Pre heat Trapezoid of Terror with 8000 lunatics
Flatten Gophers into submission with sledgehammer
Place 5 whole gophers along with their coach in RAC....mix in 3 more gophers gradually until boiling then simmer
Remove and skin gophers
Slice and dice
In seperate bowl marinate Pikiell halftime speech
Add 7 Caroms of Cliff
Sprinkle in 3 Cam Threes
Add 9 assists of Mulcahy...one at a time
fold in 24 minutes of Mag
a dash of Reibs
2 steals of Jalen
10 points of Hyatt
5 of 8 field goals of Oskar
One dunk of Derek
Whisk rapidly
Add diced gophers to roux
Serve over a Caleb McConnell stat line (without shoe if desired)
Top off with Aiden Terry from the wing
Eat hearty and Happy Groundhog's day
Boy was RU hungry and after a wobbly first half, RU took a big sledghammer to the Gophers rendering them stew meat by games end. A pounding for the ages against a Big 10 school in the RAC. Yes the first half was sloppy and RU was still up double digits at half. If this was a boxing match it would have been called after a 14 point barrage of points in a 3 minute span that gave RU a whopping 31 point lead and the fat lady had a plate of burgers already queued up on the Gopher bench before the 7 minute mark.
There are get right games and there are GET RIGHT GAMES. The wounded Gophers were just the right entree on the Big 10 menu at the right time. RU has dropped two of its previous 3 games. The first at Michigan State, RU was famished from the three point line and could not even get to 60 points. The loss at Iowa saw the bread and butter defense disappear into the cornfields. Number one goal of course was to avoid the trappings of playing down to a weak opponent and then to get Cam Spencer's mojo going. At first I will say I did not like the way RU played in the first 20 minutes. Several unforced turnovers and inexplicable high degree of difficulty passes or shots. Pikiell was forced to go deep into his bench with Cliff and Aundre somehow getting into foul trouble. Reiber and for the first time in forever, Oskar Palmquist forced into action. They were not perfect but they helped until RU found their way. Did Pikiell stew at halftime? He certainly turned the heat up on his team because in the 2nd half, this Rutgers team came out more focused and ready to exploit the Gopher weaknesses. The Gophers are tailor made for RU to stomp on them. They are such a poor shooting team not only in general but from 3. They do not have depth, were missing their best player, just didnt have the physicality to match up with Rutgers. RU made it harder than they should have in the first half. The second half it was all about spoon to mouth...feed me.
Absolutely everything was going in for Rutgers. When Caleb finally hits a 3 and runs off 9 straight points to take a 15 point lead and put it at 22 you know things are going well. Then the aforementioned Cliff barrage. Wouldnt take longer before Oskar got into the action, draining shots all over the place. In the meantime Minnesota just couldnt keep pace. A dreadful 5-25 shooting performance from 3 and at times you "almost" felt sorry for them because you knew that it was only 6-7 years ago that Rutgers was losing games like this. And when the starters were pulled and the 2nd team came in and were still fighting to the end lighting it up what a great feeling you have as a fan knowing that yeah while this team isnt perfect and isnt going win them all, Pikiell has such a really good thing going on...and this is judging by the recruits headed in the next two seasons, this is just the appetizer for us.
Key takeaway from tonight was getting Cam back on track. During pregame he was out all by himself shooting 3 after 3 after 3 after 3. Cam got on track quickly with a drive to the hoop where he was fouled and made two free throws. Then after he got a layup on the previous possession, Cam's first 3 attempt was perfect bottoms. You just knew, that was it, he was back. I know he didnt get any more shot attempts in the half and that was puzzling, 2nd half was a different story and Cam would drain 2 more 3s. Cam finished with a game high 17 points on
5-6 fg shooting, 3-3 from 3 and 6 assists. Beyond Cam, I for one felt it was important after Cliff sat for much of the first half that he come back and have success in the paint. He had that flurry of 6 points...one missed dunk that would have made the hightlight reel and connecting on another dunk that looked no good but bounced back in. RU does not have to go to Cliff all the time and we are seeing Pike move away from him a bit. Still though everyone knows Cliff is going to be counted on for points in tough stretches so I like we made it a point to go back to him. Caleb...oh Caleb, I did not like his first half where he was 2-6 and once again took a bad 3 after either rolling over or losing his shoe, I forgot. 2nd half was Caleb taking those offensive opportunities when they came without forcing. Finished 4-5 fg and yeah that 9 points in a row that really decisively put the game away.
