8-3 and BACK on track ...

[Scarlet Shack]

Total gut check time after being 6-3...came home to beat perennial NCAA program Wisconsin nearly wire to wire ...and then anhiliating nationally ranked seton hall wire to wire

8-3....going to 10-3

We have EVERYTHING to play for this season, winning season, NCAA bid.

My keys
1.) continued acceptance of roles that Pike alluded to in press confrence.

2.) finding good minutes when Myles is on bench st the five spot.

3.) Jacob young. Period

Baker, Harper and Yeboah are settling in to be double digit scorers per night. Mathis and Caleb are chopping in at 7-8 per night. Johnson is strongly hinting at being a walking double double.

Jacob young has the green light from coach P for a reason. He reminds of earl Duncan trying to shake off the rust . Earl Duncan had a terrible November and December after sitting out from transferring from the Cuse. Then mid January came and he found his groove. There are reasons why Richie S and others were saying he could lead the team in scoring

If he finds his groove to match the hype ...he the final offensive piece for this team

4.) making hay in January. February has Michigan twice, Maryland twice and a road game at Ohio state. Five games against top 10 opponents. We have a chance to get off to a fast big ten start in January. Need to

 

[S_Janowski]

I just don’t see Young being a key contributor or factor...he plays way too erratic leading to turnovers or offensive fouls and doesn’t have a good stroke.

I see Young at 10-15 minutes per game going forward and actually think McConnell could be the key piece in making any type of post season run. He will have some big games for us.

 

[BillyC80]

Can we have Caleb’s shooting and court vision with Young’s confidence?

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

I need 11-3

Lafayette
Caldwell
at Nebraska

Still think we need to thread the needle. I think you articulated what the eye of the needle is.

We also need to stay healthy.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

I just don’t see Young being a key contributor or factor...he plays way too erratic leading to turnovers or offensive fouls and doesn’t have a good stroke.

Mathis can't play 40 and there is a BIG drop off defensively from Young and Mathis to everyone else.

 

[scarletrat]

RU needs to win next 4, win at Nebraska and beat Tough PSU at home, to be 12-3 and 3-1 in B1G

 

[LOU-RU85]

I just don’t see Young being a key contributor or factor...he plays way too erratic leading to turnovers or offensive fouls and doesn’t have a good stroke.

I see Young at 10-15 minutes per game going forward and actually think McConnell could be the key piece in making any type of post season run. He will have some big games for us.

I think folks are expecting too much from Young. He will need time to adjust to B1G b-ball. He plays excellent D but really needs to let the game come to him. You can tell he is forcing it too much. Once he settles down he will be a great asset. It will come.

 

[Scarlet Knut]

I just don’t see Young being a key contributor or factor...he plays way too erratic leading to turnovers or offensive fouls and doesn’t have a good stroke.

I see Young at 10-15 minutes per game going forward and actually think McConnell could be the key piece in making any type of post season run. He will have some big games for us.

I agree on both McConnell and Young.

 

[BOCA93]

Young is getting his minutes from his D which has been really solid. If he ever figures out how to let the game come to him on the other end instead of forcing it, his quickness will cause nightmares for other teams.

 

[RutgHoops]

Good OP. We are getting outstanding defensive minutes out of our 2G spot (Young/Mathis). Games (and it is coming) where we get 15+ points out of that spot and we are DANGEROUS. With this roster Coach P is managing minutes very, very well.

Current B1G Standings:

1- Michigan State 1-0
T2- Almost everyone else 1-1
14- Northwestern 0-1

Let's go!!

 

[RUChoppin]

I just don’t see Young being a key contributor or factor...he plays way too erratic leading to turnovers or offensive fouls and doesn’t have a good stroke.

I see Young at 10-15 minutes per game going forward and actually think McConnell could be the key piece in making any type of post season run. He will have some big games for us.

I've been hard on Young, but I do think he will need to be a key factor if we're going to make any sort of post season run. If he can calm down and play a bit more in control on offense, his 10-15 min defensively become much more impactful when spelling Mathis. And I don't think that's impossible for him - I think he's acclimating to this team and Pike's expectations, and as the season wears on he will improve and play more within himself and within the offense.

