Austin Williams Commits to Rutgers

[Knight Owl]

Former mid-major and now Nuggets guard Jalen Pickett averaged 15 ppg while at Sienna.
He has a similar build to Austin although Jalen is a better outside shooter and a little stronger/more athletic, but there are some similarities in their games. If Austin and Derek each score 10 ppg in 20 min per game then you’re getting decent production assuming GG, Noah and Cliff are also in double figures. The real question marks are how much Mag/Hyatt/Palmqvist contribute and how the backup centers do.

 

[Rac'nRoll]

Oh Austin is 20 minutes per game good. Don’t worry ‘bout that.

I'll take the under on 20 per game

 

[FinalFourOrBust_rivals142702]

Don’t think the guy has any other P6 offers. Don’t get your hopes up.

 

[Knight Owl]

Don’t think the guy has any other P6 offers. Don’t get your hopes up.

Well there was an obvious need at guard at Rutgers after Cam and Paul bolted. Noah and Simpson playing 40 minutes each isn’t a good recipe.

https://sports.yahoo.com/rutgers-basketball-lands-austin-williams-095031394.html

 

[RUChoppin]

When was the last time we carried 13 scholarship guys into the start of the season without granting a scholarship to a walk-on? Checking college-reference, I think it might have been 2005-06? Does anyone know for sure?

 

[RutgersChow]

Well there was an obvious need at guard at Rutgers after Cam and Paul bolted. Noah and Simpson playing 40 minutes each isn’t a good recipe.

https://sports.yahoo.com/rutgers-basketball-lands-austin-williams-095031394.html

By the end of the year JaMichael Davis will be getting 15 minutes a game at the point.

 

[MiloTalon13]

By the end of the year JaMichael Davis will be getting 15 minutes a game at the point.

I hope this gone true and it does because he’s really good as opposed to a lack of other good options
I think he’s got the tools hopefully he learns the college game quickly

 

[Scarlet83]

Richie watched a 1:30 highlight reel. lol. Maybe he can have a week of practice first? No need to slot him in anywhere...Kind of silly....The better players will get more minutes...It' 's really [pretty simple...Pike knows what he's doing

Correct. And a lot will depend on matchups. Amd the matchup advantages that Pike wants to create.

And it’s not like Noah and Derek won’t play together, cause they will. And when they play together, it won’t be easy for the opponent to match our guard speed. And then there is JMike also!!

 

[FinalFourOrBust_rivals142702]

Well there was an obvious need at guard at Rutgers after Cam and Paul bolted. Noah and Simpson playing 40 minutes each isn’t a good recipe.

https://sports.yahoo.com/rutgers-basketball-lands-austin-williams-095031394.html

Yea he’s a good depth piece. Some of you are acting like he’s gonna be more than that.

 

[Knight Owl]

By the end of the year JaMichael Davis will be getting 15 minutes a game at the point.

JaMike will need to learn some “old man basketball” if he intends to drive the paint. Austin has mastered the old man big guard in the paint game. JaMike ain’t gonna be dunking on people in half court BIGTen basketball and I hope he turns out to be a great assist guy (he certainly will playing with Ace next year) and shooter from deep.

 

[Jerseylegends]

Yea he’s a good depth piece. Some of you are acting like he’s gonna be more than that.

I've seen this sentiment from a lot of you and it surprises me. I was legit nervous about Rutgers going into the season with Simpson as starting 2 guard. Simpson flashes but he gets a little too out of control for my liking. I do think he will have improved his outside shot, it looked good last year, just didn't shoot a good percentage, maybe more confident this year. But defensively is what I was really worried about. I like to consider myself a wing lol an older one but still If Simpson was guarding me, I'd think give me the ball every time lol the kid is small, looks like a baby out there. I really like jamichael Davis' game, can't wait to see what it looks like at this level. But Austin seems to have been the best available option for a 2 guard that maybe won't be an offensive threat but can help keep the defensive identity Rutgers has developed. I think he starts..

 

[RUChoppin]

I've seen this sentiment from a lot of you and it surprises me. I was legit nervous about Rutgers going into the season with Simpson as starting 2 guard. Simpson flashes but he gets a little too out of control for my liking. I do think he will have improved his outside shot, it looked good last year, just didn't shoot a good percentage, maybe more confident this year. But defensively is what I was really worried about. I like to consider myself a wing lol an older one but still If Simpson was guarding me, I'd think give me the ball every time lol the kid is small, looks like a baby out there. I really like jamichael Davis' game, can't wait to see what it looks like at this level. But Austin seems to have been the best available option for a 2 guard that maybe won't be an offensive threat but can help keep the defensive identity Rutgers has developed. I think he starts..

