Game 11 Columbia: A win but hold off on the cake

[bac2therac]

A win but I am certainly not giving this team ice cream and cake for coming back from 15 points down. Team was extremely fortunate to win because they for the majority of the game they did not play with any hunger for a win and even in overtime it seemed like they wanted to hand the victory back to Columbia. Overall just a bad disappointing performance to watch as a fan and yes before everyone jumps me, its better than a loss

Huge positives are the continued development of Caleb (8 pts, 4-4 ft, 5 reb) ( and Carter (6-7, 13pts, 6 rebs, 2 blocks) who had their best games of their career. I think each possess strengths that other players do not have and I think both need to see playing their minutes increased. Energy levels went up and they stepped up and converted when other players were not. Caleb big big free throws late in overtime so huge for a freshmen in a big spot and Carter converted that alley oop that gave RU their first lead of the game but he was money anytime he shot today. I will say despite overall poor play from Geo he did hit that big 3 at 59-58 that gave RU some breathing space and Eugene really took over the last few minutes in regulation putting the team on his back.

I think the coaching staff did a poor job today in preparing the team. One they didnt prepare them mentally as the team came out with zero energy and that continued until maybe the 10 minute mark left in the game. I think the staff is struggling to find the right lineup and rotation. I think they have put too much emphasis on certain players having the go ahead to do it all. It does not have to be that way. . I think Carter and McConnell can help spark the offense with their length. Unfortunately they have a tough job because just when you think guys like Mathis and Harper are ready to take the next step, they sort of become ineffective in games. I will give them a pass because its their first time dealing with exams but Harper has been particularly not so good of late.

This game follows a trend of offensive woes...so much so is that I am very concerned of where this team is right now and what the philosphy is. Win or loss today it was a brutal performance by Rutgers and if you add in that with the offenisve performances vs Boston U, Fordham,. SHU and even the two conference games, I think you cannot say this team just had a bad day shooting. Something has to give. 2-19 on 3s against an ordinary Columbia is simply bad. Some of these were wide open. You have to make open shots. Other shot selection was atrocious for the most part. Settling for more 3s and high difficulty jump shots when they needed to concentrate on getting the ball in the paint. This team played bad basketball throughout most of this game, no sugarcoating. Columbia is well coached but they did absolutely nothing special this game so its concerning going forward how much we struggled to generate any offense, energy, or hustle. I am not sure where the disconnect is happening between the staff and the players but both have a lot to clean up before an important home stretch of games in league vs Maryland and OSU>

 

[anon_0k9zlfz6lz9oy]

A win but I am certainly not giving this team ice cream and cake for coming back from 15 points down. Team was extremely fortunate to win because they for the majority of the game they did not play with any hunger for a win and even in overtime it seemed like they wanted to hand the victory back to Columbia. Overall just a bad disappointing performance to watch as a fan and yes before everyone jumps me, its better than a loss

Huge positives are the continued development of Caleb (8 pts, 4-4 ft, 5 reb) ( and Carter (6-7, 13pts, 6 rebs, 2 blocks) who had their best games of their career. I think each possess strengths that other players do not have and I think both need to see playing their minutes increased. Energy levels went up and they stepped up and converted when other players were not. Caleb big big free throws late in overtime so huge for a freshmen in a big spot and Carter converted that alley oop that gave RU their first lead of the game but he was money anytime he shot today. I will say despite overall poor play from Geo he did hit that big 3 at 59-58 that gave RU some breathing space and Eugene really took over the last few minutes in regulation putting the team on his back.

I think the coaching staff did a poor job today in preparing the team. One they didnt prepare them mentally as the team came out with zero energy and that continued until maybe the 10 minute mark left in the game. I think the staff is struggling to find the right lineup and rotation. I think they have put too much emphasis on certain players having the go ahead to do it all. It does not have to be that way. . I think Carter and McConnell can help spark the offense with their length. Unfortunately they have a tough job because just when you think guys like Mathis and Harper are ready to take the next step, they sort of become ineffective in games. I will give them a pass because its their first time dealing with exams but Harper has been particularly not so good of late.

