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Carino on Myles the Monster

It will be great watching Myles and all our guys develop through the years and Mulcahy next year. The team only meeting shows the unity and growth of this team and how they feel accountable. Coaches can only do so much.. the players need to challenge each other. Pike has created a great environment for the team!!
 
He fits the Pikiell vision of getting well rounded kids that are good for chemistry. Myles has upside and he has shown these games early in the season. I believe what has kept him off the floor is his interior defense.

I think Myles 2.0, the sophomore edition, needs to add a perimeter shot. I'd love to have 5 guys who can knock a shot down from the perimeter.

Next year with eugene at the 4 and Myles at the 5 we have 2 guys that are good passers.
 
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Just need thiam to transfer and we'll be golden next year

What evidence is there that we'll bring in somebody better than Thiam? We have an empty scholarship *this* season and another one going to a player taking a medical redshirt that just so happened (wink wink) to come about before he played in another game that would put him over the redshirt limit.

We have ONE 2019 commit and ZERO 2020 commits. It's not like we're Nevada and having to turn down quality guys who want to sign or transfer here.
 
What evidence is there that we'll bring in somebody better than Thiam? We have an empty scholarship *this* season and another one going to a player taking a medical redshirt that just so happened (wink wink) to come about before he played in another game that would put him over the redshirt limit.

We have ONE 2019 commit and ZERO 2020 commits. It's not like we're Nevada and having to turn down quality guys who want to sign or transfer here.
I mean over the last year or two I think we've been doing just that..turning down quality guys and started being selective. This isn't football.
 
What evidence is there that we'll bring in somebody better than Thiam? We have an empty scholarship *this* season and another one going to a player taking a medical redshirt that just so happened (wink wink) to come about before he played in another game that would put him over the redshirt limit.

We have ONE 2019 commit and ZERO 2020 commits. It's not like we're Nevada and having to turn down quality guys who want to sign or transfer here.
I mean have you watched Thiam play this season? Addition by subtraction at this point. I'd rather those minutes go to any other scholarship player right now. Unless he completely changes his mindset he's doing more harm than good on the court
 
He fits the Pikiell vision of getting well rounded kids that are good for chemistry. Myles has upside and he has shown these games early in the season. I believe what has kept him off the floor is his interior defense.

I think Myles 2.0, the sophomore edition, needs to add a perimeter shot. I'd love to have 5 guys who can knock a shot down from the perimeter.

Next year with eugene at the 4 and Myles at the 5 we have 2 guys that are good passers.
I'd start with making a FT and work my way to perimeter shot. He's gotta up that FT percentage. I'm surprised teams haven't scouted that better and just hack him any time he's around the rim and make him earn it at the line
 
I mean have you watched Thiam play this season? Addition by subtraction at this point. I'd rather those minutes go to any other scholarship player right now. Unless he completely changes his mindset he's doing more harm than good on the court

We don't have a roster right now where you can take Issa and say he doesn't have any value.

Issa got torched by Taylor using screens off the ball and getting a quick shot off before Issa could contest the shot. I'd find it hard to believe that Kiss or Harper are defending the exact play any better. The magnifying glass was on because the shots went down at a critical time.

On a net net basis I don't want Issa part of the regular rotation right now. I want to think Harper and Kiss offer more on the offensive end that would offset any advantage Issa currently has on the defensive end. I do think......

1. Issa may eventually got confidence back and at least knock down wide open 3s
2. Against some/most lineups our best defensive lineup RIGHT NOW (as opposed to maybe in a month) includes Issa (and not Ron ot Peter).

I have made it abundantly clear over the past 2 years that people were overestimating Issa's ability and future with the program. With that being said now the pendulum has clearly gone the other way and people have gone too far.
 
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I'd start with making a FT and work my way to perimeter shot. He's gotta up that FT percentage. I'm surprised teams haven't scouted that better and just hack him any time he's around the rim and make him earn it at the line
Forget the perimeter game. We're a few years away from a perimeter game....hopefully. It may never come, and honestly, that would be fine. Continue to develop the offensive repertoire on the blocks. He's still very far from a finished product 5 feet out. Let's not get ahead of ourselves.
FT's absolutely need to improve.
 
