Frontcourt thoughts.

[higgins3]

It is apparent that Doucoure will be another player that takes a year or two to develop. At this point, I think we all assumed that a four star would of contributed more, and many our our thoughts were wrong on that.

He seems like he will just be a player that takes some time to develop. At this point, he would really need to dedicate himself to playing without fouling, and establishing better positioning/technique. I feel this is unrealistic to expect to happen over an offseason. CJ Gettys was also a big fouler pre RU, and he turned it around in one offseason/season.

Do you guys think he turns into a starter or 20+mpg player for next year? Part of me thinks not.

I feel good seeing a frontcourt of Omoyuri and Carter. Backup Doucoure and Johnson.

With what we have heard, Johnson is doing well. He has long arms that will really help him.

For Doucoure next year, coming off the bench would probably be a great thing for him. I thought it would be best for him this year, but he is still starting a lot of the time.

 

[mikefla]

Does Doucoure play good D? Is that why he starts?

I do NOT understand how ANY player can get zero points and ONE REB can start.

 

[soundcrib]

This is Jay Young’s department, isn’t it? How is his performance?

 

[DennisHajekRC84]

Thought I saw some of "it" early on this season. Not seeing any of "it" now. Have my concerns as to how fast and how far this will grow...much work to do here.

 

[higgins3]

Does Doucoure play good D? Is that why he starts?

I do NOT understand how ANY player can get zero points and ONE REB can start.

Not quite. He is never in for long enough to reasonably show anything.

I am not quite sure why Doucoure starts anymore. Still, going forward, I don't know the chances of him playing 20+ minutes next year.

 

[higgins3]

This is Jay Young’s department, isn’t it? How is his performance?

Jay Young is a great coach, but he can't play for Doucoure. It will take time for Doucoure to realize limitations to his physicality, and his need to be patient. He has to understand different positions on the court call for different arm placement.

Once he does, and works at it, he will be a better player for his team mates.

 

[BigEastPhil]

On Dourcore, Coach said him not being with team during summer hurt his development. Similar to Eugene last year who was not with team during summer - his improvement has been night and day for his sophomore season. Hopefully same will occur with Dourcore which I think it will. That being said, I think it would have made sense for Dourcore to come off the bench.

 

[higgins3]

Thought I saw some of "it" early on this season. Not seeing any of "it" now. Have my concerns as to how fast and how far this will grow...much work to do here.

I hear you. We will see how it plays out.

It is interesting to see who the starters will be. Just because Doucoure doesn't start, it does not mean he can't have a huge impact on the team. A lot of people, including myself, had Doucoure making an impact early because he was a 4 star player. We learned.

 

[higgins3]

On Dourcore, Coach said him not being with team during summer hurt his development. Similar to Eugene last year who was not with team during summer - his improvement has been night and day for his sophomore season. Hopefully same will occur with Dourcore which I think it will. That being said, I think it would have made sense for Dourcore to come off the bench.

Great points.

Note to Rutgers players- follow Omoyuri footsteps.

 

[MADHAT1]

Doucoure's a true freshman, on a good team he might not start.
RU isn't a good team and a freshman might be the best option at the starting center position.

Since this RUMBB team isn't going anywhere ( post season) and wasn't expected to be good from looking at pre-season predictions.
Let's hope the playing time Doucoure's getting in the 2017-18 season will help him develop his skill set into being the type of center that will show the talent that he has in RU's 2018-19 season

 

[KnightTerrors]

Contributing as a freshman in this league is a tall order. I think Pikiell starts him just to throw him into the fire and learn on the job because the options behind him are minimal and he’d rather deal with the growing pains now.

I personally think duke can become a very important player on this team. He’s got the frame, athleticism, decent shot, and has shown flashes defensively. His ability to defend without fouling has been atrocious but I’m hopeful that changes. This is the exact type of kid that a good coaching staff will get to improve every year. I think as a junior and senior he can be a big contributor.

 

[MadRU]

To me Doucoure has to play a less timid and finesse game, and play with more power and fire. Just watching him he seems like a really nice young man. We need him to get a nasty streak somehow.

One play the other day Rutgers was on a three on two break. Geo hit Duke with a bounce pass. Instead of going straight to the rim with power, he slowed up and tried a reverse layup going under and opposite.

I rather him use muscle and take it right to the defender. This type of play will also help with rebounding.

 

[Rutgers25]

Thought I saw some of "it" early on this season. Not seeing any of "it" now. Have my concerns as to how fast and how far this will grow...much work to do here.

