Can't be mad at the staff

[Jerseylegends]

I'm saying this based on the fact that most people on this board including myself wanted Rutgers to change its style of play and it's roster after Rutgers was one of the first teams left out of the tournament and lost to Hofstra in the NIT. I remember it clearly as I was one of the people that agreed, mulcahy and Spencer weren't fast enough. We thought that teams figured out that Spencer was the only offensive threat and it was too hard for him to score in that situation. We thought Gavin Griffith would come in and be Jason Tatum, thought it would be easy to get one of those fast, quick decision making, 3pt shooting points guards in the portal but ended up signing Noah Fernandes. Didn't think Mag would be in his feelings about mulcahy being pushed out and Spencer leaving. Didn't know Cliff couldn't function offensively without mulcahy or a pg like him. Thought Simpson would end up being a playmaker like geo. Although I was never high on Simpson, even his Freshman year, he provided some speed and athleticism off the bench but he always looked out of control to me. He was expected to take a big step from freshman to sophomore year that didn't happen.
Ace and Dylan committed based on that team that got snubbed for a tournament bid. They were supposed to be playing with Mag, Cliff, and Gavin griffiths aka Jason Tatum. Things didn't work out on many levels and Rutgers isn't the type of program that can overcome all of that. Pike took a chance because he saw the once in a lifetime opportunity with 2 top 5 NBA draft picks. Idk if he reads the boards but apparently they were thinking the same way and shaking up the roster and defense first strategy blew up in their faces. Guessing they will go back to the old ways this year. They have a little bit of money to play with so let's see what they can put together, it's exciting. Lol

 

[trotter]

Staff struck out in the portal two years in a row. Previous years we did ok with transfers. Staff also didn’t develop multiple players like Cliff or Mag offensively. I like a defensive first approach. Keeps a team with less talent in the game. I hope Pike turns it around.

 

[seansherm]

I'm saying this based on the fact that most people on this board including myself wanted Rutgers to change its style of play and it's roster after Rutgers was one of the first teams left out of the tournament and lost to Hofstra in the NIT. I remember it clearly as I was one of the people that agreed, mulcahy and Spencer weren't fast enough. We thought that teams figured out that Spencer was the only offensive threat and it was too hard for him to score in that situation. We thought Gavin Griffith would come in and be Jason Tatum, thought it would be easy to get one of those fast, quick decision making, 3pt shooting points guards in the portal but ended up signing Noah Fernandes. Didn't think Mag would be in his feelings about mulcahy being pushed out and Spencer leaving. Didn't know Cliff couldn't function offensively without mulcahy or a pg like him. Thought Simpson would end up being a playmaker like geo. Although I was never high on Simpson, even his Freshman year, he provided some speed and athleticism off the bench but he always looked out of control to me. He was expected to take a big step from freshman to sophomore year that didn't happen.
Ace and Dylan committed based on that team that got snubbed for a tournament bid. They were supposed to be playing with Mag, Cliff, and Gavin griffiths aka Jason Tatum. Things didn't work out on many levels and Rutgers isn't the type of program that can overcome all of that. Pike took a chance because he saw the once in a lifetime opportunity with 2 top 5 NBA draft picks. Idk if he reads the boards but apparently they were thinking the same way and shaking up the roster and defense first strategy blew up in their faces. Guessing they will go back to the old ways this year. They have a little bit of money to play with so let's see what they can put together, it's exciting. Lol

Why can't you be mad at the staff for all that? They brought in underperformers. They lost guys because the didn't raise the funds necessary to keep them, or because they didn't have a together locker room. They stupidly completely changed their culture for a year.
Not all people thought Gavin would be Jason Tatum ever, let alone anywhere near his freshman year. Some knew Fernandes would be not good for a year.

 

[Lawboy]

I have the belief that last year was mishandled with team construction .if I remember correctly, we were in contention for the number one Juco center and also in contention for a rim protector and scorer from a former Soviet bloc nation. The same scenario played out twice as we would not close the deal allegedly over fifty thousand dollars. I believe that the same thing happened with Latham. Our coach is willing to offer raise you once and then will not negotiate further. This is a formula of someone who has never haggled over a price maybe not even with a car dealership. In the middle east the vendors are insulted if you don’t haggle. The saying “ you steal food from the mouths of my children and my children’s children “ is heard by most shop vendors every day. Haggling is an art and obviously our coach is not an artist.