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We haven't had a guy spend four years with the same coach since Hamady N'Diaye and people want to run a rising senior off the team.

I know I'm a big KenPom/spreadsheet guy but there is ENORMOUS value in having a senior on the roster who has been through four years with the same head coach, even if they're quiet like Issa and not a vocal leader (nothing wrong with that, you don't necessarily want 13 "leaders").

Unless he's setting bad examples or not working hard or doing something else detrimental off the court which is most definitely not the case then there's much more value in having him here next year given our current 2019 recruiting outlook.
 
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We haven't had a guy spend four years with the same coach since Hamady N'Diaye and people want to run a

I know I'm a big KenPom/spreadsheet guy but there is ENORMOUS value in having a senior on the roster who has been through four years with the same head coach, even if they're quiet like Issa and not a vocal leader (nothing wrong with that, you don't necessarily want 13 "leaders").

Unless he's setting bad examples or not working hard or doing something else detrimental off the court which is most definitely not the case then there's much more value in having him here next year given our current 2019 recruiting outlook.
Agree 100%. Next year, continuity will be in our favor for the first time in 2 decades. We return everyone but Doorson and hopefully keep the staff intact. I dont think that people realize how significant that will be. We'll start the year with a leg up on other squads.

Not to mention Issa is a great kid who works his tail off. Let's not be the school that doesnt respect that
 
Agree 100%. Next year, continuity will be in our favor for the first time in 2 decades. We return everyone but Doorson and hopefully keep the staff intact. I dont think that people realize how significant that will be. We'll start the year with a leg up on other squads.

Not to mention Issa is a great kid who works his tail off. Let's not be the school that doesnt respect that

Agreed with both of these posts. Even if Thiam is the 13th guy next year, he brings value. Rather than hoping he leaves, I'm hoping he regains some confidence and starts hitting 3-pointers at the same rate he did last year. He has value as "instant offense" if he gets hot, plus he's pretty good on defense.
 
I'd start with making a FT and work my way to perimeter shot. He's gotta up that FT percentage. I'm surprised teams haven't scouted that better and just hack him any time he's around the rim and make him earn it at the line

At least he's getting to the line now. In his first 10 games (136 min), he got to the line for just 6 FTs (2/6, 33%) on 25 shot attempts, in his next 9 games (153 min), he got to the line for 18 FTs (10/18, 56%) on 34 shot attempts. Definitely looking for his shot more, and looking for contact.
 
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I’m glad Pikiell is the coach and not some of you posters wanting Issa to transfer or never play. WTF do you guys know about building a competitive basketball program that develops its players and eatablishes a winning culture? Who you planning to replace Issa with a 5* that’s deciding between Duke and a RU program that hasn’t proven anything yet? I was big on Issa coming into the season thinking he could average double digits, find his own shot by developing a mid range and/or inside game and play solid D while playing with confidence and helping lead the youngsters. I would be the first to admit he is playing with little to no offensive instinct, getting stopped through picks and not showing any type of dribble or look to the basket. Pike is doing the right thing by sending him back to the back of the playing line and putting him out when someone needs a blow/foul trouble and yanking him when he’s not helping and/or hurting the team. Pike has shown that he will play you if you merit to play. Bottom line.

Would love for Issa to go out of his mind in a game down the stretch and hit 5-7 threes and finish with 20 pts but if he’s not showing anything when out there for 5-10 mins then he needs to sit.

RU is a better program with Issa on the team as a Senior even if he’s the 13th guy on the roster and it will demonstrate higher expectations and that the program has been elevated.

Keep working hard Issa even if you’re riding the pine.

GO RU
 
We don't have a roster right now where you can take Issa and say he doesn't have any value.

