A Few Misconceptions

[RU72]

Right now Cliff isn't a lottery pick and if the draft was tomorrow would probably go undrafted. I really like him and he is shooting it better,but believe it or not Caleb is currently thought more highly of by some NBA scouts. I really like Cliff in the long term more than Sanogo,but Sanogo is currently in the no. 38 draft range.

The Dylan situation is not a bidding war and it would be stunning if it isn't only Rutgers and Duke. I don't expect an early decision.

The RAC renovations are more likely 2024-5 and are beyond necessary from so many perspectives that it is silly to enumerate.They are significant and in NJ can't be done in 8 months. NJ is not Montana.It is expensive with loads of building red tape. The plans are magnificent at a minimum.

Miami will be a bear on the road,but I see only 2 OOC losses.

The Big is not as strong this year as last and I can't imagine a scenario in which Rutgers is worse than 6th. The Hoosiers are vastly overrated and Illinois and Michigan are underrated.Penn State is talented and well coached and Purdue has some excellent shooters.

 

[ScarletKid2008]

Right now Cliff isn't a lottery pick and if the draft was tomorrow would probably go undrafted. I really like him and he is shooting it better,but believe it or not Caleb is currently thought more highly of by some NBA scouts. I really like Cliff in the long term more than Sanogo,but Sanogo is currently in the no. 38 draft range.

The Dylan situation is not a bidding war and it would be stunning if it isn't only Rutgers and Duke. I don't expect an early decision.

The RAC renovations are more likely 2024-5 and are beyond necessary from so many perspectives that it is silly to enumerate.They are significant and in NJ can't be done in 8 months. NJ is not Montana.It is expensive with loads of building red tape. The plans are magnificent at a minimum.

Miami will be a bear on the road,but I see only 2 OOC losses.

The Big is not as strong this year as last and I can't imagine a scenario in which Rutgers is worse than 6th. The Hoosiers are vastly overrated and Illinois and Michigan are underrated.Penn State is talented and well coached and Purdue has some excellent shooters.

are you saying then that the RAC renderings that were recently leaked are not the full scope and/or not representative of the magnificence of the renovations being planned for ?

 

[GRU23]

Miami is good but they are also super small

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

Agree with your assessment about Cliff

given how devastating losing a season of the RAC is to the program I think it isn’t silly, but worthwhile to list the reasons.

not having the ability to have luxury seating better not be a primary reason.

 

[RUtrumpet92]

Cliff not being a 1st round pick is a mixed blessing for the program. If he performs at a level that moved his uo there, we probably have a great season, but then he is gone. If he is not a 1st round guy, there's more of a chance of one more year with him.

Re: a year away from the RAC: the AD will need to list a lot of the benefits when this is announced. Giving up our home for a full year is a big deal.

 

[Scangg]

Cliff's draft stock right now is irrelevant. The people projecting Cliff to get drafted are doing so expecting a big season and an improved outside game.

We'll see if that pans out. A monster season is coming whether his outside shooting is actually a thing or not, but that will have a huge impact on his NBA prospects.

Speaking of outside shooting, if Caleb can have a breakout 3 point shooting season and get back to his freshman year shooting form, he becomes an interesting 3 and D prospect with his length and versatility

 

[ancienthooper]

Right now Cliff isn't a lottery pick and if the draft was tomorrow would probably go undrafted. I really like him and he is shooting it better,but believe it or not Caleb is currently thought more highly of by some NBA scouts. I really like Cliff in the long term more than Sanogo,but Sanogo is currently in the no. 38 draft range.

The Dylan situation is not a bidding war and it would be stunning if it isn't only Rutgers and Duke. I don't expect an early decision.

The RAC renovations are more likely 2024-5 and are beyond necessary from so many perspectives that it is silly to enumerate.They are significant and in NJ can't be done in 8 months. NJ is not Montana.It is expensive with loads of building red tape. The plans are magnificent at a minimum.

Miami will be a bear on the road,but I see only 2 OOC losses.

The Big is not as strong this year as last and I can't imagine a scenario in which Rutgers is worse than 6th. The Hoosiers are vastly overrated and Illinois and Michigan are underrated.Penn State is talented and well coached and Purdue has some excellent shooters.

“Renovations are beyond necessary.” Check. “Can’t be done in 8 months.” Check. Anyone living in Jersey and thinking otherwise has been in a Rip Van Winkle-like coma.

 

[SirScarlet]

Love these nuggets...

 

[richthedentist]

“Renovations are beyond necessary.” Check. “Can’t be done in 8 months.” Check. Anyone living in Jersey and thinking otherwise has been in a Rip Van Winkle-like coma.

