Well definitely not one of those games where one can undo their top pants button and lay back in their RAC seats but these type of games happen to everyone early in the season. When you are in them, its already too late and its not about style points, it becomes gut it out, survive and win. And that Rutgers did, doing just enough down the stretch to pull away from a feisty St Peter's team. And honestly without Ace Bailey in the lineup, its hard to judge anything from the first two games especially this one because this is not the Rutgers team you will see this season. When Ace returns everything changes. The rotation, the chemistry, the whole wheel churns differently as will how Rutgers opponents try to figure out how to stop Ace and Dylan on the court together. So while as the game went on I was nervous about the performance. In the end, Rutgers won and that is that and they did it without Ace and they did it despite being young and really right now having a glaring leadership void.
Without Ace, its hard to get on this team too much for a slower start playing even with St Peters for the opening 10 minutes of the game. Not as excusable was just being a step behind St Peter's ball movement and allowing the Peacocks to get hot from the perimeter and once they did they really got in a nice rhythm and RU became a bit frustrated forcing some shots. I just did not feel our guys were that invested in playing the kind of defense needed to bother St Peters. Their style is predicated on once they get rolling with the shots, they can be tough to beat. That little blink was enough to keep St Peters up 5 at half but it was obvious Pike needed to conjure up some wizardry at halftime and in usually Pike fashion he did.
I think Dylan had 11 in the first half? not sure on that one but I said in the game thread. Who knew we had a secret weapon. So while you do not want to rely on one guy for your offense, I felt at key times Dylan was not getting the touches he needed in the first half, mainly in the early minutes but I also think he took a couple of ill advised shots. In the 2nd half, Dylan was unleashed in those first few minutes scoring 7 of RU's first 9 points of the half. Equally important it came at a time where RU amped up their defense. RU came out much more aggressive scoring an immediate turnover with hands in the lane getting a J Will steal and then forcing another turnover as St Peter's missed their first 3 shots of the half and all of a sudden RU had retaken the lead and awoke a sort of restless RAC crowd. And give Coach Pikiell alot of credit. St Peter's was very physical and susceptible to following. RU did not take enough advantage of it in the first half but in the matter of a minute in the 2nd, RU drew 2 fouls on Zeigler admist 4 SPU fouls in that timeframe. RU would forge ahead by 7 and it seemed like the tide had turned. Inexplicably though while St Peters seemed ready for the taking, Pike subbed out Dylan and brought in a lineup I think of Hayes, Martini, Summerville, Davis and Acuff. With this lineup for the next 3 and half minutes, both teams struggled scoring just 2 each but I believe St Peters was able to gather themselves during this period and blunt the RU momentum. By the time Harper came back in, St Peters was regaining their confidence and went on a 15-5 run and all of a sudden, RU was down again by 1 and everyones stomachs were grumbling in the stands. We have seen this before with Pike. I do get it, guys needs some rest but up 7 and St Peters struggling is no time to take the foot off the gas. The 2nd team IS NOT as good as the first team and it wasnt last year despite what Pike said.
RU reallly struggled offensively during that stretch. Perhaps the ugliest stretch I have seen this year. There were some big bricks from 3 from Martini and I believe an air ball 3 from Dylan, plus J Will bungling a layup. But in the last 4 minutes with RU down 65-64, the young guns learned how to close out and win even it was ugly outscoring the Peacocks 11-0 down the stretch. Certainly not pretty, there were more than few frustrating posessions still down the stretch with missed opportunities and ill advised shot selection but as I said style points do not get you anywhere when you are a ranked team losing at home to a MAAC school. Just win baby and that they did and give credit to the defense with aid from the RAC crowd. Getting stops and hitting your free throws. Martini and Dylan did a fine job at the line.
Individually, Harper another 24 point game, 8-17 shooting but a vastly improved 7-8 at the line with 6 boards. and its amazing we are taking him for granted after game 2. He will hit some amazing shots for RU this year and cannot wait to see him with Ace in the lineup because its going to ease that pressure on him to carry the team. Lathan Summerville...what can you say 5-8fg, 14 points in 24 minutes. He is surpassing everyones expectations of him at this point and he looks so so comfortable out there and that is the key takeaway as competition will get tougher. I thought Zach Martini was quietly impressive and liked he was in at the end few minutes. Some great D and bringing the intangibles of being a guy who has been in close games before.....24 minutes, 7 points, 4 boards. Derkack is that ultimate glue guy..so crappy...25 minutes, 9 points, 6 boards. J Will surprisingly was the biggest plus on RU for the night, 4 assists, 2 steals but 2-8 fg for only 4 points and he missed some shots late that he has to be counted on to make. I think he needs to up his game with Ace coming back. J Mike was solid with a key basket late and hit 1-2 free throws. Did take a couple shots early in the midrange and made so it appears he is fighting for his minutes and he has a quickness that gives him a small edge over Derkack IMO. Hayes had a team leading 7 boards with 5 points in 20 minutes. If he can bring this every night which I think he can I will take it. Acuff, just not seeing it with him and he seems a step or two behind the others for playing time right now. Not sure how he is going to fit in. Ogobole...not the answer but all we can ask if for him to continue to give a few minutes at the start of each half at least for now until Pike is ready to let Lathan fly in the starting role
Again this is really a whole new team from last year. There is no leader yet that is going to gather this team in game 2. Guys just have to step up and learn. Tonight was a test that they passed and can take more out of it than sailing by with a 75-55 win. Learning to fly but they aint got wings. Sticking the landing anyhow. Does it even matter. Ace is coming soon and we go big ole jet airliner.
