Bullock & Mensah

[MADHAT1]

Getting a foothold at Marshalltown Community College? What, are they the new Oak Hill Academy? I assume this is a joke. If not, you need a time-out.

Never look down on a JUCO or HS program, you never know if , in the future, they might have a player you need .
Developing relationships with HS and JUCO coaches sometimes brings good results in the future
Also Mensah is from France and had attended the Canarias Basketball Academy before going to MCC
Shoes is fairly close to the Canarias program and bringing Souf to RU might have that program look at RU more when advising its players on their college choices.

Mensah averaged 11.5 points, 6.0 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game while shooting 47.9 percent from the field for Marshalltown while he was there.
So it isn't like he didn't show he might have the talent RU needs in a back-up PG.

 

[GoFish2]

Never look down on a JUCO or HS program, you never know if , in the future, they might have a player you need .
Developing relationships with HS and JUCO coaches sometimes brings good results in the future
Also Mensah is from France and had attended the Canarias Basketball Academy before going to MCC
Shoes is fairly close to the Canarias program and bringing Souf to RU might have that program look at RU more when advising its players on their college choices.

Mensah averaged 11.5 points, 6.0 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game while shooting 47.9 percent from the field for Marshalltown while he was there.
So it isn't like he didn't show he might have the talent RU needs in a back-up PG.

The point I'm making, that you seem to be missing, is that a college basketball program is not going to waste a precious scholarship on a player just to get a foothold into a middling Juco program. It is a ridiculous proposition.

 

[zebnatto]

Agree, beaten to death. Nonetheless . . .

Souf just looks like a swing and a miss. A real head-scratcher.

Bullock is a whole 'nother story: http://highschoolsports.nj.com/news...k-commits-to-rutgers-and-coach-steve-pikiell/

 

[RUChoppin]

Souf is almost surely here to stay. Where would he transfer to for his last year of college? Given he was juco I would assume he won't have the credits to graduate at the end of this year so academically, finishing at RU is almost surely the best approach. And certainly no other school will spend a Hoops scholarship on him. In his first 3 minutes of the St.John's game I said he can't play. But RU needs to do what is right and live with the situation another year.

Souf could transfer down to a Div-III school and not have to sit out a year - and that's probably his best shot at seeing the floor and being competitive. Alternately, he could transfer somewhere like a Delaware St or Norfolk St and have two to play one. Or he could finish out at Rutgers and very likely not see the floor at all next year. If he's looking for an RU degree and doesn't mind watching 31+ games from the sideline, he may very well want to stay for his last year. If he wants to be on the floor contributing, his best bet is to look somewhere else.

For the remainder of this year, though, I just hope the pieces fall into place for him enough to allow us to spell Sanders/Baker without worrying about the other team quickly having an extra chance for two points.

 

[MADHAT1]

The point I'm making, that you seem to be missing, is that a college basketball program is not going to waste a precious scholarship on a player just to get a foothold into a middling Juco program. It is a ridiculous proposition.

What you say is probably true, but I believe Rutgers will take a chance on a player that could help the team and will try develop a relationship with the program he's coming from in case they ever have another player RU wants
Mensah , to me, fits that description even if he hasn't played like it , yet. He might prove to be a bust, but even some of the top rated HS players turn out to be busts at the college level. Right now it's too early to call him a bust, but no way can be called an asset right now.

 

[Scarlet Shack]

Some of you guys crack me up

Next year starters
Sanders (Sr)
Baker (So)
Mathis (fr)
Carter (jr)
Doucoure (so)

6th man
Onamuyri

7th man
Kiss or thiam or Harper

8th man
Doorson

9th man
Kiss or thiam or Harper

10th
Johnson

11rh
Kiss or thiam or Harper

It's clear that bullock and mensah have been recruited for

So people chill

 

[koleszar]

Transfers happen all the time but needs to be the kids decision.

