Time to Start Wigg

[NATEizKING]

He needs to start, time to rip the band-aid off with the long layoff and a non-con game that doesn't really matter. Wiggi is one of those guys that needs to start off hot. It's obvious that he isn't good coming off the bench, and we know how good he is as a starter.

 

[bosco]

A lot of people are going to remember Wigginton’s made 3 in the last few minutes.

I’m going to remember Prohm’s unconscionable insistence on playing Wigginton when Haliburton was, by and large, the best f****ng player on the court. We lost this game not because of Wigginton, but because Prohm serenaded Wigginton in recruiting and doesn’t have the sack to sit him when he’s playing like garbage (which has been 80% of his minutes).

Only reason Prohm is doing it is bc for this team to max out we need Wiggs to be what he was but he isn't. Meanwhile he lost us 2 games. So the question remains are we better with Wiggs sucking balls or without.

 

[mb7299]

Guy is going to have to come back next year, I just dont see how he could leave. He's obviously not the only one thats been a highly ranked recruit that needed a few years to get it all figured out so hopefully he doesnt get down on himself. Theres still a first team big 12 player in there.

 

[fsanford]

He needs to start, time to rip the band-aid off with the long layoff and a non-con game that doesn't really matter. Wiggi is one of those guys that needs to start off hot. It's obvious that he isn't good coming off the bench, and we know how good he is as a starter.

Was thinking the same thing, before tonight I was like bring him off the bench.
But after this game, I feel he needs to start.

I think he feels he has to make a great showing coming off the bench to garner playing time.
Its a tough call but Clones are going to need him to finish season strong.

 

[Cyclonepride]

I'm still convinced that he would play better starting, just to get revved up to game speed faster.

 

[cdface]

if it turns out he's not better starting, then don't play him until you need to.

#webeforeme

 

[tyler24]

I'm wondering if the injury had a bigger impact than we know. I don't believe he should start though, that needs to be earned and he has not earned it with his play.

 

[TheSuperGenius]

Explain your disagree, Chode.

Chode, real clever bro

 

[fsanford]

if it turns out he's not better starting, then don't play him until you need to.

#webeforeme

Well that is a risk of starting him, he does not play well, his confidence could be shot, if you have a quick hook.

 

[capitalcityguy]

Gotta start him....and start him now. If he fails (which he won't), then put him back to coming off the bench but they guy is simply the type of player than needs to hit the ground running. He is sitting on the bench for 7 mins every period getting all amped up with no way to release all that energy.

 

[ClonesFTW]

Agreed. Great opportunity to test a different lineup before returning to Big 12 play, especially when we wouldn’t be penalized for a quadrant 1 loss on the road worst case.

 

[JaCyn]

I wouldn’t come back and play for this fan base if I was him. Pathetic how quickly people have turned on him.

I doubt it's up to him.

 

[CYphyllis]

Giving him a starting spot is not going to correct the sophomore consistency slump he's currently in. I'm not going to read through this entire thread to figure out the group think dynamic is on this, but the reality is that he's just off his game. I don't know if he's pressing or if he's still hampered by the injury, either way, inserting him into the starting lineup isn't going to fix these issues.

Building that confidence back up along with recorrecting his lower half shooting motion through practice is going to be the only way.

 

[CYphyllis]

I wouldn’t come back and play for this fan base if I was him. Pathetic how quickly people have turned on him.

You are such a ******* drama queen.

 

[SwirlyBird]

I wouldn’t come back and play for this fan base if I was him. Pathetic how quickly people have turned on him.

Big YIKES to this clown

 

[Knownothing]

I wouldn’t come back and play for this fan base if I was him. Pathetic how quickly people have turned on him.

This is dumb. We have the best fan base. Any fan base in the country would question why their superstar guard who is supposed to be going to the NBA next year is shooting 20 percent from the field and making dumb plays. EVERY fanbase does that.

 

[stateofmind]

This is dumb. We have the best fan base. Any fan base in the country would question why their superstar guard who is supposed to be going to the NBA next year is shooting 20 percent from the field and making dumb plays. EVERY fanbase does that.

Does that make it right?

 

[HitItHard58]

Does that make it right?

Going overboard and dragging somebody through the mud isn't right but a lot of fans are irrational. Nothing wrong with questioning what's going on and pointing out his sub par play. Some people just choose to not be as insulting as possible while doing it.

 

[FinalFourCy]

He needs to start, time to rip the band-aid off with the long layoff and a non-con game that doesn't really matter. Wiggi is one of those guys that needs to start off hot. It's obvious that he isn't good coming off the bench, and we know how good he is as a starter.

How good was he as a starter?
He shot the ball better last year on open 3Ps (when he handled it less imo). He was still low on the tough shots. Bigger than starting to “get him in the flow” we should be using Babb, TH and the other guards more to get him open looks and easy driving lanes. The amount of opportunities to shoot his way to getting hot that he enjoyed last year on a bad team isn’t available now, whether he starts or not. Whether it be injury or concentration, his defense as a litmus test suggests he’s not ready for a starting role.

We lost a close game in a tough venue for many reasons, Wigginton not starting being far down the list. Overall a good effort by the players.

 

[CYdTracked]

I honestly don't know what the right answer is for what to do with Wiggy right now. I can see how maybe starting him might get him going faster in a game but what kind of message does that send to the other 4 guys who are playing better than him right now? You can't bench Shayok, NWB probably is in the same boat because he's the steady leader on the floor but he also is the 1 guy I could see having no problems coming off the bench, and it would be a horrible thing to bench Haliburton or THT when those 2 kids have far exceeded our expectations as freshmen and haven't done anything to deserve to lose their starting spot with their play.

More than his struggles shooting the ball is that Wigginton just doesn't play that great of defense to make up for a poor shooting night right now. At least if Shayok, THT or Haliburton aren't hitting their shots they usually still play good defense. I was frustrated last night why Prohm didn't go to Talley or Lewis instead of Wiggy when KU made their run that essentially won them the game. Even if those 2 didn't take a single shot they probably would have helped more on defense. Wiggy is a talented player but at some point if he is not hitting his shots when he is in the game we have to do what is best for the team and play the guys that give us the best chance to win.

I can tell you right now I am not worried about Wigginton leaving for the NBA with the way he has played this season. If he can't play coming off the bench that is probably something NBA scouts have noticed because he already was a fringe 1st round pick coming into this season and more than likely was going to be nothing more than a bench player to begin in the NBA at where he likely would get drafted. Hate to say it but it may wind up just being a lost season for him and he'll have to use the offseason to get things in order and work on having a good junior season taking Shayok's place in the lineup next year.