 

[RUJMM78]

I'm saying this based on the fact that most people on this board including myself wanted Rutgers to change its style of play and it's roster after Rutgers was one of the first teams left out of the tournament and lost to Hofstra in the NIT. I remember it clearly as I was one of the people that agreed, mulcahy and Spencer weren't fast enough. We thought that teams figured out that Spencer was the only offensive threat and it was too hard for him to score in that situation. We thought Gavin Griffith would come in and be Jason Tatum, thought it would be easy to get one of those fast, quick decision making, 3pt shooting points guards in the portal but ended up signing Noah Fernandes. Didn't think Mag would be in his feelings about mulcahy being pushed out and Spencer leaving. Didn't know Cliff couldn't function offensively without mulcahy or a pg like him. Thought Simpson would end up being a playmaker like geo. Although I was never high on Simpson, even his Freshman year, he provided some speed and athleticism off the bench but he always looked out of control to me. He was expected to take a big step from freshman to sophomore year that didn't happen.
Ace and Dylan committed based on that team that got snubbed for a tournament bid. They were supposed to be playing with Mag, Cliff, and Gavin griffiths aka Jason Tatum. Things didn't work out on many levels and Rutgers isn't the type of program that can overcome all of that. Pike took a chance because he saw the once in a lifetime opportunity with 2 top 5 NBA draft picks. Idk if he reads the boards but apparently they were thinking the same way and shaking up the roster and defense first strategy blew up in their faces. Guessing they will go back to the old ways this year. They have a little bit of money to play with so let's see what they can put together, it's exciting. Lol

Bottom line Rutgers has depended on defense and 3 star recruits getting better with player development.This strategy has resulted in only one NCAA Tournament win and other years with no bid.At best you could say Rutgers was a mid level program that could upset some higher ranked B1G Ten teams but only twice had more than 10 league wins.Rutgers is now facing the perils of the NIL and seems incapable of attracting difference makers in the transfer portal.Next season could result in Rutgers having three straight losing seasons.The inability to even achieve a winning season with two elite freshmen is totally unacceptable.The Rutgers athletic department needs strong leadership. The men's basketball team needs changes in the coaching staff and players that excel at both ends of the court.Wishful thinking won't change the status quo.

 

[seansherm]

Bottom line Rutgers has depended on defense and 3 star recruits getting better with player development.This strategy has resulted in only one NCAA Tournament win and other years with no bid.At best you could say Rutgers was a mid level program that could upset some higher ranked B1G Ten teams but only twice had more than 10 league wins.Rutgers is now facing the perils of the NIL and seems incapable of attracting difference makers in the transfer portal.Next season could result in Rutgers having three straight losing seasons.The inability to even achieve a winning season with two elite freshmen is totally unacceptable.The Rutgers athletic department needs strong leadership. The men's basketball team needs changes in the coaching staff and players that excel at both ends of the court.Wishful thinking won't change the status quo.

We may have only won one game, but RU was a game no one wanted on their schedule, and for fans, RU had a chance against anyone. Sure, scoring was hard, but the teams played hard, which is all you can ask.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

Why can't you be mad at the staff for all that? They brought in underperformers. They lost guys because the didn't raise the funds necessary to keep them, or because they didn't have a together locker room. They stupidly completely changed their culture for a year.
Not all people thought Gavin would be Jason Tatum ever, let alone anywhere near his freshman year. Some knew Fernandes would be not good for a year.

I think NJlegends described the feelings of the fanbase pretty good.

 

[seansherm]

I think NJlegends described the feelings of the fanbase pretty good.

Doesn't mean you shouldn't expect the coaches to be smarter than the fan base

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

Bottom line Rutgers has depended on defense and 3 star recruits getting better with player development.This strategy has resulted in only one NCAA Tournament win and other years with no bid.At best you could say Rutgers was a mid level program that could upset some higher ranked B1G Ten teams but only twice had more than 10 league wins.Rutgers is now facing the perils of the NIL and seems incapable of attracting difference makers in the transfer portal.Next season could result in Rutgers having three straight losing seasons.The inability to even achieve a winning season with two elite freshmen is totally unacceptable.The Rutgers athletic department needs strong leadership. The men's basketball team needs changes in the coaching staff and players that excel at both ends of the court.Wishful thinking won't change the status quo.