Yeah, not sure what happened. Obviously, competition level has gone up, but there are some alarm bells. For one, he doesn’t see to have a nose for the ball (ie. Garbage points), doesn’t block shots at all and is a weak rebounder.

 

[mikefla]

Not quite. He is never in for long enough to reasonably show anything.

I am not quite sure why Doucoure starts anymore. Still, going forward, I don't know the chances of him playing 20+ minutes next year.

You would think a 7ft guy would grab a few buckets and a few bounds just being in decent position....

Md started 3 sophs & 2 freshmen the last time I looked

I hope some day we dont have to wait years for our players to "develop"

 

[YoucancallmeRay]

To me Doucoure has to play a less timid and finesse game, and play with more power and fire. Just watching him he seems like a really nice young man. We need him to get a nasty streak somehow.

One play the other day Rutgers was on a three on two break. Geo hit Duke with a bounce pass. Instead of going straight to the rim with power, he slowed up and tried a reverse layup going under and opposite.

I rather him use muscle and take it right to the defender. This type of play will also help with rebounding.

Exactly! Couldn't have said it better!

 

[MadRU]

You would think a 7ft guy would grab a few buckets and a few bounds just being in decent position....

Md started 3 sophs & 2 freshmen the last time I looked

I hope some day we dont have to wait years for our players to "develop"

He is not 7 foot, he is listed at 6'9" but I think he is under that.

 

[Mr Magoo]

Doucoure has a long way to go and went backwards since the start of the season. I'm not expecting all that much more next year. He has a nice shot but needs a lot of improvement on D, lacks confidence, and plays smaller than he is. He was definitely not ready for D1 and could have used the extra year in HS IMO.

However, his body is already B1G-ready and I'm hopeful that he will be a major contributor as a Junior.

 

[RU-ROCS]

It is apparent that Doucoure will be another player that takes a year or two to develop. At this point, I think we all assumed that a four star would of contributed more, and many our our thoughts were wrong on that.

I too still like Doucoure’s upside, but watching UM’s Bruno Fernando dominate the first half last night was a reminder that there are 4 stars and the there are 4 stars! Decoure’s ranking was obviously much more based on potential.

 

[TDIrish27]

If you can't defend you won't play in this program period.

Agree that he has some upside but he doesn't move his feet .

When that happens you end up in bad body positions that force you to reach or put you in awkward block out positions that force you to foul.

 

[RUonBrain]

You would think a 7ft guy would grab a few buckets and a few bounds just being in decent position....

Md started 3 sophs & 2 freshmen the last time I looked

I hope some day we dont have to wait years for our players to "develop"

Dude

Please PLEASE stop calling him a 7 footer

Why do you do this after every game?
He is listed at 6’9”.

WTF is wrong with you?

 

[RUChoppin]

Dude

Please PLEASE stop calling him a 7 footer

Why do you do this after every game?
He is listed at 6’9”.

WTF is wrong with you?

I'd say he's trolling at this point, but it might just be that he doesn't have the mental capacity to process new information.

 

[RUChoppin]

We'll see what happens next year without Sa. Hopefully Doorson continues to improve and Johnson comes in strong to add to the center competition. Right now, no one has stepped up at the 5 offensively.

 

[LotusAggressor]

The teaching moment is that players coming out of HS are rarely finished products.

 

[BKIn118]

Dude

Please PLEASE stop calling him a 7 footer

Why do you do this after every game?
He is listed at 6’9”.

WTF is wrong with you?

The key there is "listed"...

That's code for 6'7 in this case ;)

 

[mikefla]

Fine. my bad. 6'7''..6' 9''.......he still cant come up with a bucket & 1 rebound a game...

 

[mikefla]

He is not 7 foot, he is listed at 6'9" but I think he is under that.

Thanks.....MadRu...my bad

I shall reduce my frustration down to 6'9''

 

[mikefla]

I'd say he's trolling at this point, but it might just be that he doesn't have the mental capacity to process new information.

after I graduated from Cornell I got my Phd from Rutgers in 1983
Ive been an alum over 30 years

I will reduce my percieved ineptitude to 6'9''

My mental capacity is just fine BTW

Thanks for your concern

 

[RUsojo]

after I graduated from Cornell I got my Phd from Rutgers in 1983
Ive been an alum over 30 years

I will reduce my percieved ineptitude to 6'9''

My mental capacity is just fine BTW

Thanks for your concern

Yikes Cornell? Are they still accredited? ;)

 

[RUChoppin]

after I graduated from Cornell I got my Phd from Rutgers in 1983
Ive been an alum over 30 years

I will reduce my percieved ineptitude to 6'9''

My mental capacity is just fine BTW

Thanks for your concern

Just that it's about the 10th time you've been told across multiple threads - had to assume you were just trolling at this point.

