Don't quite understand the reaction to all of this
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You already know my stance, but, as you've cited national media outlets, many have been saying Eddie deserves more time. In fact, I have not seen any national media articles saying Edfie should be canned. Now there could be a handful out there, but surely you can agree, that same national media you cited ridiculing Rutgers also believes (as a majority) Eddie should be retained and given more time.
From a purely on court perspective, firing EJ this year wouldn't really be giving him a fair shake - this was the season he was expecting to take a step forward, but injuries had him taking a step backward (with injuries mounting so badly that we are hopeless on the court, and can't even practice). So, giving him a shot to show what his assembled roster can do does not seem beyond the pale.
The problem is greater than on court performance, though. This recruiting class is crucial - truly make or break - to keeping the program moving in a positive direction. If the four players who come in this year aren't at least "mid-pack" Big Ten players or better, next year's on court performance is going to be largely irrelevant.
We'll know if Eddie has a future here on April 13th. He's got less than 3 months to get 3 commits who will raise the level of talent on the team (they have to be better than Lewis, Daniels, and Grier right out of the box). These can't be projects or risks - they have to be solid contributors.
And with a perception right now that we're truly terrible (and a reality that we're the worst performing team in the state of NJ... a state that includes NJIT and Rider), it's going to be hard to convince that level of recruit to buy in.
THIS was the year that we had to show improvement to build perception among recruits, so that we could fill out our 4 scholarships. If we show improvement NEXT year, we currently have just 1 scholarship to capitalize on that improved perception... with the potential for more only through player transfer.
They do? Can you please cite which national media outlets have been saying Eddie deserves more time? Thanks.
Good post. Although recruiting looks bleak, I would say the k-state transfer will be a better contributor than all three players mentioned. And by some accounts, which I admit are not my own, this seems to have been verified in practice this year to date.
This class needs to be good, but last years with sanders and co IMO exceeded expectations. This class does not need to be as strong to show continues improved on the court, though it would be nice...
1st time I have ever heard this about a RU transfer. We can JUDGE whether this is accurate next year.
I would like to read exactly what that article says. Not exactly sure how that translated into "...that same national media you cited ridiculing Rutgers also believes (as a majority) Eddie should be retained and given more time."
Whatever.
The article states "Eddie should get more time". What more do you want? That's a national media outlet. Just putting it out there.
See, I don't buy that. First off, Johnson is only here for the next two years - so he's not a building block as much as a stop gap.
Next year:
Back court: Sanders (So), Williams (Jr), Johnson (Jr), Tripp (Fr), Goode (So)
Front court: Freeman (Sr), Foreman (Jr), Laurent (So), Diallo (So), Doorson (So)
3 recruits from 2016 (replacing Lewis, Daniels, Grier)
Let's assume this team stays healthy (and intact) all next year... we'd be looking at a much better season than this year, and a better overall team than we've had in recent years. Maybe we threaten to get to .500, but I don't think we're talking about the postseason. At this point, those three recruits probably don't really need to see much time - so, if it's a weak class overall, it's not going to have an immediate impact (unless we see injuries again, and need to dig deep into the bench). Even if we have a big season, though, we only have one scholarship to offer - so, no real help coming the following year.
Then 2017-18
Back court: Sanders (Jr), Williams (Sr), Johnson (Sr), Tripp (So), Goode (Jr)
Front court: Foreman (Sr), Laurent (Jr), Diallo (Jr), Doorson (Jr)
3 recruits from 2016 (replacing Lewis, Daniels, Grier)
1 recruit from 2017 (replacing Freeman)
We'd be losing our best front court player from the prior season, though everyone else would be a year more experienced. Now we see how well the other bigs have developed - and what kind of big we managed to sign in 2016 (if any). Maybe a shot at the NIT, but I don't see this as an NCAA squad. This *has* to be a big season, though, with a big recruiting class - 3 players departing, and they need to be a step up from Johnson/Williams/Foreman if we're going to improve, rather than just stay at status quo.
Then 2018-19:
Back court: Sanders (Sr), Tripp (Jr), Goode (Sr)
Front court: Laurent (Sr), Diallo (Sr), Doorson (Sr)
3 recruits from 2016 (Lewis, Daniels, Grier)
1 recruit from 2017 (Freeman)
3 recruit from 2018 (Johnson, Williams, Foreman)
Here's where I see a weak 2016 class becoming a problem. We'd be lacking depth in the back court (loss of Johnson/Williams) and the front court (Freeman/Foreman). Even if Tripp turns out to be a stud, a weak remaining 3 spots would mean leaning heavily on underclassmen (largely freshmen) in 2018-19.
we are not making the NCAAs two years from now so trumpeting Nigel Johnson and Freeman as part of the future isn't going to work out. This team is more than two years away constructed as is. It has virtually no bench and the centers spots are huge weaknesses.
next year will automatically be better, leading some to believe that we are on our way...however this year was going to be 10-12 wins if no injuries...by year 4 expectations would have been 500 so for me nothing short of 500 next year is anything worth it....do you see this team going from 6-26 to 16-16 in one season. I don't. The recruiting just isn't here and no expectations were not exceeded with the Sanders class because a few of them left and you need a class like that every year to make the NCAA in this league.. The rosy optimism and overrating of players is not realistic
next year will automatically be better, leading some to believe that we are on our way...however this year was going to be 10-12 wins if no injuries...by year 4 expectations would have been 500 so for me nothing short of 500 next year is anything worth it....do you see this team going from 6-26 to 16-16 in one season. I don't. The recruiting just isn't here and no expectations were not exceeded with the Sanders class because a few of them left and you need a class like that every year to make the NCAA in this league.. The rosy optimism and overrating of players is not realistic
really? who cares that they say he needs more time, do they get to decide..why does that matter, they know little of our situation. Meanwhile we have to extend or fire him..do you want to be on the hook for another $3 million..answer that question
Your words, not mine, were that "as a majority" the national media believes he should get more time. Then you cited one solitary SI article as proof of this consensus that the media says give Eddie more time. I'll take your word for it that the SI article says what you say but you lose credibility when you make up facts to suit an argument.