There are ways they can potentially work on the whole new entry way if that is going to be on the parking lot side without affecting the actual structure so this is all hearsay as to what will occur and at minimum as many have said we are at least 2 years away from actual construction and probably more especially if they want to do the football project no way these both can happen at once unless all of a sudden a sugar daddy appears with about 200-250 million

 

[fatsam98]

When you say magnificent, they're not going to ruin the RAC right?

 

[wheezer]

When you say magnificent, they're not going to ruin the RAC right?

I would hope they just work around the existing seating....the more they monkey around in that area, the more likely the
RAC would have to conform to current seating regulations, pitch of the seating, etc

 

[Scarlet83]

Right now Cliff isn't a lottery pick and if the draft was tomorrow would probably go undrafted. I really like him and he is shooting it better,but believe it or not Caleb is currently thought more highly of by some NBA scouts. I really like Cliff in the long term more than Sanogo,but Sanogo is currently in the no. 38 draft range.

The Dylan situation is not a bidding war and it would be stunning if it isn't only Rutgers and Duke. I don't expect an early decision.

The RAC renovations are more likely 2024-5 and are beyond necessary from so many perspectives that it is silly to enumerate.They are significant and in NJ can't be done in 8 months. NJ is not Montana.It is expensive with loads of building red tape. The plans are magnificent at a minimum.

Miami will be a bear on the road,but I see only 2 OOC losses.

The Big is not as strong this year as last and I can't imagine a scenario in which Rutgers is worse than 6th. The Hoosiers are vastly overrated and Illinois and Michigan are underrated.Penn State is talented and well coached and Purdue has some excellent shooters.

Thank you for your info.

Yes, NJ isn’t Montana. And yes, the Reno will take more than 8 months, I would expect. As long as the reno takes less than 16 months, we are good. 8 months before a season and 8 months after that season. Don’t underestimate construction project management.

As other posters have said, a whole year away from Jersey Mike’s Arena is devastating to our NCAA chances that year. Who here thinks Pike wants NO RAC games in a year?

Other teams have done bigger renovations without sacrificing home court advantage. Why should we?

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

Let’s see what the economy looks like in 18 months.

 

[wheezer]

this may be stupid thinking, but I hope the plan gets pushed back till when Dylan would be a junior or thereafter....at least have it announced that way.....I really want to get him and I don't want anything to give Duke a better chance than they should have

 

[Mbash93]

Totally agree on cliff. And if Cliff were to leave as a projected draft pick it’s because he had a monster season where we got a huge benefit from it

 

[jerzeyguy]

Lmao at people thinking Dylan choice will have anything to do with the RAC. If he comes here - it was for a much bigger reason. He's likely a 1 and done anyway. He's def a 1 and done if he has a growth spurt

 

[RUDieHard]

this may be stupid thinking, but I hope the plan gets pushed back till when Dylan would be a junior or thereafter....at least have it announced that way.....I really want to get him and I don't want anything to give Duke a better chance than they should have

 

[wheezer]

Lmao at people thinking Dylan choice will have anything to do with the RAC. If he comes here - it was for a much bigger reason. He's likely a 1 and done anyway. He's def a 1 and done if he has a growth spurt

You do not know that
If he is only playing one year and we wind up in Trenton, he may choose to play in Dukes arena
If it is a close decision

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

You do not know that
If he is only playing one year and we wind up in Trenton, he may choose to play in Dukes arena
If it is a close decision

I’d be shocked if he came here knowing he’d play his career at Trenton

 

[cubuffsdoug]

If the arena is the deciding factor for a recruit to choose a school, then that school has more problems than they are willing to admit.

The arena may be on the list, but it's behind:
playing for a good team
opportunity to advance to the pro level
the coach's ability to improve the recruit's skills
comfort level with the staff

Most fans here probably have never been recruited to play D1 sports, so your view is from a fan's perspective.

 

[Plum Street]

ru72 is awesome

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

Great intel from 72. The NBA comparative point he makes on Cliff vs. Caleb shouldn’t be viewed as a slight towards Cliff’s prospects either. Cliff is a beast of a college player, but at the position he plays your differentiating skills really have to go beyond that to truly project as a sure NBA contributor - so his stock would be about potential (until he proves otherwise in multiple areas).

Caleb’s in a different situation. Serviceable shooting ability at the NBA level (and FT shooting) are the only holes he needs to fill this season to show he would be an asset as a utility player. His handle is good enough for the position he would play and his measurables are solid. His asset is elite defense - but to be a serious prospect, he needs to show consistently that he can burn opponents if they leave him wide open. If he does that this year, he’ll have a shot IMO.

