Scarlet Shack said:

I have had serveral …but my reality is Charles Barkley was stalking me in 1994, as I ran into a Marino’s bar and grill in coconut grove , rhe rock ridge saloon in New York City on a rock street and a high end steak house (I forget which one ) in Phoenix , all in a 5 week period in the winter of 1994

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Story about Charles Barkley. We were staying at the Dunes in Vegas. It was to be Barkley’s rookie season. Dr. J was sitting at a roped off unlimited black Jack table. Barkley was sitting at a 2 dollar table.

So, they are shooting 32% from the field, and are 7-13 FT's.

NickRU714 said:

How do you already know we need to retain the 4 incoming freshman for their sophomore year?

What if it turns out they aren't Big Ten caliber players?
Im a broken record but did we need to retain Jalen Miller and Chol until they were seniors?

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blanket statement but with 15 scholarships...i think you retain 100% of your frosh classes**...assuming you can. you can get more cutthroat later but give an 18 year old a full two seasons with your program before finding a shiny new toy

**locker room cancers can be told to GTFO

And Trocheck with hand injury. We might be down to three lines.

NickRU714 said:

Teams get left out every year.
Indiana State had a better NET just last year and got left out.

Rutgers isn't that special. There isn't a grand conspiracy.
It happens every year.

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Not to a Power 5 team. They will screw the mid majors which is what Indiana State is. The Big 10 along with the Big 12 have been the top conferences for the last 5 years and the ACC has declined but the SEC the last 2 years has ascended to the top this year.

The bigger problem is Don Juan hired this coach, and now there is no AD. What a cluster****

seansherm said:

I'd much rather have Chol, Gavin, Wolf, and Simpson over PJ, Martini, Derkack, Acuff - as groups. Probably more length, speed, defensive ability (minus Chol!). Sure, maybe individually, Martini over Chol, but maybe Pike wouldn't be as focused on playing everyone if he hadn't had to convince them to transfer in. Development and culture guys over lower level unknowns almost every time.

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But did you want them back a year ago?
It's easy to say that afterwards when you know the conclusion and the transfers brought in.

When everyone wanted those players gone - it was assumed better players would be brought in.
Nobody thinks "we need to force out guys and bring in transfers who won't improve the team."

Do you think HC Pike will consistently recruit worse players than the current players and fail to improve the team?
If so, then yes "retain" everyone every year. Because the HC can't improve the roster.

The normal followup would be - why are we keeping a coach if it's assumed he can't upgrade the roster?

It's like when people say "We can't fire the HC regardless of results. The school can't be trusted to hire a better HC."
Is that the situation with HC Pike and upgrading the roster?

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Bad basketball played poorly. Our fans in attendance at the game should be given free food and drink for sitting through this embarrassment. Program is a mess.

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37-28 NW up at the half. Adams with her usual foul trouble, just got her 3rd at end of half. Just so infuriating to see how they play, or don't play against NW.

28-37 halftime
RU playin much better, only 9 total turnoverss now.
Adams unfortunately picked up 3 fouls.
NW got away with flarentt hook driving past Chyna, then got fouled and got 2 free throw and a final layup to close half up 9 rather than 5

How do you already know we need to retain the 4 incoming freshman for their sophomore year?

What if it turns out they aren't Big Ten caliber players?
Im a broken record but did we need to retain Jalen Miller and Chol until they were seniors?

superfan01 said:

to the OP. NIL is needed to keep lathan and grant. Period.

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Absolutely ….

But given the choice to use NIL to retain, recruit frosh or recruit portal , I think the first two need to be the choice

I have had serveral …but my reality is Charles Barkley was stalking me in 1994, as I ran into a Marino’s bar and grill in coconut grove , rhe rock ridge saloon in New York City on a rock street and a high end steak house (I forget which one ) in Phoenix , all in a 5 week period in the winter of 1994

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I'm getting a bit tired of the crowd that wants to point the finger at Brian Brecht. He took over a program that nosedived after Tom Hayes. He had the program on the upswing and it was really cooking in 2022. So what happened? One word: NIL. He could no longer get quality people from the portal because of it. The bluebloods of lacrosse had the cash, but RU did not. Case in point: Notre Dame and the rest of the ACC, along with the huge coffers of the B1G. They fill their holes with the best that money can buy.

Not an excuse. It's a fact. Brian was a master at integrating people into his culture by developing youngsters and using the portal. He can't do that now. The top talent is now demanding $$$, both in the portal and recruiting. The Ivys offer prestige. The bluebloods have the money. Does anyone think that Rutgers is going to use revenue sharing to help lacrosse?

Until the NIL issue gets solved, it is going to hamper the non revenue sports. Good luck trying to make the NCAA tournament year in and year out. Our B1G rivals outspend us in both facilities and NIL. He's a good coach trying to succeed with one hand tied behind his back.