Field of 68 Big Ten Preview w/ Geo

[ColonelRutgers]

Hosted by Meghan McKeown with Geo, Jeff Goodman, and Robbie Hummel. Not sure if Geo's going to be a regular or just special guest star this week.

Break down every team, provide predictions on standings, POY, top PG, etc.

Spoiler Alert: RU #6-Geo, #9-Hummel, #11-Goodman (??)


Check it out.

 

[RUtrumpet92]

That doesn't have quite the same ring as "We were picked 12th", but it's close!

 

[365Poster24Seven]

Geo is awesome we are lucky to have him. He made us all proud on the court and now we get real insight from someone that played the game at a high level. Nothing beats real insight and not just regurgitation.

 

[Scangg]

Cam Spencer quotes are great to hear. That level of competitiveness raises practice level intensity and sets the tone.

It should also help in the OOC cupcake portion of the schedule. Cam didn't come here to lose to a school like Lafayette

 

[BillyC80]

Goodman’s rank for RU at #11 makes no sense. He even rated PSU higher than RU after saying the teams are similar but RU has a better home court advantage. With Hummel’s pick of RU at #9 at least he said the teams ranked 2-9 could be grouped together. Geo picking RU at #6 is very fair. If it was a homer pick he would have had them at #4 or #5.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

Goodman’s rank for RU at #11 makes no sense. He even rated PSU higher than RU after saying the teams are similar but RU has a better home court advantage. With Hummel’s pick of RU at #9 at least he said the teams ranked 2-9 could be grouped together. Geo picking RU at #6 is very fair. If it was a homer pick he would have had them at #4 or #5.

Picking RU at #4 makes sense. Picking RU at #12 makes sense too.

There are so many variables and moving parts for anyone to have too much conviction either way.

How many people who let out audible groans at the RAC when Caleb shot an outside shot are now saying this is a definite NCAA team.

Think about what needs to happen for us to be a top 35 team
Conversely think about what can go wrong and make us a team with a 13-18 record

Both make sense and both could be wrong. We know 1 will be wrong.

 

[BillyC80]

Picking RU at #4 makes sense. Picking RU at #12 makes sense too.

There are so many variables and moving parts for anyone to have too much conviction either way.

How many people who let out audible groans at the RAC when Caleb shot an outside shot are now saying this is a definite NCAA team.

Think about what needs to happen for us to be a top 35 team
Conversely think about what can go wrong and make us a team with a 13-18 record

Both make sense and both could be wrong. We know 1 will be wrong.

By this logic you could pick RU #1 or #14. Where do you think they’ll finish? I would say #8.

 

[Scangg]

Picking RU at #4 makes sense. Picking RU at #12 makes sense too.

There are so many variables and moving parts for anyone to have too much conviction either way.

How many people who let out audible groans at the RAC when Caleb shot an outside shot are now saying this is a definite NCAA team.

Think about what needs to happen for us to be a top 35 team
Conversely think about what can go wrong and make us a team with a 13-18 record

Both make sense and both could be wrong. We know 1 will be wrong.

Sorry, picking RU 12th makes zero sense

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

My confidence level is very low with any prediction. Gun to my head. .500 8-12 in conference

 

[Scangg]

"It's a really quiet place to play in" 🤣

Geo on PSU

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

Sorry, picking RU 12th makes zero sense

Any less sense than picking them 4th last December after a 30 point loss to illinois

 

[RUInsanity]

My confidence level is very low with any prediction. Gun to my head. .500 8-12 in conference

Don't you pretty much say the same thing every year?

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

Don't you pretty much say the same thing every year?

A lot worse when we were bad

 

[Scangg]

Any less sense than picking them 4th last December after a 30 point loss to illinois

Last preseason a 4th place prediction would have been high but not ridiculous.

We return a potential 1st team All B1G and NBA talent in Cliff. The B1G DPOY. The B1G assist leader. Pike is a great coach. The B1G overall lost a ton of talent. We should be great defensively

None of that adds up to think "12th"

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

Last preseason a 4th place prediction would have been high but not ridiculous.

