2024-2025

[darkcheck]

Being serious, no mocking, sarcasm or attacking. What is everyone’s expectation for next year?

We only know what we know now. Maybe we strengthen through the portal, maybe not. Maybe some of the current rotational players are back. Maybe all of them are.

I’ll start, I feel they can make the NCAAs without bubble sweating.

 

[jerzeyguy]

1 or 2 wins in the ncca tournament. I don't know why everyone thinks we're getting all of this portal help. Besides a Center -- we don't have a starting position, or alot of playing time to offer

 

[PiscatawayMike]

My expectation: entertainment!

I don't know how many wins Pike will be able to coach out of the roster, but we can expect Ace and Dylan to provide an exciting brand of basketball that RU fans have not seen since the 70s... perhaps ever.

 

[MCKnight2004]

Top 4 Big Ten Finish, Big Ten Tourney Semifinals, a 4 or 5 seed and a Sweet 16 appearance.

 

[needmorecowbell]

Being serious, no mocking, sarcasm or attacking. What is everyone’s expectation for next year?

We only know what we know now. Maybe we strengthen through the portal, maybe not. Maybe some of the current rotational players are back. Maybe all of them are.

I’ll start, I feel they can make the NCAAs without bubble sweating.

Trying to figure that out now is just not possible. Pike is adding 5 talented freshmen, J Williams and potentially a new transfer or 2. It’s going to be a very different team.

 

[ScarletKid2008]

Sweet 16+

It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity for a RU fan. That’s where my expectations are at

 

[darkcheck]

Trying to figure that out now is just not possible. Pike is adding 5 talented freshmen, J Williams and potentially a new transfer or 2. It’s going to be a very different team.

Wasn’t asking for a prediction just where your expectations are now with what you now.

 

[Scangg]

Have to wait and see what the roster looks like in the portal era

 

[darkcheck]

Have to wait and see what the roster looks like in the portal era

Of course Scangg. It’s not a prediction, and expectations may rise or fall depending on what happens. But so many here keep saying “wait til next year” based on just the recruiting class. It’s an exciting class. I’m just trying to gauge folks expectations just based on what we know.

 

[kcg88]

I think something similar to last year's Arkansas team with Anthony Black (6th pick) and Nick Smith Jr. (27th pick) makes sense. Smith was the #1 player in his class and dropped because of injury, so I'm expecting Harper and Bailey to be better than that. But their supporting cast was better than what I expect next year's to be for us, so that evens it out. They also had a 2nd round pick in Jordan Walsh and a G-League NDFA in Ricky Council. They finished 22-14 and made the Sweet 16, which seems about right to me.

 

[LeapinLou]

My expectation: entertainment!

I don't know how many wins Pike will be able to coach out of the roster, but we can expect Ace and Dylan to provide an exciting brand of basketball that RU fans have not seen since the 70s... perhaps ever.

At this point, this is where I'm at. It's impossible to have expectations from a win-loss perspective when we don't know our starting 5 yet or how other Big 10 teams will be impacted by the portal. But with Ace and Dylan on the team, there should be plenty of showtime.

 

[Proud NJ Sports Fan]

Who’s going to rebound the basketball?

 

[Scangg]

Of course Scangg. It’s not a prediction, and expectations may rise or fall depending on what happens. But so many here keep saying “wait til next year” based on just the recruiting class. It’s an exciting class. I’m just trying to gauge folks expectations just based on what we know.

No matter what we should be able to put together an NCAA roster. What the ceiling is will depend on who is surrounding Ace and Dylan

 

[ru66]

Some forget that Pike has other top recruits he's after for the following year that he has a great chance of getting.

 

[darkcheck]

Some forget that Pike has other top recruits he's after for the following year that he has a great chance of getting.