Issa got torched by Taylor using screens off the ball and getting a quick shot off before Issa could contest the shot. I'd find it hard to believe that Kiss or Harper are defending the exact play any better. The magnifying glass was on because the shots went down at a critical time.

On a net net basis I don't want Issa part of the regular rotation right now. I want to think Harper and Kiss offer more on the offensive end that would offset any advantage Issa currently has on the defensive end. I do think......

1. Issa may eventually got confidence back and at least knock down wide open 3s
2. Against some/most lineups our best defensive lineup RIGHT NOW (as opposed to maybe in a month) includes Issa (and not Ron ot Peter).

I have made it abundantly clear over the past 2 years that people were overestimating Issa's ability and future with the program. With that being said now the pendulum has clearly gone the other way and people have gone too far.
Any value is setting the bar extremely low. His defense along with his offense has gotten worse. A junior and multi year starter should not be regressing like this. I said before the season that I was concerned about his mindset and lack of killer instinct which could prevent him from reaching another level but that mindset has caused him to get worse.

1. Can say that about the entire team
2. He is not part of our best defensive lineup at this point IMO. He has been struggling a lot on D not just offensively. Mathis and McConnell are both better matchups for wing players
 
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As far as Issa, right now I just want him to shoot the ball. Just shoot it, man - if you have even a half a step on your defender, shoot the damn ball. You've got the ability to put the ball through the rim - but it'll never get there if you don't shoot it.
 
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Any value is setting the bar extremely low. His defense along with his offense has gotten worse. A junior and multi year starter should not be regressing like this. I said before the season that I was concerned about his mindset and lack of killer instinct which could prevent him from reaching another level but that mindset has caused him to get worse.

1. Can say that about the entire team
2. He is not part of our best defensive lineup at this point IMO. He has been struggling a lot on D not just offensively. Mathis and McConnell are both better matchups for wing players

McConnell is not going to guard Lamar Stevens better than Issa.
 
I’m glad Pikiell is the coach and not some of you posters wanting Issa to transfer or never play. WTF do you guys know about building a competitive basketball program that develops its players and eatablishes a winning culture? Who you planning to replace Issa with a 5* that’s deciding between Duke and a RU program that hasn’t proven anything yet? I was big on Issa coming into the season thinking he could average double digits, find his own shot by developing a mid range and/or inside game and play solid D while playing with confidence and helping lead the youngsters. I would be the first to admit he is playing with little to no offensive instinct, getting stopped through picks and not showing any type of dribble or look to the basket. Pike is doing the right thing by sending him back to the back of the playing line and putting him out when someone needs a blow/foul trouble and yanking him when he’s not helping and/or hurting the team. Pike has shown that he will play you if you merit to play. Bottom line.

Would love for Issa to go out of his mind in a game down the stretch and hit 5-7 threes and finish with 20 pts but if he’s not showing anything when out there for 5-10 mins then he needs to sit.

RU is a better program with Issa on the team as a Senior even if he’s the 13th guy on the roster and it will demonstrate higher expectations and that the program has been elevated.

Keep working hard Issa even if you’re riding the pine.

GO RU
You realize there is an absolutey massive gap between 5* Duke recruits and the 13th player on Rutgers bench right? Like say any grad transfer who can shoot. Pike could find another underecruited player like Geo EO Caleb Myles. None even close to 5 star but all contribute more than Thiam as a junior. You created a false choice.

I hope Thiam busts out of his slump in a big way but it's not just shooting. He brings zero to the table on offense except 3's which he's missing. It impacts the entire offense when you have players who can't do anything with the ball in their hands and can't shoot. If he breaks out and finish strong then that is a good sign. If he doesn't then he was in a slump hos entire junior year so that doesn't inspire much confidence that he will magically become a different person with a stronger mindset next year
 
McConnell is not going to guard Lamar Stevens better than Issa.

while potentially true, McConnell will make PSU guard him off the dribble and as a shooter, which Issa doesn't present as a challenge to a defense. He is a catch and shoot or station to station player, that isn't going to generate his own offense.