You can't run kids off and IMO you do that to a kid with 1 year left to a degree from RU it's just flat out wrong

When you bring kids in you live with the results

The kid has played 10 games-------you cannot quit on him yet

But it's OK if notre dame does it right? Since they could never do anything morally reprehensible like you suggest. Enter through their gates and everyone is automatically granted Sainthood, then you can do no wrong.

 

[Unionst]

Souf could transfer down to a Div-III school and not have to sit out a year - and that's probably his best shot at seeing the floor and being competitive. Alternately, he could transfer somewhere like a Delaware St or Norfolk St and have two to play one. Or he could finish out at Rutgers and very likely not see the floor at all next year. If he's looking for an RU degree and doesn't mind watching 31+ games from the sideline, he may very well want to stay for his last year. If he wants to be on the floor contributing, his best bet is to look somewhere else.

For the remainder of this year, though, I just hope the pieces fall into place for him enough to allow us to spell Sanders/Baker without worrying about the other team quickly having an extra chance for two points.

No athletic scholarships at D 3. My bet is that he's here next year.

 

[RUChoppin]

Some of you guys crack me up

Next year starters
Sanders (Sr)
Baker (So)
Mathis (fr)
Carter (jr)
Doucoure (so)

6th man
Onamuyri

7th man
Kiss or thiam or Harper

8th man
Doorson

9th man
Kiss or thiam or Harper

10th
Johnson

11rh
Kiss or thiam or Harper

It's clear that bullock and mensah have been recruited for

So people chill

You think it'll be a three guard starting set? I think Mathis comes off the bench as a freshman.

My guess is it'd be
Sanders (Sr)
Baker (So)
Thiam (Jr)
Carter (Jr)
Doucoure (So)

1st sub at PF - Omoruyi (Jr)
1st sub at G - Mathis (Fr)
2nd sub at G - Kiss (RS So)
1st sub at WF - Kiss (RS So)
2nd sub at WF - Harper (Fr)
1st sub at C - Doorson (RS Sr)
2nd sub at C - Johnson (RS Fr)

12th - Bullock (Jr) or his schollie (???)
13th - Mensah (Sr) or his schollie (???)

 

[RUChoppin]

No athletic scholarships at D 3. My bet is that he's here next year.

Well, then transfer is less likely. His prospects of getting a 2 for 1 offer from another school are probably limited, unless he can get a waiver somehow.

 

[RUinFla]

You have never played anything competitive have you. Otherwise, you would know what it takes to win. And, it's never about going through the motions, or not doing something because it might hurt someones feelings. It's about beating the other guy, and not just beating them, but completely dominating them. That's the mentality that's missing.
Proof of that is a 9 point win against a team like the last one. A team we should have beaten by 20/30 points. Or, the team we play next, another team we should completely dominate.
It's the type of "killer" instinct great programs have. This team should never take a night off, because of schedule, motivation or anything.
But, that's just me.

We understand. You want it to be 2020 already, when this staff's coaching and recruiting finally shows up in on-court success. But in the first couple of years of a new leadership group, you are just starting. What did we have to offer a recruit last year, after the last several years of failure and awful publicity? Yet you think this team, with the remains of EJ's dismal recruiting and a couple of promising young guys should be smashing teams every night. Just ask Coach K if his team shows up at peak efficiency every game, let alone us, with a bunch of guys who would have signed elsewhere if offered and a few promising newcomers with their future all ahead of them. Again, what did Rutgers have to offer last year, coming off a decade of humiliating losses under EJ and Fred Hill Jr, sandwiched around a devastating and highly publicized scandal under Mike Rice? We have had bad karma since that fool, Mulcahy, was stampeded into firing Gary Waters, who then took his new school, Cleveland State, into the NCAA's where he knocked off Wake, which had three future NBA players. Meanwhile, we foundered. So temper your rhetoric. This is not a "great program". There will be puzzling moments galore, and misses in recruiting for a while. Progress is not always linear. And remember, outside of a decade of humiliating losses sandwiched around a scandal, Rutgers has two things to offer: a fine university, which isn't all that high on most major recruits' lists, and proximity to NYC.
TL

 

[TDIrish27]

Kolezar I can tell you without a doubt that if a coach at any sport at ND suggested that a scholarship athlete transfer he/she is fired.