We thankfully now have several options at guard, with a lot of different lineups. Simpson did well toward the end of last year, but he's more of a slasher/combo type guard better suited to be on-ball. Fernandes is similar in skillset. Williams/Williams give us some different looks, and I'm sure we'll see someone emerge as the season progresses who will grab that 2-guard starting spot... but there will be a rotation across the 1-3 spots.

Right now I don't see a clear definitive "best" player at the 2. I think I'm pretty confident we'll see Fernandes, Griffiths, Mag, and Omoruyi in the top five minute-getters... but that last spot isn't certain for me, and we may end up with 6 guys getting starter-quantity of minutes.

 

[FinalFourOrBust_rivals142702]

I've seen this sentiment from a lot of you and it surprises me. I was legit nervous about Rutgers going into the season with Simpson as starting 2 guard. Simpson flashes but he gets a little too out of control for my liking. I do think he will have improved his outside shot, it looked good last year, just didn't shoot a good percentage, maybe more confident this year. But defensively is what I was really worried about. I like to consider myself a wing lol an older one but still If Simpson was guarding me, I'd think give me the ball every time lol the kid is small, looks like a baby out there. I really like jamichael Davis' game, can't wait to see what it looks like at this level. But Austin seems to have been the best available option for a 2 guard that maybe won't be an offensive threat but can help keep the defensive identity Rutgers has developed. I think he starts..

If Williams was that good he would have had other P6 offers over the past SEVEN years. I’m not gonna act like I know much about the guy but isn’t that a little telling?

Ant Wright has simpson as the 5th best shooting guard in the big ten to enter the season and he was arguably our best player the last 2 weeks when actually given extended minutes. It’s Simpsons job to lose.

 

[Jerseylegends]

If Williams was that good he would have had other P6 offers over the past SEVEN years. I’m not gonna act like I know much about the guy but isn’t that a little telling?

Ant Wright has simpson as the 5th best shooting guard in the big ten to enter the season and he was arguably our best player the last 2 weeks when actually given extended minutes. It’s Simpsons job to lose.

5th best sg in the big 10? I mean, who was the best last year? Sensabaugh from Ohio State? And defensively he left alot to be desired. He was much bigger than Simpson. I agree with the above post about Simpsons ideal position being pg. Idk who these other wings are in the league but I don't know if Simpson can be asked to guard them. Time will tell..

 

[FinalFourOrBust_rivals142702]

5th best sg in the big 10? I mean, who was the best last year? Sensabaugh from Ohio State? And defensively he left alot to be desired. He was much bigger than Simpson. I agree with the above post about Simpsons ideal position being pg. Idk who these other wings are in the league but I don't know if Simpson can be asked to guard them. Time will tell..

Yea but we’re talking about 2023-2024. Who are these big ten shooting guards you’re taking over simpson? There aren’t many. He was arguably our best player the last two months while Williams was getting ignored by high majors.

 

[MiloTalon13]

Yea but we’re talking about 2023-2024. Who are these big ten shooting guards you’re taking over simpson? There aren’t many. He was arguably our best player the last two months while Williams was getting ignored by high majors.

The last 2 months of the season - February and March - that's a 13 game stretch
Simpson averaged: 8.9 ppg, 2.2 reb, 1.5 ast, shot 18.2% from 3 and 40% overall
He played about 22 mins/game and we went 5-8

 

[Nycrusupporter]

5th best sg in the big 10? I mean, who was the best last year? Sensabaugh from Ohio State? And defensively he left alot to be desired. He was much bigger than Simpson. I agree with the above post about Simpsons ideal position being pg. Idk who these other wings are in the league but I don't know if Simpson can be asked to guard them. Time will tell..

The problem with Simpson is he is not a good ballhandler or distributor, which is why Pike had no choice but to bring in Noah Fernandes to address these issues. Simpson will play some backup PG, but will probably see more time as a SG.

 

[FinalFourOrBust_rivals142702]

The last 2 months of the season - February and March - that's a 13 game stretch
Simpson averaged: 8.9 ppg, 2.2 reb, 1.5 ast, shot 18.2% from 3 and 40% overall
He played about 22 mins/game and we went 5-8

I meant last 2 weeks as I said in my other post. Williams would be at Siena if Rutgers didn’t take him. Let that sink in.

 

[FinalFourOrBust_rivals142702]

The problem with Simpson is he is not a good ballhandler or distributor, which is why Pike had no choice but to bring in Noah Fernandes to address these issues. Simpson will play some backup PG, but will probably see more time as a SG.

No pike brought in fernandez because Paul was a subpar pg. It had nothing to with Simpson because simpson is a shooting guard.

 

[Nycrusupporter]

No pike brought in fernandez because Paul was a subpar pg. It had nothing to with Simpson because simpson is a shooting guard.

