A few quick thoughts

[higgins3]

More and more, I am thinking this team might be in some late dogfights. Opponents will have to prepare for them. They will not be able to overlook Rutgers Basketball this year.

I think this because of the teams versatility. The spot where the versatility shines most is defensive potential. Jonathan Laurent can guard 1-3, even some 4 like last year. We do not want him guarding a 4 man,though. Issa Thiam can guard 1-3, and eventually will be a small forward next year. This year, probably a guard. Omoyuri(awesome name), can guard 3-4, and has a lot of junior etou in him. Although traded, I really liked watching Etou play. Sa can guard either four or five, and has impressive genetically given wingspan. Very long.

On the offensive end, I think Gettys is one of the best pick and roll bigs we have seen in five years on the banks. He rolls very naturally to open space. I really like his potential there. He says he can shoot, but we have no evidence of that. All I know is that for him to really want to pull out to the 3pt line and let the guards have more room to operate, we have to be a great shooting team or else we will give up defensive boards too often.

What do you guys think?Maybe more potential than our football squad. They lack a general. We have two-Pikiell and Sanders.

I am excited to get to one of my favorite places on earth this winter-THE RAC.


RRRRRR

 

[PhilaPhans]

Before I start, remember how positive I was about the team in my last big post. That being said ...

Nobody on the front line scares anybody on the offensive end. Nobody on the front line scares anybody on the defensive end. (Sa is our shot blocker, but can he do that guarding the 4?). We have height, but when height and athleticism don't mix, it doesn't do much. Who was the last 4 or 5 that we had that other teams had to truly game plan for and be scared about? Jack maybe, but even then I wonder.

I'll give you Corey. He's proven things in the B1G last year as a frosh.

Who knows what we'll get out of the 2 and 3. We need Thiam to be a 3 and D. We haven't had a real stretch 3/4 since Herve. We also need Williams or Johnson to have games where they are unconscious at the 2.

When we get all of that, we're still at best a below average team to average. Below average in the B1G (tough conference) >>>>>>>>>>>> 2015. But there's still a long way to go.

 

[higgins3]

Before I start, remember how positive I was about the team in my last big post. That being said ...

Nobody on the front line scares anybody on the offensive end. Nobody on the front line scares anybody on the defensive end. (Sa is our shot blocker, but can he do that guarding the 4?). We have height, but when height and athleticism don't mix, it doesn't do much. Who was the last 4 or 5 that we had that other teams had to truly game plan for and be scared about? Jack maybe, but even then I wonder.

I'll give you Corey. He's proven things in the B1G last year as a frosh.

Who knows what we'll get out of the 2 and 3. We need Thiam to be a 3 and D. We haven't had a real stretch 3/4 since Herve. We also need Williams or Johnson to have games where they are unconscious at the 2.

When we get all of that, we're still at best a below average team to average. Below average in the B1G (tough conference) >>>>>>>>>>>> 2015. But there's still a long way to go.

Phila, very reasonable points. I agree, our front court is nowhere near solidified. They also all have very little experience, hence no comment from me on the tallest front court in the big.

Like I mentioned, our strengths lie in our defensive and some of our tweeners. I see Laurent having a 9 and 5 year. He has big potential. Thiam will be more than 3 and D. He passes very well for his size. I looked at Uncw page. Some of them thought gettys was great, others did not. Most likely, we lose to uncw last year. They say getty was exactly what you said, big but not athletic. That means the big might be the league for him. I think you will see Johnson be unconscious.

My big qualm is still that the team is still selfish at a lot of times. Williams needs to improve there, and stop driving to the hoop with his head down. That selfishness is normally something that does not change over a season too much. I hope to see it different this year.

 

[NewJerseyHawk]

Stats matter when you are not winning games....so we've seen that script over the last decade. A change in culture allows for an extra pass, if you feel like the other player is capable of taking and making that shot. Instead, we saw extra passes result in other players making turnovers or errant passes, after they get the ball and then try and score to get whatever stats they can.

Even NCAA teams have players that do this and are successful. There are times when a defense wins against the offense and it will be up to a player to "go make a play".....it sounds like a draw it up in the dirt type of play, but the biggest determining factor is whether Corey Sanders can start to score in the first 4-8 minutes of the game. I felt he played the role of PG very early and then when the score started to get out of hand, he then started scoring to try and keep RU in games.

Now with Nigel and Thiam able to take and make shots, Sanders can defer and see what happens and if the shot clock drops below 10 seconds, he can get his own shot off or create offense for others. Once Sanders and Johnson (along with Williams get a certain number of shots, how the guards get the Thiam/Sa/Freeman trio involved will determine where RU goes as a program in Year one. They will defend, but can they define the pecking order of what players need to get shots in this offense to be successful. It will be a work in progress folks, with this many new kids, new staff and players being asked to play defense first, how fast they are willing to adapt will be interesting to see.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

The margin between RU and the middle of the B1G was enormous. Even if we are vastly improved we still could win 2 or 3 B1G games.