Mag continues to impress with just about every facet of his game. 5-6 fg, 10 points, 2 steals in 24 minutes. His defense is just so good, dare I say he might better than Caleb. Its also his decision making. Remember how sped up he used to look last year with his energy. Now its being throttled back, his jump shooting is smooth and its going in. Hyatt didnt play that great of defense and had a bad foul but man he really is instant offense at times. 10 points, 5 boards in just 14 minutes...quite an impact for that little of time. His 3 toward the end of the first half as he played with 2 fouls was pretty important. Paul Mulcahy didnt have a great first half. Seemed like he tried to do too much and had a couple of awful turnovers and seemed unwilling to shoot. I do not know if that was the plan to set up the 2nd half but Paul got going with some shots and then it was about distributing. Paul had 9 assists and did Rutgers set a record with 30 assists. I believe they may have. Reiber, Miller and Derek all got decent minutes for them. The experience matters more than what they did.
Then of course there is Oskar and his award winning career performance tonight. Where did that come from? I mean Oskar couldnt get much time vs the dregs back in the November and December so hear he is logging in 16 minutes while shooting a whopping 5-8 including two 3s for 13 points, 2 boards and even 2 assists. Included in that was a big 3 in the first half where RU was simply struggling on both ends that left Pike at wits end. RU up just 22-20., Oskar hit a 3 and Minnesota never got close again. Oskar got his calling card and responded and he shot with such confidence in the 2nd half, seemingly knowing every shot was going to go in. What a moment for Oskar on what has been a tough career in not being able to get minutes on this team. Do not know if that means Pike can trust Oskar in many games moving forward but at least we have an option for a couple minutes that could be used.
Oh and how can I forget Aiden Terry...are you kidding me, a corner 3 on your birthday. RAC crowd arms in the air in unison. A scene to remember! Happy Birthday Kid! Hint...ditch the gopher stew and go get yo self a slice of birthday cake.
Thoughts go out to Wolf who was attending a funeral of a family member.
I know Minnesota is bad but RU just won by 35 and I mean how many games have they won by 25 plus this season? Alot and it will once again help the NET. No its likely we will not see another one of these laughers this season but for tonight for what this team has been battling over the past couple weeks a game like this heading into Michigan State this weekend was just the right tonic. A nice warm stew to satiate the belly and rejuvenate the taste buds as January fades from memory and the cold February winds beckon across the heartland, all the while knowing it will be living off of bread and butter as it tackles a three course menu over the next 10 days against Spartans and Hoosiers and Illini oh my.
Flatten Gophers into submission with sledgehammer
Place 5 whole gophers along with their coach in RAC....mix in 3 more gophers gradually until boiling then simmer
Remove and skin gophers
Slice and dice
In seperate bowl marinate Pikiell halftime speech
Add 7 Caroms of Cliff
Sprinkle in 3 Cam Threes
Add 9 assists of Mulcahy...one at a time
fold in 24 minutes of Mag
a dash of Reibs
2 steals of Jalen
10 points of Hyatt
5 of 8 field goals of Oskar
One dunk of Derek
Whisk rapidly
Add diced gophers to roux
Serve over a Caleb McConnell stat line (without shoe if desired)
Top off with Aiden Terry from the wing
Eat hearty and Happy Groundhog's day
Boy was RU hungry and after a wobbly first half, RU took a big sledghammer to the Gophers rendering them stew meat by games end. A pounding for the ages against a Big 10 school in the RAC. Yes the first half was sloppy and RU was still up double digits at half. If this was a boxing match it would have been called after a 14 point barrage of points in a 3 minute span that gave RU a whopping 31 point lead and the fat lady had a plate of burgers already queued up on the Gopher bench before the 7 minute mark.
There are get right games and there are GET RIGHT GAMES. The wounded Gophers were just the right entree on the Big 10 menu at the right time. RU has dropped two of its previous 3 games. The first at Michigan State, RU was famished from the three point line and could not even get to 60 points. The loss at Iowa saw the bread and butter defense disappear into the cornfields. Number one goal of course was to avoid the trappings of playing down to a weak opponent and then to get Cam Spencer's mojo going. At first I will say I did not like the way RU played in the first 20 minutes. Several unforced turnovers and inexplicable high degree of difficulty passes or shots. Pikiell was forced to go deep into his bench with Cliff and Aundre somehow getting into foul trouble. Reiber and for the first time in forever, Oskar Palmquist forced into action. They were not perfect but they helped until RU found their way. Did Pikiell stew at halftime? He certainly turned the heat up on his team because in the 2nd half, this Rutgers team came out more focused and ready to exploit the Gopher weaknesses. The Gophers are tailor made for RU to stomp on them. They are such a poor shooting team not only in general but from 3. They do not have depth, were missing their best player, just didnt have the physicality to match up with Rutgers. RU made it harder than they should have in the first half. The second half it was all about spoon to mouth...feed me.