Without Ace, its hard to get on this team too much for a slower start playing even with St Peters for the opening 10 minutes of the game. Not as excusable was just being a step behind St Peter's ball movement and allowing the Peacocks to get hot from the perimeter and once they did they really got in a nice rhythm and RU became a bit frustrated forcing some shots. I just did not feel our guys were that invested in playing the kind of defense needed to bother St Peters. Their style is predicated on once they get rolling with the shots, they can be tough to beat. That little blink was enough to keep St Peters up 5 at half but it was obvious Pike needed to conjure up some wizardry at halftime and in usually Pike fashion he did.
I think Dylan had 11 in the first half? not sure on that one but I said in the game thread. Who knew we had a secret weapon. So while you do not want to rely on one guy for your offense, I felt at key times Dylan was not getting the touches he needed in the first half, mainly in the early minutes but I also think he took a couple of ill advised shots. In the 2nd half, Dylan was unleashed in those first few minutes scoring 7 of RU's first 9 points of the half. Equally important it came at a time where RU amped up their defense. RU came out much more aggressive scoring an immediate turnover with hands in the lane getting a J Will steal and then forcing another turnover as St Peter's missed their first 3 shots of the half and all of a sudden RU had retaken the lead and awoke a sort of restless RAC crowd. And give Coach Pikiell alot of credit. St Peter's was very physical and susceptible to following. RU did not take enough advantage of it in the first half but in the matter of a minute in the 2nd, RU drew 2 fouls on Zeigler admist 4 SPU fouls in that timeframe. RU would forge ahead by 7 and it seemed like the tide had turned. Inexplicably though while St Peters seemed ready for the taking, Pike subbed out Dylan and brought in a lineup I think of Hayes, Martini, Summerville, Davis and Acuff. With this lineup for the next 3 and half minutes, both teams struggled scoring just 2 each but I believe St Peters was able to gather themselves during this period and blunt the RU momentum. By the time Harper came back in, St Peters was regaining their confidence and went on a 15-5 run and all of a sudden, RU was down again by 1 and everyones stomachs were grumbling in the stands. We have seen this before with Pike. I do get it, guys needs some rest but up 7 and St Peters struggling is no time to take the foot off the gas. The 2nd team IS NOT as good as the first team and it wasnt last year despite what Pike said.
RU reallly struggled offensively during that stretch. Perhaps the ugliest stretch I have seen this year. There were some big bricks from 3 from Martini and I believe an air ball 3 from Dylan, plus J Will bungling a layup. But in the last 4 minutes with RU down 65-64, the young guns learned how to close out and win even it was ugly outscoring the Peacocks 11-0 down the stretch. Certainly not pretty, there were more than few frustrating posessions still down the stretch with missed opportunities and ill advised shot selection but as I said style points do not get you anywhere when you are a ranked team losing at home to a MAAC school. Just win baby and that they did and give credit to the defense with aid from the RAC crowd. Getting stops and hitting your free throws. Martini and Dylan did a fine job at the line.
Individually, Harper another 24 point game, 8-17 shooting but a vastly improved 7-8 at the line with 6 boards. and its amazing we are taking him for granted after game 2. He will hit some amazing shots for RU this year and cannot wait to see him with Ace in the lineup because its going to ease that pressure on him to carry the team. Lathan Summerville...what can you say 5-8fg, 14 points in 24 minutes. He is surpassing everyones expectations of him at this point and he looks so so comfortable out there and that is the key takeaway as competition will get tougher. I thought Zach Martini was quietly impressive and liked he was in at the end few minutes. Some great D and bringing the intangibles of being a guy who has been in close games before.....24 minutes, 7 points, 4 boards. Derkack is that ultimate glue guy..so crappy...25 minutes, 9 points, 6 boards. J Will surprisingly was the biggest plus on RU for the night, 4 assists, 2 steals but 2-8 fg for only 4 points and he missed some shots late that he has to be counted on to make. I think he needs to up his game with Ace coming back. J Mike was solid with a key basket late and hit 1-2 free throws. Did take a couple shots early in the midrange and made so it appears he is fighting for his minutes and he has a quickness that gives him a small edge over Derkack IMO. Hayes had a team leading 7 boards with 5 points in 20 minutes. If he can bring this every night which I think he can I will take it. Acuff, just not seeing it with him and he seems a step or two behind the others for playing time right now. Not sure how he is going to fit in. Ogobole...not the answer but all we can ask if for him to continue to give a few minutes at the start of each half at least for now until Pike is ready to let Lathan fly in the starting role
Again this is really a whole new team from last year. There is no leader yet that is going to gather this team in game 2. Guys just have to step up and learn. Tonight was a test that they passed and can take more out of it than sailing by with a 75-55 win. Learning to fly but they aint got wings. Sticking the landing anyhow. Does it even matter. Ace is coming soon and we go big ole jet airliner.