McConnell also needs to become a bit more consistent - but I think he's doing well coming off the bench behind Yeboah. Really need both of these guys to produce if we're going to have hopes of a postseason.

 

[RUInsanity]

Mathis can't play 40 and there is a BIG drop off defensively from Young and Mathis to everyone else.

Not sure why other people continue to not understand this. Young will continue to play a solid role as long as he keeps up the intensity on D - regardless of his offensive production.....high value on D is the way Pike coaches....and I'll guess that it may also very likely be one of the reasons that Kiss is not seeing the floor.

 

[knights1212]

Young is huge on defense. I believe his offense will improve. He has some really big games ahead of him. I am happy with what all of our guys contribute. We just need to stay healthy. Over the holidays we cannot take anyone team for granted. Focus, Focus, Focus!

 

[RU-ROCS]

Shack-

Good comparison to Duncan for Young. With my frustration watching Young, I had not thought of that. I see Young's elite athleticism even while he's kicking off the rust. Those missed layups and outside shots may eventually start to fall when he's all the way back. But, the part I don't like, which has little to do with rust, is Young's very selfish play on offense. That has to change now.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

Back to the premise on "Back on Track". If the Track is NCAA berth (or birth).

The divide line has a very good chance of playing .500 in calendar year 2020. This also is .500 overall in B1G.

If we fail to finish at.500 or below COUNTING B1GT games we really shouldn't be in a NCAA discussion.

 

[Scarlet Blind]

The rotations are starting to come together.

PG- Baker, Mulcahy
2G- Mathis, Young
SF- RHJ, McConnell
PF- AY, RHJ(slides to 4 when AY is out)
C- Myles, Carter, Doucoure(only for Myles foul trouble)

It took 9 games(6-3) for Pike to move Yeboah to the starting lineup as the key to the rest of the season. We are more cohesive with this rotation. You can see the combinations of players Pike uses to be more offensively or more defensively. It is exciting that he figured it out before January, where he has struggled to figure it out half way into B1G schedule. I'll take this team as structured as a possible NCAA tournament team, the last 2 games have shown they are capable and deep enough to make it happen.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

How about this....

What is our record before the game at MSG if we on track?

15-6?

Meaning 7-3 in our next 10?

Sun 12-22 H 161 (III) Lafayette -13.4, 77-63 90%
Mon 12-30 H 0 (IV) Caldwell - 100%
Fri 1-03 A 138 (III) • Nebraska -4.8, 75-71 68%
Tue 1-07 H 18 (I) • Penn St. +0.2, 71-70 49%
Sat 1-11 A 32 (I) • Illinois +5.2, 70-65 29%
Wed 1-15 H 44 (II) • Indiana -3.1, 72-69 62%
Sun 1-19 H 53 (III) • Minnesota -4, 68-64 67%
Wed 1-22 A 28 (I-A) • Iowa +6.4, 76-70 27%
Sat 1-25 H 138 (IV) • Nebraska -12.4, 79-67 88%
Tue 1-28 H 11 (I) • Purdue +1.2, 61-60 44%

 

[bac2therac]

How about this....

What is our record before the game at MSG if we on track?

15-6?

Meaning 7-3 in our next 10?

Sun 12-22 H 161 (III) Lafayette -13.4, 77-63 90%
Mon 12-30 H 0 (IV) Caldwell - 100%
Fri 1-03 A 138 (III) • Nebraska -4.8, 75-71 68%
Tue 1-07 H 18 (I) • Penn St. +0.2, 71-70 49%
Sat 1-11 A 32 (I) • Illinois +5.2, 70-65 29%
Wed 1-15 H 44 (II) • Indiana -3.1, 72-69 62%
Sun 1-19 H 53 (III) • Minnesota -4, 68-64 67%
Wed 1-22 A 28 (I-A) • Iowa +6.4, 76-70 27%
Sat 1-25 H 138 (IV) • Nebraska -12.4, 79-67 88%
Tue 1-28 H 11 (I) • Purdue +1.2, 61-60 44%

I will sign on the dot for 7-3 right now to get to 15-6. However the key is how does the team respond to pressure and being the hunted. The early Big 10 schedule is much easier than the last stretch of games which is absolutely brutal. So RU might amass the gaudy record but might not be ready for what comes down the pike.