 

[rufeelinit]

Not that they are anyway the sole authority on next year's draft, but the Athletic recently put out an early view of next year's NBA draft and neither Cliff or Caleb were selected. I was surprised Cliff was not viewed as a second rounder based on his athleticism and potential but the draft emphasis was on first year guys particularly in the first round. I certainly think he could play his way in to the draft with a strong year. The key is making sure what is good for his improving draft status is consistent with what RU needs to win basketball games.

 

[NickRU714]

Not that they are anyway the sole authority on next year's draft, but the Athletic recently put out an early view of next year's NBA draft and neither Cliff or Caleb were selected. I was surprised Cliff was not viewed as a second rounder based on his athleticism and potential but the draft emphasis was on first year guys particularly in the first round. I certainly think he could play his way in to the draft with a strong year. The key is making sure what is good for his improving draft status is consistent with what RU needs to win basketball games.

Potential goes out the door when you turn 22 before the 2023 NBA season starts.
Clif isn't exactly young in NBA draft circles.

 

[Groz]

Great intel from 72. The NBA comparative point he makes on Cliff vs. Caleb shouldn’t be viewed as a slight towards Cliff’s prospects either. Cliff is a beast of a college player, but at the position he plays your differentiating skills really have to go beyond that to truly project as a sure NBA contributor - so his stock would be about potential (until he proves otherwise in multiple areas).

Caleb’s in a different situation. Serviceable shooting ability at the NBA level (and FT shooting) are the only holes he needs to fill this season to show he would be an asset as a utility player. His handle is good enough for the position he would play and his measurables are solid. His asset is elite defense - but to be a serious prospect, he needs to show consistently that he can burn opponents if they leave him wide open. If he does that this year, he’ll have a shot IMO.

A funny thing is that I was at a party a few weeks ago and someone(technically, my cousin's cousin on the other side) who was there, is an NBA insider and has an NBA show on XM radio and is on other radio stations as a guest all the time.

He told me that Paul will make the NBA.

Only time will tell with all of our guys. It is so exciting to be speaking about potential NBA players, but more importantly, that all of these players will help us make the NCAA tourney again and help with recruiting in the future......

Best of Luck,
Groz

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

Caleb is so far off from a serviceable NBA outside shooter (as of March 2022).

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

Caleb is so far off from a serviceable NBA outside shooter (as of March 2022).

He is. However, if he had another season shooting with the efficiency he did as a frosh he would move onto the draft radar. Since he did it once it’s not crazy to think it could be possible. Look at JY - one good season shooting the deep ball. Crazier things have happened.

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

A funny thing is that I was at a party a few weeks ago and someone(technically, my cousin's cousin on the other side) who was there, is an NBA insider and has an NBA show on XM radio and is on other radio stations as a guest all the time.

He told me that Paul will make the NBA.

Only time will tell with all of our guys. It is so exciting to be speaking about potential NBA players, but more importantly, that all of these players will help us make the NCAA tourney again and help with recruiting in the future......

Best of Luck,
Groz

I don’t think Paul’s defense could ever be good enough unless he emerges as a major offensive star. Defense tends to be a more valuable attribute for a utility player unless they truly are a lights out type of shooter.

 

[Captain Hogleg]

Paul is a better defensive rebounder than most of you are recognizing. He switches down low to help and has good hands. Too many of you are conflating your perception of what an on ball PG defender should be with expectations of Paul’s game. He is not the liability many of you make him out to be.

 

[Scangg]

Paul is a better defensive rebounder than most of you are recognizing. He switches down low to help and has good hands. Too many of you are conflating your perception of what an on ball PG defender should be with expectations of Paul’s game. He is not the liability many of you make him out to be.

Lol what does his defensive rebounding have to do with his on ball PG defense?

This take sounds like you just learned the word conflate and wanted to use it. It doesn't work here

 

[Nycrusupporter]

Not that they are anyway the sole authority on next year's draft, but the Athletic recently put out an early view of next year's NBA draft and neither Cliff or Caleb were selected. I was surprised Cliff was not viewed as a second rounder based on his athleticism and potential but the draft emphasis was on first year guys particularly in the first round. I certainly think he could play his way in to the draft with a strong year. The key is making sure what is good for his improving draft status is consistent with what RU needs to win basketball games.

There are several draft projections out there, and right now Cliff isn’t in any of them. One site, NBA Draft room, goes up to 136 players, and Cliff isn’t listed (Caleb is just outside the draft at 63, which seems high to me). Cliff is still very raw on both offense and defense. His post game is improving but still needs a lot of work. He doesn’t box out well, and leaves his feet too easily. He also looks short for an NBA center and doesn’t have the skill set to be able to move over to power forward. I think he can improve enough this year to potentially get drafted, but wouldn't be surprised if he can’t get there. I am not knocking him, it is just hard, there is a reason why Hunter Dickinson is back this year.

