Basketball Bailey shines, Rutgers Basketball struggles in loss to Indiana

[Scangg]

anyone else concerned that these 2 will enter the portal at the end of the year as others have speculated with Sommerville

RU realistically could have Derkack as the only returning scholly player

This is a concern. At this point, unless Martini is a clear upgrade, there is no reason to play him over Grant or Dortch

Develop more talented younger players and keep them happy so they are more likely to return

If Pike played Grant in the out of conference schedule against cupcakes more, he would be more game ready now

Look how much different Ace has looked from the beginning of the season until now. Those minutes matter and we wasted them

 

[bac2therac]

Everyone is negative again lol...let me log off, these guys will win some games you don't expect them to because Ace is a problem. Watch and see

win some games lol...yeah i actually think we will beat Wisconsin Monday...what does that prove...a few games here and there isnt enough

 

[RutgersChow]

The way Williams is playing and how he played tonight IMO is a manifestation of Pikes coaching.
Thoughtless undisciplined, unprepared, desperate, out of his mind!

This plus a zillion.

 

[BOGDANOVICH]

I may be clueless but I know basketball and everyone on defense sucks. We suck man to man, we suck zone, we dont press & dont board. Our footwork on defense is awful. We are always flying out at players because we are always late tonthe ball.

We are NOT going to win many games with 2 guys shooting 75% of the shots. AB had a tremendous offensive game outside of FT's and will be an awesome pro but me myself I would not want to play on a team where someone on my team just took 30 shots. If you are not part of the offense or offensive flow it will affect your effort on defense (see above). There is ZERO team out there ZERO. We have no concern about involving the other 3 guys on the floor in the offense so when they do touch the ball they force shots & force the play. Its game 14 and guys are regressing and that is because they are not part of the offense. Guys are now not even out there long enough to even be part of the offense . I'm only calling it like I see it my man

AAU ball sucks. It sucks in AAU and us even worse when it is at the college level

This. There is no team. Only two players playing hero ball. A monumental failure by Pike.

 

[RutgersChow]

if only 1 of the portals were good, we’d have a shot. but all 4 are not big caliber.

But Pike thought they were Big 10 caliber, and that's the real problem.

 

[FinalFourOrBust]

I may be clueless but I know basketball and everyone on defense sucks. We suck man to man, we suck zone, we dont press & dont board. Our footwork on defense is awful. We are always flying out at players because we are always late tonthe ball.

We are NOT going to win many games with 2 guys shooting 75% of the shots. AB had a tremendous offensive game outside of FT's and will be an awesome pro but me myself I would not want to play on a team where someone on my team just took 30 shots. If you are not part of the offense or offensive flow it will affect your effort on defense (see above). There is ZERO team out there ZERO. We have no concern about involving the other 3 guys on the floor in the offense so when they do touch the ball they force shots & force the play. Its game 14 and guys are regressing and that is because they are not part of the offense. Guys are now not even out there long enough to even be part of the offense . I'm only calling it like I see it my man

AAU ball sucks. It sucks in AAU and us even worse when it is at the college level

I love how you think you’re smart. Just another angry old guy yelling at clouds lol.

 

[Richie O]

 

[fluoxetine]

But he’s so much better than Simpson and a good teammate for Ace! Lol!

Yeah Simpson probably would’ve hit a 12 pointer there and won us the game

 

[runner3283]

Imagine if we had kept Simpson, Griffiths, Woolfolk, and Mag instead of bringing in Acuff, Hayes, Martini, and Derkack? I honestly don't know if we'd be any better.

Instead of losing by 10 we would lose by 25 !

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

Yeah Simpson probably would’ve hit a 12 pointer there and won us the game

Its mind boggling the continued reference to him. Cliff is the only player from last year’s roster who would’ve made a difference on this year’s team. I don’t care what he looks like at Alabama. If he played in yesterday’s game it would have been a win - full stop. Indiana doesn’t get half of those second chance opportunities they converted into points. We don’t lose Kennesaw either and probably hang on against A&M.