I think that Nebby/PSU duo is huge to sweep because we can lose them both actually and that would deflate everything. Beating those two has RU going in with house money at Illinois, then 4 of 5 at home looks sweet

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

The rotations are starting to come together.

PG- Baker, Mulcahy
2G- Mathis, Young
SF- RHJ, McConnell
PF- AY, RHJ(slides to 4 when AY is out)
C- Myles, Carter, Doucoure(only for Myles foul trouble)

It took 9 games(6-3) for Pike to move Yeboah to the starting lineup as the key to the rest of the season. We are more cohesive with this rotation.

My takeaway is more that coming off the bench has taken pressure off Caleb and he has responded in the 2 game sample.

Interesting looking at usage and efficiency numbers in our Top 100 games (last 4)

http://www.barttorvik.com/team.php?filter=100&year=2020&team=Rutgers

 

[PiscatawayMike]

Really need to go 7-3 in our next 10 to keep realistic hopes alive for a bid to the NCAA tournament.

In February, our schedule becomes a bear.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

If we go in to that game at MSG at 15-6 we will worry about the schedule at that time. If we enter February even with a 20% probability of dancing I will be very happy!

To your point 14-7 with that schedule would be a steep uphill climb.

 

[Scarlet Shack]

Net rankings 61....back on track and GAME ON

 

[Scarlet Shack]

Really need to go 7-3 in our next 10 to keep realistic hopes alive for a bid to the NCAA tournament.

In February, our schedule becomes a bear.

Yes....after we take care of business in the next two home games ...to get to 10-3 ...we play 8 league games in January and five at the RAC...we need 5-3 in that stretch to be 6-4/15-6 heading up to the garden with a huge game against a top 10-20 ranked Michigan team.

 

[mikebal9]

I think the Young discussion needs to be slightly reframed. After game 1, a lot of people were ready to sit Mathis because he was erratic on offense. I said that he would continue to play because his defensive intensity is too great to be sitting on the bench. So I understand the point about Young's defense, and I agree with it.
All that said, on offense, he has to change the way he plays. I'm not looking for more production. I'm actually not looking for any production. I just need him to be a part of the team. When the balls comes to him, he is driving to the basket 75% of the time, even if there's nothing there. I need him to stop being a negative. That's all. If we get nothing out of him, it's better than the turnover machine we have now.
One more point...I have seen slight improvement in this area over the last 2 or 3 games. We can only hope he continues to improve to become a more team-oriented offensive player.

 

[RU82]

It’s hard not to feel optimistic after the last two games. Our team seems to have taken a real step forward. If we continue to play defense at an elite level we can beat anyone on a good night.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

It’s hard not to feel optimistic after the last two games.

Rule of thumb....
(How you feel after a good win + How you feel after a disappointing loss) / 2

 

[phlop87]

Young’s D can’t be replaced. He will continue to get meaningful minutes if he continues playing solid D. Offensively I hope he finds a pull-up jumper from 10-12 feet. If he gets past his man and instead of going into the trees he pulls up it will help him and the team

 

[Caliknight]

If Young could relish being a lock down defender and timely drives when the opportunity arises without forcing everything, this team could be much better.

 

[CHR2022]

I wonder if vs some smaller teams we could utilize Shaw Carter and Myles on the floor together. May need it in the B1G as well if teams are running a more true #4 and #5. Haven't seen it much this year, but just a thought.

 

[RUJMM78]

I need 11-3

Lafayette
Caldwell
at Nebraska

Still think we need to thread the needle. I think you articulated what the eye of the needle is.

We also need to stay healthy.