We return a potential 1st team All B1G and NBA talent in Cliff. The B1G DPOY. The B1G assist leader. Pike is a great coach. The B1G overall lost a ton of talent. We should be great defensively

None of that adds up to think "12th"

Would have been in December

 

[Scangg]

Would have been in December

Mid-season predictions are irrelevant to preseason predictions

 

[RUtrumpet92]

Sorry, picking RU 12th makes zero sense

This. What is the reasoned argument for having at least two of Northwestern, Nebraska, or Minnesota ahead of us going into the season?

 

[Scangg]

Geo joining me on the Hawkins hype train. Hummel too

 

[Scangg]

@Geo_Baker_1 loved the trash talk nuggets...

Who was the best trasher out of the Rutgers players on last year's team and who was the best on Rutgers at any point during your time there?

 

[BillyC80]

Another important part of the conversation was regarding Michigan State’s OOC schedule. In succession they play Gonzaga, Kentucky, Villanova, Alabama, and Notre Dame.

We should all be MSU fans for those games. If they can win most of those games and play close in the losses, it will help elevate the SOS of our conference.

 

[RCBeta79]

I pick Rutgers 6th

 

[goru7]

Geo, excellent debut on the Field of 68 podcast. You are always giving great nuggets and I think I speak for the diehards on this board , that we just love your perspective. Your a natural for TV and radio and I can see you being an analyst in some future BiG 10 broadcasts.

Liked your prediction for RU and your not going with the flow with the Indiana love , since like you said no player nor should I say “fan” feared Indiana. In fact , I fully expect our winning streak against them to continue on December 3rd and will be very disappointed if Rutgers doesn’t come out on top, especially having the game at the RAC( JMA).

Frankly , this is the weakest the Big 10 has been , because of the loss of the top sophomore talent and freshman talent to the NBA , so I see it totally wide open and with our Big 3 returning , our bench guys a year older and ready to take the next leap, impact transfer portal shooter in Cam , and the underrated freshman class that will likely play important minutes this year , I think we have a decent shot to chase the ship this year. No early stumbles and we will be poised to compete to the last game for the title.

 

[Scangg]

In a season with so much uncertainty and parity, betting on Rutgers strong defense to keep them in pretty much every game and our immense home court advantage are reasons to believe we finish in the top half at least

 

[Geo_Baker_1]

Picking RU at #4 makes sense. Picking RU at #12 makes sense too.

There are so many variables and moving parts for anyone to have too much conviction either way.

How many people who let out audible groans at the RAC when Caleb shot an outside shot are now saying this is a definite NCAA team.

Think about what needs to happen for us to be a top 35 team
Conversely think about what can go wrong and make us a team with a 13-18 record

Both make sense and both could be wrong. We know 1 will be wrong.

I think picking ru anywhere from 3-9 for this year is reasonable. Me Jeff and Robbie were all talking off air this is the hardest prediction they’ve felt they’ve had to make because just so many unknowns. I’ve seen RU practice 5 times now they definitely have the pieces but it’s always different when the lights come on

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

Last year Bart has us as the 64th in adjusted defensive efficiency and 91st in offensive efficiency

Do you expect us to be better defensively? Offensively?

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

I think picking ru anywhere from 3-9 for this year is reasonable. Me Jeff and Robbie were all talking off air this is the hardest prediction they’ve felt they’ve had to make because just so many unknowns. I’ve seen RU practice 5 times now they definitely have the pieces but it’s always different when the lights come on

This is fair and reasonable.

What happens in the last 5 seconds on the shot clock?
How much will Cliff’s offensive efficiency slip with the added usage?
Ron doesn’t get replaced. Does Hyatt and or Mag give us good minutes
How does Cam do with the adjustment? Can he defend at this level?
Will we have a freshman that comes out of no where are gives us 20+ good minutes?
Can we stay healthy?
Can Paul handle on guard pressure? His safety blanket is gone.

