Building/Rebuilding

[read option]

There is always a presumption (just like in football) that we are building or rebuilding (depends who you ask), when in reality that means the final product will be a winner.

But when you are in a perpetual building/rebuilding mode that means nothing is being built or rebuilt. It’s just being consistently mediocre.

If we ever start winning than we can look back on a rebuild and call it that, but in the meantime we’re just a mediocre/middling program and can be truly classified as such.

Pike is better than the coaches we’ve had since Waters/Bannon, etc. but he hasn’t won anything. So although it seems like he is an improvement (which he clearly is over Hill, Rice and Jordan) he hasn’t done anything to give me confidence that he’s the long term solution.

When we start getting 2-3 of the top 25 recruits in NJ year in and year out and actually make a NCAA tournament I’ll believe. Until then to say we’re building/rebuilding is just another way to make excuses for all of the losing.

 

[dpwhite]

"

When we start getting 2-3 of the top 25 recruits in NJ year in and year out and actually make a NCAA tournament I’ll believe. Until then to say we’re building/rebuilding is just another way to make excuses for all of the losing.

So you're not going to believe until the end result happens? Gotcha.

 

[read option]

"


So you're not going to believe until the end result happens? Gotcha.

Right. And I have the last 30 yrs of RU hoops to justify that mindset.

 

[zebnatto]

Right. And I have the last 30 yrs of RU hoops to justify that mindset.

But by then it’s fact, not a matter of belief.

 

[dpwhite]

But by then it’s fact, not a matter of belief.

This is exactly my point.

 

[SirScarlet]

Look...you can believe what you want. It's your right.

But basing your POV based on the last 30 years - while emotionally 'safe' - is simply irrational.

 

[read option]

The point isn’t my belief, it’s calling our current state a “rebuild”. We’ve never won anything so how are we rebuilding?

And I won’t believe until it happens. Meaning right now I believe it won’t. When it does I’ll have no choice other than to believe because yes, at that point it would be fact.

 

[zebnatto]

The point isn’t my belief, it’s calling our current state a “rebuild”. We’ve never won anything so how are we rebuilding?

And I won’t believe until it happens. Meaning right now I believe it won’t. When it does I’ll have no choice other than to believe because yes, at that point it would be fact.

You can’t switch words like that it was “build/rebuild,” not “rebuild.”

 

[RUJMM78]

Viewpoints are rather fixed on this subject between those favoring the won/loss record versus those with a more optimistic opinion based on wishful thinking that a rebuild will finally happen at Rutgers.

 

[YoucancallmeRay]

For some "fans" winning is the "be all end all" and they are miserable unless their team is winning. To me, that's pretty sad, especially when it comes to rooting for teams from your own school. If you can't enjoy the effort, learning process, and skill level of this young team, and realize that even in their current "rebuild" they have a good chance to knock off some good teams, I think you need to reexamine your priorities.

 

[JQRU91]

I don't care what happened in the past good or bad. I look at what's happening in front of my eyes right now. Looks like a build/rebuild/whatever you want to call it. Does that guarantee we will end up being a successful program with NCAA tournament bids? I don't know. But I'm a lot more optimistic about the basketball program than I am about the football program right now.

 

[read option]

You can’t switch words like that it was “build/rebuild,” not “rebuild.”

Build, rebuild... either way it’s losing.

 

[RU-ROCS]

The point isn’t my belief, it’s calling our current state a “rebuild”. We’ve never won anything so how are we rebuilding?

And I won’t believe until it happens. Meaning right now I believe it won’t. When it does I’ll have no choice other than to believe because yes, at that point it would be fact.

Exactly. Pike has embarked on a "build," which is much harder than a "rebuild." RU has been awful in hoops since the mediocrity of the Water's era. Pike has to totally build the brand from scratch because no kid he's recruiting was even alive the last time RU made the NCAA tournament. That's why I am more patient with Pike. He's a good coach and seems to be building in the right way. It will likely take longer than anyone here wants. Look at Willard. He was merely "rebuilding" a SHU team that had made the tournament many time in the 10 years before he took over. And, still it took him 5 years to turn things around.

 

[RUJMM78]

All coaches are given a period of time to demonstrate success which means winning seasons and NCAA bids.At Rutgers such goals have not been accomplished for decades.Without a sense of urgency complacency occurs and the goals become more difficult because recruiting becomes harder.In a power conference winning is the over riding purpose because it impacts attendance,donor support and recruiting.

 

[bowlgoal]

If you want to wait until it happens to start rooting for Rutgers, feel free. I’ve been that fan for 30 years as well and saw every bad stretch and that was after the wenzel era when we went to two ncaa tournaments. I’m just telling you what I see and that’s a coach who now has 10-11 players he uses in the rotation and we haven’t had that I many, many years. We have more depth now with the exception of the point guard position and that help comes next year. This was a rebuild that is now a build and this year the build includes experience.


