[Cracked Sidewalks] Thoughts on the Erik Williams transfer

[CrackedSidewalksSays]

Thoughts on the Erik Williams transfer

Written by: noreply@blogger.com (Tim Blair)

Last week Marquette confirmed that 6'8" sophomore Erik Williams will transfer after the spring semester.  According to Todd Rosiak, Williams will likely land up at a school closer to his home in Texas.  A consensus top-100 recruit following his senior season at Cypress Springs high school, Williams never got on track at MU.   Williams suffered a Jones fracture in high school and while many insisted he completely healed from the injury, he never displayed the freakish athleticism that so many expected on the college level.

After only sporadic appearances as a freshman, Williams was the quintessential role player during his sophomore season, though it must not have been the part he envisioned.  Following appearances in Buzz Williams' rotating starting lineups early in the season, Williams logged a DNP in 11 of the team's first 14 Big East contests.  The bench time ended only when Buzz Williams decided to start Williams at the beginning of each half in nine of MU's final 10 games to reduce Jae Crowder's penchant for foul trouble.  During that stretch, only once did Williams log more than 10 minutes -- the home blowout of Providence -- and he failed to score in half of those contests.

Some fans have groused about the loss of a baseline player, claiming that Williams showed flashes of being a solid rebounder and contributor next season.  That is just not the case.  Williams had two full seasons to contribute, was unable to breakthrough and was recruited over when Jae Crowder matriculated to MU.  Still, credit Williams for persevering through a coaching change (he verballed when Crean ran the program), recovering from a debilitating injury, and finally for working diligently for two years before making his decision to move on.

Ultimately the transfer makes sense for the player and the program.  Erik Williams will find a program he is more comfortable with and take full advantage of a redshirt season to emerge as a major contributor elsewhere in 2012-2013.  Meanwhile, MU will be able to retool the roster with a player who might be a better fit, while the the key contributors for next year's Warrior squad remain in tact.  Also, Buzz Williams now has two scholarships available as the spring signing period winds down later this month.

Williams is the second Cy Springs player to transfer from Marquette in the last decade.  Guard Karon Bradley, a member of the 2003 Final Four team, left MU for Wichita State after his sophomore season.  In the WayBack Machine, Williams' high school coach John Harmatuk shared his thoughts about Williams after his commitment to MU.

http://www.crackedsidewalks.com/2011/05/thoughts-on-erik-williams-transfer.html

[Nukem2]

I suspect that foot injury set Erik back a lot more than folks would know.  For example, he was a real shot-blocker in HS in an area with good competition.  In his two seasons at MU he had only 1 block (agaisnt Centenary).  Whatever his defensive shorcomings, I would have to believe he would have blocked more shots if he were fully healthy...?  The foot and shoulder injuries had something to do with that...?

Yes, there ar more taller players in college, but....?

[wadesworld]

I suspect that foot injury set Erik back a lot more than folks would know.  For example, he was a real shot-blocker in HS in an area with good competition.  In his two seasons at MU he had only 1 block (agaisnt Centenary).  Whatever his defensive shorcomings, I would have to believe he would have blocked more shots if he were fully healthy...?  The foot and shoulder injuries had something to do with that...?

He played the middle of the bottom of a 2-3 zone in high school.  He literally sat around and waited for people to get into the lane just to block their shots.  His coach did him no help in learning how to actually play defense.  He learned how to stand around and jump.  That is how you block shots in high school, when you're 6'7" and the other team's tallest guy is 6'4".  That is not how you block shots at the D1 college level.

[Nukem2]

He played the middle of the bottom of a 2-3 zone in high school.  He literally sat around and waited for people to get into the lane just to block their shots.  His coach did him no help in learning how to actually play defense.  He learned how to stand around and jump.  That is how you block shots in high school, when you're 6'7" and the other team's tallest guy is 6'4".  That is not how you block shots at the D1 college level.

I suspect that most teams in the Cy Springs area have a lot of guys much taller than 6'4" and have a lot of skilled players as compared to a state like Wisconsin. Think the injury had more to do with it than you might think. Obviously, he was not going to block shots at the rate he did in HS, but to go down to zilch begs the question.

[burger]

First let me say this.....

Eric is a good kid.....a good team player.....and everyone at Marquette should wish him well.....

The injuries certainly were a set back and he was not going to be able to "practice/grow" until Sept/Oct due to the latest injury....

Given this.....From EWill's thought process......Wilson and Crowder would be ahead of him.....

There is probably no denying that.....

Going to another school allows him to red-shirt.....Gain a year to grow, mature, and get his game in order......

We would have to medical redshirt him and sit on a scholly.....

So both sides came to an "agreement" that this is the best thing for all involved.....

It sucks.....It is timing......But those are the rules.....and this works out best for EWill ahead of Marquette.....

But Eric has done everything the right way so far for MU.....Time for Eric to think of himself......

Remember this:   He was the one who told Crean where to stick it when Crean wanted to move him to Inidana.....

For this alone......EWill deserves our support!

[JPapi2525]

First let me say this.....

Eric is a good kid.....a good team player.....and everyone at Marquette should wish him well.....

The injuries certainly were a set back and he was not going to be able to "practice/grow" until Sept/Oct due to the latest injury....

Given this.....From EWill's thought process......Wilson and Crowder would be ahead of him.....

There is probably no denying that.....