Cliff wanted to move on. Okay fine. The only thing Pike needed to do differently was prioritize bringing in a veteran 5. I’d take a Shaq Doorson on this roster in a heartbeat. We didn’t need the collection of Acuffs that we targeted first. We should’ve put every cent we had into the 5 slot. We just needed someone to protect the paint. Everyone clamming for Lathan to get more touches just doesn’t get it. He’d need to be as good as Dylan on offense to make up for how bad he is at clearing the glass and defense in general to actually help us. So many easy put backs mostly because he was out of position and couldn’t clear the defensive glass the way a BIG man needs to. And no - it’s not always visible in the stats. Not every missed rebound opportunity results in a wide open second chance put back for the opponent. We complained about Cliff’s hands last year. So many out of bounds deflections instead of securing the rebound. Just because we didn’t get the rebound - we at least defended the paint. Folks sorely underestimate how much a reliable rebounding rim protector would’ve elevated this team. The fact that Dylan has so many rebounds tells the story. Dylan shouldn’t have so many damn rebounds. He should be able to leak out and collect transition baskets - but instead we need him to crash the glass to compete.

Lathan will get better and be a good college player in a year or two - he likely won’t be on our team anymore. So foolish to plan the roster around him.

 

[seansherm]

Instead of losing by 10 we would lose by 25 !

Disagree. Having Simpson here would have given us more speed and another that can defend and handle a ball. Id much rather him, than watch Derkack try to dribble without hitting his knees.
Wolfolk and Mag would have given us more size and ability to rebound/defend/experience w Pike's defense. Griffiths, would have given us what Martini gives, so a wash there too.
Only a healthy Acuff could make me think the other way.

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

Disagree. Having Simpson here would have given us more speed and another that can defend and handle a ball. Id much rather him, than watch Derkack try to dribble without hitting his knees.
Wolfolk and Mag would have given us more size and ability to rebound/defend/experience w Pike's defense. Griffiths, would have given us what Martini gives, so a wash there too.
Only a healthy Acuff could make me think the other way.

Acuff doesn’t seem to have P5 game sense to me. I don’t think it’s the injury. His D is very poor overall. And his passing is below average. Not a good complement to Dylan and Ace.

 

[bethlehemfan]

Acuff doesn’t seem to have P5 game sense to me. I don’t think it’s the injury. His D is very poor overall. And his passing is below average. Not a good complement to Dylan and Ace.

He scored a lot but watching his tape against Michigan I think it was had me scratching my head. I can only guess the thought was complementary scorer.

 

[seansherm]

Acuff doesn’t seem to have P5 game sense to me. I don’t think it’s the injury. His D is very poor overall. And his passing is below average. Not a good complement to Dylan and Ace.

He wasn't a great defensive guy healthy, but he could move better. I'm sure the injury is hurting him on the defensive side just as much as on the offensive side. His complement to them was an ability to score. Even as bad as he's been, his offensive rating is still higher than Williams and Derkack.

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

He wasn't a great defensive guy healthy, but he could move better. I'm sure the injury is hurting him on the defensive side just as much as on the offensive side. His complement to them was an ability to score. Even as bad as he's been, his offensive rating is still higher than Williams and Derkack.

As it turned out, when we have both Dylan and Ace available we don’t really need another player to create his own shot. It actually disrupts the offense in some ways - we need better defense. Acuff is not a complementary player to the 2 star frosh. We needed defended minded players who rebound and and would not be tempted like JMike and Simpson to try to create for themselves in isolation. If this roster was filled with Caleb and Mag style players with a serviacable veteran BIG we would be ranked in the top 15 despite not being a good shooting team. Instead we went after guys who could score and shoot at the midmajor level but are below average at D. Dercack was good as a zone defender. Completely different.

 

[Rutgers25]

Acuff doesn’t seem to have P5 game sense to me. I don’t think it’s the injury. His D is very poor overall. And his passing is below average. Not a good complement to Dylan and Ace.

Agree, this injury stuff is nonsense. I don’t see him favoring one foot over another and doesn’t appear to be in pain. He’s just a high usage, inefficient player that racked up points on an awful team. You could have thrown Derek Simpson on that team and gotten similar production.

How did Pike greenlight Acuff? Did he not watch film? It really feels like Pike was very lazy in his portal approach.

You swap out Simpson and Woolfolk for Acuff and Martini and it’s probably worth the Princeton and Kennesaw games. Mind boggling that Pike ran off 2 admittedly marginal big ten players and replaced them with worse.

 

[BIGRUBIGDBIGredmachine]

Agree, this injury stuff is nonsense. I don’t see him favoring one foot over another and doesn’t appear to be in pain. He’s just a high usage, inefficient player that racked up points on an awful team. You could have thrown Derek Simpson on that team and gotten similar production.

How did Pike greenlight Acuff? Did he not watch film? It really feels like Pike was very lazy in his portal approach.