To me it is all about how/if the team buys in to playing basketball the right away. If we are going to measure things by wins and losses we are setting up for major disappointment.

Reprogramming Sanders and getting Freeman to play all 3 ends (D,O, and off court) is what I will be looking for. Can't forget the fact our 2 best players were suspended last year. My fingers are crossed.

 

[eja92]

Stats matter when you are not winning games....so we've seen that script over the last decade. A change in culture allows for an extra pass, if you feel like the other player is capable of taking and making that shot. Instead, we saw extra passes result in other players making turnovers or errant passes, after they get the ball and then try and score to get whatever stats they can.

Even NCAA teams have players that do this and are successful. There are times when a defense wins against the offense and it will be up to a player to "go make a play".....it sounds like a draw it up in the dirt type of play, but the biggest determining factor is whether Corey Sanders can start to score in the first 4-8 minutes of the game. I felt he played the role of PG very early and then when the score started to get out of hand, he then started scoring to try and keep RU in games.

Now with Nigel and Thiam able to take and make shots, Sanders can defer and see what happens and if the shot clock drops below 10 seconds, he can get his own shot off or create offense for others. Once Sanders and Johnson (along with Williams get a certain number of shots, how the guards get the Thiam/Sa/Freeman trio involved will determine where RU goes as a program in Year one. They will defend, but can they define the pecking order of what players need to get shots in this offense to be successful. It will be a work in progress folks, with this many new kids, new staff and players being asked to play defense first, how fast they are willing to adapt will be interesting to see.

Exactly - we really don't know what many of RU's players can do within a team framework simply because that was not how the team operated the past couple of years. I think RU lacks pure shooters and that will hurt them against good teams. But, ball movement and trust between players can significantly improve shooting percentages. Defensive rebounds also increase offensive efficiency - especially if the bigs do a good job here - as it will allow the team to run. I don't think we will be a top half Big 10 team, but I agree with the start of this thread - we should be a team that is uncomfortable to play against in that we are a team that will defend and rebound and has lots of fouls up front to play physically.

 

[RU at the shore]

I am excited about the team because we have depth and versatility. Are these guys 4 starts across the board, no , but if someone is not doing their job, at least the coach can look down the bench and give someone else a shot. And at least we wont have SGs trying to play in the paint. Instead we have lots of big bodies underneath. The possibility of some 2 way play at the 4. Options including a rookie gathering a lot of positive press at the 3. Guards that started roughly 50 games last year returning. A combo guard with major conference experience . Some D1 bodies in addition.

Not sure it will mean a lot more Ws, but I am looking forward to this team getting out there..

 

[higgins3]

The margin between RU and the middle of the B1G was enormous. Even if we are vastly improved we still could win 2 or 3 B1G games.

To me it is all about how/if the team buys in to playing basketball the right away. If we are going to measure things by wins and losses we are setting up for major disappointment.

Reprogramming Sanders and getting Freeman to play all 3 ends (D,O, and off court) is what I will be looking for. Can't forget the fact our 2 best players were suspended last year. My fingers are crossed.

I am with you on getting back to basketball. The game where the ball is moved, players move, and you try to stop the ball from moving on the other end.

As far as our two best players, who do you mean?I do not know if Freeman is a top two player on the team. Nonetheless, it does not matter. The team must win together.

 

[higgins3]

I am excited about the team because we have depth and versatility. Are these guys 4 starts across the board, no , but if someone is not doing their job, at least the coach can look down the bench and give someone else a shot. And at least we wont have SGs trying to play in the paint. Instead we have lots of big bodies underneath. The possibility of some 2 way play at the 4. Options including a rookie gathering a lot of positive press at the 3. Guards that started roughly 50 games last year returning. A combo guard with major conference experience . Some D1 bodies in addition.

Not sure it will mean a lot more Ws, but I am looking forward to this team getting out there..

Definitely. The thing I read about Gettys was that he was very satisfied with playing his role at UNCW.

 

[higgins3]

Exactly - we really don't know what many of RU's players can do within a team framework simply because that was not how the team operated the past couple of years. I think RU lacks pure shooters and that will hurt them against good teams. But, ball movement and trust between players can significantly improve shooting percentages. Defensive rebounds also increase offensive efficiency - especially if the bigs do a good job here - as it will allow the team to run. I don't think we will be a top half Big 10 team, but I agree with the start of this thread - we should be a team that is uncomfortable to play against in that we are a team that will defend and rebound and has lots of fouls up front to play physically.

Definitely. The most potential we have is that we have players who want to push the ball out of the back, and our versatility on defense.

