Rutgers came into the season having gone 7-40 in its last 47 games. Rutgers is now 3-0 under Pike. Wins are to be enjoyed at this point in the rebuild. The competition has been week but each game has featured tougher quiz. Winning on the road against a Big East sister of the poor isnt all that impressive on the surface but for this program to do it shows some tangible evidence of improvement results wise right away. I had the De Paul game down as a loss earlier in the season because I thought De Paul would be okay (and they are terrible) and I thought RU would still be in struggling trying to find their way. From what I saw in the first two games I knew that RU had a good shot to win this game.
Rutgers flat out dominated the game. They crushed De Paul in rebounds 46-27 including a decisive 28-8 edge in the first half when RU set the tone that they were in control. What is interesting is that RU found a way to not only win but to dominate when they were not exactly shooting well (only 39% and 25% from 3). To me that was the biggest takeaway from last night. Under Pike we know have an active team that will crash the boards and scramble for the loose boards. Second chance points were big league last night. There are plenty of successful teams that are not great shooting teams. They have to do it in other way such as rebounding, defense, hustling and foul shooting. Pike is really instilling in this team that work ethic. Foul shooting...are you kidding me 23-29...and at one point it was 15-16 I think. That sheer number of times to the line is showing some of the strategy and aggressiveness this team is showing on the court to draw fouls without causing fouls.
Another takeaway is teamwork. I would say this was another team effort where everyone seemed to chip in on one point or another. Thats a testament to Pikiell's coaching. He just cannot rely on Sanders to do everything. Others must develop and be given their roles. I thought Sanders had his best game this year on both sides of the ball. I think Mike Williams gave a yeomens effort and brought energy and intensity. Shooting wise only Freeman who had a very active first half and Williams shot over 50% but again thats what I alluded to before, the team found away to play together and win and do all the other things rebounding wise and defensively to overcome poor shooting. I dont think any player had over 28 minutes and that speaks to options and depth. I love that Sa got 24 minutes and I believe drained a 3. Doorson got more time yesterday which is going to be needed to help Gettys who gets winded. Johnson didnt play particularly well but Williams picked up the slack.
As for the game getting under double digits at the end....I wasnt worried at all and usually I am. RU had built enough cushion and there is nothing wrong with a let up at the end from a team who isnt familiar with playing with leads of any kind. I am sure Pike will be able to teach some things of what they were doing wrong in the last 5 minutes.
But no dont start going overboard and peg this as a NIT team just yet. Remember we saw signs of this kind of play during Rice and they couldnt bust past .500. I still think RU will struggle with shooting and its these lulls which I have seen in all 3 games that is going to be the biggest obstacle to overcome when conference play begins. But thats to worry about later, RU is 3-0 and if they can take care of business will be 6-0 heading down to Miami where its not quiz time, its a big test
Rutgers flat out dominated the game. They crushed De Paul in rebounds 46-27 including a decisive 28-8 edge in the first half when RU set the tone that they were in control. What is interesting is that RU found a way to not only win but to dominate when they were not exactly shooting well (only 39% and 25% from 3). To me that was the biggest takeaway from last night. Under Pike we know have an active team that will crash the boards and scramble for the loose boards. Second chance points were big league last night. There are plenty of successful teams that are not great shooting teams. They have to do it in other way such as rebounding, defense, hustling and foul shooting. Pike is really instilling in this team that work ethic. Foul shooting...are you kidding me 23-29...and at one point it was 15-16 I think. That sheer number of times to the line is showing some of the strategy and aggressiveness this team is showing on the court to draw fouls without causing fouls.
Another takeaway is teamwork. I would say this was another team effort where everyone seemed to chip in on one point or another. Thats a testament to Pikiell's coaching. He just cannot rely on Sanders to do everything. Others must develop and be given their roles. I thought Sanders had his best game this year on both sides of the ball. I think Mike Williams gave a yeomens effort and brought energy and intensity. Shooting wise only Freeman who had a very active first half and Williams shot over 50% but again thats what I alluded to before, the team found away to play together and win and do all the other things rebounding wise and defensively to overcome poor shooting. I dont think any player had over 28 minutes and that speaks to options and depth. I love that Sa got 24 minutes and I believe drained a 3. Doorson got more time yesterday which is going to be needed to help Gettys who gets winded. Johnson didnt play particularly well but Williams picked up the slack.
As for the game getting under double digits at the end....I wasnt worried at all and usually I am. RU had built enough cushion and there is nothing wrong with a let up at the end from a team who isnt familiar with playing with leads of any kind. I am sure Pike will be able to teach some things of what they were doing wrong in the last 5 minutes.
But no dont start going overboard and peg this as a NIT team just yet. Remember we saw signs of this kind of play during Rice and they couldnt bust past .500. I still think RU will struggle with shooting and its these lulls which I have seen in all 3 games that is going to be the biggest obstacle to overcome when conference play begins. But thats to worry about later, RU is 3-0 and if they can take care of business will be 6-0 heading down to Miami where its not quiz time, its a big test