I know the AD quite well from various committees I serve on and that is policy

A policy that every coach is aware of.

Now do kids leave for various reasons ? Absolutely but that is a choice they make.

A story----in 2012 I was in Florida for the NC game with Bama and was having a conversation with one of our football ops guys at a luncheon. He worked in the recruiting office.

He told me in the previous 5 years Bama had signed 27 more guys than we had. That's a heckuva an edge.

Your schedule is set up to get out in 3 1/2 years----you can do that today because everyone is on campus all summer . It doesn't happen all the time but you get out in 4------all the time. If you want a 5th year and you've been RS that's a coaches decision.

We aren't saints by any means-----we have majors that are less challenging than others but our athletes graduate and record reflects that.

 

[Proud NJ Sports Fan]

Souf should get minutes tomorrow
If he can't contribute he needs to ride pine except for mop up duty.

 

[Unionst]

Dadika should get minutes tomorrow.

 

[Scarlet Knut]

I actually prefer Dadika to Mensah, but don't see him playing much unless it's a blowout.

 

[TODDB33]

What the heck does that have to do with what I said, nothing! And, "moron" was your word, a little self reflection? Pikiell is not playing on the floor, all he can do is manage, direct, motivate. He is playing the hand he has, someday he will have a better hand. But, does not change the fact that he has some bad cards.

Your first post indicates - your words - we should dominate and have the killer instinct. You also said we don’t have that. This is a direct hit toward the coaching staff. In this post you say Pikiell is doing the best he can with what he has. Seems to me your comments in each post contradict each other. Oh yea here is a thought you may want to think about - sometimes the other team has a say in the outcome of a game

 

[littlenis5]

You think it'll be a three guard starting set? I think Mathis comes off the bench as a freshman.

My guess is it'd be
Sanders (Sr)
Baker (So)
Thiam (Jr)
Carter (Jr)
Doucoure (So)

1st sub at PF - Omoruyi (Jr)
1st sub at G - Mathis (Fr)
2nd sub at G - Kiss (RS So)
1st sub at WF - Kiss (RS So)
2nd sub at WF - Harper (Fr)
1st sub at C - Doorson (RS Sr)
2nd sub at C - Johnson (RS Fr)

12th - Bullock (Jr) or his schollie (???)
13th - Mensah (Sr) or his schollie (???)

Not that it’s that relevant to the overall topic, but wouldn’t be shocked if Harper redshirts. If he seems to be 11th in rotation after opening weeks of practice, it would seem to make sense and aligned with Pike’s ideal of player development.

 

[KnightsofChrome]

Your first post indicates - your words - we should dominate and have the killer instinct. You also said we don’t have that. This is a direct hit toward the coaching staff. In this post you say Pikiell is doing the best he can with what he has. Seems to me your comments in each post contradict each other. Oh yea here is a thought you may want to think about - sometimes the other team has a say in the outcome of a game

1. A coach can instill, or should instill that "killer instinct" but it's always up to the player to carry it through, every game, every play. Not a contradiction at all.
2. Only if you allow it. The team that allows it the most, usually loses(see #1).

 

[TODDB33]

1. A coach can instill, or should instill that "killer instinct" but it's always up to the player to carry it through, every game, every play. Not a contradiction at all.
2. Only if you allow it. The team that allows it the most, usually loses(see #1).

You said we don't have the killer instinct. That says you don't think coach and staff have installed that mentality with the players. Not sure if your #2 response is to what you put in bold and if it is you are basically saying the other team has no say in the outcome of a game because we allowed them to perform better. Based on that logic we should be able to beat anyone in the country by not allowing them to score more than us in whatever fashion they can. Has nothing to do with the caliber of players on he court at the same time. I guess teams like Duke No Carolina etc are only winning because the other team is allowing it.