Coaches are always “involved” with great recruits. A ‘great’ chance to get might be a stretch. You could work your rear off and still miss on a prospect. It’s why the staff chased Dylan to Europe. It’s why next years class is so exciting. But if Vegas laid odds it’s more likely we wouldn’t get five stars the next year too. But I hope you’re right. With this thread I wasn’t chasing specifics, just peoples feelings since many are just saying “wait til next year”. Nit expectations, ncaas? Win one ncaa? Sweet 16, etc. ball parking it.

 

[fluoxetine]

Coaches are always “involved” with great recruits. A ‘great’ chance to get might be a stretch. You could work your rear off and still miss on a prospect. It’s why the staff chased Dylan to Europe. It’s why next years class is so exciting. But if Vegas laid odds it’s more likely we wouldn’t get five stars the next year too. But I hope you’re right. With this thread I wasn’t chasing specifics, just peoples feelings since many are just saying “wait til next year”. Nit expectations, ncaas? Win one ncaa? Sweet 16, etc. ball parking it.

I don't have any expectation for what happens in the tournament because a single elimination tournament is not a good way to measure accomplishment.

I expect to comfortably make the tournament. I expect to hopefully be a top 25 team and actually finish the season as such.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

Gavin was #34 recruit and he is close to being completely out of the rotation. Nothing is a given. I dont think Ace and Dylan have ever had to play defense.

 

[Mr Magoo]

Lots of excitement for sure. Around 5th or 6th in the B1G is a possibility but so many variables with that. One win in the tournament, perhaps two, but all dependent on keeping Mag and getting another non-Agee-like big man from the portal.

 

[Scangg]

Gavin was #34 recruit and he is close to being completely out of the rotation. Nothing is a given. I dont think Ace and Dylan have ever had to play defense.

Nothing is a given, but a top 3 recruit who is projected as a 1 and done top 3 pick is as close as it gets

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

Nothing is a given, but a top 3 recruit who is projected as a 1 and done top 3 pick is as close as it gets

Maybe a given he is 1 and done……but doesnt mean it translates to wins. We still need a point guard

 

[Scangg]

Maybe a given he is 1 and done……but doesnt mean it translates to wins. We still need a point guard

That's why it's way too early to have expectations until we know what the roster looks like

 

[NewJerseyHawk]

Track record of what happens elsewhere in the last 10 to 15 years is probably the best indicator of what will happen and in MOST instances, it's 10 to 14 losses in the season and the goal of being better in February 2025 than November 2024.

IF this was a normal recruiting cycle across college basketball we would be almost completely past the covid year bonus of eligibility, which skews some of the what ifs.....there should be fewer 6th year kids floating around.

I don't look at this as some sort of aberration like most people are. It all comes down to how many quality starters can RU land in the 2025 class, because that class should be signed and buttoned up, even before the 2024-25 season starts.

If RU can continue to recruit at the Top 25 to 125 level for the next 2 to 3 classes, that's actually more exciting to me, than next year. Ace, Dylan, Sommerville, Dortch and Dylan Grant all project to be exciting. Adding another 2 to 3 players at a Sommerville or Dortch level in 2025, finally puts RU on an even playing field with the Ohio States, Michigan, Michigan State, Indiana USC, UCLA type programs.

To win and make the NCAAs after the 2024-25 season, most programs have 6 to 8 Top 100 to 150 kids, spread out across 4 recruiting classes. If 2025 recruiting continues to trend well, it's going to keep RU in NCAA contention to make the dance.

As long as RU is making the dance from 2024-25 through 2029-30, the Ace, Dylan class becomes more than a 1 season evaluation. It hopefully establishes a 5 to 8 year stretch or new standard of basketball, which far outweighs just 1 season.

 

[darkcheck]

Track record of what happens elsewhere in the last 10 to 15 years is probably the best indicator of what will happen and in MOST instances, it's 10 to 14 losses in the season and the goal of being better in February 2025 than November 2024.

IF this was a normal recruiting cycle across college basketball we would be almost completely past the covid year bonus of eligibility, which skews some of the what ifs.....there should be fewer 6th year kids floating around.