You have 2 paths to chose from looking at the last 8-10 years

1. Put blinders on have certain standards of what our program should be
2. Understand pre transfer/NIL rules RU was at a slight disadvantage as we probably didn't "illegally pay" players like other schools and in the NIL world don't have the resources have

If you are on Path 1 you are disappointed as you wrote.
If you are on Path 2 you are satisfied with the 8-10 years as a whole. You realize many mistakes were made, but by in large the program has been elevated.

My opinion fans on Path 1 are living in a psuedo dream world.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

Doesn't mean you shouldn't expect the coaches to be smarter than the fan base

You wonder if Pike would have went after Ace if he knew how the college landscape was going to change in the next 18 months.

Probably yes, but...

Also only 1 lonely fan on this message board said it was a mistake getting one and dones.

 

[bitnez]

You have 2 paths to chose from looking at the last 8-10 years

1. Put blinders on have certain standards of what our program should be
2. Understand pre transfer/NIL rules RU was at a slight disadvantage as we probably didn't "illegally pay" players like other schools and in the NIL world don't have the resources have

If you are on Path 1 you are disappointed as you wrote.
If you are on Path 2 you are satisfied with the 8-10 years as a whole. You realize many mistakes were made, but by in large the program has been elevated.

My opinion fans on Path 1 are living in a psuedo dream world.

Is Pike good enough to simply be our coach until he decides to hang them up? He did a great job until 3 years ago. It’s been downhill ever since, but if he left today I think on balance he’d be viewed favorably. However, if it doesn’t work next year it’s over and all the goodwill he built up will be gone for most fans.

 

[Jerseylegends]

Is Pike good enough to simply be our coach until he decides to hang them up? He did a great job until 3 years ago. It’s been downhill ever since, but if he left today I think on balance he’d be viewed favorably. However, if it doesn’t work next year it’s over and all the goodwill he built up will be gone for most fans.

If he can't put together a decent team this year I think he will be on the hot seat regardless of buy out..big ten wants to get something out of NYC media market.

 

[seansherm]

You wonder if Pike would have went after Ace if he knew how the college landscape was going to change in the next 18 months.

Probably yes, but...

Also only 1 lonely fan on this message board said it was a mistake getting one and dones.

I didn't love the idea of 2 one and done's together. Thought everything about it was a big risk to Pike. Team already had JWill, who serves no purpose on the court if he didn't have the ball in his hands. I'm probably alone in that, for last years team, I would have preferred Ace over Dylan if we only brought in one.

 

[seansherm]

Is Pike good enough to simply be our coach until he decides to hang them up? He did a great job until 3 years ago. It’s been downhill ever since, but if he left today I think on balance he’d be viewed favorably. However, if it doesn’t work next year it’s over and all the goodwill he built up will be gone for most fans.

That's where he is for me, another bad season next year and his seat is red hot.

 

[Jerseylegends]

Why can't you be mad at the staff for all that? They brought in underperformers. They lost guys because the didn't raise the funds necessary to keep them, or because they didn't have a together locker room. They stupidly completely changed their culture for a year.
Not all people thought Gavin would be Jason Tatum ever, let alone anywhere near his freshman year. Some knew Fernandes would be not good for a year.

Yeah I'm exaggerating but I thought he would at least be a 6'9" athletic wing shooting 40% from three. Didn't happen, I remember arguments about whether or not he'd be a one and done. There was a lot of hype for Gavin, people even made parody twitter accounts with Gavin griffiths likeness. Him not panning out was a big hit for this program..I think he was the highest rated recruit in Rutgers history before ace signed.

 

[NickRU714]

I didn't love the idea of 2 one and done's together. Thought everything about it was a big risk to Pike. Team already had JWill, who serves no purpose on the court if he didn't have the ball in his hands. I'm probably alone in that, for last years team, I would have preferred Ace over Dylan if we only brought in one.

I'd much rather bring in both Ace and Dylan over only one and keeping JWill.
I'm not picking JWill over Dylan in any situation.