Look at Pikiells record in his first three years at Stonybrook. 4-24, 9-20 and 7-23. Then 16-14 and 22-10. Then a step back to 15-17 probably in a reload year and then 5 consecutive 20 plus win seasons before coming to Rutgers.

It’s one school and this is the Big 10 and not Stoney Brook but it’s all relative. He was a head coach who recruited, built it and coached it and I’m seeing the signs of it coming together here at Rutgers.

 

[BoroKnight]

As we haven't had the same coach, athletic director or university president for 30 years, I can't go along with this "perpetual" thing. From our perspective as fans, of course. We've run the gamut from just above mediocre to positively awful and we're tired of it. Enough is enough. Of course I get it. But each new "brain trust" needs to be given a chance to build (not rebuild). And Pike seems very well qualified to do that. His first three years at Stony Brook have an overall record in the Littlepage range, and then he has six 20-win seasons. I'm very comfortable with what I see in the "build" process thus far.

 

[RUallin1]

Pikes shouldn’t be blamed for 30 years of losing! He basically started from scratch in arguably the best conference in the country. It’s amazing to me how well that he and the staff have recruited and developed players in a short time to be competitive. I understand that waiting sucks. This will be a slow build and fans need to be patient.

 

[bowlgoal]

Pikes shouldn’t be blamed for 30 years of losing! He basically started from scratch in arguably the best conference in the country. It’s amazing to me how well that he and the staff have recruited and developed players in a short time to be competitive. I understand that waiting sucks. This will be a slow build and fans need to be patient.

It’s funny because we are really that close but some are maybe afraid to believe it because it’s such a let down when we lose. The roster is really filled with talent we haven’t had before all at the same time. They just need time playing together. Next year is the year.

 

[RUinFla]

This season, we added several promising players that are still getting their feet wet. Next year we get a true PG. We lose only Doorson and add a major piece in Mulcahy, and a transfer guard. If you can't see the trajectory, you are not looking.

BTW, characterizing the Waters years as mediocre does him and those teams a disservice. You might as well say the Yankees have been mediocre the past two years despite winning some 200 games in that time.
TL

 

[bowlgoal]

This season, we added several promising players that are still getting their feet wet. Next year we get a true PG. We lose only Doorson and add a major piece in Mulcahy, and a transfer guard. If you can't see the trajectory, you are not looking.

BTW, characterizing the Waters years as mediocre does him and those teams a disservice. You might as well say the Yankees have been mediocre the past two years despite winning some 200 games in that time.
TL

Waters was an interesting coach but couldn’t bring in enough talent to surround Douby. The reality is that we didn’t put money into this program until Pikiell was hired. We didn’t put money into anything but football and now that we see the money spent in the Big 10 on football, we might as well say we didn’t put money into football either. That’s the difference with Hobbs. Say what you want about the guy ? He made some mistakes but he also tackled some bold projects and that’s what I like about him.

30 years of no progress is basketball is over. There’s plenty of progress on the court. This program is going to be special. We will add two more players next season in addition to Jacobs and Mulcahy. To any doubters, just hang in. It’s been a tough year with the football season.

 

[RUInsanity]

If you look at team stats especially rebounding and Team D....AND......you watch the games, you will understand the progress. Also, the other significant nuance is that Pike has been able to get guys who have not worked out to more quickly transfer and be replaced with what are (hopeful) upgrades or pieces that seem to fit better.

This has not translated into more wins (at least not yet)......but he team is young and PG and shooters are in the pipeline and will be added to a solid (not spectacular) foundatiin. I have a good feeling about this coach and team and they are fun to root for and watch, win or lose.

I feel bad that RU Football and a string of bad coaching choices has appeared to ruin the OPs RU Bball interest.

 

[Night Man]

BTW, characterizing the Waters years as mediocre does him and those teams a disservice. You might as well say the Yankees have been mediocre the past two years despite winning some 200 games in that time.
TL

Nah, what you're suggesting here does actual successful teams a disservice. The Yankees finished 2nd in their division both years. Apples and oranges! Good coach though!

 

[Scangg]

I don't really get how a team is pretty terrible. Gets a new coach who.... Turns over the entire roster (minus Shaq). Completely changes the teams identity from zero defense and rebounding to that as a core philosophy. Has one of the youngest teams in the nation. Brings in four 4 stars Doucoure Mathis Harper and Young (Mulcahey will be 5). Nails under the radar guys like Eugene Geo Myles. Lands some sought after transfers Gettys Kiss Carter. Hires a top notch staff. Allllllll over the recruiting trail. Etc etc.....

But we aren't rebuilding? Bc other coaches have failed that have nothing to do with this coach or these players?