I don't look at this as some sort of aberration like most people are. It all comes down to how many quality starters can RU land in the 2025 class, because that class should be signed and buttoned up, even before the 2024-25 season starts.

If RU can continue to recruit at the Top 25 to 125 level for the next 2 to 3 classes, that's actually more exciting to me, than next year. Ace, Dylan, Sommerville, Dortch and Dylan Grant all project to be exciting. Adding another 2 to 3 players at a Sommerville or Dortch level in 2025, finally puts RU on an even playing field with the Ohio States, Michigan, Michigan State, Indiana USC, UCLA type programs.

To win and make the NCAAs after the 2024-25 season, most programs have 6 to 8 Top 100 to 150 kids, spread out across 4 recruiting classes. If 2025 recruiting continues to trend well, it's going to keep RU in NCAA contention to make the dance.

As long as RU is making the dance from 2024-25 through 2029-30, the Ace, Dylan class becomes more than a 1 season evaluation. It hopefully establishes a 5 to 8 year stretch or new standard of basketball, which far outweighs just 1 season.

I hope you’re right about making the Dance for five straight years. So are you saying your expectations are for 10-14 losses next season?

Also I had hoped for top 25-50 classes after our successes in 2020-2021, but they didn’t come. Why do you think they will after next season? Asking seriously not sarcastically.

Finally, being we’re not really an NIL-rich school, you make a good point about the ‘25 class being locked up almost before Ace and Dylan take the court. Where will we get NIL for an awesome ‘25 class since (while likely) it’s not 100% Ace and Dylan will be one and dones when we need to commit to the ‘25 class? Again, not being sarcastic, hoping you can lay it out so I have strong hope for year after year of top classes. Thanks.

 

[FAT MOON]

What are Duke and Kentucky fanbase typical expectations year over year? Elite 8s? Final 4s?

Well we get to be them for one year. I'll have what they're having ; )

 

[Eagleton96]

Being serious, no mocking, sarcasm or attacking. What is everyone’s expectation for next year?

We only know what we know now. Maybe we strengthen through the portal, maybe not. Maybe some of the current rotational players are back. Maybe all of them are.

I’ll start, I feel they can make the NCAAs without bubble sweating.

I'm definitely worried about Pike's ability to get all these green players and new pieces to work well together. There is plenty of downside risk if the team doesn't live up to the lofty expectations. I'm not saying I don't think Pike can do it...he's a brilliant coach...I'm just saying this is a coaching task that's very new to Pike.

So for predictions, this is my first time closely following a team with one and done players like this. I have no idea what will happen.

I will say though that we have a lot of new players this year and they miss a LOT of shots. And some of our veterans also miss a LOT of shots. I assume the quality of the talent coming in mostly remedies our biggest struggle.

 

[Eagleton96]

Maybe a given he is 1 and done……but doesnt mean it translates to wins. We still need a point guard

Won't Dylan have the ball in his hands most of the time and be the creator/distributor?

 

[BillyC80]

Maybe a given he is 1 and done……but doesnt mean it translates to wins. We still need a point guard

Isn’t Harper projected to be our point guard?

If not, I believe JWill is a point guard? If so, his experience, defensive ability, and veteran leadership will be a stabilizing force.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

Won't Dylan have the ball in his hands most of the time and be the creator/distributor?

That is a LOT on his plate. He is listed more of a combo guard.

 

[LotusAggressor]

My expectation: entertainment!

I don't know how many wins Pike will be able to coach out of the roster, but we can expect Ace and Dylan to provide an exciting brand of basketball that RU fans have not seen since the 70s... perhaps ever.

Assuming that they make the commitment to play that way.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

Isn’t Harper projected to be our point guard?

If not, I believe JWill is a point guard? If so, his experience, defensive ability, and veteran leadership will be a stabilizing force.

I am hoping J Will is 3/4 as good as what people are saying.

His numbers do have a look as a PG. Looks like he hasnt played in 2 years!