You swap out Simpson and Woolfolk for Acuff and Martini and it’s probably worth the Princeton and Kennesaw games. Mind boggling that Pike ran off 2 admittedly marginal big ten players and replaced them with worse.

Yup that's the bottom line, Pike didn't bring in better players than those that left. No vet C that could give us something was the killer. Frustrating.

 

[seansherm]

As it turned out, when we have both Dylan and Ace available we don’t really need another player to create his own shot. It actually disrupts the offense in some ways - we need better defense. Acuff is not a complementary player to the 2 star frosh. We needed defended minded players who rebound and and would not be tempted like JMike and Simpson to try to create for themselves in isolation. If this roster was filled with Caleb and Mag style players with a serviacable veteran BIG we would be ranked in the top 15 despite not being a good shooting team. Instead we went after guys who could score and shoot at the midmajor level but are below average at D. Dercack was good as a zone defender. Completely different.

I think he's a fit, we needed a veteran shooter that could be counted on, paired with a rim protector and a wing defender around the kids.

Guys that can get to the rim are important with Dylan and Ace, the opportunities to score a few and far between with two ball dominant players. Guys that can handle the ball are important when pressure is going to be put on freshman.

I think Grant probably fits the Caleb/Mag mold, and he can't see the court. I said all off season JWill was a poor fit next to Dylan, just another guy who needs the ball in his hands to be effective offensively. Dekack also, except he can barely dribble.

 

[seansherm]

Agree, this injury stuff is nonsense. I don’t see him favoring one foot over another and doesn’t appear to be in pain. He’s just a high usage, inefficient player that racked up points on an awful team. You could have thrown Derek Simpson on that team and gotten similar production.

How did Pike greenlight Acuff? Did he not watch film? It really feels like Pike was very lazy in his portal approach.

You swap out Simpson and Woolfolk for Acuff and Martini and it’s probably worth the Princeton and Kennesaw games. Mind boggling that Pike ran off 2 admittedly marginal big ten players and replaced them with worse.

You aren't looking close then. I can see it clear as day, his entire gait is off when running. He looks like me, and I need both knee's replaced. I do agree, I'd rather Simpson and Folk over this version of Acuff and any version of Martini.

 

[RUsojo]

Acuff doesn’t seem to have P5 game sense to me. I don’t think it’s the injury. His D is very poor overall. And his passing is below average. Not a good complement to Dylan and Ace.

Agree, this injury stuff is nonsense. I don’t see him favoring one foot over another and doesn’t appear to be in pain. He’s just a high usage, inefficient player that racked up points on an awful team. You could have thrown Derek Simpson on that team and gotten similar production.

How did Pike greenlight Acuff? Did he not watch film? It really feels like Pike was very lazy in his portal approach.

You swap out Simpson and Woolfolk for Acuff and Martini and it’s probably worth the Princeton and Kennesaw games. Mind boggling that Pike ran off 2 admittedly marginal big ten players and replaced them with worse.

Acuff was a strange add. There was no need for an inefficient ball dominant guard for a team who would run their offense through two ball dominant players in Dylan and Ace.

Especially one who had not proved he could play off ball.

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

Acuff was a strange add. There was no need for an inefficient ball dominant guard for a team who would run their offense through two ball dominant players in Dylan and Ace.

Especially one who had not proved he could play off ball.

And didn’t have a reputation of playing above average D at the midmajor level. Such a bizarre addition. At least Jordan was a strong defender at the midmajor level.

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

You aren't looking close then. I can see it clear as day, his entire gait is off when running. He looks like me, and I need both knee's replaced. I do agree, I'd rather Simpson and Folk over this version of Acuff and any version of Martini.

Wolf didn’t play D either. Not sure he would add much if anything. It wasn’t Simpson or Acuff. It was Derek or JMike. Derek is a better FT shooter and rebounder. JMike more content with lower usage. Simpson would’ve been shooting and driving in more situations we didn’t want in my opinion. So it’s near a wash even though Derek is the all around better player. Pike wasn’t keeping both of them as we would’ve never played them together with Dylan. Too similar style players.

 

[seansherm]

Wolf didn’t play D either. Not sure he would add much if anything. It wasn’t Simpson or Acuff. It was Derek or JMike. Derek is a better FT shooter and rebounder. JMike more content with lower usage. Simpson would’ve been shooting and driving in more situations we didn’t want in my opinion. So it’s near a wash even though Derek is the all around better player. Pike wasn’t keeping both of them as we would’ve never played them together with Dylan. Too similar style players.

