Thought I;d do this before the Big Ten season really starts - where our hopes can be built or crushed.
I know there is huge disappointment in RU's record so far - I include myself. I also know the primary disappointment is over a combination of the lack of consistent performance outside of Harper and Bailey (and also disappointment and concern over Pikiell's potentially "missing" on the players he brought in to fill in the roster), a lack of true team identity (we are used to Pikiell teams over-performing and having a definite team identity - namely that of DEFENSE and TOUGHNESS), and related, disappointment over the lack of defensive ability shown by the team (including rebounding).
Even so ... and I know many DO feel this way ... we fans should be excited and able to enjoy what we DO have: 2 very special players, the like of which we RU fans have never seen play together.
RU has had special players previously (though not top 5 FRESHMAN recruits - except Phil Sellers). Notably, Bob Lloyd, Sellers, James Bailey, Hinson (though he is NOT in the same category of Llyod, Sellers and Bailey), Douby as a Sophomore, but especially as a Junior ... and others, such as Keith Hughes for a year or two, Riggins for ONE season (though that team was SO and, it was tough to watch even with Riggins averaging 25-26 ppg) ... and most recently, Ron Harper Jr.
But I am not sure RU fans, in their disappointment over losing to Kennesaw St and Princeton, and falling just short vs Alabama and Texas A&M, realize just how truly exciting and special BOTH these 2 players are - not just Harper.
Let's put it in perspective:
1) General and eye-ball: Harper seems poised to be considered one of the 10 best players in the entire country, regardless of class ... maybe even better ... and the best freshman in the country. RU has had just TWO players in its history who qualified as top 10 players in the country, and both were probably top 5: Sellers and James Bailey (and Bailey was absolutely the best player in the country at his position: Center ... Sellers - close call between him and Dantley as best PF in the country. And Bailey? He may noit be a 1st or 2nd team All American, like Harper is poised to be ... though it is too soon to rule that out, FYI ... but is seems almost certain to be considered as one of the FIVE (5) best freshman in the country, along with Bailey.
2) Stats: The only scorers in RU history that seem likely to match or exceed Harper's seemingly likely scoring (though obviously it will get tougher in the Big Ten), are Lloyd, Sellers, Bailey (Junior year), Hughes, Riggins (but I hate to taint this list by including him) and Douby. And Bailey could end up as one of RU's 10-12 best EVER single season scorers - and the VERY BEST RU #2 scorer on a team (remember, Bailey is NOT RU's leading scorer now - so has RU EVER had a #2 scorer of Bailey's performance level?).
I know there is huge disappointment in RU's record so far - I include myself. I also know the primary disappointment is over a combination of the lack of consistent performance outside of Harper and Bailey (and also disappointment and concern over Pikiell's potentially "missing" on the players he brought in to fill in the roster), a lack of true team identity (we are used to Pikiell teams over-performing and having a definite team identity - namely that of DEFENSE and TOUGHNESS), and related, disappointment over the lack of defensive ability shown by the team (including rebounding).
Even so ... and I know many DO feel this way ... we fans should be excited and able to enjoy what we DO have: 2 very special players, the like of which we RU fans have never seen play together.
RU has had special players previously (though not top 5 FRESHMAN recruits - except Phil Sellers). Notably, Bob Lloyd, Sellers, James Bailey, Hinson (though he is NOT in the same category of Llyod, Sellers and Bailey), Douby as a Sophomore, but especially as a Junior ... and others, such as Keith Hughes for a year or two, Riggins for ONE season (though that team was SO and, it was tough to watch even with Riggins averaging 25-26 ppg) ... and most recently, Ron Harper Jr.
But I am not sure RU fans, in their disappointment over losing to Kennesaw St and Princeton, and falling just short vs Alabama and Texas A&M, realize just how truly exciting and special BOTH these 2 players are - not just Harper.
Let's put it in perspective:
1) General and eye-ball: Harper seems poised to be considered one of the 10 best players in the entire country, regardless of class ... maybe even better ... and the best freshman in the country. RU has had just TWO players in its history who qualified as top 10 players in the country, and both were probably top 5: Sellers and James Bailey (and Bailey was absolutely the best player in the country at his position: Center ... Sellers - close call between him and Dantley as best PF in the country. And Bailey? He may noit be a 1st or 2nd team All American, like Harper is poised to be ... though it is too soon to rule that out, FYI ... but is seems almost certain to be considered as one of the FIVE (5) best freshman in the country, along with Bailey.