T-Rank Player Stats - Customizable College Basketball Tempo Free Stats - T-Rank

T-Rank College Basketball Ratings and Rankings. And fun.

barttorvik.com

 

[Eagleton96]

That is a LOT on his plate. He is listed more of a combo guard.

I don't know what his role would be if not that.

 

[Degaz-RU]

Assuming Mag, JWill, JMike, Simpson, and Gavin return, and that we get a "starting quality" portal Center, the best way to answer the OP is that we should comfortably make the NCAA tournament as at least a 6 seed or better. If that happens, I will be sorely disappointed if we don't make the Sweet 16. Anything beyond that would be gravy.

 

[RUChoppin]

Harper considers himself a point guard - but more in the line of an NBA scoring point guard (Steph Curry, Kyrie Irving, Damian Lillard, Kemba Walker, etc) than a "pure" distributing point guard.

Right now I'm penciling in Harper and JWill as our two starting guards going into next year, pending any portal developments - and that's largely because none of our other guards have shown me much this season, and I'm really hoping JWill is going to be more productive. That may just be the "fans love the QB with the clipboard" effect, though.

In a fantasy ideal world, Griffiths starts to put the pieces together and the game slows down for him by the end of this season, and he steps in at the SG spot next year. Haven't seen anything yet that makes me expect that would happen, but a guy can dream.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

I don't know what his role would be if not that.

This thing isnt as simple as having a talented piece, plugging him in and team is better.

We will be asking the player to do more than he has ever done in terms of basketball role AND the coaching staff is going to have to adapt to the new players coming in.

 

[RUChoppin]

This thing isnt as simple as having a talented piece, plugging him in and team is better.

We will be asking the player to do more than he has ever done in terms of basketball role AND the coaching staff is going to have to adapt to the new players coming in.

Next season is going to be less about "plugging in" a talented piece to the team than it is trying to find how our current roster guys "plug in" to the incoming class.

I'm fairly confident that Harper, Bailey, and Sommerville will be starting next year. The question is what two guys can we plug into the remaining starting spots to form a complete team. Expectation is that Mag will be one of them, but the off-ball guard spot is a question mark.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

Next season is going to be less about "plugging in" a talented piece to the team than it is trying to find how our current roster guys "plug in" to the incoming class.

I'm fairly confident that Harper, Bailey, and Sommerville will be starting next year. The question is what two guys can we plug into the remaining starting spots to form a complete team. Expectation is that Mag will be one of them, but the off-ball guard spot is a question mark.

A lineup of could struggle defensively
Davis
Harper
Griffiths
Bailey
Sommerville

 

[RUChoppin]

A lineup of could struggle defensively
Davis
Harper
Griffiths
Bailey
Sommerville

We don't know what we have yet for next year from the newcomers defensively. I don't know how well Davis will pair with Harper, given that Harper will likely be on-ball when he's in the game.

Right now, I'd expect
PG: Harper 30, TBD 10
SG: Anyone's guess
SF: Bailey 30, TBD 10
PF: Mag 28, TBD 12
C: Sommerville 25, Ogbole/Woolf 15

That's 72 min to be divided up among JWill, Simpson, Davis, Griffiths, Dortch, Grant

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

We are just speculating, just guessing.

I think Harper will not be the primary ball handler. That would be too much of an ask for a freshman who is supposed to play both ends, do the heavy lifting scoring and then have to handle the pressure of being the primary ball handler and the guy that runs the offense.

 

[RAHWAYBOB]

Who’s going to rebound the basketball?

Always the negative! You are forgetting about Ace Bailey.

 

[RUChoppin]

We are just speculating, just guessing.

I think Harper will not be the primary ball handler. That would be too much of an ask for a freshman who is supposed to play both ends, do the heavy lifting scoring and then have to handle the pressure of being the primary ball handler and the guy that runs the offense.

This is a guy who would be foregoing college entirely if there weren't a rule against going directly to the NBA. I'd expect him to have the ball in his hands.