Wolf didn't play D when you compare him to Cliff. Compare him to Martini or Sommerville. I know it's a little team dependant, but his defensive rating was like 96 last year and is 97 this, we have no one below 103 this year.
I agree, someone between JWill, Derek, and JMike had to go. I had wished it was JWill, really because of the one year vs multiple. His length is a plus though. I get JMike staying because of the Ace relationship.

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

Wolf didn't play D when you compare him to Cliff. Compare him to Martini or Sommerville. I know it's a little team dependant, but his defensive rating was like 96 last year and is 97 this, we have no one below 103 this year.
I agree, someone between JWill, Derek, and JMike had to go. I had wished it was JWill, really because of the one year vs multiple. His length is a plus though. I get JMike staying because of the Ace relationship.

JWill is a different type of player and yes - we absolutely needed his length and D on the wing. We’re so much worse on D unfortunately when he sits. I don’t really blame Jordan for that because he’s playing out of position defending the 3. We mostly just don’t have anyone serviceable to put alongside Ace at wing. Perhaps if we picked up a Caleb type he could’ve been replaced but we didn’t look to bring in D first guys who were not big scorers. It was really stupid.

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

To be honest, I think Pike’s mistake was underestimating Dylan and Ace on offense. I think his top priority was that they would be successful as individual players here. There was one scenerio worse for Pike and Rutgers than the one we are experiencing. It’s easy to say in hindsight that a GG / Jaden Jones type situation wasn’t possible but plenty of 5 stars end up disappointing. If that happened, then we truly would never be able to recruit at a high level again. Honestly - it stinks for us as fans that the team isn’t good - but Dylan and Ace are going to to get drafted in the top 5 and will enter the NBA well prepared. Sure - an NCAA tournament would be nice but in the big picture nobody is viewing it as Pike held them back. I think he thought by bringing in offense it would punish teams for over covering the two frosh so they wouldn’t be doubled. The truth is - it doesn’t matter what other teams do. Ace and Dylan find ways to score so really we should’ve focused on surrounding them with defense. Pike is good at recruiting that. Arguably - the best. But I bet he didn’t expect them to be 20+ ppg scorers.

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

Wolf didn't play D when you compare him to Cliff. Compare him to Martini or Sommerville. I know it's a little team dependant, but his defensive rating was like 96 last year and is 97 this, we have no one below 103 this year.
I agree, someone between JWill, Derek, and JMike had to go. I had wished it was JWill, really because of the one year vs multiple. His length is a plus though. I get JMike staying because of the Ace relationship.

We needed to replace Mag with a player like Mag. We didn’t do that. And we needed to upgrade Wolf with a better defender. We didn’t do that either. The players we got may be worse than the ones we had, but neither were the answers.

 

[seansherm]

We needed to replace Mag with a player like Mag. We didn’t do that. And we needed to upgrade Wolf with a better defender. We didn’t do that either. The players we got may be worse than the ones we had, but neither were the answers.

Probably true that neither group was the answer, but I'll take the better players just about everytime.

 

[Scangg]

To be honest, I think Pike’s mistake was underestimating Dylan and Ace on offense. I think his top priority was that they would be successful as individual players here. There was one scenerio worse for Pike and Rutgers than the one we are experiencing. It’s easy to say in hindsight that a GG / Jaden Jones type situation wasn’t possible but plenty of 5 stars end up disappointing. If that happened, then we truly would never be able to recruit at a high level again. Honestly - it stinks for us as fans that the team isn’t good - but Dylan and Ace are going to to get drafted in the top 5 and will enter the NBA well prepared. Sure - an NCAA tournament would be nice but in the big picture nobody is viewing it as Pike held them back. I think he thought by bringing in offense it would punish teams for over covering the two frosh so they wouldn’t be doubled. The truth is - it doesn’t matter what other teams do. Ace and Dylan find ways to score so really we should’ve focused on surrounding them with defense. Pike is good at recruiting that. Arguably - the best. But I bet he didn’t expect them to be 20+ ppg scorers.

This. Pike finally seemed to let others talk him into needing 3 point shooters and now we have Martini Hayes and Acuff giving us nothing

We needed to replace Mag with a player like Mag. We didn’t do that. And we needed to upgrade Wolf with a better defender. We didn’t do that either. The players we got may be worse than the ones we had, but neither were the answers.

Yup

3 and D players is what we needed. We have either 3 (in theory) and no D... or no 3 and D (in theory)

We have specialists on one side of the ball who aren't delivering their specialty

It's a disaster sadly