 

[PhilaPhans]

As far as our two best players, who do you mean?I do not know if Freeman is a top two player on the team. Nonetheless, it does not matter. The team must win together.

He was referencing last year. And yes, they were the two best players on the team last year.

 

[higgins3]

He was referencing last year. And yes, they were the two best players on the team last year.

Gotcha. I cannot confidently call someone the best player on the team when we saw them for two games. Nonetheless, I look to see big things from Freeman this year. Our depth will allow us to run, and that will be our biggest strength.

 

[El Curioso Impertinente]

We have the biggest Front Court in the B10. . . that's amazing.

Coach Pikiell and his staff are impressive.

I'm cautiously optimistic and secretly giddy.

 

[PhilaPhans]

Gotcha. I cannot confidently call someone the best player on the team when we saw them for two games. Nonetheless, I look to see big things from Freeman this year. Our depth will allow us to run, and that will be our biggest strength.

I'm guessing you're being a tad sarcastic, but for factual purposes and just in case anybody is wondering, he played 7 games last year (up through the end of November).

 

[ChasRC69]

I am with you on getting back to basketball. The game where the ball is moved, players move, and you try to stop the ball from moving on the other end.

As far as our two best players, who do you mean?I do not know if Freeman is a top two player on the team. Nonetheless, it does not matter. The team must win together.

You do realize I hope that Freeman was our leading scorer when he got hurt.

 

[Hope4RU]

I know our kids have proved nothing. But I can't help but be optimistic about seeing solid improvement this year. More size. Better depth. More scoring options. And -- hopefully -- some real quality coaching of these developing kids.

 

[Rhuarc]

I pray that the basketball fan base doesn't act like the football one where people had unrealistic expectations and people are hyper critical of our new coach after 1 game. I assume that people on this board may be a bit more patient due to the larger numbers of games and having an experienced game coach at the helm. I think our team will be better and will be more competitive, but the gap between us and virtually every B1G team was significant and that won't change dramatically over night.

 

[higgins3]

You do realize I hope that Freeman was our leading scorer when he got hurt.

I think he will be a huge facet, but two of the games were Rutgers Newark and Howard. He missed 25 games, and did not play one big ten game. I guess that is my point.

 

[higgins3]

I'm guessing you're being a tad sarcastic, but for factual purposes and just in case anybody is wondering, he played 7 games last year (up through the end of November).

I am just saying, his was out the majority of our season. He did not face one big ten opponent. I know he is a good player, but I am trying to be realistic in what we saw from him. 7 games, and two of them not great teams, it is hard for me to say he was one of the best.

He is going to be very important for us this year.

 

[rufeelinit]

Nice to be optimistic but I don't think we will know what we have until this team starts playing games. Just too many question marks at this point. Hopefully SP and staff can get them to embrace a team first concept and that he has enough pieces to sit kids who are not buying in if necessary.

 

[mikefla]

I think we WILL be way more competitive ...Pickiel will see to it...
they say a team takes on the personality of its coach
which makes me wonder just WHAT EJ was doing all his college career

 

[MadRU]

Nice to be optimistic but I don't think we will know what we have until this team starts playing games. Just too many question marks at this point. Hopefully SP and staff can get them to embrace a team first concept and that he has enough pieces to sit kids who are not buying in if necessary.

This^^^^^^^

 

[runroyrun]

Bullock is, I think, another of those "flexibility" guys. In the wrong situation, he can be exposed (not big enough, not quick enough). But in the right situation (in-game coaching) he can provide matchup problems by being too big or too quick. Situational, situational, situational.

 

[PhilaPhans]

Honestly, I expect absolutely nothing out of Bullock this year, unless one of our main 3 guards get injured. Anything we get there is a bonus.

He's one of the ones I will be following closely to see his progression, though. Definitely a big wild card.

 

[RU-ROCS]

Higgins-

I admire your optimism, but I think you are setting yourself up for disappointment, just like so many football posters, who thought Ash could magically overcome the drastic lack of talent on the football team to win on the road at No. 14 Washington in the very first game of a new offensive and defensive system. The hoops roster is still devoid of Big10 talent, except for Sanders. Competitive conference games and conference wins will not suddenly materialize just because we have a much better coaching staff. It will likely take some time and an infusion of higher caliber players.

 

[higgins3]

Bullock is, I think, another of those "flexibility" guys. In the wrong situation, he can be exposed (not big enough, not quick enough). But in the right situation (in-game coaching) he can provide matchup problems by being too big or too quick. Situational, situational, situational.

For sure. I see Omoyuri,Laurent and Thiam as the most versatile kids. We will see.

I could see Bullock playing the 3-4. Knights1212 knows more, but him going against a pf when he comes in might not be best for his play.

