Hoping Hicks Will Be A Contributor

[shadow force]

With Snider and Mitchell gassed at the end of the Atlantis tourney it would've been great to have Hicks be able to give either of them some rest. I understand why Pitino benched him after he went shot hunting multiple times with no success, but his on ball defense was praised before the season started. I'm not sure if McMahon or somebody else is up to the challenge right now, but it would be a big plus for the guards if Hicks could work his way into the rotation and play within the flow of the system.

Will it happen? Not sure but I hope Hicks comes around.

 

[ShortCreek]

Hicks is a decent player. I hope he and Rick can mend the fences for the team's sake. Talent wise he is twice or more the better option than McMahon or Levitch. Our backcourt is our strength but without a consistent sub for them we're screwed.

 

[flyercard]

With Snider and Mitchell gassed at the end of the Bahamas tourney it would've been great to have Hicks be able to give either of them some rest. I understand why Pitino benched him after he went shot hunting multiple times with no success, but his on ball defense was praised before the season started. I'm not sure if McMahon or somebody else is up to the challenge right now, but it would be a big plus for the guards if Hicks could work his way into the rotation and play within the flow of the system.

Will it happen? Not sure but I hope Hicks comes around.

I was hoping Hicks would contribute and urged patience when he struggled in the red white scrimmages. Then he rallied against KW before thinking he was Russ Smith against Bellarmine and our opening regular season game. Don't know what the story is now.

 

[nccardfan]

I am in agreement with the OP. In fact, I think he may be a key to our success although right now it looks like CRP doesn't think he can contribute or maybe since Hicks is a 5th year player he wanted to give an opportunity to let the other players step up? Except it probably cost us the trophy

 

[ShortCreek]

Flyer, I'm confused. I went to the first red-white scrimmage and I'm pretty sure Hicks had 28 points that night. I don't recall him "struggling"?

 

[nccardfan]

Flyer, I'm confused. I went to the first red-white scrimmage and I'm pretty sure Hicks had 28 points that night. I don't recall him "struggling"?

You are right Hicks had 26 in the first scrimmage, but Jay Henderson had 26 points in the 2nd scrimmage so take it for what it's worth. Hicks had a decent game against Bellarmine going 5-8 and 12 points.

 

[shadow force]

Then he rallied against KW before thinking he was Russ Smith against Bellarmine and our opening regular season game. Don't know what the story is now.

Usually Pitino is more lenient on players on the offensive end as long as they play good on defense, though he does get upset at blatantly bad shot attempts (JJ chucking up 3 pointers for example). I suspect what you said here about Hicks thinking he was Russ Smith on offense is what is keeping him sitting.

I've only been able to see Hicks play a couple of times but he has gone shot hunting multiple times with bad results. I think if he can reign it in and try to play within the flow of the offense he'll get back on the floor. The back court needs him.

 

[earsky]

He has to be a leader when he comes in.Good start tonite.

 

[beasleythecard]

I'm not sure if McMahon or somebody else is up to the challenge right now, but it would be a big plus for the guards if Hicks could work his way into the rotation and play within the flow of the system.

McMahon looks good handling the ball

 

[shadow force]

Hicks was able to play some minutes under control and McMahon proved he can play and hit some big shots. And both of those things means more depth and some rest opportunities for the back court.

 

[ShortCreek]

Now Hicks looks hesitant to shoot the ball, no way for a player to play.

 

[shadow force]

Now Hicks looks hesitant to shoot the ball, no way for a player to play.

There has to be a middle ground with Hicks. He can score and I don't want him to be "afraid" to shoot the ball, but he can't go blatantly shot hunting whenever he feels like it. But this team does need him to play good defense, provide depth, and find ways to score within the flow of the offense.

 

[beasleythecard]

Now Hicks looks hesitant to shoot the ball, no way for a player to play.

i saw that as well.

 

[nccardfan]

Getting benched for two games might do that to you. He's got to get on CRP's good side

 

[Morgantown Card]

With Snider and Mitchell gassed at the end of the Atlantis tourney it would've been great to have Hicks be able to give either of them some rest. I understand why Pitino benched him after he went shot hunting multiple times with no success, but his on ball defense was praised before the season started. I'm not sure if McMahon or somebody else is up to the challenge right now, but it would be a big plus for the guards if Hicks could work his way into the rotation and play within the flow of the system.

Will it happen? Not sure but I hope Hicks comes around.

We were pretty spoiled by the heart and work ethic of Lee and Lewis. It's almost unfair to Hicks really because he'll get reasonably compared to them. We'll see it all come together by March; like I've said a few times, don't get disparaged by a few bad losses that will likely happen in January/early February.