On Hoops Frosh Brian Williams

[orange+white=heaven]

There was some discussion a couple of weeks ago regarding Brian Williams. Some columnist had opined that Williams would have to provide at least ten quality minutes this season for the Volunteers to make a serious run at a Final Four. I was among those who were unsure he could carry such a load in the SEC so early.

Earlier this week, the Times Free Press talked with Williams and some of his teammates. It really sounds as though Williams is coming along well, and may prove me to be the basketball savy idiot I always knew I was.

An excerpt from the story as regarded young Mr. Williams...

"A lot of people have doubted me since Coach Pearl offered me a scholarship," said Williams, a 6-foot-9 center who still carries an accent from growing up in New York City. "They didn't think I could play. Well, I just started playing about two years ago."
Williams' brief foray into basketball was successful mostly because of his size. He played last season at Cincinnati's Harmony Prep weighing near 350 pounds, yet he was skilled enough to become the team's primary playmaker.
Viewed by recruiting analysts as a project because of his bulk, Williams said he has since lost nearly 100 pounds. He is at 266 thanks to diet, conditioning and game nights in a sweltering gymnasium at Bearden High School.
"I want to try to get to about 250 and put back on 15 pounds of muscle. I'm going to stay at 265, most likely," Williams said. "I should be back where I was, strength-wise. But speed-wise I'm definitely better."
Crews described Williams as a "rebounding machine." Considering Tennessee's defensive rebounding trouble in two seasons under Pearl, it's no stretch to think Williams -- known to UT players as "Big Baby" -- could play right away.
"Brian gives us an element that we really didn't have last year," Crews said, "and that's a true post player."
In fact, Williams said Pearl's message to to him was simply, " 'Rebound everything.' That's all he wants me to."

The article also discusses briefly Cam Tatum's progress.

Goals could be trickier for Tatum, a 6-6 wing player looking for time behind Chris Lofton, JaJuan Smith and Josh Tabb.
The ability is clearly there. Growing up in Atlanta, Tatum averaged more than 20 points a game during each of the past two seasons. He tallied 27 points during his second contest in the admittedly defense-free realm of summer league basketball.
"It's something to give Coach Pearl a little feedback to what I'm doing out here, and for the fans, what to expect coming into the season," Tatum said. They didn't know much about me. I want to be able to say I'm a freshman who's ready to play and ready to help out immediately."
He and Williams didn't need long to adjust to Tennessee's wide-open style of play. They needed even less to buy into this team's mentality heading into 2007-08: Anything less than a national title is a disappointment.
"For the next two years, next three years, however long everybody decides to stay," Tatum said, "we're going to be a force to be reckoned with."

Link to Entire Article

All of this is insight that we would not have were it not for this summer league. Huge credit to coach Pearl for the willingness to see that this thing happened.

Have a great weekend Nationals...

Tennessee Volunteers

 

[utvol0427]

They needed even less to buy into this team's mentality heading into 2007-08: Anything less than a national title is a disappointment.
"For the next two years, next three years, however long everybody decides to stay," Tatum said, "we're going to be a force to be reckoned with."

:rock:

 

[tidwell]

"A lot of people have doubted me since Coach Pearl offered me a scholarship," said Williams, a 6-foot-9 center who still carries an accent from growing up in New York City. "They didn't think I could play.

Sounds like a Bruce Pearl kind of guy.

If rebounding is all he ever does, I'd be happy with that...

Great article as usual, owh. eace2:

 

[ut 4 me]

i hope the new big baby is as good as the old one

 

[TennNC]

Thanks for posting OWH. The very little I've watched Williams, I feel he's a smart player. Seems to anticipate where the ball is going. Plays in position. Gives really nice, leading outlet passes, and takes smart shots. Maybe he has to play that way since he's not as quick as his peers.

Tatum sounds gifted physically and might just need a year or two of grooming before he hits his peak.

 

[i2amavol]

Duke Crews: a man among boys
Tyler Smith: ditto

Prince: Not a dominator, but very solid.

Williams: Still learning, but a good backup. Scored points, rebounded, blocked shots. With more strength and durability, who knows how good he could be. Again, a work in progress.

Tatum: A work in progress. Not dominating, but a good player.

 

[volhoopsfan001]

I've only been to three of the summer league sessions, so I might not have seen Williams as much as some of the other posters on here, but here are my impressions:

At times he can seem lazy.
He is a terrible free throw shooter. (He'll fit right in!)
He gets pretty good position inside.
He generally takes good shots.
He has pretty good hands.
Pretty good rebounder and shot blocker.

 

[Bassmanbruno]

I've only been to three of the summer league sessions, so I might not have seen Williams as much as some of the other posters on here, but here are my impressions:

At times he can seem lazy.
He is a terrible free throw shooter. (He'll fit right in!)
He gets pretty good position inside.
He generally takes good shots.
He has pretty good hands.
Pretty good rebounder and shot blocker.

You'd be lazy too if you were 6'10 270ish give or take 10 pounds running up and down the court :rock:

He just needs to trim down alittle more like he said and gain some of the weight back in muscle.