 

[KnightsofChrome]

You said we don't have the killer instinct. That says you don't think coach and staff have installed that mentality with the players. Not sure if your #2 response is to what you put in bold and if it is you are basically saying the other team has no say in the outcome of a game because we allowed them to perform better. Based on that logic we should be able to beat anyone in the country by not allowing them to score more than us in whatever fashion they can. Has nothing to do with the caliber of players on he court at the same time. I guess teams like Duke No Carolina etc are only winning because the other team is allowing it.

Gee, let's see if I can respond ...
1. "we" Are you on the team?
2. Interesting, no not beat, because you will run into better talent, which is as determined as you. But, you should still never be "beat" just outscored. There is a difference.
3. Fear is a very powerful inducement. So, YES!

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

You think it'll be a three guard starting set? I think Mathis comes off the bench as a freshman.

My guess is it'd be
Sanders (Sr)
Baker (So)
Thiam (Jr)
Carter (Jr)
Doucoure (So)

1st sub at PF - Omoruyi (Jr)
1st sub at G - Mathis (Fr)
2nd sub at G - Kiss (RS So)
1st sub at WF - Kiss (RS So)
2nd sub at WF - Harper (Fr)
1st sub at C - Doorson (RS Sr)
2nd sub at C - Johnson (RS Fr)

12th - Bullock (Jr) or his schollie (???)
13th - Mensah (Sr) or his schollie (???)

Kiss better be a starter. A guy brought in for 3 years to play 2 in a program in building mode should be a high impact player from Day 1.

In the 33% chance Sanders returns.....
Sanders 32 Baker 8
Baker 24 KMTH 16
KMTH 40
Carter 24 Eugene 16
Duocore 22 Eugene 8 Johnson/Doorson 10

Sanders 32
Baker 32
KMTH 56
Carter 24
Eugene 24
Duocore 22
Doorjohnson 10

KMTH early odds
Kiss 20
Mathis 24
HarperThaim 12

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

2/3 Sanders leaves and no replacements

Baker 34 Mensah 6
KMTH 40
KMTH 40
Carter 24 Eugene 16
Duocore 22 Eugene 8 Johnson/Doorson 10

KMTH early odds
Kiss 24
Mathis 28
Harper 14
Thaim 14

 

[RUChoppin]

Kiss better be a starter. A guy brought in for 3 years to play 2 in a program in building mode should be a high impact player from Day 1.

He's actually a 4 years to play 3 guy, unless you're assuming he leaves early for the NBA or a grad transfer. If Sanders stays, I don't see him unseating Sanders/Baker at either guard spot. He may have a hard time coming in to start over a junior Thiam on the wing, too, if he keeps progressing this year into next.

If Sanders goes, then he would probably come in as the starting 2 alongside Baker, with Thiam on the wing. Mathis would likely then come in behind Kiss, and Kiss could also slide to the 3 to go Baker/Mathis/Kiss at points.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

That makes it sound better (Kiss).

Unless Thiam improves I cant see Harper, Kiss and Mathis being behind Thiam on day 1.

 

[Knightmoves]

If Kiss can shoot well outside the arc then he will be a major asset for us. Slightly concerned about any MAAC guard moving to a P5 conference team in terms of quickness and defense.

I haven’t seen Souf, but plenty of posters seem to have have given up on him.

While it’s very early to make that decision, being able to see him play live at the RAC gives RU fans a good idea whether he can play at this level. We’ve had many guys like that over the years. Scholarship players who played like Walkons. Darko is one of the more infamous that many RU fans will recall.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

I have been saying the program would be better off if Sanders leaves next year so the other 5 perimeter players (who all can shoot) get valuable playing time. I am starting to waver on that thought. If you take out the Michigan state game I really like the way he is playing on both sides, just wish he can shoot. He obviously has aspirations to play professionally, but you don't get the sense during the game he is out to get his numbers.

 

[RUChoppin]

That makes it sound better (Kiss).

Unless Thiam improves I cant see Harper, Kiss and Mathis being behind Thiam on day 1.