Going to another school allows him to red-shirt.....Gain a year to grow, mature, and get his game in order......

We would have to medical redshirt him and sit on a scholly.....

So both sides came to an "agreement" that this is the best thing for all involved.....

It sucks.....It is timing......But those are the rules.....and this works out best for EWill ahead of Marquette.....

But Eric has done everything the right way so far for MU.....Time for Eric to think of himself......

Remember this:   He was the one who told Crean where to stick it when Crean wanted to move him to Inidana.....

For this alone......EWill deserves our support!

ERIK!!!! Not Eric.

[BCHoopster]

Burger, all good points.  Buzz right now is an hot coach.  Publicity wise for MU and himself he
is at the crossroads for the program.  Timing is right to bring in a few Top 50 or 100 kids in
2012.  It should be his best recruiting year as he already has two top kids.  In saying that, Erik
being hurt had little chance of improving over the summer, so he may not have gotten much PT
time anyway next year.  The following year, he may of may not have started as a senior.  This
will enable Buzz to bring in a PF and maybe even Gabe York.  Timing might be right.

[ATWizJr]

EWill - much respect and good luck.

[Golden Avalanche]

I suspect that most teams in the Cy Springs area have a lot of guys much taller than 6'4" and have a lot of skilled players as compared to a state like Wisconsin. Think the injury had more to do with it than you might think. Obviously, he was not going to block shots at the rate he did in HS, but to go down to zilch begs the question.

If you can't get on the floor, you simply can't block any shots.

Excuse it how you will, Williams just never made the grade during his two years in Milwaukee.

[drbob]

Erik, by all accounts has stood by the program and done what has been asked of him. He was loyal to his Marquette committment after Crean left. My only take on this is that I hope that this was Erik's idea to transfer, given his injury and lack of past playing time. I hope he is not being pushed out to make room for someone else!  Not making any inuendos, as I have no inside information. I just hope it was a decision that Erik made in his own best interest.

[tower912]

EWill's HS coach flat out said that the biggest adjustment for EriK was going to be learning how to guard athletic wings on the perimeter.   He said that his entire defensive philosophy was to have everything funneled to EWill and let him block the shot underneath.    Everyone assumed that this was a skill that would be learned overnight.    Oops. 

[Nukem2]

If you can't get on the floor, you simply can't block any shots.

Excuse it how you will, Williams just never made the grade during his two years in Milwaukee.

Still, he had zero blocks in 168 minutes this past season.  highly unusual.

[NCMUFan]

I really think the importance of Erik will never be known.  Look at Coobey and Acker.  Minor role players until they were needed.  I think the time for the importance of Erik will be coming up.  The problem being, no more Erik.  I hope we have a good plan B.

[MUHoopsfan6]

I've been really pulling for EWill during his time with us.  I'll miss rooting for him to get some minutes.  Best wishes to him.  I hope things work out.

[Nukem2]

I really think the importance of Erik will never be known.  Look at Coobey and Acker.  Minor role players until they were needed.  I think the time for the importance of Erik will be coming up.  The problem being, no more Erik.  I hope we have a good plan B.

I think Plan B is Jamail Jones and Juan Anderson and Jamil wilson.  Not so worried about that.  Still wish Erik would be here; but, he's made his choice.  He was not pushed out the door.  In any event, best of wishes for Erik in his future.

[HouWarrior]

I saw both Karon and EWill play at CySprings, with similar results. Each could do, at will, what they did best. Karon was a great scorer, and good penetrator, probably playing on a better team than EWill's, whereas EWill was so long and athletic (for his level), the D fed into him for blocks, and rebounds, and he could just score over the top of his opponents.

Although the second biggest school district in Texas, Cypress Fairbanks is still a public system, not a basketball academy, or private school. It has no special budget to teach extra skills, or positioning skills. Teacher/coach pay is good, and the NW area is the nicest in Houston to live and raise families...so we attract good coaches, including Randy Gilmer (an Ohio Mr. Basketball), and John Harmatuk (from a coaching family). Both played a pretty "open" style ball.

As a CySprings resident, I am sad that both MU recruits have transfered. Both were good kids, came from nice families, and were not a problem, on or off the court. Like most from our area, I'm sure they'll succeed well in life. Each benefitted from his time at MU.
Karon is now playing in France, with Lille Metropole Basket Clubs.

BTW, the most famous athlete from CySprings is likely Cat Osterman, my neighbor. She was natl Gatorade HS Softball player of the year, 3 time college softball player of the year at UT, and a 2004 Olympic gold medalist---one of the top 5 all time softball pitchers, ever.

[Golden Avalanche]

Still, he had zero blocks in 168 minutes this past season.  highly unusual.

So you think a high school injury is the reason he couldn't block a shot in his second season of college ball?

[ZiggysFryBoy]

BTW, the most famous athlete from CySprings is likely Cat Osterman, my neighbor. She was natl Gatorade HS Softball player of the year, 3 time college softball player of the year at UT, and a 2004 Olympic gold medalist---one of the top 5 all time softball pitchers, ever.

I have to say that Karon Bradley is still the most famous CySprings athlete....

[HouWarrior]

I have to say that Karon Bradley is still the most famous CySprings athlete....

He sure is...Better known to y'all in Wisconsin, for sure.

But Cat...personally holds 4 all time NCAA career pitching records, a natl championship, ....and even has an ESPY...now thats fame. LOL