Is Stauskas A Better Shooter Than Rice?

Submitted by maznbluwolverine on

  I grew up in Flint and followed Rice throughout his high school and college career, but this kid can shoot.  I didn't think I'd ever see a better college stroke than Glen.

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CommodityTrader

December 1st, 2012 at 8:50 PM ^

Fisher was asked after the tournament run if Glen Rice was the greatest shooter he'd ever seen. Fisher said, Rice wasn't even the best shooter on the team. The reporters all laughed, but fisher told them it was Rob Pelinka. Most of you won't even remember Pelinka, but as a shooter he was unbelievable. In pre game warm ups he would warmup up until he made 100 shots. The one night I counter he was 100/120 from all over the gym including 30 footers. That's the difference between a great basketball player and just a great shooter.

Joined: 11/20/2012

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Don

December 1st, 2012 at 8:33 PM ^

Bullshit. Your statement "I didn't think I'd ever see a better college stroke than Glen." is directly implying that you think Stauskas is a better shooter. You wouldn't have made the statement otherwise. You're as entitled to your opinion as anyone else is here, but don't try to run away from it after you've learned that most everybody else thinks you're wrong.

Joined: 06/30/2008

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buddhafrog

December 1st, 2012 at 9:06 PM ^

Agreed.  Way too soon to ask this question.

However, I've been saying for the last few games that no one has reminded me more of Glen Rice than Stauskas.  They have very similar games.

Better shooter?  It doesn't even matter even if it could be answered.

But the OP's point stands: Stauskas is a pure shooter, just like Rice.

Joined: 09/28/2009

MGoPoints: 21392

champswest

December 1st, 2012 at 9:43 PM ^

he scored a lot more points than Nik has. However, I think that that Glen averaged around 9 points his freshman year, on a very good team, and Nik could top that on an even better team.

Joined: 10/04/2009

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TheGeneral

December 1st, 2012 at 10:27 PM ^

If you believe that you should look up that team and the players on it there is no chance at all this team is that good. That's not to slight our current team but back then not only was the team loaded with NBA players but they were juniors and seniors. College basketball as a whole has dropped off greatly because of players leaving earlier and earlier.

Joined: 03/10/2012

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Raoul

December 1st, 2012 at 10:50 PM ^

For the record, Rice's career 3-point percentage at Michigan was 48.04%. That other player you mentioned averaged only 42.27%

Garde Thompson holds the Michigan career record at 48.08%, but the 3-point line was in effect for only his senior year.

Rice holds the single-season percentage record at 51.56% (1988-89).

Joined: 09/29/2009

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StephenRKass

December 1st, 2012 at 10:48 PM ^

I'm not sure yet between the two. I did have season tickets when Rice was at Michigan. Actually, I defended him in pickup ball at the CCRB many years ago.

However, put a gun to my head:

  • I think Stauskas has a quicker release, and is a better shooter.
  • I think that Rice was a better overall player and athlete.

Obviously enough, we won't know for sure until many more games have passed. Rice was such a great talent, and had a long and successful NBA career.

I will say, a significant part of Stauskas' effectiveness is his ability to drive to the basket. If someone guards him too tight, he blows by for a layup. If someone stays back, Stauskas will hit a three.

It is way, way, way premature, but I'm starting to wonder if Stauskas has a significant future in the NBA. His ability to get off a shot immediately is something very, very few freshmen are able to do. And he is more automatic from the FT line than virtually anyone I"ve seen.

Joined: 07/15/2008

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alum96

December 4th, 2012 at 7:31 AM ^

"I will say, a significant part of Stauskas' effectiveness is his ability to drive to the basket."

This is what impresses me and could make him more dangerous and NBA legit.  But I need to see it against Big 10 speed first.  (haha see what I did there? Big 10 speed)

Joined: 04/28/2012

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Tater

December 1st, 2012 at 10:49 PM ^

I was thinking something along the same lines, but trying not to "put the cart before the horse."  My thoughts are that Michigan hasn't had a shooter like Stauskas since Glen Rice, and that Stauskas has a chance to be as good as Rice someday.  

However, and it's a big "however," Rice's performance in the NCAA Tournament is still the best performance I have ever seen over a period of six games in the tournament.  I don't know if anyone is ever going to be able to duplicate it.  It wasn't just the numbers, either.  In the tournament, it seemed like Rice made nearly every crucial shot he took.  

When Nik Stauskas and Michigan win the NCAA Tournament, I will strongly consider saying that he is as good a player and shooter as Rice was.  For now, though, I'll wait and see how his career develops.

Joined: 08/13/2008

MGoPoints: 30584

alum96

December 4th, 2012 at 7:24 AM ^

No the real question is - is he the best college player of all time?  I mean after half a dozen games we certainly have these type of answers.

/s

Joined: 04/28/2012

MGoPoints: 82559