Be Honest, When did you first notice something was off?

[ScarletDave]

Coming into this season without addressing a big man was a major warning sign. Anyone could see Ogbole couldnt play in this league and relying on a freshman was inexcusable.

That said, I never thought a Pikiell coached team would be this lost defensively. I thought with all these big guards and wings we would still be okay. The rebounding differential vs Kennesaw definitely felt like the moment when we all realized this wasn't a fixable problem with current personnel.

All of this said - I still believe we can finish this season strong. If we had a healthy Dylan, I genuinely believe our last two games are wins.

Caveat: I'm a scarlet colored glasses wearing idiot!

I agree that Dylan not having the flu, we would have won the last 2 games. We’d be 10-5 and 3-1 in the Big Ten, very different attitude. But, the flu happens. It’s compounded because of our falters earlier in the year - L to KSU and Prin, and not getting a signature win in Vegas.

 

[billgumpper]

This is a big piece. Bailey can score, but not in flow of an offense. So their offense struggles sometimes and lacks continuity.

Pike couldn't pass up the shiny new objects, lol. Now he has them and is probably realizing he will have to change philosophy going forward, and maybe not pick these types of players that don't fit his mold. IDK.

It's boggles the mind how bad his FT shooting is.

 

[rutger80]

It was troubling when the kid from Monmouth put up 39, at ease; troubling watching the lack of intensity in the first half at KSU, and not being able to put away a bad SHU team.
But I really felt demoralized after the Princeton game. Layup after layup and no resistance on defense.
Team has no leadership on the court.

 

[bethlehemfan]

It was troubling when the kid from Monmouth put up 39, at ease; troubling watching the lack of intensity in the first half at KSU, and not being able to put away a bad SHU team.
But I really felt demoralized after the Princeton game. Layup after layup and no resistance on defense.
Team has no leadership on the court.

That was the worst defense I’ve ever seen from a pike team.

 

[essexknight]

The loss to Kennesaw State and getting out rebounded by around 20 to them.

 

[FrankZ]

Texted a friend on 10/21 that we were in trouble after not replacing Cliff

 

[FinalFourOrBust]

You do it because they have to respond or they cost them selves millions .

Why should he bench ace or Dylan? Lol I love this place.

 

[RUskoolie]

Princeton absolutely broke me

 

[bac2therac]

I agree that Dylan not having the flu, we would have won the last 2 games. We’d be 10-5 and 3-1 in the Big Ten, very different attitude. But, the flu happens. It’s compounded because of our falters earlier in the year - L to KSU and Prin, and not getting a signature win in Vegas.

The games would play out different. You have no idea if there would be any change from previous games against solid schools

 

[Mr Magoo]

After Reiber and other teammates were locked arms signing Toto’s “Africa” on the bench at Minnesota, it all went to shit.

 

[bac2therac]

After Reiber and other teammates were locked arms signing Toto’s “Africa” on the bench at Minnesota, it all went to shit.

Id back up to Mag going down at MSG

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

It's boggles the mind how bad his FT shooting is.

What boggles my mind more is in a big spot he was chosen to shoot the Ts. Really hard to get a team to buy in to everything when you chose the worse foul shooter on the team to shoot FTs. That was a kick to the ball$

 

[greenknight]

Halfway Into season at what point would you say you first noticed that this team wasn’t going to live up to expectations

I must say I felt a little something the second half of the exhibition with ST John’s. We came in ranked with a Scottie Pippen Michael Jordan touted duo and found a way to lose the second half

We were legit told we had two Carmelo Anthony’s are on our team

As soon as RU promoted only 2 players. There are no 2 person teams out there

 

[RUBlackout]

Season went wrong when Ace and Dylan showcased Nikes.
Been a disaster ever since. Everything has gone downhill as a TEAM.

 

[IL Lusciato]

Halfway Into season at what point would you say you first noticed that this team wasn’t going to live up to expectations

I must say I felt a little something the second half of the exhibition with ST John’s. We came in ranked with a Scottie Pippen Michael Jordan touted duo and found a way to lose the second half

We were legit told we had two Carmelo Anthony’s are on our team

When we didn't get a legit 5 lol.

But no, more seriously, the first game Ace played. Monmouth? I was happy to see him but I didn't see a very good team dynamic with all the pieces on the floor. We also allowed them to go off from 3...I was at the game. Tbh i kinda wondered about that before Ace even played. You could see Dylan being the #1 and guys kind of flowing around him...with Ace entering, he's a freak athlete but I wondered how his game would fit into the rythim of the team. This is not on him, but the finished product with everyone together top to bottom just didn't seem cohesive to me.

But definitivley, Kennesaw and after going 1-2 in Vegas. People were excited we went to the wire with Bama and A&M, but we didn't seem like we had the ability to get over the hump or make a deep run. If we wanted to be top 16 ultimately we'd have to beat #20.

I actually love that these 2 kids came here. Esp Dylan bc I think he truly believes and wanted to do something special at Rutgers, but if you are only gonna do 1 year, it's kinda hard to be that guy.