The issue was thinking JWill would provide any value next to Dylan and Ace.

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

I didn't love the idea of 2 one and done's together. Thought everything about it was a big risk to Pike. Team already had JWill, who serves no purpose on the court if he didn't have the ball in his hands. I'm probably alone in that, for last years team, I would have preferred Ace over Dylan if we only brought in one.

He was the best defender on the team. By far - I know that doesn’t say much, but that was his purpose. If you took him off the team, we would’ve lost more.

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

I will be furious with the staff if we land Francis from NJIT and then J Mike transfers a few weeks later. I will read that between the lines to mean we’re allocating 250K+ on a high volume scorer whose team didn’t break the top 300 in either O eff or D eff and prioritizing him over our returning kids who aren’t great, but to be clear, I’d bet my mortgage NJIT wins a lot games with J Mike on their roster. We are not talking about the A-10. This is American East basketball and no team in that conference would rank 300th in D with J Mike on it. I mean, sure, maybe his D dropped some this year, but come on.

To be clear, this target would only be okay in my book if we’re getting him for next to nothing.

 

[seansherm]

Yeah I'm exaggerating but I thought he would at least be a 6'9" athletic wing shooting 40% from three. Didn't happen, I remember arguments about whether or not he'd be a one and done. There was a lot of hype for Gavin, people even made parody twitter accounts with Gavin griffiths likeness. Him not panning out was a big hit for this program..I think he was the highest rated recruit in Rutgers history before ace signed.

I think the minute anyone saw the pic of Gavin at the pool party before the season and saw how far he still needed to go physically before he'd be ready should have known it was going to be a lost year. Had the body of a 13 year old very tall kid.

 

[seansherm]

I'd much rather bring in both Ace and Dylan over only one and keeping JWill.
I'm not picking JWill over Dylan in any situation.

The issue was thinking JWill would provide any value next to Dylan and Ace.

Well, I agree, but JWill was already here, so you knew you were rendering him useless, unless you are one of the weirdo's that spent the off season arguing with me that he fit fine next to Dylan. In a bubble, no one, anywhere, would choose JWill over Dylan.

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

I think the minute anyone saw the pic of Gavin at the pool party before the season and saw how far he still needed to go physically before he'd be ready should have known it was going to be a lost year. Had the body of a 13 year old very tall kid.

Nah. It wasn’t even that. Help defense wasn’t a term in Gavin’s vocabulary when he arrived at Rutgers. It was beyond imaginable. Now don’t get me wrong, we had some poor defenders last season, but there’s a difference between being slow and late constantly on D and what Gavin was. He started out having no earthly idea when it was his responsibility to execute help. The concept of “see man and see ball” was also foreign to him. It was nuts.

 

[seansherm]

I will be furious with the staff if we land Francis from NJIT and then J Mike transfers a few weeks later. I will read that between the lines to mean we’re allocating 250K+ on a high volume scorer whose team didn’t break the top 300 in either O eff or D eff and prioritizing him over our returning kids who aren’t great, but to be clear, I’d bet my mortgage NJIT wins a lot games with J Mike on their roster. We are not talking about the A-10. This is American East basketball and no team in that conference would rank 300th in D with J Mike on it. I mean, sure, maybe his D dropped some this year, but come on.

To be clear, this target would only be okay in my book if we’re getting him for next to nothing.

I hate even having to think about the $ part of this, but unless this kid is being brought in to be like the 8th man, it doesn't bode well for the team building. High volume, low efficiency shooter who plays poor D.

 

[seansherm]

Nah. It wasn’t even that. Help defense wasn’t a term in Gavin’s vocabulary when he arrived at Rutgers. It was beyond imaginable. Now don’t get me wrong, we had some poor defenders last season, but there’s a difference between being slow and late constantly on D and what Gavin was. He started out having no earthly idea when it was his responsibility to execute help. The concept of “see man and see ball” was also foreign to him. It was nuts.

That sadly, is a reoccurring situation around the team with freshman recently.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

I'm not picking JWill over Dylan in any situation.

How about if you had a funny joke to tell? Who would you rather tell it to?

 

[Jerseylegends]

I think the minute anyone saw the pic of Gavin at the pool party before the season and saw how far he still needed to go physically before he'd be ready should have known it was going to be a lost year. Had the body of a 13 year old very tall kid.