Absolutely everything was going in for Rutgers. When Caleb finally hits a 3 and runs off 9 straight points to take a 15 point lead and put it at 22 you know things are going well. Then the aforementioned Cliff barrage. Wouldnt take longer before Oskar got into the action, draining shots all over the place. In the meantime Minnesota just couldnt keep pace. A dreadful 5-25 shooting performance from 3 and at times you "almost" felt sorry for them because you knew that it was only 6-7 years ago that Rutgers was losing games like this. And when the starters were pulled and the 2nd team came in and were still fighting to the end lighting it up what a great feeling you have as a fan knowing that yeah while this team isnt perfect and isnt going win them all, Pikiell has such a really good thing going on...and this is judging by the recruits headed in the next two seasons, this is just the appetizer for us.
Key takeaway from tonight was getting Cam back on track. During pregame he was out all by himself shooting 3 after 3 after 3 after 3. Cam got on track quickly with a drive to the hoop where he was fouled and made two free throws. Then after he got a layup on the previous possession, Cam's first 3 attempt was perfect bottoms. You just knew, that was it, he was back. I know he didnt get any more shot attempts in the half and that was puzzling, 2nd half was a different story and Cam would drain 2 more 3s. Cam finished with a game high 17 points on
5-6 fg shooting, 3-3 from 3 and 6 assists. Beyond Cam, I for one felt it was important after Cliff sat for much of the first half that he come back and have success in the paint. He had that flurry of 6 points...one missed dunk that would have made the hightlight reel and connecting on another dunk that looked no good but bounced back in. RU does not have to go to Cliff all the time and we are seeing Pike move away from him a bit. Still though everyone knows Cliff is going to be counted on for points in tough stretches so I like we made it a point to go back to him. Caleb...oh Caleb, I did not like his first half where he was 2-6 and once again took a bad 3 after either rolling over or losing his shoe, I forgot. 2nd half was Caleb taking those offensive opportunities when they came without forcing. Finished 4-5 fg and yeah that 9 points in a row that really decisively put the game away.
Mag continues to impress with just about every facet of his game. 5-6 fg, 10 points, 2 steals in 24 minutes. His defense is just so good, dare I say he might better than Caleb. Its also his decision making. Remember how sped up he used to look last year with his energy. Now its being throttled back, his jump shooting is smooth and its going in. Hyatt didnt play that great of defense and had a bad foul but man he really is instant offense at times. 10 points, 5 boards in just 14 minutes...quite an impact for that little of time. His 3 toward the end of the first half as he played with 2 fouls was pretty important. Paul Mulcahy didnt have a great first half. Seemed like he tried to do too much and had a couple of awful turnovers and seemed unwilling to shoot. I do not know if that was the plan to set up the 2nd half but Paul got going with some shots and then it was about distributing. Paul had 9 assists and did Rutgers set a record with 30 assists. I believe they may have. Reiber, Miller and Derek all got decent minutes for them. The experience matters more than what they did.
Then of course there is Oskar and his award winning career performance tonight. Where did that come from? I mean Oskar couldnt get much time vs the dregs back in the November and December so hear he is logging in 16 minutes while shooting a whopping 5-8 including two 3s for 13 points, 2 boards and even 2 assists. Included in that was a big 3 in the first half where RU was simply struggling on both ends that left Pike at wits end. RU up just 22-20., Oskar hit a 3 and Minnesota never got close again. Oskar got his calling card and responded and he shot with such confidence in the 2nd half, seemingly knowing every shot was going to go in. What a moment for Oskar on what has been a tough career in not being able to get minutes on this team. Do not know if that means Pike can trust Oskar in many games moving forward but at least we have an option for a couple minutes that could be used.
Oh and how can I forget Aiden Terry...are you kidding me, a corner 3 on your birthday. RAC crowd arms in the air in unison. A scene to remember! Happy Birthday Kid! Hint...ditch the gopher stew and go get yo self a slice of birthday cake.
Thoughts go out to Wolf who was attending a funeral of a family member.
I know Minnesota is bad but RU just won by 35 and I mean how many games have they won by 25 plus this season? Alot and it will once again help the NET. No its likely we will not see another one of these laughers this season but for tonight for what this team has been battling over the past couple weeks a game like this heading into Michigan State this weekend was just the right tonic. A nice warm stew to satiate the belly and rejuvenate the taste buds as January fades from memory and the cold February winds beckon across the heartland, all the while knowing it will be living off of bread and butter as it tackles a three course menu over the next 10 days against Spartans and Hoosiers and Illini oh my.
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