 

[Scangg]

This is fair and reasonable.

What happens in the last 5 seconds on the shot clock?
How much will Cliff’s offensive efficiency slip with the added usage?
Ron doesn’t get replaced. Does Hyatt and or Mag give us good minutes
How does Cam do with the adjustment? Can he defend at this level?
Will we have a freshman that comes out of no where are gives us 20+ good minutes?
Can we stay healthy?
Can Paul handle on guard pressure? His safety blanket is gone.

Relax FIG you're gonna scare Geo off bombarding him with 20 questions 🤣

 

[cubuffsdoug]

I don't get some Rutgers fans who love to set the bar low.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

Relax FIG you're gonna scare Geo off bombarding him with 20 questions 🤣

That’s for you!!!

In all seriousness, we lose 68 or so minutes of Geo and Ron. What are you expecting in those 68 minutes? I can name a ton of upside surprises that can turn my base case for the season to my bull case. What are the things that worry you and can potentially turn our season to a below .500 one?

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

I don't get some Rutgers fans who love to set the bar low.

That is not a logical or rational thought. My low expectations doesn’t set anyone up for failure. As a fan it is very healthy. I had a very balanced view of things when things went south last year. I’d be glad to provide them to you. Over the 3 successful season we had a lot of ups and downs in the middle of the seasons. I don’t get all upset and think the sky is falling when things go bad. If there are unknowns until proven they are nonissues I assume they are issues.

 

[Scangg]

That’s for you!!!

In all seriousness, we lose 68 or so minutes of Geo and Ron. What are you expecting in those 68 minutes? I can name a ton of upside surprises that can turn my base case for the season to my bull case. What are the things that worry you and can potentially turn our season to a below .500 one?

The reply was to Geo's comment!

I think Cam can shoot the 3 at a higher percentage than Geo and will help space the floor.

I've always been high on Mag since he committed and believe this will be the breakout year. If it is, that will replace a good portion of Harper's production. We have Mag Hyatt Dean Chol Oskar who can all play the 4. If even 2 of these guys take a jump we will be fine there. It would be scarier if we had less options

Injuries is always the easiest way a season can go south. If Cliff goes down it will be brutal. Paul too

Not counting injuries, I worry about Paul and Cam's on ball defense stopping dribble penetration. That's really my only concern defensively

Offensively, the bear case is the team looks lost without Geo and Ron. Cam can't handle the B1G. Paul struggles with too much pressure on him and turns it over a ton. Cliff tries to shoot outside and fails. Caleb tries to be the focal point of the offense and is too inefficient. Mag doesn't break out. Hyatt keeps shooting poorly and turns it over. Dean's 3 ball was a fluke. Chol and Simpson Woolfolk aren't ready as freshman. Miller still refuses to shoot.

You can pick and choose which of those concern you most. Anyone can paint a doom and gloom picture. I find most if not all of those concerns very unlikely. I really have faith in Pike and the staff's player development and plan. The offense will be fine running through Paul and Cliff IMO.

One concern about offense is lack of players who can create their own shot off the dribble, but ideally that just means we see more passing and movement. If people are doubling Cliff and having to close out too aggressively to guys like Cam and Dean, it should open up lanes to the rim. These scenarios don't require crazy handle and 1 on 1 moves to penetrate. Simpson and Miller have the quickness to potentially attack the rim off the dribble coming off the bench. Chol might be able to get his own shot as an offensive spark

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

We see things VERY similar. I might assign a greater percentage to some of the concerns, mostly due to my cautious nature.

I an very worried about the transition for Cam on both sides. Geo was an underrated defender.

I am very excited about Mag.

 

[shields]

Greene Rice be a little positive.

 

[ScarletDave]

Geo is right about saying that the players saw Indiana on the schedule as a automatic W, we went 7-1 against them since his breakout party in MSG ! Haha