Nah we were still bullish on him up until it was obvious he wouldn't pan out. I remember he dropped 20 on like Lehigh or one of the cupcakes and everyone was like "ohhhhhh he's figuring things out now" lol

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

I hate even having to think about the $ part of this, but unless this kid is being brought in to be like the 8th man, it doesn't bode well for the team building. High volume, low efficiency shooter who plays poor D.

I listen to the podcasts on my morning commute. Hearing about an upcoming future cast for this kid was very depressing.

The thing is, I think we have to be thinking about money because every scholarship kid is going to get it now, and we have to assume everyone on the team will know who gets what. So I don’t actually care what role Pike envisions this kid for as much as I care about allocating resources to him that could be used elsewhere. We’re talking about a kid who went 2 for 18 in a loss to Wagner.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

That sadly, is a reoccurring situation around the team with freshman recently.

Ace yes, Dylan no. Dylan learned how to play defense, I am guessing in HS.

 

[seansherm]

Ace yes, Dylan no. Dylan learned how to play defense, I am guessing in HS.

Lathan? Dylan may have known how to play it but still wasn't very good at it.

 

[bethlehemfan]

You have 2 paths to chose from looking at the last 8-10 years

1. Put blinders on have certain standards of what our program should be
2. Understand pre transfer/NIL rules RU was at a slight disadvantage as we probably didn't "illegally pay" players like other schools and in the NIL world don't have the resources have

If you are on Path 1 you are disappointed as you wrote.
If you are on Path 2 you are satisfied with the 8-10 years as a whole. You realize many mistakes were made, but by in large the program has been elevated.

My opinion fans on Path 1 are living in a psuedo dream world.

In path 2 I won’t say hopelessly outclassed as there’s alway hope but nil and coaching free agency results in a world where the top teams in the conference will be better than ever. It’s an arms race and we have a budget akin to the Czech Republic.

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

Let me add - I’ve never been this huge fan of J-Mike or anything, but given the odds of Francis coming in and being an impact player are not any better than the odds of J-Mike making some strides and developing in the offseason, I’d 100 times rather root for a third year junior who sticks with our program to have a nice season for us next year.

So as I said - whatever has been worked out for J Mike, we better not be paying this kid more based on the points he put up for one of the worst teams in the country.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

Let me add - I’ve never been this huge fan of J-Mike or anything, but given the odds of Francis coming in and being an impact player are not any better than the odds of J-Mike making some strides and developing in the offseason, I’d 100 times rather root for a third year junior who sticks with our program to have a nice season for us next year.

So as I said - whatever has been worked out for J Mike, we better not be paying this kid more based on the points he put up for one of the worst teams in the country.

It comes down to JaMike may want to come back, he is probably cheap, he will play defense and you have Lino Mark and you have holes every where. I am taking my money and filling it with players at the 2,3, and 4.

 

[Jerseylegends]

Let me add - I’ve never been this huge fan of J-Mike or anything, but given the odds of Francis coming in and being an impact player are not any better than the odds of J-Mike making some strides and developing in the offseason, I’d 100 times rather root for a third year junior who sticks with our program to have a nice season for us next year.

So as I said - whatever has been worked out for J Mike, we better not be paying this kid more based on the points he put up for one of the worst teams in the country.

Tariq Francis is Brandins best friend from East Orange. Tariq was a star receiver and Brandin was actually better at corner back than he was at basketball if you asked my uncle. I remember when I was a kid wanting to go to the parties they threw at Robert treat hotel in Newark but I wasn't in highschool yet lol.. Like they were always together, pretty sure his son is like a nephew so I don't think he comes with a hefty price tag. He's not as bad as some are saying and is getting better and better, not the guard id choose to come in and play major minutes but I truly think he's coming in to develop as a true multi year Rutgers basketball player. Not for NIL or guaranteed playing time or anything like that..