I expect Caleb will go the same route as RHJ, signing with someone as a free agent, as a number of teams will give someone a shot if they have one skill that is exceptional, especially defense, as long as they are not too much of a liability offensively. I don’t see Paul getting a shot, he turns the ball over way to much in college, against much faster, athletic pro players his ball handling would be a major liability, and he also wouldn't be able to defend anyone.

 

[NickRU714]

I expect Caleb will go the same route as RHJ, signing with someone as a free agent, as a number of teams will give someone a shot if they have one skill that is exceptional, especially defense, as long as they are not too much of a liability offensively. I don’t see Paul getting a shot, he turns the ball over way to much in college, against much faster, athletic pro players his ball handling would be a major liability, and he also wouldn't be able to defend anyone.

Great paragraph.

For non marquee players (draft and hust in the league), having 1 great skill that a team can say "forget everything else, he can get us a rebound or get us a stop or hit an open 3pt shot or get to the basket" is the key.

Caleb's calling card will be - just get me in the game and I'll disrupt their offense for a couple minutes.
He won't be asked to score or carry the offense for 15 mins at a time.

 

[Good-Knight]

I don't know if this is just exaggeration but Caleb is not higher up on anyone's chart. Show me a defensive oriented guard who was drafted and made an NBA team in the last decade. As much as teams like to have specialists, it just doesn't happen. Agree that Cliff must be a more dynamic player to get more consideration. Unfortunately, RU wants Cliff to focus on what he does best and not work on a mid-range or skyhook or anything else that has growing pains.

 

[BillyC80]

When NBA scouts saw the Big Ten DPOY go for 23 and 11 against Notre Dame in arguably the best game of the NCAA tournament, it had to help his draft status.

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

I don't know if this is just exaggeration but Caleb is not higher up on anyone's chart. Show me a defensive oriented guard who was drafted and made an NBA team in the last decade. As much as teams like to have specialists, it just doesn't happen. Agree that Cliff must be a more dynamic player to get more consideration. Unfortunately, RU wants Cliff to focus on what he does best and not work on a mid-range or skyhook or anything else that has growing pains.

His path to the NBA most reminds me of Jevon Carter’s.

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

Great paragraph.

For non marquee players (draft and hust in the league), having 1 great skill that a team can say "forget everything else, he can get us a rebound or get us a stop or hit an open 3pt shot or get to the basket" is the key.

Caleb's calling card will be - just get me in the game and I'll disrupt their offense for a couple minutes.
He won't be asked to score or carry the offense for 15 mins at a time.

Exactly right. Whether he gets drafted or not is irrelevant. And that’s the difference. His defense is already at a level where it would be better than most if not all starters on some NBA rosters. As long as he can’t be left completely unguarded, there could be a role for him in spot minutes.

 

[e5fdny]

“Renovations are beyond necessary.” Check. “Can’t be done in 8 months.” Check. Anyone living in Jersey and thinking otherwise has been in a Rip Van Winkle-like coma.

Thank you for your info.

Yes, NJ isn’t Montana. And yes, the Reno will take more than 8 months, I would expect. As long as the reno takes less than 16 months, we are good. 8 months before a season and 8 months after that season. Don’t underestimate construction project management.

As other posters have said, a whole year away from Jersey Mike’s Arena is devastating to our NCAA chances that year. Who here thinks Pike wants NO RAC games in a year?

Other teams have done bigger renovations without sacrificing home court advantage. Why should we?

Seriously. If it takes longer, it takes longer.

 

[RutgersNo1]

I don't know if this is just exaggeration but Caleb is not higher up on anyone's chart. Show me a defensive oriented guard who was drafted and made an NBA team in the last decade. As much as teams like to have specialists, it just doesn't happen. Agree that Cliff must be a more dynamic player to get more consideration. Unfortunately, RU wants Cliff to focus on what he does best and not work on a mid-range or skyhook or anything else that has growing pains.

Andre Robertson
Thabo Sefolosha

 

[FastMJ]

I hate the NBA and couldn’t care less about what it takes to get drafted. I only care how our team performs although I’d be happy on a personal level for our guys if they cash in.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

He is. However, if he had another season shooting with the efficiency he did as a frosh he would move onto the draft radar.

I don't know if this is just exaggeration but Caleb is not higher up on anyone's chart. Show me a defensive oriented guard who was drafted and made an NBA team in the last decade. As much as teams like to have specialists, it just doesn't happen. Agree that Cliff must be a more dynamic player to get more consideration. Unfortunately, RU wants Cliff to focus on what he does best and not work on a mid-range or skyhook or anything else that has growing pains.

I am not a NBA guy, but isn’t there a guy on the 76ers that plays just for his D