winfield102 said:

Did anyone think we'd be able to play defense this year? We added Martini, Acuff and PJ and 5 freshmen. Maybe he mistakenly thought he was getting a defensive plus player in Derkack. I see better defenders from 40+year olds at the Y. Acuff would have trouble defending an orange cone. The fact the PJ sees the court before him is crazy. I think PJ plays better defense (I like his effort but it's not B1G level though).

This season was all about maximizing the play on offense. Since Pike is a defensive coach, I came into the season very skeptical.

I hope Pike learned his lesson from this season. At this point, the program needs to finish in 16th place this year. The staff needs to be pile driven into the ground with a total failure of a season. Going 3-2 and then winning 2-3 games in the tourney isn't in the programs best interest (not that I think we're capable of that).

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As you saw tonight, Davis can’t defend either. Shelby would much prefer Acuff who at least is a scoring threat.

RUisB1Gtime said:

Lack of Big man is the issue.. .it makes the game so much harder on both sides of the ball...

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It’s part of it….bur it’s a lot more than that

RUisB1Gtime said:

Lack of Big man is the issue.. .it makes the game so much harder on both sides of the ball...

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An important issue but not the only one on the list.

And It’s a big list.

Did anyone think we'd be able to play defense this year? We added Martini, Acuff and PJ and 5 freshmen. Maybe he mistakenly thought he was getting a defensive plus player in Derkack. I see better defenders from 40+year olds at the Y. Acuff would have trouble defending an orange cone. The fact the PJ sees the court before him is crazy. I think PJ plays better defense (I like his effort but it's not B1G level though).

This season was all about maximizing the play on offense. Since Pike is a defensive coach, I came into the season very skeptical.

I hope Pike learned his lesson from this season. At this point, the program needs to finish in 16th place this year. The staff needs to be pile driven into the ground with a total failure of a season. Going 3-2 and then winning 2-3 games in the tourney isn't in the programs best interest (not that I think we're capable of that).

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Lack of Big man is the issue.. .it makes the game so much harder on both sides of the ball...

RUSCFORMERLYRULOU said:

This is where j completely disagree. Change might be forced upon him based on performance - and if he refuses he may be in breach of contract

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Forced by who ? The interim AD or President To Be Named Later ?

fatsam98 said:

Maybe the freshmen are all hitting a wall? And guys like Acuff and Derkack stopped caring because they barely play?

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Grant and Somerville and Dorsch are not hitting a wall. Illinois was only 3 games ago. Acuff played great first half Iowa One game ago, and is not the first guard to come in the game today. Jordan is a bowling ball with no filter, has nothing to do with not caring

fluoxetine said:

I don't understand the persecution complex of so many posters here. Especially the more negative posters. Like 90% of the board wants to fire Pike yesterday and a lot of people still post things like "saying mean things about Pike will get you attacked blah blah blah".

Yeah, that wasn't a popular opinion 5 months ago though you did certainly have a couple allies (@Greene Rice FIG comes to mind). It also wasn't popular among non-Rutgers fans given we were ranked preseason. I dunno, congrats on getting it right I guess, but this is a place where there is not a lot of consensus on anything so people are often going to disagree.

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There’s disagreeing respectfully and there’s irrationally ripping some folks for a differing opinion. Rutgers has a history of overconfidence, on the field, on the court, mid game and on these boards. A smidge of success and then Rutgers is gold and can do no wrong. It should be ok to have an educated differing opinion or one of a little caution. It’s not negativity, it’s analytical. To me all opinions are welcome. I try to learn from the ones I disagree with. I’m respectful and if my opinion differs from those that said “sweet 16s a lock” I usually preface it by saying “I hope you’re right”. I truly do want Rutgers to succeed, especially in basketball. It’s been a love of my family for over 40 years. I can be that and still be critical of things I don’t like. And I know my opinion doesn’t matter one bit to anyone who’s a decision maker at RU. I just wish this board was more fair and analytical, and less insulting and name calling. Maybe then the pessimists can be more hopeful and the optimists can not hype things up and set expectations way to high. Then we can all enjoy the ride more as a fanbase. Of course it’s ok to have a little fun along the way. Fluoxetine you and I had some knock down drag outs last year. This year we’ve agreed more and more. I’d like that to continue as I respect your opinions.

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Did Dana Altman poach anyone from Rutgers after the game?

Is there anyone worth poaching?

I have this theory about AB & DH and could be totally wrong. But could they just be tired from traveling all over the place for the EYBL tourneys & all the camps really no hoop break which is why I said there was no need to do so many if them.

Maybe DH's ankle isnt anywhere near 100% bit due to all the scouts at games he really needs to play. There was zero reason he should have played at the Garden outside of it being the GARDEN & all the scouts. It's almost like you have to play

Maybe the NBA sees you are sitting extended period for ankle sprain it hurts your draft # and they want to see you out there ballin thru the pain. They dont pay you to sit in NBA.

RUDeac said:

Cooper Flagg >>>> Bailey/Harper

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Such a keen observation. Are you an NBA scout ?

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Zak57 said:

Dumb thread.

These two are going to be some of the most famous basketball players on the planet. The season is obviously super disappointing but let's hope they have fond memories on the banks because it can only help.

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Could be…. Let’s hope right? 🤷🏻‍♂️

T2Kplus20 said:

Haven't added to MSFT yet, but I should and will soon.

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I got concerned when I saw that Warren Buffet doesn’t own any MSFT but then I read a story about how close he is with Bill Gates and he thought it would look shady…although Buffet admitted in the same story that he was stupid to not buy MSFT many years ago when it was cheap and that he really doesn’t consider himself a very competent tech investor.
I’m seeing the median price target is still $500 ish but I’m not holding my breath.

RutgersChow said:

Yeah, he's the reason we are 12-14.

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No, but he’s terrible. The gap between his skills and Big10 ability is wider than anyone else’s, including Hayes.

At least Pike finally figured that out. Probably only put him in the game for laughs.

Maybe the freshmen are all hitting a wall? And guys like Acuff and Derkack stopped caring because they barely play?

fluoxetine said:

Good point, usually no one complains about Pike's subs.

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One other point , people have commented about effort but what happened to the Illinois effort. The players played like their hair was on fire. Then a tough loss to a very good Maryland team as we couldn’t handle Queen. Followed by a great first half against Iowa and an absolutely atrocious second half against Iowa. We should have done to Iowa what Maryland did to them in their second half today.
Did that loss suck the energy from the team ? Tonight was not only low energy but lack of understanding of the effort needed to compete and it was just not there. Why? They were demoralized after Iowa? Knew they blew any chance ?
Quit is a controversial word but the last 5-6 minutes of the first half and the second half , lacked the focus and intensity to win a game. Coach made it worse not better.

Dumb thread.

These two are going to be some of the most famous basketball players on the planet. The season is obviously super disappointing but let's hope they have fond memories on the banks because it can only help.

Plum Street said:

Agreed . But people shouldn’t be saying Paterno is so awful and our HC still idolizes the guy. It can’t go both ways

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It’s illogical to go both ways, but it usually does. As I say throughout, it’s called being a Homer. Our guys are fantastic and unimpeachable. Other guys detestible. Vick bad Rice good. Schiano can idolize JP but outsiders can’t.

I look forward to the USC game on Sunday !

Since RU is cutting back on halftime entertainment this year - maybe the band can perform Tusk at halftime !

RutgersClassof2004 said:

Really? A poll option should be lose out and finish 12-20

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If you look closely that option is there.