WEST LAFAYETTE, IND. — Ralph Sampson III looks for Rodney Williams prior to tipoff every game. And when Sampson finds him, the 6-11 Gophers center rattles off his list of demands.
"Right before every game, I tell him, 'Give me at least three dunks and at least one of them has to be nasty and on somebody,' " Sampson said. "He always delivers."
Teammates, fans and TV execs love Williams' acrobatic dunks, which often crack the top-10 plays on "SportsCenter" and blow the roof off Williams Arena. Few players in America -- at any level -- possess the leaping ability and athleticism of the 6-7 sophomore from Cooper High School.
With Devoe Joseph gone and Al Nolen injured, however, the bar has been raised. Williams -- averaging 7.1 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.4 assists and 1.0 blocks in Big Ten play for the No. 16 Gophers -- is expected to consistently contribute on offense and defense.
"I definitely have to [be more aggressive] especially now with Al out," said Williams, whose team visits No. 12 Purdue on Saturday. "If my shot's not falling on offense, then I've got to be tough on [defense]."
In coach Tubby Smith's new tri-tower lineup -- Trevor Mbakwe, Colton Iverson and Sampson likely will all start again Saturday, Smith said -- Williams plays shooting guard. He is expected to guard smaller players and hit shots from outside.
Williams swished shots from all over the floor after Friday's practice. Improved shooting is critical because he's only 4-for-29 (13.8 percent) from the three-point line this season. He had missed 17 consecutive threes before making two in the second half of a 69-64 victory at Michigan last week.
But when Williams attacks the basket, his athleticism and dunking ability are too much for most defenders, who can only watch as he climbs. If he can fly like that, why doesn't he go to rim more often?