Nebraska easily defeated Purdue at home.Rutgers winning any league road game should be considered a upset.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

Nebraska easily defeated Purdue at home.Rutgers winning any league road game should be considered a upset.

Spread will be Rutgers -3. We will be favored....assuming nothing material changes.

 

[RUJMM78]

Spread will be Rutgers -3. We will be favored....assuming nothing material changes.

Lets not forget when Rutgers played against a depleted Nebraska squad in the first round of the B1G Tournament which resulted in a embarrassing loss.

 

[RU82]

Rule of thumb....
(How you feel after a good win + How you feel after a disappointing loss) / 2

That’s a good rule of thumb. But one of these years we have to surprise on the upside. It’s been a long time. This could be the year. There isn’t a team in the B1G that we can’t beat. If Yeboah keeps playing like he did yesterday we’re a better team than last year.

 

[kcg88]

We can absolutely win on the road at Purdue this year.

We can absolutely lose at home to Nebraska this year.

Buckle up, it's gonna get wild.

 

[Scarlet Blind]

Lets not forget when Rutgers played against a depleted Nebraska squad in the first round of the B1G Tournament which resulted in a embarrassing loss.

The morale on the team was also shot at that point after the Issa Thiam incident @14-14. Tough loss at home to Penn St by 1 they should've won. Then, they no showed the @Indiana game, and they knew they had no shot at .500 needing 3 wins, 14-16, going into the Nebraska game 16-15.

 

[Goku]

We can absolutely win on the road at Purdue this year.

We can absolutely lose at home to Nebraska this year.

Buckle up, it's gonna get wild.

Good reminder. And I’m guilty of getting lost in the craziness of the season. There will be wtf losses and wtf wins.

 

[fluoxetine]

How about this....

What is our record before the game at MSG if we on track?

15-6?

Meaning 7-3 in our next 10?

Sun 12-22 H 161 (III) Lafayette -13.4, 77-63 90%
Mon 12-30 H 0 (IV) Caldwell - 100%
Fri 1-03 A 138 (III) • Nebraska -4.8, 75-71 68%
Tue 1-07 H 18 (I) • Penn St. +0.2, 71-70 49%
Sat 1-11 A 32 (I) • Illinois +5.2, 70-65 29%
Wed 1-15 H 44 (II) • Indiana -3.1, 72-69 62%
Sun 1-19 H 53 (III) • Minnesota -4, 68-64 67%
Wed 1-22 A 28 (I-A) • Iowa +6.4, 76-70 27%
Sat 1-25 H 138 (IV) • Nebraska -12.4, 79-67 88%
Tue 1-28 H 11 (I) • Purdue +1.2, 61-60 44%

According to the "Wins Above Bubble" on Bart the expected bubble record through Purdue would be 14.8-6.2 so 15-6 would be right on track and 14-7 a bit behind.

Expected bubble record for our whole season is 18.66-12.34 so we would realistically need to finish 19-12 (10-10) to have a chance, and then we would need one in the Big Ten Tournament. Bart's projection is currently 18-13 (9-11) so it isn't that far out of reach. He has us at 26.2% to reach the tournament which is obviously fairly unlikely but not miracle range or anything.

Have to figure NIT is the expectation at this point.

 

[richthedentist]

I wonder if vs some smaller teams we could utilize Shaw Carter and Myles on the floor together. May need it in the B1G as well if teams are running a more true #4 and #5. Haven't seen it much this year, but just a thought.

I agree with you and Shaq has a very good shot so I wouldn't mind seeing them out there together for a few minutes here or there against some of the bigger teams in the BIG10

 

[Pils86]

Seems to me Young and Mathis don't have wiggle to get defenders off balance when the defender is set. They should only be driving when they get position via movement without the ball, a pick or fast break. Is developing a pull up jumper that hard to do? With the speed of Young and Mathis I think it would really elevate their game if they could drive and pull up for a 10 - 12 footer.

 

[koleszar]

I just want a winning record to move the program another step further. 13 years and counting. Would like to stop the counting, anything more would be gravy this year for me.