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

Tariq Francis is Brandins best friend from East Orange. Tariq was a star receiver and Brandin was actually better at corner back than he was at basketball if you asked my uncle. I remember when I was a kid wanting to go to the parties they threw at Robert treat hotel in Newark but I wasn't in highschool yet lol.. Like they were always together, pretty sure his son is like a nephew so I don't think he comes with a hefty price tag. He's not as bad as some are saying and is getting better and better, not the guard id choose to come in and play major minutes but I truly think he's coming in to develop as a true multi year Rutgers basketball player. Not for NIL or guaranteed playing time or anything like that..

As long as he’s not being brought in as one of our marquis portal pick ups, I have no problem with us adding him to the roster. We have plenty of spots. Sean said he’d better be 8th option - I don’t care how much he ends up playing, but he better not be one of the top 7 paid players on our roster if we bring him here. That’s a better way of putting it I think.

 

[Danielson381]

I am made that opposing players continue to light us up and get high major opportunities and not come to us. Bashir has Kansas and UK visits tf?

 

[FinalFourOrBust]

I’ll stay mad at the staff for bringing in low major players to compliment a generational freshmen class but thanks

 

[NickRU714]

Let me add - I’ve never been this huge fan of J-Mike or anything, but given the odds of Francis coming in and being an impact player are not any better than the odds of J-Mike making some strides and developing in the offseason, I’d 100 times rather root for a third year junior who sticks with our program to have a nice season for us next year.

So as I said - whatever has been worked out for J Mike, we better not be paying this kid more based on the points he put up for one of the worst teams in the country.

Plus he's even shorter than Davis and Mark I believe. Would we play them together

If we're resigned to Davis as our primary ball handler this has to be the 2nd/3rd PG role.
Hard to imagine 2 of Davis, Mark and Francis on the court together.

To your point, that's a minimal asset allocation for a minimal role.

HC Pike seems to have an issue with looking at a players current and not their future role.
For example JWill in 2023-2024 with the ball v. 2024-2025 without the ball next to Harper.

Francis in 2024-2025 with the ball and a 35% usage is different than a potential 2025-2026 with Davis having the ball.

 

[newell138]

They have a little bit of money to play with so let's see what they can put together, it's exciting. Lol

IDK, its anything but exciting. I haven't been this disinterested in RU hoops since the Jordan era

 

[LotusAggressor]

I'm saying this based on the fact that most people on this board including myself wanted Rutgers to change its style of play and it's roster after Rutgers was one of the first teams left out of the tournament and lost to Hofstra in the NIT. I remember it clearly as I was one of the people that agreed, mulcahy and Spencer weren't fast enough. We thought that teams figured out that Spencer was the only offensive threat and it was too hard for him to score in that situation. We thought Gavin Griffith would come in and be Jason Tatum, thought it would be easy to get one of those fast, quick decision making, 3pt shooting points guards in the portal but ended up signing Noah Fernandes. Didn't think Mag would be in his feelings about mulcahy being pushed out and Spencer leaving. Didn't know Cliff couldn't function offensively without mulcahy or a pg like him. Thought Simpson would end up being a playmaker like geo. Although I was never high on Simpson, even his Freshman year, he provided some speed and athleticism off the bench but he always looked out of control to me. He was expected to take a big step from freshman to sophomore year that didn't happen.
Ace and Dylan committed based on that team that got snubbed for a tournament bid. They were supposed to be playing with Mag, Cliff, and Gavin griffiths aka Jason Tatum. Things didn't work out on many levels and Rutgers isn't the type of program that can overcome all of that. Pike took a chance because he saw the once in a lifetime opportunity with 2 top 5 NBA draft picks. Idk if he reads the boards but apparently they were thinking the same way and shaking up the roster and defense first strategy blew up in their faces. Guessing they will go back to the old ways this year. They have a little bit of money to play with so let's see what they can put together, it's exciting. Lol

I think you can blame them more than a little.

 

[jerzeyguy]

Staff is terrible

 

[Jerseylegends]

I think you can blame them more than a little.

I was saying this because I might've made similar moves. Probably would have aimed to bring in soneone like Richmond from seton hall and that big man from Camden that went to Kentucky. Then once I found out I didn't have the money for those guys or they couldn't perform; I'd probably end up convincing myself that pj Hayes and Tyson Acuff are better than they are and end up with a similar roster. Guess as coaches paid to do a job they should be held to a higher standard. If they don't get the roster right this year definitely a hot seat possibly even too hot to sit on and this staff will be let go.