 

[higgins3]

Higgins-

I admire your optimism, but I think you are setting yourself up for disappointment, just like so many football posters, who thought Ash could magically overcome the drastic lack of talent on the football team to win on the road at No. 14 Washington in the very first game of a new offensive and defensive system. The hoops roster is still devoid of Big10 talent, except for Sanders. Competitive conference games and conference wins will not suddenly materialize just because we have a much better coaching staff. It will likely take some time and an infusion of higher caliber players.

Jonathan Laurent showed he could play on a big ten team. Mike Williams has shown he can perform in this league. I think we will be better than we thought. Basketball is far different than football.

 

[higgins3]

Honestly, I expect absolutely nothing out of Bullock this year, unless one of our main 3 guards get injured. Anything we get there is a bonus.

He's one of the ones I will be following closely to see his progression, though. Definitely a big wild card.

For sure. I do not expect a ton either. I see Thiam and Omoyuri as bigger wild cards moreso than Bullock.

 

[higgins3]

I think we WILL be way more competitive ...Pickiel will see to it...
they say a team takes on the personality of its coach
which makes me wonder just WHAT EJ was doing all his college career

Ej was taking classes...wait coaching,too. He was dealt a hard hand. He did not seem to outwork his pay by any means,either.

 

[TruJerz]

I am with you on getting back to basketball. The game where the ball is moved, players move, and you try to stop the ball from moving on the other end.

As far as our two best players, who do you mean?I do not know if Freeman is a top two player on the team. Nonetheless, it does not matter. The team must win together.

Freeman was clearly the 2nd best player on the team last year before going down with an injury. This year, other than Nigel, I don't think anyone else will be more impactful than Freeman will be for this team. That's just my opinion tho

 

[higgins3]

Freeman was clearly the 2nd best player on the team last year before going down with an injury. This year, other than Nigel, I don't think anyone else will be more impactful than Freeman will be for this team. That's just my opinion tho

Good stuff. I think he is a great player too. My only qualm was the extremely small sample size, and the fact they we did not get to see him play against the best opponents in our league.

Him and Corey seemed to have great chemistry out of the gates. I hope his knee feels good and they can continue that chemistry.

 

[PiscatawayMike]

I've been a Rutgers basketball fan far too long to get my hopes too high regarding the upcoming season. I've been fooled too many times in the past. However, one thing is certain: this will be a better team than last year. The reason: options. I learned a long time ago that the more options a coach has to work with greatly improves that coach's ability to flourish. Last year's options were minimal, to say the least. The new players brought in, in addition to the players returning from injury, will allow Pikiell to draw up many more plays that have a much higher chance at succeeding in comparison to what Eddie had to work with last season.

 

[El Curioso Impertinente]

I've been a Rutgers basketball fan far too long to get my hopes too high regarding the upcoming season. I've been fooled too many times in the past. However, one thing is certain: this will be a better team than last year. The reason: options. I learned a long time ago that the more options a coach has to work with greatly improves that coach's ability to flourish. Last year's options were minimal, to say the least. The new players brought in, in addition to the players returning from injury, will allow Pikiell to draw up many more plays that have a much higher chance at succeeding in comparison to what Eddie had to work with last season.

C'mon it's Ok, to get excited. This team is gonna surprise people.

Can you believe we finally have a 7 footer, that can play.

 

[higgins3]

C'mon it's Ok, to get excited. This team is gonna surprise people.

Can you believe we finally have a 7 footer, that can play.

Lol. I get why people are cautiously optimistic. To be honest, for whatever reason, and why we allow it to happen I am not sure,but sports can be emotional. Limiting your expectations before hands help you not get as emotional.

That 7 footer is shaq or Gettys. Neither are them are super athletic. They are built for the big though.

 

[RU-ROCS]

Jonathan Laurent showed he could play on a big ten team. Mike Williams has shown he can perform in this league. I think we will be better than we thought. Basketball is far different than football.

From your mouth to God's ears, as the saying goes! I'm certainly hoping for dramatic improvement - just not expecting it.

 

[shields]

I like Laurent and now has year under his belt.

 

[RU-Choppin-Ohio]

Time to work.

Corey working on his handle with Knight

Elite Big Man Coach Jay Young working with Gettys at the far end of the court.

A slimmed down Shaq slams one home with ease.

 

[MadRU]

Will be very interesting to see what this staff can to with the players, how much can they develop them and get them to buy in.

 

[Scarlet Shack]

Talk to me when I see how we defend

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

Talk to me when I see how we defend

We finished the year 316th in adjusted offense .953 points per possession AND 223rd in adjusted defense 1.064 so on paper offense is the bigger issue.

With that being said it wouldn't take much to get this team in to the 75-100 area on D and giving up 1 point per possession.

Unfortunately last year that would have only equated to 2 extra wins. iowa and illinois at home.