Simpson is a combo guard, but right now he is better as a SG than a PG. He was terrible bringing the ball up against pressure last year, as was Paul, which forced us to use Cam Spencer as our only serviceable ballhandler in the back court, even though that is not his game and put him out of position as a shooter, which is his game.

 

[MiloTalon13]

I meant last 2 weeks as I said in my other post. Williams would be at Siena if Rutgers didn’t take him. Let that sink in.

You'd have to look at Austin Williams' other opportunities when he went to FIU - which I agree, doesn't paint a great picture

However, apply that same logic to Simpson, he had one other high major offer - from Jersey's Bobby Hurley at Arizona State. Other than that, Rider, Delaware, Fairfield and the like. If Rutgers didn't take SImpson he would likely be at Rider.

 

[MiloTalon13]

I meant last 2 weeks as I said in my other post. Williams would be at Siena if Rutgers didn’t take him. Let that sink in.

Simpson in the last 2 weeks of the season 3/1-3/14
5 games, we went 1-4
13.2 ppg on 13.4 shots/game - 20% 3-point shooting, 38.8% shooting overall, 69% from the line
2.4 rebounds/game 2.2 ast, 1.2 stl, 1.6 TO

Same time period
Cam - 16.6 ppg on 11.2 shots/game, 48% from 3, 52% overall, 78% FT
4.8 reb, 3.0 ast, 1.0 stl, 1.0 TO
Cliff - 13.4 ppg on 11 shots, 53.7% from the field, 60% FT
7.6 reb, 2.6 blks

If you think Simpson was "arguably our best player the last 2 weeks" you are watching basketball in a very different way than I do. There is ZERO argument that he was our best player in that time period.

 

[Nycrusupporter]

Simpson in the last 2 weeks of the season 3/1-3/14
5 games, we went 1-4
13.2 ppg on 13.4 shots/game - 20% 3-point shooting, 38.8% shooting overall, 69% from the line
2.4 rebounds/game 2.2 ast, 1.2 stl, 1.6 TO

Same time period
Cam - 16.6 ppg on 11.2 shots/game, 48% from 3, 52% overall, 78% FT
4.8 reb, 3.0 ast, 1.0 stl, 1.0 TO
Cliff - 13.4 ppg on 11 shots, 53.7% from the field, 60% FT
7.6 reb, 2.6 blks

If you think Simpson was "arguably our best player the last 2 weeks" you are watching basketball in a very different way than I do. There is ZERO argument that he was our best player in that time period.

Simpson took lots of shots, but he wasn’t playing winning basketball.

 

[NickRU714]

You'd have to look at Austin Williams' other opportunities when he went to FIU - which I agree, doesn't paint a great picture

However, apply that same logic to Simpson, he had one other high major offer - from Jersey's Bobby Hurley at Arizona State. Other than that, Rider, Delaware, Fairfield and the like. If Rutgers didn't take SImpson he would likely be at Rider.

Not a great analogy with Simpson.

If Derek entered the Transfer Portal this past offseason - what level would his opportunities be at?
However, not really sure how that could be evaluated since he didn't actually enter.

 

[FinalFourOrBust_rivals142702]

You'd have to look at Austin Williams' other opportunities when he went to FIU - which I agree, doesn't paint a great picture

However, apply that same logic to Simpson, he had one other high major offer - from Jersey's Bobby Hurley at Arizona State. Other than that, Rider, Delaware, Fairfield and the like. If Rutgers didn't take SImpson he would likely be at Rider.

Yea simpson wasn’t highly recruited out of hs as he played for a public school and committed to Rutgers pretty early on. If he went into the portal after his freshman year, though, you know P5 schools would have been all over him. Not elite ones like Kentucky and Duke but middle of the road schools for sure.

 

[MiloTalon13]

Simpson took lots of shots, but he wasn’t playing winning basketball.

Exactly - you said what I was trying to show - but you used far fewer words

 

[MiloTalon13]

Not a great analogy with Simpson.

If Derek entered the Transfer Portal this past offseason - what level would his opportunities be at?
However, not really sure how that could be evaluated since he didn't actually enter.

If we were looking at a small combo guard as a portal target who shot 21.7% on the season from 3 and 16.7% from 3 in the conference - 37% overall from the field. Would we have been excited about that player?

 

[FinalFourOrBust_rivals142702]

Simpson in the last 2 weeks of the season 3/1-3/14
5 games, we went 1-4
13.2 ppg on 13.4 shots/game - 20% 3-point shooting, 38.8% shooting overall, 69% from the line
2.4 rebounds/game 2.2 ast, 1.2 stl, 1.6 TO

Same time period
Cam - 16.6 ppg on 11.2 shots/game, 48% from 3, 52% overall, 78% FT
4.8 reb, 3.0 ast, 1.0 stl, 1.0 TO
Cliff - 13.4 ppg on 11 shots, 53.7% from the field, 60% FT
7.6 reb, 2.6 blks

If you think Simpson was "arguably our best player the last 2 weeks" you are watching basketball in a very different way than I do. There is ZERO argument that he was our best player in that time period.