This game follows a trend of offensive woes...so much so is that I am very concerned of where this team is right now and what the philosphy is. Win or loss today it was a brutal performance by Rutgers and if you add in that with the offenisve performances vs Boston U, Fordham,. SHU and even the two conference games, I think you cannot say this team just had a bad day shooting. Something has to give. 2-19 on 3s against an ordinary Columbia is simply bad. Some of these were wide open. You have to make open shots. Other shot selection was atrocious for the most part. Settling for more 3s and high difficulty jump shots when they needed to concentrate on getting the ball in the paint. This team played bad basketball throughout most of this game, no sugarcoating. Columbia is well coached but they did absolutely nothing special this game so its concerning going forward how much we struggled to generate any offense, energy, or hustle. I am not sure where the disconnect is happening between the staff and the players but both have a lot to clean up before an important home stretch of games in league vs Maryland and OSU>

Im watching maryland SHU right now so ill know more about MD in 2 hours but Ohio state is gonna destroy us. Luther Muhammad is going to terrorize Geo. Luther is an absolute DOG and one tough MFer who plays very aggressive on ball D. Geos gonna be shut down

 

[bac2therac]

you can say OSU will destroy us but shouldnt Michigan State have destroyed us too. Funny thing happens when they play the games. I think RU always brings it against the big boys, but unfortunately have now reverted back to slumming it against the weak sisters.

I think its very important for RU to play competitive in those games...I want one win for the program and fans..more likely Maryland but we will see. Two double digit losses and you can kiss the fanbase and interest this year goodbye

 

[RUJMM78]

Winning playing ugly might be the mantra for the rest of the season.The problem is the competition will be far more difficult starting 2019 and the offensive woes can't be hidden.

 

[anon_0k9zlfz6lz9oy]

Maryland has a really good athletic big. Hes gonna give us hell, otherwise not all that impressed with them early on vs hall. Oh yeah and this is Myles Powell last year at Hall, kid is legit

 

[jtung230]

The game was unwatchable. No ball movement and no movement w/o the ball. Geo needs to play within himself. Thiam literally stands at one spot on O. Very frustrating.

 

[chrisru99]

500 team maybe that showed today.

 

[DennisHajekRC84]

1) McConnell was the spark. changed everything when he came in to drive and dish. impressed me today.

2) I like how Pike sat EO down right after 1 min into the 2h after that lazy pass TO and lazy outside shot attempt. Did you notice when he came back in we saw that drive thru the lane layup stuff we saw last year? I hope Pike continues to explain and show him Freeman and K. Jack's attempts to play NBA style auditions. We don't need the ball sticking to players hands.

3) we had 3 assists at the half and finished with 10.

4) 19 turnovers...my god.

 

[jonS]

Maryland has a really good athletic big. Hes gonna give us hell, otherwise not all that impressed with them early on vs hall. Oh yeah and this is Myles Powell last year at Hall, kid is legit

Maryland's Fernando is one heckuva big.

 

[anon_0k9zlfz6lz9oy]

Maryland's Fernando is one heckuva big.

REALLY good

 

[NewJerseyHawk]

There's no good way to explain how a staff stumbles upon a combination that works.....but sometimes inconsistent play flashes and the staff has to go to Plan C or D.....

I know there are players that are not playing well that have higher recruiting rankings but I was very confident that all RU needed was a game like this.

Fans viewing today's game as a negative could miss the point. You're down 15 or 10 or 8 most of the way and instead of the expected resources rallying the scoreboard, it was the 8th and 9th most respected players prior to the game, becoming big players.

Carter missed some FTs and has contributed very little prior to today...but recruiting wins sometimes dont show up until everyone else is struggling.

McConnell in the last couple of games has played at a level that had his composite rating where it was for a reason. He's not a true pure PG and man, turning it over in key spots is tough to watch.

But my wish list was to have a complete basketball player more than a 1 position PG like Tai Strickland. McConnell can play either guard position and in a pinch, could probably play the wing.

Baker and McConnell is really a small preview of Mulcahy and Baker. Fans want to know what Mulcahy will do?? It will look and feel like McConnell vs Michigan State and today vs Columbia, just with a little more savvy.

When you get absolutely flat line performances on offense from 3 key players in Mathis, Kiss and Harper and Baker shoots 4 for 16, you probably aren't winning by 15-20.

Carter needs the same formula that has been used at JUCO....20 to 22 minutes a game, not much more to avoid fatigue...and enough to keep Myles Johnson and his development on track.

In regards to those worrying about Mathis and Harper, today's game is a learning experience against an Ivy team, that plays smart, sharp but limited hoops. I am very confident that Carter and McConnell bailing RU out expands their confidence.

Next step of the 40-45 game rebuild is to confirm how to get McConnell and Carter to play like today while getting good looks from Harper and Mathis.