2) Stats: The only scorers in RU history that seem likely to match or exceed Harper's seemingly likely scoring (though obviously it will get tougher in the Big Ten), are Lloyd, Sellers, Bailey (Junior year), Hughes, Riggins (but I hate to taint this list by including him) and Douby. And Bailey could end up as one of RU's 10-12 best EVER single season scorers - and the VERY BEST RU #2 scorer on a team (remember, Bailey is NOT RU's leading scorer now - so has RU EVER had a #2 scorer of Bailey's performance level?).
a) Douby was the modern player (last 30 years, let's say - when RU stepped up in quality of opponent class) with by far the best scoring ability. His Junior year he had 23 games with 20 or more points (including streaks of 10 in a row and 8 in a row), 7 games with 30 or more points, and a 41-point game. He shot 46% FG, 51% from 2, 41% from 3 and 85% FT. he did also average over 4 rpg, 3.3 ass/g, and 1.8 stl/g. He WAS RU's entire scoring, that year: The only RU player in double digit scoring (Webb had 9.5 ppg) ... averaged 37 mpg.
b) A lot of people adore Ron Harper Jr - who was a great player for RU. And, he had a great TWO seasons, by RU standards: 14/8 ppg then 15.8 ppg. Shot just shy of 40% from 3 as a Senior, led RU to the NCAA, averaged 6 rpg both his last 2 seasons ... and was considered one of RU's great clutch players, and a winner. All true, all great ... and his 16 ppg average has to be put in the context of a team with a much slower pace of play than this season's team - so maybe understated? His Senior year Harper scored 20+ points 8 times, with 4 double-doubles (all in the 1st 4 games of the year) ... but will be remembered for his HIGH MOMENTS, which overshadow his average moments and moments he could NOT bring the win home, notably Purdue, and several other games where he carried RU and hit key late shots. He did have reasonable support also: Baker and Omoruyi as 11+ ppg scorers, McConnel as the lights out defender, Mulcahy as PG.
c) I couldn't find game log records for earlier seasons, like for Hughes (in 1990-91), Savage (in 1988-89), Sellers, Lloyd James Bailey, et al.
d) I would point out what is happening this season for RU is unparalleled in RU history ... and I do know many of our fans DO appreciate it, even if we still hope for better TEAM results:
i) Dylan Harper: So far, 22.8 ppg, 4.8 ass/g, 5.3 rpg, 52.5% FG, 37% 3-point FG, 60% 2-point FG, 59% eFG ... 13 consecutive double-digit scoring games (low of 14), 10 of 13 games at 20 or more points (2 of 30+ points), 2 double-doubles, 1 triple double. Just ridiculous stats, frankly. If he finishes at 22 ppg, he will have RU's best average since Douby, and 3rd best since James Bailey in 1977-78 ... and the best all-around RU player since James Bailey in 1977-78.
ii) Ace Bailey: I think some fans are disappointed in him ... with all due respect, those who are disappointed are ... idiots (well, I should not name-call, should I ... but really?). Bailey is now averaging 18.2 ppg, 7.6 rpg on 47.6% FG, 32.6% 3-point FG, 52.8% 2-point FG, 51.8% eFG% ... and 62% FT in a too-small sample size skewed by 1 awful 1-8 game. He ALSO has double digit scoring in ALL his games (like Harper) - in 11 games (missed the 1st 2 games) ... 5 20-point games, 4 double-doubles..
FOR PERSPECTIVE in re other star freshmen this season:
Flagg (the big hype): 3 non-double-digit scoring games, 6 20 point games, 4 double-doubles - worse FG% and 3-point FG% and 2-point FG% than Harper or Bailey
Tre Johnson: 19,7 ppg, 1 non-double digit scoring game, 4 20-point games ... 44% from 3, 49+% FG overall ... huge volume 3-point shooter (over 50% of his shots from 3).
Jeremiah Fears (not MSU's Jeremy Fears): 18.1 ppg, 4.5 ass/g, 3.5 rpg, double digit scoring in all 13 games, low of 10 points, 4 20-point games, 7 5 + assist games, 50% FG, 30% 3-point FG, 60% 2-point FG, 55% eFG%. Really, the closest thing to Dylan Harper this year, if you think about it, amongst frosh.
Queen:: 16.8 ppg, 8.8 rpg, 2.2 ass/g, double digit scoring in 12 of 13 games, 5 20=point games, 5 double-doubles ... 59% FG, 65% 2-point FG - because 2-16 from 3 -point range ... I am very impressed with him, FYI.
Jakucionis: Really coming on very impressively: 16.3 ppg, 5.6 rpg. 5.3 ass/g, 10 of 12 games with double digit scoring, 6 20-point games - all in a row, in the last 7 games, 2 double doubles (1 with rebounds, 1 with assists) - but 5 games with 5+ rebounds and 5+ assists (like Fears). 49% FG, 41.7% 3-point (on good volume), 56% 2-point FG, 59% eFG%.
FYI, Overall: You could make a strong case that Harper, Fears, and Jakucionis are ALL better than Flagg right now (and each vying to be the best freshman in the country) - and that Queen, Johnson and Bailey areeach in , in their own different ways, AS GOOD as Flagg.
Just saying - and I know many DO agree - this IS a special season for RU and RU fans - though it would be even MORE special if RU can find a way to recover, and find a path the the NCAA - RU would be a real wild card in the NCAA.