Cutting off your sample size right before the penn state game isn’t very fair. But sure let’s say he was the teams third best player down the stretch. That’s not bad for a true freshman getting his only real consistent playing time of the year. Our ceiling depend on him and Gavin this year. Everyone else is a known quantity.

 

[FinalFourOrBust_rivals142702]

Not a great analogy with Simpson.

If Derek entered the Transfer Portal this past offseason - what level would his opportunities be at?
However, not really sure how that could be evaluated since he didn't actually enter.

Exactly. He’d be starting for at least half of the big ten this year.

 

[MiloTalon13]

Cutting off your sample size right before the penn state game isn’t very fair. But sure let’s say he was the teams third best player down the stretch. That’s not bad for a true freshman getting his only real consistent playing time of the year. Our ceiling depend on him and Gavin this year. Everyone else is a known quantity.

I didn't choose the sample size. That's the last 2 weeks of the season.

I hope Simpson is great this year, I truly do.

 

[FinalFourOrBust_rivals142702]

I didn't choose the sample size. That's the last 2 weeks of the season.

I hope Simpson is great this year, I truly do.

You know what you did and I get why you needed to do that. It was your only play.

 

[Jerseylegends]

Exactly. He’d be starting for at least half of the big ten this year.

Man, I guess I'm not seeing it. I hope he is as good as you're saying. I anticipate jamichael Davis surpassing Simpson in the rotation. Hopefully Simpsons shot has become more consistent, only way I see him holding off Davis..

 

[Jerseylegends]

You know what you did and I get why you needed to do that. It was your only play.

It was his pace and speed that changed the entire team. Taking mulcahy off the ball changed everything, Hence moving to a faster pg this year..

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

Yea but we’re talking about 2023-2024. Who are these big ten shooting guards you’re taking over simpson? There aren’t many. He was arguably our best player the last two months while Williams was getting ignored by high majors.

Cliff is and was our best player.......no need to even argue

Simpson made a grand total of 13 3 pointers last year and shot like 21%. In his 3 game stretch as THE point guard he took 48 shots and managed only 8 assists. We also were 1-2.

I don't see Simpson as a PG and I just don't see him good enough to be a starting 2 guard. Saying he will be one of the better B1G shooting guards takes a huge leap of faith.

I expect him to be a very important part of the team next year. I just think these expectations are a little much.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

It was his pace and speed that changed the entire team. Taking mulcahy off the ball changed everything, Hence moving to a faster pg this year..

With Mulcahy hurt or in a terrible slump AND with the 2022-23 team yes.

If we truly have more weapons this year we don't want someone changing the speed and pace. We need someone getting us in our sets, getting a few reversals and finding GG coming off a low weakside Cliff screen.

 

[MiloTalon13]

You know what you did and I get why you needed to do that. It was your only play.

I was replying to a post that said "last two weeks of the season"

 

[FinalFourOrBust_rivals142702]

Man, I guess I'm not seeing it. I hope he is as good as you're saying. I anticipate jamichael Davis surpassing Simpson in the rotation. Hopefully Simpsons shot has become more consistent, only way I see him holding off Davis..

You’re misinterpreting me thinking he’s gonna be a star. I don’t think that. I’m saying he’ll be ahead of the guy who’s only other option was Siena and to point out the lack of quality 2 guards in the big ten this year.

 

[Knight Owl]

You’re misinterpreting me thinking he’s gonna be a star. I don’t think that. I’m saying he’ll be ahead of the guy who’s only other option was Siena and to point out the lack of quality 2 guards in the big ten this year.

Yeah. Purdue has an 8 foot center so they just want guards that shoot 3’s at a high percentage and can lob the ball in to Edey. Problem is they aren’t good guards and Austin would bully their starting guards in practice.

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

With Mulcahy hurt or in a terrible slump AND with the 2022-23 team yes.

If we truly have more weapons this year we don't want someone changing the speed and pace. We need someone getting us in our sets, getting a few reversals and finding GG coming off a low weakside Cliff screen.

100% this. People tend to put a premium on the expected jump that will be made from frosh to sophomore season. Usually (I know not always - folks can throw a certain Wisconsin player at me..). But USUALLY, the year over year jump seen from frosh to sophomore season is more prevalent on the defensive side and on offense it’s simply about making less bonehead decisions and seeing more PT. That’s why we saw a kid like Caleb who doubled down on D boost his stock after his first season vs Geo where the jump wasn’t as pronounced (outside of better ball handling decisions). I agree with you - expecting Simpson to go from 21% three point shooting at high usage to something north of 30% with similar per minute volume figures to be a Leap of faith. We’ll see.