Here's how you rebuild.
In year 1, St. John's added:
Freshmen:
Sima
Yakwe
Ellison
Lovett (partial qualifier)
Transfers:
Owens (sophomore)
Darien Williams (juco)
2016
4-star Ponds
Juco stud Bashir Ahmed
8 building blocks, all but one underclass man.
They expect to lnd another 2016 4-star stretch forward with other irons in the fire
In year 1, St. John's added:
Freshmen:
Sima
Yakwe
Ellison
Lovett (partial qualifier)
Transfers:
Owens (sophomore)
Darien Williams (juco)
2016
4-star Ponds
Juco stud Bashir Ahmed
8 building blocks, all but one underclass man.
They expect to lnd another 2016 4-star stretch forward with other irons in the fire
You brought up national media not me. National media is making fun of Rutgers. It is also saying Eddie needs more time. Because Rutgers basketball program, before Eddie got there, was beyond an embarrassment. National media believes people like you who expect a three year turn around are out of their mind.
The big problem is just how good our conference is. We can significantly upgrade our roster and have freshmen become seniors and still be in the middle of the bottom 4 of the conference.
Yep, especially if the freshman are not Big Ten Quality it won't matter if they stick around seven years.
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yup
to win you have to overachieve and coach them because every team has talent in this league. I have seen absolutely no evidence in years 3 particular that first year that Eddie can coach talent up, there is actual evidence that the players do not live to their abilities
yup
to win you have to overachieve and coach them because every team has talent in this league. I have seen absolutely no evidence in years 3 particular that first year that Eddie can coach talent up, there is actual evidence that the players do not live to their abilities
That is because you don't really know the game that well, but please don't let that stop you from posting constantly.
Injuries are just a lame excuse. Why are these young men getting injured? Perhaps they're poorly conditioned and that's EJ's responsibility
Or perhaps you are completely speculating in order to forward your agenda and opinion.
There is absolutely ZERO basis to even speculate that any of the injuries have anything to do with coaching or conditioning.
While it is true there is a fan mantra (and not just for RU) that injuries are just part of the game, and part of what teams and coaches have to deal with, I defy you to find ANY team across the country and years that has faced the quantity of injuries, concentrated at the same position, as RU has faced this season.
I am not saying Lewis and/or Freeman is because of conditioning, but you can't write it off.
If the knee injuries are from a specific play or an event that there is NO basis. If it is from a sudden increase of activity then it is a strength and conditioning issue.
I have been running and ramped up my mileage too fast and had to cut my long run short this Sunday with knee pain. It is 100% on coaching and conditioning. i am to blame.
In addition, i still wonder if Freeman wasn't allowed to reenter the game when it was CLEAR he was hobbled if his knee would be this bad.
I DOUBLE DEFY you to find a basketball program that has suffered this unique type of injury cluster in the context of a 25 year debacle of total program neglect, mismanagement, coaching misbehavior and media assassination endured by RU. "Fans" need to stop blaming EJ for this mess. Obviously this season has been the worst case scenario, suck it up, support the team, pray for another good recruiting class and let's move onward and upward.
really and programs aren't turned around by overachieving with what talent you got it which then allows you to bring in better talent...try again francis. Eddie isn't Coach K so he is not going to do with bringing in Mc Donalds All American so which is it, how is he going to get it done..i will be waiting for something besides a snarky dig
I have seen growth in a bunch of guys under Eddie including, Jack, Lewis, Williams, Sanders, Laurent even. I have seen better set plays called under Eddie then I did under Rice. Better out of bounds plays etc. I am not saying Eddie is perfect, but his biggest issue IMO is the lack of a recruiting class for next season which I put mostly on the RU administration. If we didn't lose anybody and Eddie can bring in a couple more guys by Sanders junior season we would be competing in the big ten.
and why is the lack of recruiting class to be blamed on the administration....newsflash the administration hasn't support RU for years and that lack of facilities hurt every year but its not some special circumstance next year. I think 10 win seasons and losing and not having a great reruiting staff play into this
our players ought to all wear knee braces to practice like the QB's all do for football. That our we DO need a new practice facility with a softer floor.
It hurts more now than ever before. We have never been supported but the lack of a practice facility in the age of Twitter and Facebook which makes recruiting nationwide easier is too much to overcome. There is no coach out there that we could afford that would do any better then Eddie. Getting Sanders, Doorson, diallo, Laurent IMO makes him a recruiting genius because there is no way I would EVER send my son to RU with the facilities we have. It would be putting my son at an immediate disadvantage.
We gotta get this new facility built ASAP by donating what we can. Facilities are a primary aspect of the program where we as fans can have a direct and immediate impact. Without competitive facilities we are sending EJ to a gunfight with a butter knife in hand. Everybody needs to put their money where their mouth is if you really want to see the program improve.
I agree completely. Football has competitive facilities but not near the best and that is fine. Basketball has by far the absolute worst facilities in P5 and the are a ton of non P5s that dwarf us. Until that changes it makes no difference who we bring in. And Danny Hurley certainly wouldn't make a difference.
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