Columbia Has Played Really Well of Late

[RUsojo]

Columbia is coming off a very solid 5 games stretch. They are a team that shoots a ton of 3s and has generally shot the ball well. They will force us to guard the perimeter and they move the ball exceptionally well so I expect them to give us some trouble.

Curious to see what the spread opens at.

 

[bac2therac]

meh I wouldnt read too much in their competitive 9 point loss at BC....one of those sleepy December games for a power conference school. They are 3-7 and looking at their scores I do not think they are that good.

Obviously RU has to come out with a purpose and avoid another Boston U type game where it gets dicey late. I am not so much worried about our defense right now then our ability to generate consistency on offense.

 

[RUsojo]

meh I wouldnt read too much in their competitive 9 point loss at BC....one of those sleepy December games for a power conference school. They are 3-7 and looking at their scores I do not think they are that good.

Obviously RU has to come out with a purpose and avoid another Boston U type game where it gets dicey late. I am not so much worried about our defense right now then our ability to generate consistency on offense.

Yeah I mean I’m not really “worried” per se but they have looked much better in December than in November and their style of play allows them that “any given night” type of victory. But their form of late compared to ours is something to consider. This is exactly the type of get back on track game I prefer because it’s not a gimme game and after winning the team will feel better morale wise.

 

[knights1212]

I don't take anyone for granted. Last year we lost to Stony Brook and Hartford on Dec 22 & 28. This year we play Columbia and Maine on Dec 22 & 29. I don't like these games near the holiday breaks. These are kids and often other things are on their minds at those times. This year Boston University the day after Thanksgiving was also almost a disaster. We need to have a 100 % focus especially after a losing streak.

 

[RUPete]

I don't take anyone for granted. Last year we lost to Stony Brook and Hartford on Dec 22 & 28. This year we play Columbia and Maine on Dec 22 & 29. I don't like these games near the holiday breaks. These are kids and often other things are on their minds at those times. This year Boston University the day after Thanksgiving was also almost a disaster. We need to have a 100 % focus especially after a losing streak.

I think the losing streak will actually help us this time around. They have to be pretty tired of it by now.

 

[ScarletDave]

4 close losses. 1, arguably 2 that “should” have been wins (at least before last weekend). Although we led Wisconsin by 10 almost at the half so say what you want about that too. So yes, a 4 game losing streak but in all the games, so I’m not throwing in the towel on the season just yet. Ivy League schools are scary because they can always shoot the 3 crazy well. If our offense plays like it has been as of late we lose. That said we played 3 really good defenses and our last 2 opponents had a single player score 30 points. Columbia’s D and Maine’s won’t be nearly as good so we have to score, and score some more, and FIND A WAY to keep their star in check, whoever it may be. And it would help if we could have someone become our own star like Honor and Powell.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

I expect us to impose our will and shut them down on the defensive end. They take and make a bunch of 3s. My key is Montez Mathis forcing primary ball handler out of his comfort zone and initiating the offense a few feet back from normal.

I know there was adequate time between Stony Brook and Seton Hall, but I think they will have fresh legs. I believe the tough 3 game 6 day, multi city gauntlet was a small factor vs. SHU.

 

[NewJerseyHawk]

Minimal research would show they just lost one of their top scorers for the season with an injury. Not that it changes what RU has to do, because sometimes an adjustment to what you see on film can change when there's a significant unexpected impact.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

I actually saw them play live last year. They did a crazy amount of substitutions.

 

[dpwhite]

They lost their best player, but Jim Engles is a very good coach. They will be ready and we better be.

 

[bac2therac]

Yeah I mean I’m not really “worried” per se but they have looked much better in December than in November and their style of play allows them that “any given night” type of victory. But their form of late compared to ours is something to consider. This is exactly the type of get back on track game I prefer because it’s not a gimme game and after winning the team will feel better morale wise.

our form had it down to a 3 pt game against a decent NCAA bubble school

 

[RUsojo]

our form had it down to a 3 pt game against a decent NCAA bubble school

Call it what you want we’ve lost 4 in a row.

 

[BOGDANOVICH]

If Rutgers loses to Columbia and Maine, are they heading for a 5 win season? That would be Ash Part Deux.

Dont sleep on the Lions.

 

[Proud NJ Sports Fan]

If you can't beat Columbia. . ..

 

[RocktheRac]

If we lose to Columbia or Maine we have deep problems.

 

[TDIrish27]

Cannot see that happening and I agree with the poster who said Engles is a very good coach.

Neither team is going to be able to match Rutgers on the glass

 

[RUJMM78]

Fans expressing concern regarding Columbia and Maine are another reality check of Rutgers perception in college basketball.Even at home there are no sure wins .That viewpoint and reality must change for Rutgers to have any chance for a winning season in the near future.

 

[RUsojo]

Fans expressing concern regarding Columbia and Maine are another reality check of Rutgers perception in college basketball.Even at home there are no sure wins .That viewpoint and reality must change for Rutgers to have any chance for a winning season in the near future.

Unfortunately it will persist until we beat the Stony Brooks Hartford’s and Fordhams of the world and those doubts may continue until recruiting shows life.

It will change in a few years. Nothing wrong with addressing concerns of the current season. Just the reality of the program for now.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

As long as there is a 3 point line always have to worry about losing. If a team has a 3 standard deviation (positive) day shooting you aren't going to win.

 

[koko2315]

I think the losing streak will actually help us this time around. They have to be pretty tired of it by now.

yup...need to come out and take the hammer to them

 

[Scangg]

If we were on a winning streak maybe but these players gotta be hungry for a win before the holiday after these losses and a loss to Fordham. At home this time.

Plus I'm going to be back from San Diego and going so they can't lose

 

[RUPete]

If we were on a winning streak maybe but these players gotta be hungry for a win before the holiday after these losses and a loss to Fordham. At home this time.

Plus I'm going to be back from San Diego and going so they can't lose

When you travel that far, winning is a requirement. I'll never forget the guy sitting behind me at the Papa John's Bowl in 2008. We finally put the game away and he yells out, "Thank God! I didn't want to drive all the way down here to see us f'ing lose!" I felt exactly the same way.

 

[whofrewdatmataRU13]

If we drop either one of our next two then we can't expect any wins in conference play.

2-0 or bust

 

[RUsojo]

This team showed a lot of heart today I’m happy for the guys.

 

[RUsojo]

Fans expressing concern regarding Columbia and Maine are another reality check of Rutgers perception in college basketball.Even at home there are no sure wins .That viewpoint and reality must change for Rutgers to have any chance for a winning season in the near future.

Nothing to do with a “view point” it’s called watching and analyzing basketball. Minimal research showed this was going to a tough match up for us.

@bac2therac @NewJerseyHawk

 

[bac2therac]

here was my thoughts from earlier this week...and it panned out that way. I dont think that Columbia was any good really


meh I wouldnt read too much in their competitive 9 point loss at BC....one of those sleepy December games for a power conference school. They are 3-7 and looking at their scores I do not think they are that good.

Obviously RU has to come out with a purpose and avoid another Boston U type game where it gets dicey late. I am not so much worried about our defense right now then our ability to generate consistency on offense.

 

[bac2therac]

by all means it should not have been a tough matchup for us. This was clearly our worst offensive performance (probably not stat wise) of the season and the players lacked any energy or hustle for 30 minutes.