The defensive aspect isn't helpful, if Stevens puts his shoulders down and decides to drive to the basket, he's going to get to the basket on Thiam or draw a foul or defender and make a pass for a layup or dunk.

The only aspect Thiam offers over McConnell would be in a zone defense and Thiam's arm length, which isn't that much different than McConnell, who is 6'6"....it's not like we are comparing Nigel Johnson to Thiam defensively.
 
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You realize there is an absolutey massive gap between 5* Duke recruits and the 13th player on Rutgers bench right? Like say any grad transfer who can shoot. Pike could find another underecruited player like Geo EO Caleb Myles. None even close to 5 star but all contribute more than Thiam as a junior. You created a false choice.

I hope Thiam busts out of his slump in a big way but it's not just shooting. He brings zero to the table on offense except 3's which he's missing. It impacts the entire offense when you have players who can't do anything with the ball in their hands and can't shoot. If he breaks out and finish strong then that is a good sign. If he doesn't then he was in a slump hos entire junior year so that doesn't inspire much confidence that he will magically become a different person with a stronger mindset next year
He's a player with a ton of institutional knowledge of the program who loves the school and loves his teammates. If he's the 13th guy on the team, that's better than having a grad transfer that's wondering why he isn't playing and causing issues in the locker room. He'll be the best practice player we could ever have and as a former starter gives us amazing depth.

How many people do you guys expect to have in the rotation without hard feelings, screwing up chemistry, etc.? While RU needs to up talent level, they return everyone but Doorson next year, add a former top-50 recruit in Young and add Mulcahy. I'd rather fill the one remaining ship, return Issa, and return a redshirt-Soph Doucoure than turn this into some kind of way station for multiple 1 year players
 
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while potentially true, McConnell will make PSU guard him off the dribble and as a shooter, which Issa doesn't present as a challenge to a defense. He is a catch and shoot or station to station player, that isn't going to generate his own offense.

The defensive aspect isn't helpful, if Stevens puts his shoulders down and decides to drive to the basket, he's going to get to the basket on Thiam or draw a foul or defender and make a pass for a layup or dunk.

The only aspect Thiam offers over McConnell would be in a zone defense and Thiam's arm length, which isn't that much different than McConnell, who is 6'6"....it's not like we are comparing Nigel Johnson to Thiam defensively.
C'Mon, it's not like you of all people dont remember Issa locking up some of the best SFs in the conference over the past 2 seasons. He's not playing well now, admittedly, but he adds value particularly as a bench option
 
Just need thiam to transfer and we'll be golden next year
I don't like it when we hope to drive off the roster some 20 year old kid just because he's disappointed us fans. Nobody wants Rutgers to win more than me but give Thiam a break. He comports himself well on and off the court and gives 100% effort when on the floor. It's up to Pikiell to carve out a role for each player on the team and I trust that when Thiam is out there that Pikiell believes he's making a positive contribution.
 
He's a player with a ton of institutional knowledge of the program who loves the school and loves his teammates. If he's the 13th guy on the team, that's better than having a grad transfer that's wondering why he isn't playing and causing issues in the locker room. He'll be the best practice player we could ever have and as a former starter gives us amazing depth.

How many people do you guys expect to have in the rotation without hard feelings, screwing up chemistry, etc.? While RU needs to up talent level, they return everyone but Doorson next year, add a former top-50 recruit in Young and add Mulcahy. I'd rather fill the one remaining ship, return Issa, and return a redshirt-Soph Doucoure than turn this into some kind of way station for multiple 1 year players
Ideally the grad transfer would be brought in to acrually play. If we had a true lights out shooter they would have to find some minutes. Hopefully Harper and Kiss can step it up in that department. I don't mind Issa being on the team at the end of the bench. Not everyone can play agreed. It is not unthinkable that we could find a grad transfer who could contribute more or the next underecruited gem to fill that spot as a move more towards the future
 
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He fits the Pikiell vision of getting well rounded kids that are good for chemistry. Myles has upside and he has shown these games early in the season. I believe what has kept him off the floor is his interior defense.