 

[winfield102]

Having 6'7" guys that can't shoot 3's = no tourney. Just ain't gonna happen.

 

[bdodger3]

I believe we will start to see a fair amount of positive development next season. His 4 star status in high school was premised upon his potential upside, not expectations for his freshman year, particularly one in which he reclassified from 2018 and arrived in the Fall. Whether he is 6'7", 6'8", or 6'9" (doubtful), his true challenge this season was adapting to playing at a faster pace against bigger and stronger players. For those who assert that the kid from Maryland is so much more advanced, the Maryland fans were killing him all season for being a disappointment. He certainly has come on recently, but he has not been all that productive for most of the season. He is also much bigger and stronger than Doucoure.

I believe Doucoure will show meaningful improvement next season. He has talent. Just needs time to develop.

 

[whofrewdatmataRU13]

A lot of big men avg 1-4 ppg their frosh season and break out in year 2-3 for 10+ ppg.

I am not worried

 

[mikefla]

Just that it's about the 10th time you've been told across multiple threads - had to assume you were just trolling at this point.

Nah,,,just frustrated.....plus I get him mixed up with Doorson for some reason

and I often dont revisit posts I make after games...I figure everyone is venting

 

[TDIrish27]

Bigs take time to develop in many cases.

If he was a ready from day 1 double digit scorer and rebounder he wouldn't be here.

Patience

 

[higgins3]

Having 6'7" guys that can't shoot 3's = no tourney. Just ain't gonna happen.

Those are hard players to find. It is not an exact requisite. Good shooters help tremendously of course.

 

[higgins3]

Bigs take time to develop in many cases.

If he was a ready from day 1 double digit scorer and rebounder he wouldn't be here.

Patience

Like a poster mentioned, Doucoure was rated 4 stars for potential, not immediate production.

He will help on this team. It is looking like there will be a lot of competition in the 4-5 spots next year. If I had to guess now, I think it's Omoyuri and Carters spot to lose.

 

[higgins3]

I believe we will start to see a fair amount of positive development next season. His 4 star status in high school was premised upon his potential upside, not expectations for his freshman year, particularly one in which he reclassified from 2018 and arrived in the Fall. Whether he is 6'7", 6'8", or 6'9" (doubtful), his true challenge this season was adapting to playing at a faster pace against bigger and stronger players. For those who assert that the kid from Maryland is so much more advanced, the Maryland fans were killing him all season for being a disappointment. He certainly has come on recently, but he has not been all that productive for most of the season. He is also much bigger and stronger than Doucoure.

I believe Doucoure will show meaningful improvement next season. He has talent. Just needs time to develop.

Dodger, I agree. He will be a valuable piece going forward. The competition will be high for his position.

 

[PaKnight]

Doucoure has a long way to go and went backwards since the start of the season. I'm not expecting all that much more next year. He has a nice shot but needs a lot of improvement on D, lacks confidence, and plays smaller than he is. He was definitely not ready for D1 and could have used the extra year in HS IMO.

However, his body is already B1G-ready and I'm hopeful that he will be a major contributor as a Junior.

He will be a better player in 2018-2019 by coming to RU than staying in high school.

 

[RU-ROCS]

I believe we will start to see a fair amount of positive development next season. His 4 star status in high school was premised upon his potential upside, not expectations for his freshman year, particularly one in which he reclassified from 2018 and arrived in the Fall. Whether he is 6'7", 6'8", or 6'9" (doubtful), his true challenge this season was adapting to playing at a faster pace against bigger and stronger players. For those who assert that the kid from Maryland is so much more advanced, the Maryland fans were killing him all season for being a disappointment. He certainly has come on recently, but he has not been all that productive for most of the season. He is also much bigger and stronger than Doucoure.

I believe Doucoure will show meaningful improvement next season. He has talent. Just needs time to develop.

I agree with you 100% about Decoure, but not about Fernando. I follow MD because I have a son there. The kid had been good all year - he averages 10 points and 6.5 RB per game on 59% shooting. That is outstanding for a freshman big man.

 

[winfield102]

How's 6' 7" guy a 4 star if he doesn't have 3 point range?
He has shown some flashes this year. Unfortunately RU demands too much of freshmen.

If guys like Duke and Eugene can't develop a 3 point shot at some point in their careers, I think we'll continue to see more of the same on offense.

How many dunks did Fernando have against us? 4 or 5? That guy was vicious.