Well, Thiam is putting in good minutes right now, albeit against largely lesser competition. 27.2 min, 8.1 pts (37.8% 3P), 5.5 rbs. Also plays good defense without fouling. If it weren't for Omoruyi, he'd probably be the team's most improved player over last year. Hopefully he continues to grow throughout the year (he's shown some more inside-the-arc activity recently), and comes in next year even further along his development progression.

Kiss might be able to give better minutes, after a year in Pike's practices and S&C program - but we won't know until we see him. I doubt that Harper/Mathis will be able to come in and unseat him for a starting spot, given they'll need more S&C and probably aren't where they need to be defensively. Doesn't matter if they add an extra 2-3 points per game if they give up an extra 3-5 on defense.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

I'd hope Mathis as a 4 star recruit could come in day 1 and have a Geo Baker type of impact. Looking at ron Harper, Jr. tape (Patrick game) as a junior it appears he has the offensive game on day 1 to be an upgrade over Thiam. Whether he makes the adjustment giving it all on the defensive end is my question mark.

If you are to say Rutgers right now is a school right around 100 putting it in the bottom decile of all P5 schools and ask why. I think it is the offensive production out of the 3 spot is the biggest contributing factor why we are were we are. If you all of a sudden put an offensive weapon who can get shots off and make them we move up to the 60-70 area. Still need Corey to be able to knock down perimeter shots. when he does we are a different team. Give me a 3 who is a neutral defender and can snipe and Corey as an adequate perimeter player this is a 9-9 B1G team with NCAA aspirations.

 

[RUChoppin]

I'd hope Mathis as a 4 star recruit could come in day 1 and have a Geo Baker type of impact. Looking at ron Harper, Jr. tape (Patrick game) as a junior it appears he has the offensive game on day 1 to be an upgrade over Thiam. Whether he makes the adjustment giving it all on the defensive end is my question mark.

If you are to say Rutgers right now is a school right around 100 putting it in the bottom decile of all P5 schools and ask why. I think it is the offensive production out of the 3 spot is the biggest contributing factor why we are were we are. If you all of a sudden put an offensive weapon who can get shots off and make them we move up to the 60-70 area. Still need Corey to be able to knock down perimeter shots. when he does we are a different team. Give me a 3 who is a neutral defender and can snipe and Corey as an adequate perimeter player this is a 9-9 B1G team with NCAA aspirations.

It's possible. I sure hope he has Baker level impact, but he's really best placed at shooting guard rather than wing, no? If he's a willing defender and rebounder, he'll certainly see more of the floor - it's clear that Pike puts priority on that. If Thiam continues his growth rate from last year to this year, he'll be a very strong junior.

Per 40 min numbers (to adjust for increase in minutes played - I know the SoS is very different between the two, so maybe I'll try to break out YoY OoC games after Hartford)
Fr: 8.4 pts, 3.8 rb, 1.7 to, 2.3 pf
So: 11.9 pts, 8.0 rb, 0.8 to, 1.5 pf

He's increased his "per minute" scoring by 40% and his rebounding by over 100%, while cutting his turnovers in half and dropping his fouls by 35%. If he continues to progress, he could be averaging 12 and 8 in 25 min next year as a plus defender that doesn't turn the ball over. It's possible Mathis comes in and wows everyone and steps in as the starter - but I don't see Harper or Kiss necessarily jumping him.

Trying to find minutes for good players is a good problem to have.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

Look at the 3 games against the better competition. Same thing last year.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

He was 21-54 OOC from 3. 7-39 in B1G games.

 

[BoxStater]

He was 21-54 OOC from 3. 7-39 in B1G games.

This year he’s 3-8 (37.5%) from 3 including FSU. If it’s just the 2 B1G this year he’s 2-6 (33%), too early but still a vast improvement over the 17% he shot in B1G last year per your stats. And I don’t think your stats include the B1G tourney, But basically in just 3 games he’s already made half the 3s he had last year versus tough competition.