I think Myles 2.0, the sophomore edition, needs to add a perimeter shot. I'd love to have 5 guys who can knock a shot down from the perimeter.

Next year with eugene at the 4 and Myles at the 5 we have 2 guys that are good passers.
Not that the starting line up makes any difference, but I'd expect Carter to start at the four - JMO.
 
What evidence is there that we'll bring in somebody better than Thiam? We have an empty scholarship *this* season and another one going to a player taking a medical redshirt that just so happened (wink wink) to come about before he played in another game that would put him over the redshirt limit.

We have ONE 2019 commit and ZERO 2020 commits. It's not like we're Nevada and having to turn down quality guys who want to sign or transfer here.
Take it easy, it's still early. We'll get much better players than Nevada going forward.
 
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I’m glad Pikiell is the coach and not some of you posters wanting Issa to transfer or never play. WTF do you guys know about building a competitive basketball program that develops its players and eatablishes a winning culture? Who you planning to replace Issa with a 5* that’s deciding between Duke and a RU program that hasn’t proven anything yet? I was big on Issa coming into the season thinking he could average double digits, find his own shot by developing a mid range and/or inside game and play solid D while playing with confidence and helping lead the youngsters. I would be the first to admit he is playing with little to no offensive instinct, getting stopped through picks and not showing any type of dribble or look to the basket. Pike is doing the right thing by sending him back to the back of the playing line and putting him out when someone needs a blow/foul trouble and yanking him when he’s not helping and/or hurting the team. Pike has shown that he will play you if you merit to play. Bottom line.

Would love for Issa to go out of his mind in a game down the stretch and hit 5-7 threes and finish with 20 pts but if he’s not showing anything when out there for 5-10 mins then he needs to sit.

RU is a better program with Issa on the team as a Senior even if he’s the 13th guy on the roster and it will demonstrate higher expectations and that the program has been elevated.

Keep working hard Issa even if you’re riding the pine.

GO RU
They are not a better program if his spot is taken by a guy like Massoud.
 
Issa's offensive game now is so limited. Unless he gets a pass to his shooting pocket or perfectly in stride without ANY distraction to his shooting rhythm, its a MISS and the tough part his confidence level is down. He cannot create spacing on his own. Perhaps the only possibility next year is Mulcahy delivers passes to Issa in a more shooter friendly style and he starts making shots and building confidence. Question is: will a true PG enhance Issa's game?? Only time will tell!
 
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You realize there is an absolutey massive gap between 5* Duke recruits and the 13th player on Rutgers bench right? Like say any grad transfer who can shoot. Pike could find another underecruited player like Geo EO Caleb Myles. None even close to 5 star but all contribute more than Thiam as a junior. You created a false choice.

I hope Thiam busts out of his slump in a big way but it's not just shooting. He brings zero to the table on offense except 3's which he's missing. It impacts the entire offense when you have players who can't do anything with the ball in their hands and can't shoot. If he breaks out and finish strong then that is a good sign. If he doesn't then he was in a slump hos entire junior year so that doesn't inspire much confidence that he will magically become a different person with a stronger mindset next year

Fair points but some on here are making it look like Issa is the second coming of Justin Goode which is totally off base. The guy was on the court at the end of the Miami and OSU wins which are two of the biggest wins this program has had this season. This is a players that has scored some points his sophomore year. Anyways keep playing the youngsters and maybe the offensive light bulb will go off at some point for Issa.

GO RU
 
If Caleb McConnell was viewed through the same lens as Issa Thaim right now people would be VERY disappointed.
 
Impressive kid on and off the court but I must say I’m just as impressed with Omoruyi as a leader when he states “We can’t just be winning one game and think we’ve done enough,”

Love it.

GO RU


this...beating OSU was nice but then team looked awful the next two games...they looked great against Nebraska but the true test of building is taking that performance and winning on the road vs Penn State. I love Eugenes comments too because I often think past teams dont have the hunger to build off a good win
 
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