 

[RuBird]

Pike said before the game we needed to get the ball to the big men and not take so many threes. So many times we gave up an open three to force the ball inside only to have it stolen or knocked out of bounce. Other trend was letting the clock run down and then taking a horrible shot. Little things the team needs to get better at fast like knowing how many seconds are on the clock. One play we took the ball with 9 secs left. In bounded the pass. And I believe Dorson give up shooting the ball, instead kicking it out with zero on the clock.

 

[kcg88]

I'm getting pretty sick of the "learning experiences." Falling behind against Fordham was supposed to be a learning experience and they came out just as flat against a similar opponent. The only difference is that Columbia couldn't hit the dagger threes to put us away like Fordham did.

 

[kcg88]

Pike said before the game we needed to get the ball to the big men and not take so many threes. So many times we gave up an open three to force the ball inside only to have it stolen or knocked out of bounce. Other trend was letting the clock run down and then taking a horrible shot. Little things the team needs to get better at fast like knowing how many seconds are on the clock. One play we took the ball with 9 secs left. In bounded the pass. And I believe Dorson give up shooting the ball, instead kicking it out with zero on the clock.

Bingo on point 1. I think guys are a little bit hesitant to take threes now because of Pikiell's philosophy and it's in their heads and affecting our percentage. There's a reason guys are described as "unconscious" when they're hot from three... It's because you don't need to think, you just fire. Our offense has looked worse and worse the more coaching it's received.

 

[NewJerseyHawk]

Unfortunately this is the reality of college basketball for underclassmen unless they're 1 or 2 and done types of players.

I would like to see what other typical freshman make up half of the rotation nationally. If McConnell, Mathis, Harper or Johnson didn't have flashes of good play, then fans would have a right to gripe.

There's no substitute for playing time and game experience.

I would agree that the Pike comments about shooting too many 3s wasn't ideal IMO....Eugene's 3 and Bakers in OT ultimately bailed out RU. I just think the rotation of players needs more McConnell and less Thiam to get better shots. I don't think Shaq Carter gets 13 points because Pike says they want to go inside more. I think getting better entry passes helps your post players.

I have to think if Shaq Carter isn't in foul trouble and if he gets more touches, that RU will be a better basketball team. If he gets 10 to 12 shots a night, he will get into double figures.

The team absolutely needs more touches inside to Carter. If he can be a double figure scorer, it would be a more reliable option than asking Kiss, Mathis and Thiam to be that 3rd scorer.

The depth of the roster is there, just underneath or not yet developed.

 

[dpwhite]

I'm starting to think the idea of 13 or so threes... posting up, getting to the line is a hard rule, but Pikiell trying to get this team to be tougher on offense. They settle too often.

 

[RUsojo]

Unfortunately this is the reality of college basketball for underclassmen unless they're 1 or 2 and done types of players.

I would like to see what other typical freshman make up half of the rotation nationally. If McConnell, Mathis, Harper or Johnson didn't have flashes of good play, then fans would have a right to gripe.

There's no substitute for playing time and game experience.

I would agree that the Pike comments about shooting too many 3s wasn't ideal IMO....Eugene's 3 and Bakers in OT ultimately bailed out RU. I just think the rotation of players needs more McConnell and less Thiam to get better shots. I don't think Shaq Carter gets 13 points because Pike says they want to go inside more. I think getting better entry passes helps your post players.

I have to think if Shaq Carter isn't in foul trouble and if he gets more touches, that RU will be a better basketball team. If he gets 10 to 12 shots a night, he will get into double figures.

The team absolutely needs more touches inside to Carter. If he can be a double figure scorer, it would be a more reliable option than asking Kiss, Mathis and Thiam to be that 3rd scorer.

The depth of the roster is there, just underneath or not yet developed.

Fordham is a good example of another team where Freshman make up half their rotation.

 

[RUsojo]

Big trouble but disaster avoided.

 

[RU-ROCS]

Pike said before the game we needed to get the ball to the big men and not take so many threes. So many times we gave up an open three to force the ball inside only to have it stolen or knocked out of bounce. Other trend was letting the clock run down and then taking a horrible shot. Little things the team needs to get better at fast like knowing how many seconds are on the clock. One play we took the ball with 9 secs left. In bounded the pass. And I believe Dorson give up shooting the ball, instead kicking it out with zero on the clock.

Good observation. Many of us have been criticizing RU’s lack of focus on feeding the big men. But, today Columbia packed in their defense in the paint determined to stop our low post game. They also played the guards pretty tight up high leaving the mid-range jumper wide open for most of the game. RU totally failed to take advantage of that shot, instead forcing it inside or taking long 3s. Hopefully they will learn from this. At least we got the win.