More playing time for Utomi?

[1981 grad]

Utomi scored 19 points in 15 minutes last game.  If playing time is earned and not given, then Daniel Utomi has earned 20 minutes of playing time next game.  With the tournament coming up where we will have to play 3 games in 3 days, it would be nice to know if Utomi can be a consistent player.  However, that is not going to happen if you limit him to 10 minutes per game unless he gets hot.  Currently, we have 4 guards, Antino, Noah, Josh and Dunn Martin.  In the beginning of the season, KD started Josh as a forward.  Josh is mainly a 3 point shooter and is shooting 35% on the 3 ball.  Utomi, is limited play is shooting 50% from the 3 line.  Utomi has gotten to the foul line more times that Josh playing one quarter of the minutes.  KD should keep Josh as a 2 guard and Utomi should pick up the extra minutes.  (I like to see Josh with Dunn Martin or Antino since they are more aggressive on dribble drive penetration and can create shots for Josh.)

 

We  have 4 forwards, Jimond, Kwan, Utomi and Aron Jackson.  If Jimond and Kwan were to play around 28 minutes, that would leave 20 minutes for Utomi and about 5 minutes for Aron Jackson.  I always liked Aron's hustle game but he is having a bad shooting year from the 3 line at 22%.  The last couple of games he has just played 4 minutes.  Utomi is not as good a rebounder as Kwan or Jimond but he does have an inside game and would like to see him score more around the basket.  He is not a liability on defense.  If Utomi can turn into a consistent double digit scorer it gives us  a better chance of winning in Cleveland. 

 

 

 

 

 

[zippy5]

You're forgetting a certain Big fella. 

[kreed5120]

Utomi has seemed to eat away at Aaron Jackson minutes and rightfully so. He'll get minutes at both the 3 and 4.

[skip-zip]

I'll make this easy.  Keith is going to play Utomi, Aaron, Poke, Tavian and Josh depending on the opponent, the game situation, the player match-ups, foul situations, his "own gut feeling", etc.  They all have different skills that can help us at different times.  They are also still all prone to being completely ineffective at times.  

 

It's a fluid situation from game to game, and week to week, and that won't change.

 

For me, the Hughes situation right now is the most puzzling to me.  

 

Edited February 12, 2017 by skip-zip

[LZIp]

Utomi is silky smooth.I've said before it feels like he never misses. Him continuing to come along could prove to be a difference maker come March. I remember earlier in the season, he said he wasn't getting more playing time because of his defense. That made me pay close attention to his defense and I really don't feel it is all that bad. Looking forward to seeing him the rest of this year and his career as he should turn into a key player.

[zippy5]

I love his game. Built like a tank too. When he gets that aggressiveness and drives to the hoop a little more, not many in the MAC are gonna stop him

[clarkwgriswold]

Seems like he's built to be a 3 but has become the primary replacement for Kwan at the 4.  He could also play the two in some situations.  I think we're going to see more and more of him and he's a foundational piece next year and beyond.

[Valpo Zip]

Utomi has been very very impressive. I don't remember a better performing freshman since Nate Linhart.

 

[akronzips71]

He could be our next big time scorer. He is a guy who knows how to put the ball into the basket. In a different program he could be playing 40 minutes and scoring 30

[kreed5120]

With the Zips losing both Kwan an Big Dog, it wouldn't surprise me if they start Utomi at the 4 next year.

[wadszip]

16 minutes ago, kreed5120 said:

With the Zips losing both Kwan an Big Dog, it wouldn't surprise me if they start Utomi at the 4 next year.

I think it's a given that Utomi is the starting 4 next year. It's actually a reason for optimism, too. Because the 4 and 5 spots are huge question marks.