 

[sycamorebacker]

My thoughts between him and the other two is just the fact that his length sets him apart. When our guards got beat, he was at the rim waiting and when he learns to go straight up instead of into the offensive player, he's going to be even bigger so to speak. As much as coaches beat that into you in practice, I think that is something you just learn as you transition from green rookie into cagey vet.

:rabidfan: Fingers crossed. I think we've got a steal. Not sure what will happen when we have Bell, Murphy and Rickman all available. Can we go with 2 big guys?

 

[Sycamore Proud]

I see little here to disagree with. Rickman and Murph on a double low post???

 

[WOZ]

:rabidfan: Fingers crossed. I think we've got a steal. Not sure what will happen when we have Bell, Murphy and Rickman all available. Can we go with 2 big guys?

If Rickman is outperforming Niels and Murphy in practice he should be rewarded with a starting job regardless of his experience. (Especially if he can hit free throws).
I've always thought that tough competition in practices, produces better players for games. With that being said, is it against NCAA rules to bring in outside competition, that is older, wiser and more athletic than anyone we have to scrimmage on a periodic basis?

 

[SycfromBirth]

I see little here to disagree with. Rickman and Murph on a double low post???

Now let's not get ahead of ourselves!! Maybe a year or two from now. I think we have been pushing tempo this year and having both of them on the court for extended periods takes a "shooter" off the court and limits our perimeter defense. The argument could be made that our "shooters" haven't been that great at times. We may get a matchup against a "bigger" team that may necessitate this but I don't think we have enough upside on either end to justify it....yet.

 

[Sycamore Proud]

Now let's not get ahead of ourselves!! Maybe a year or two from now. I think we have been pushing tempo this year and having both of them on the court for extended periods takes a "shooter" off the court and limits our perimeter defense. The argument could be made that our "shooters" haven't been that great at times. We may get a matchup against a "bigger" team that may necessitate this but I don't think we have enough upside on either end to justify it....yet.

Agree again~! You didn't hear the chuckle or see the grin on my face as I keyed that in.

 

[sycamorebacker]

Now let's not get ahead of ourselves!! Maybe a year or two from now. .

I was guilty of looking ahead a year or two. In the past, we have had some PF's that are basically outside scorers and not bangers. I'm not even sure that 2 bigs would help in the MVC because of the high scoring perimeter players in the conference.

 

[Bluethunder]

www.tribstar.com/sports/local_colle...07c-0c78-54e5-b15a-e5c4c58daf06.html?mode=jqm