Both unranked teams ahead of Miami lost this week
- Thread starter Spare130
- Start date
ranking is the kiss of death - let's hope not
Could care less right now. Just want to continue to see improvement. Especially are shooting since I doubt we will out rebound B1G teams by almost 2 to 1.
What wake up is coming? We are going to stop playing defense? We are going to stop rebounding ? I know you cannot believe your eyes but this team can play so so much better.
Listen, by no means do I expect us to win at Miami, but if we do, we will be right there. Somewhere between 23-28 would be my guess depending on what is happening around us.
I get this but if we play the way we did today vs a p5 team, we're in a hole heading into the half and it's an entirely different struggle. The wake up will be trailing in a game against a team that is able to capitalize on our shooting woes. If we face a team that can match us in rebounds it's over. We have a chance to win a shootout but it's a relatively low one. Love thiam and Williams but will their shots drop when it's do or die.
We're not a top 25 team. People need to get a grip. I'm enjoying the start and am more interested in the team than I have been in a while because of how they are playing, but I also realize our schedule has been extremely soft and I want to see these results against better competition.
I guarantee some people on this board are going to be wondering what the hell happened when we possibly go on a losing streak during B1G play.
I guarantee some people on this board are going to be wondering what the hell happened when we possibly go on a losing streak during B1G play.
When we hit the big boys and the rebounding margin dips, the weak shooting will begin to bite us in arse. I am thrilled by the start, and will to my first game since the "scandal" tomorrow. I watch every game in tv and I am thrilled with the improvement, but we must temper our expectations. I would love to be surprised, and there is a chance, but deep down we still have to room to grow. This is a telented group of kids, it will just take some time.
There were 74 other unbeatens heading into the start of the week, RU has beaten the sisters of the poor thus far, its great for us but nationally means little when most major schools feast on these schedules. Beating a fringe top 25 Miami may get us some notice nationally but really doesnt move the needle for the top 25. Also Minnesota who was the 2nd worst team in league last year is also 5-0 but with better wins than RU..should they be ranked too
everyone just needs to calm down with rankings or how good RU is until they actually beat someone that isnt picked for the bottom of their leagues...this isnt to throw a wet blanket on the 5-0 start which is fantastic in itself for this program
One small step at a time. We seem to be progressing, shooting for an above .500 season. With that said our shooting must improve.
If you expect us to shoot 15% from 3 with a lot of the looks good shots that will hardly ever happen. What might hurt shooting is that our defense and rebounding takes so much effort that the shots might not fall because we do not have the legs. But Coach has done a great job of rotating guys and he has the best depth any Ru coach has had in forever which will help keep them fresh.
You're both responding to the OP as if he predicted we would beat Miami, which he did not do.
We haven't really played a great game yet and some of them have been ugly. There is so much room for improvement. So just saying wait until the competition gets better, also has to take into account that our guys will also play better. Once the RAC gets rolling anything can happen against the big boys.
I agree. This team is much much improved over past editions but it is not a top 25 team. We have not beaten anyone significant and our lack of outside shooting hurts our ability to beat top ranked teams. That being said , there will not be any blowout games like we often had in the past. Solid defense, fine rebounding and a much improved bench will keep Rutgers in all games and permit an occasional upset. Coach Pikiell will take Rutgers basketball to the promised land ( an NCAA bid) during his third season as head coach.
I'm definitely not suggesting we are a Top 25 team and I don't think we have much of a chance of beating Miami. But it's a numbers game at this point. Yeah there were 75 undefeated teams going into the week. Now we are down to 47. Of those 47 there are plenty of true mid majors (not Big East) or worse. Let's see how many power conference teams are still unblemished by the Miami game. If it's only a handful they may be recognized.
Why the race to downplay a good start to the season? Nobody is predicting we will be in the big dance or finish as a ranked team, but let's enjoy our best start in years. I would love to see us get to 7-0 and pick up a lot of top 25 votes even if we struggle in B1G play down the road.
The learning curve is very vicious folks.....RU is vastly improved but it's mostly because Eddie didn't coach any defense and rebounding...we are a very methodical team, with one path to victory....by making the game an ugly scrum.
I would like to see what does RU look like when things are "frenetic" at Miami and at the Rock at SHU.....that is when we find up if the defense sags, does the rebounding slow down and do we rush shots trying to get back into a game, by pushing up 3's.....
This is an excellent staff that will get the most out of our pieces.....the only "upside" is what does this team look like when Nigel, Corey and Mike are hitting shots, against a team that wants to push the tempo......we might look very "explosive"....if that happens at Miami or at the Rock against a guard heavy lineup like Seton Hall.....players like Myles Powell, Carrington and Desi Rodriguez are explosive players in transition.....can we "keep up" or can we slow these types of shooters down.
I'd sign up for .500 today....that would mean 11-2 and 5-13 entering the B1G tournament....if we somehow upset Miami, then we can discuss ,500 as a legitimate option....anything beyond that is not realistic, despite the defense being much better.
There are 2-3 keys that would have to happen for RU to launch beyond .500.....one is in place (Sa has delivered by altering or erasing 4-5 shots a game).....the other 2, are developmental from a couple of players (Omoyuri and Laurent)......I have my own thoughts on what I'm looking for, but the SF position holds the key to any thoughts of being over.500....
I would like to see what does RU look like when things are "frenetic" at Miami and at the Rock at SHU.....that is when we find up if the defense sags, does the rebounding slow down and do we rush shots trying to get back into a game, by pushing up 3's.....
This is an excellent staff that will get the most out of our pieces.....the only "upside" is what does this team look like when Nigel, Corey and Mike are hitting shots, against a team that wants to push the tempo......we might look very "explosive"....if that happens at Miami or at the Rock against a guard heavy lineup like Seton Hall.....players like Myles Powell, Carrington and Desi Rodriguez are explosive players in transition.....can we "keep up" or can we slow these types of shooters down.
I'd sign up for .500 today....that would mean 11-2 and 5-13 entering the B1G tournament....if we somehow upset Miami, then we can discuss ,500 as a legitimate option....anything beyond that is not realistic, despite the defense being much better.
There are 2-3 keys that would have to happen for RU to launch beyond .500.....one is in place (Sa has delivered by altering or erasing 4-5 shots a game).....the other 2, are developmental from a couple of players (Omoyuri and Laurent)......I have my own thoughts on what I'm looking for, but the SF position holds the key to any thoughts of being over.500....
Agreed. But it will make me much more optimistic about RU's prospects this season!
Do not need to be ranked. Just need the team to keep playing hard Keep playing positive basketball and everything will take care if itself
