As has been perfectly reasoned, Foster Wonders needs to be playing more. I'd say about 20 minutes per game right now would be about right. I really couldn't care less about his defensive deficiencies. He was not recruited to be a stopper. He was recruited to score points. This team definitely needs the points as well as a consistent threat from 3. Marcus NEEDS the help and the added space he'd have to work with by employing Wonders appropriately on offense would really help open things up for him as well as driving lanes for Lance, who I'd much rather see aggressively attacking the rim early and getting a good rhythm before bombing away. Its almost as painfully obvious as it was that we needed a true big playing the 5.
Also, Ferguson's absence in the rotation is a bit puzzling with some of our guard/wing struggles. He's not a defensive liability, has a nice stroke from deep, and may very well be our most athletic player overall. He showed really well scoring in double figures with an array of athletic plays in the preseason tuneup against Alabama. Looked then like he'd be a key contributor, especially with the way Mullins was talking him up. I'm excited for this kids future. He's gonna be really good for us.
--Insert something witty here--
As has been perfectly reasoned, Foster Wonders needs to be playing more. I'd say about 20 minutes per game right now would be about right. I really couldn't care less about his defensive deficiencies. He was not recruited to be a stopper. He was recruited to score points. This team definitely needs the points as well as a consistent threat from 3. Marcus NEEDS the help and the added space he'd have to work with by employing Wonders appropriately on offense would really help open things up for him as well as driving lanes for Lance, who I'd much rather see aggressively attacking the rim early and getting a good rhythm before bombing away. Its almost as painfully obvious as it was that we needed a true big playing the 5.
Also, Ferguson's absence in the rotation is a bit puzzling with some of our guard/wing struggles. He's not a defensive liability, has a nice stroke from deep, and may very well be our most athletic player overall. He showed really well scoring in double figures with an array of athletic plays in the preseason tuneup against Alabama. Looked then like he'd be a key contributor, especially with the way Mullins was talking him up. I'm excited for this kids future. He's gonna be really good for us.
Wonders has now been in the program 1 1/2 years and this team has been hurting for offense in general and 3-point shooting in particular. Time to take the training wheels off and deal with whatever growing pains/defensive tradeoffs are necessary. Challenge him to shoot 6-7 threes a game and stick with him when shots aren't falling.
If that doesn't happen and he continues to alternate DNPs and playing 6-8 minutes a game, it's a player development or recruiting fail.
And I also agree on Ferguson. I'm all about upside, and this team could have more upside with guys like Wonders and Ferguson (and Ebube and Hornecker) than some of the defensive-minded veterans who are favored in the rotation.
We were not ready to play Saturday. N Iowa was ready. Hence, we lost.
The advancement and diffusion of knowledge is the only guardian of true liberty.
James Madison
@invisiblesaluki Yep. I confused Brown with Wonders. Wonders has yet to shoot a FT. Cussed myself when I heard the playback.
@mikereis I was way too harsh on you there. It's not like I'd do any better doing your job.
@invisiblesaluki thanks. You're fine. I want to know mistakes. Cuz I make em! Hopefully most of them get corrected in real time.
I'm not concerned about Saluki broadcasting GOAT Mike Reis making the occasional mistake. I am concerned about Foster Wonders having attempted zero free throws at this point of the season. I know he is primarily an outside shooter, but the kid scored A LOT of points in high school and the timidity when he is out there and shortage of playing time (which probably go hand-in-hand) for an offensively challenged squad is getting a bit worrisome.
Still time for Foster to finish the year strong and for the coaches to show some more confidence in him.
Foster scored 11 points last time we played Ind. State, so chances are there are some good match-ups for him to see a lot of floor time.
I'm not concerned about Saluki broadcasting GOAT Mike Reis making the occasional mistake. I am concerned about Foster Wonders having attempted zero free throws at this point of the season. I know he is primarily an outside shooter, but the kid scored A LOT of points in high school and the timidity when he is out there and shortage of playing time (which probably go hand-in-hand) for an offensively challenged squad is getting a bit worrisome.
Still time for Foster to finish the year strong and for the coaches to show some more confidence in him.
Same thing with Dalton Banks. Great scorer in high school but he’s a Junior now and still has minimal impact on the offensive end. I know both benefited from being at smaller schools with less talent but just feels like there’s a development problem on the offensive end with everyone not named Domask and Jones.
I'm not concerned about Saluki broadcasting GOAT Mike Reis making the occasional mistake. I am concerned about Foster Wonders having attempted zero free throws at this point of the season. I know he is primarily an outside shooter, but the kid scored A LOT of points in high school and the timidity when he is out there and shortage of playing time (which probably go hand-in-hand) for an offensively challenged squad is getting a bit worrisome.
Still time for Foster to finish the year strong and for the coaches to show some more confidence in him.
Same thing with Dalton Banks. Great scorer in high school but he’s a Junior now and still has minimal impact on the offensive end. I know both benefited from being at smaller schools with less talent but just feels like there’s a development problem on the offensive end with everyone not named Domask and Jones.
There definitely are issues with development on the offensive end. Scherz has implemented a beautiful offense at Indiana State, and SIU could learn a lot from the way they cut and play with great tempo. To your comment about Banks, I don't think he has the offensive upside Wonders does. Doesn't mean he can't be a useful role player, though.
I'm not concerned about Saluki broadcasting GOAT Mike Reis making the occasional mistake. I am concerned about Foster Wonders having attempted zero free throws at this point of the season. I know he is primarily an outside shooter, but the kid scored A LOT of points in high school and the timidity when he is out there and shortage of playing time (which probably go hand-in-hand) for an offensively challenged squad is getting a bit worrisome.
Still time for Foster to finish the year strong and for the coaches to show some more confidence in him.
Same thing with Dalton Banks. Great scorer in high school but he’s a Junior now and still has minimal impact on the offensive end. I know both benefited from being at smaller schools with less talent but just feels like there’s a development problem on the offensive end with everyone not named Domask and Jones.
There definitely are issues with development on the offensive end. Scherz has implemented a beautiful offense at Indiana State, and SIU could learn a lot from the way they cut and play with great tempo. To your comment about Banks, I don't think he has the offensive upside Wonders does. Doesn't mean he can't be a useful role player, though.
Different players. Banks is more of a ball handler and slasher who has improved, at least to date, his 3pt shooting this year. Wonders strength is his pure shooting ability.
I understand Wonders' strength is 3 point shooting but I would like to see him drive when guarded close and get some 2's also. This would open up the 3 more for him. I think his upside is really high but he needs to play more to get into the flow and expand his game.
I understand Wonders' strength is 3 point shooting but I would like to see him drive when guarded close and get some 2's also. This would open up the 3 more for him. I think his upside is really high but he needs to play more to get into the flow and expand his game.
I would love to see that as well, just not sure it's part of his game, especially since he doesn't have the quickness of Jones, Banks, etc. I attribute that same lack of quickness to his need for improvement on the defensive side of the ball as well.