 

[RU-ROCS]

Kolezar I can tell you without a doubt that if a coach at any sport at ND suggested that a scholarship athlete transfer he/she is fired.

I know the AD quite well from various committees I serve on and that is policy

A policy that every coach is aware of.

Now do kids leave for various reasons ? Absolutely but that is a choice they make.

A story----in 2012 I was in Florida for the NC game with Bama and was having a conversation with one of our football ops guys at a luncheon. He worked in the recruiting office.

He told me in the previous 5 years Bama had signed 27 more guys than we had. That's a heckuva an edge.

Your schedule is set up to get out in 3 1/2 years----you can do that today because everyone is on campus all summer . It doesn't happen all the time but you get out in 4------all the time. If you want a 5th year and you've been RS that's a coaches decision.

We aren't saints by any means-----we have majors that are less challenging than others but our athletes graduate and record reflects that.

Of course they don't tell them to leave. They just tell them that they will never see a down on the gridiron or a minute on the hardwood. That much happens EVERYWHERE!

 

[jellyman]

That makes it sound better (Kiss).

Unless Thiam improves I cant see Harper, Kiss and Mathis being behind Thiam on day 1.

I completely disagree. Thiam AS HE IS NOW is very likely to start next season almost regardless, in my opinion.

BUT ... Thiam IS going to improve. The young man is 11 games into just his Sophomore season, after Pikiell had said he would have benefited from a red shirt season instead of playing last year (meaning he is still raw, with a lot of upside). He has already improved some during the beginning of this season (though, yes, he remains inconsistent and sometimes invisible). Why would you think Thiam would NOT improve?

My assessment of Thiam's future:

2017-2018: He may not increase his current ppg averages THIS season (he averages 8 ppg), and his rpg (5.5) may also drop a little, as RU heads into Big Ten play. BUT ... he WILL have a couple of 12-14 point games (more than 1) when he gets hot. And he will continue to help on defense.

2018-2019: Thiam will average 22-24 minutes per game (less because of better depth). He will average 10 ppg, or more. He will get a little stronger, physically, and continue to be an asset on defense - which will earn him good playing time.

2019-2020: As a Senior, his range of performance will be from similar to his Junior season - and one of RU's 2-3 important COMPLIMENTARY players, to a ceiling of 14+ points per game, and one of RU's 3 stars (with Baker, and Doucore).

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

Rutgers will be able to easily recruit players significantly better than than 12/2017 Thiam. Will he improve?

As I have said his evaluation has to be against P5 schools.

 

[BoxStater]

Rutgers will be able to easily recruit players significantly better than than 12/2017 Thiam. Will he improve?

As I have said his evaluation has to be against P5 schools.

Rutgers cannot right now recruit players “Significantly” better than Thiam. And thus they’ve yet to recruit any of those type wings.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

Let's see about the 3 we will see next year. It is my expectation if Sanders stays they push Thiam out of the rotation

 

[NewJerseyHawk]

I think the Thiam theory is he will learn on the job this year to be at a point where Kiss and Thiam give RU 15 PPG & 10 RPG next year. Harper has a chance to be a player that benefits the most from our Strength and conditioning and I think rounds out the position in practice with full.competition.

I have zero doubts about Mathis next year....i think Shaq Carter is a starter. If we find another 2018 starting caliber player, my guess is PF or CG-combo guard

 

[BoxStater]

Let's see about the 3 we will see next year. It is my expectation if Sanders stays they push Thiam out of the rotation

Which 3?
None of the 3s they’ve recruited have shown that they’ll be offensively effectient when matched up with B1G height and length. Unlike them Thiam’s issues are mental and confidence, at 6’10 he’ll be able to at least drive and shoot if he so chooses.

And the other 3s recruited do not have the length yet to disrupt the opposing wing.

Sanders staying won’t answer who’ll guard the opposing B1G wing. Did you see what Rout did to the Rutgers guards?

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

NJH are we assuming no Sanders?

If you have zero doubts about Mathis and Sanders stays we don't have many minutes left for kiss thaim harper