Since he should still be in HS right now, he is seeing just how much more physical D1 basketball is to HS (and UCF hasn't even started conf play yet which will be even more physical).
While both centers were Freshmen last night, #8 Matas Vokietaitis is an experienced 20 yr old while 18 yr old Thiam grew up playing soccer.
Matas was a lot more polished and stronger than Thiam as Thiam tried to use his elbows as leverage (doesn't have the body/arm strength yet) and refs were all over that last night.
Last night, Thiam was -15 while Williams lead UCF with +20 as UCF was able to go small when Matas got into foul trouble in both halfs.
Matas ended up playing just 18 mins but he was a +12 (only behind Walker who was +14 for them).
Jocius obviously struggles somewhat on both ends of the floor so when Thiam goes out, the shorter Williams has to play the 5.
Not sure UCF can always go small but they are a lot quicker when Thiam is out as you normally habe 5 shooters and ball handlers out there so the ball doesn't stick as much.
Thiam wont get better sitting onnthe bench so there will be games like last night when he gets dominated and or gets into foul trouble but this experience should help him grow into a much better player in the future...a future which I hope will be at UCF.
While both centers were Freshmen last night, #8 Matas Vokietaitis is an experienced 20 yr old while 18 yr old Thiam grew up playing soccer.
Matas was a lot more polished and stronger than Thiam as Thiam tried to use his elbows as leverage (doesn't have the body/arm strength yet) and refs were all over that last night.
Last night, Thiam was -15 while Williams lead UCF with +20 as UCF was able to go small when Matas got into foul trouble in both halfs.
Matas ended up playing just 18 mins but he was a +12 (only behind Walker who was +14 for them).
Jocius obviously struggles somewhat on both ends of the floor so when Thiam goes out, the shorter Williams has to play the 5.
Not sure UCF can always go small but they are a lot quicker when Thiam is out as you normally habe 5 shooters and ball handlers out there so the ball doesn't stick as much.
Thiam wont get better sitting onnthe bench so there will be games like last night when he gets dominated and or gets into foul trouble but this experience should help him grow into a much better player in the future...a future which I hope will be at UCF.
