Its late and I am tired...going to drift off by watching some Paul Mulcahy vs UCLA. So I will finish more thoughts tomorrow but just wanted to get a few thoughts out there now.
This game was one of those rare old fashion conference laughers you might remember from the A10 or Eastern 8 vs St Bonaventure, the ones where you just unbuckle your top pants button lay back in your plastic seat at the RAC and enjoy without a care in the world. Call it a fan appreciation game. RU was abysmal in its last game vs Maryland at the RAC and came into the game with just a 4-7 mark in its last 11 games. Yeah this one goes out to the fans who were engaged and boisterous and appreciative throughout. If they were only all this easy
Major major credit to Pike tonight in gameprep and his strategy to beat Michigan by attack and exploiting a poor defense team with little confidence. Michigan has only been blown out a few times this year and actually stayed fairly close with Purdue last game....but one thing at this point after losing 16 of 18 is that they were not going to be committed to playing defense. They would want this game up in the 80s. That they played into Pike's hands was perfect. RU didnt win with elite defense, they won with their offense tonight, perhaps a new wrinkle Pike showed tonight in his arsenal. One could not have scripted a better opening 5 minutes. RU got stops and turnovers and punished Michigan by ramming the ball right down their throats right to the hoop. Yes it helps that the shots went in early and they kept going in and RU kept ramming it down Juwan's throat. Certainly the 10-0 run by Michigan the last 5:28 of the first half was dismal by Rutgers but they came out of halftime down and rammed down Slappy's throat again and again. My game ball goes to Coach Pikiell. Had his team bouncing back from what had to be the depths after the Maryland stinker and to show so much energy and willingness to follow the gameplan and succeed tonight was impressive to see. We had all players basically on the same page for a rare time, all understanding their roles and purposes.
How great were Cliff and J Wow (Im mean Will) tonight. Tonight was a sign that RU has not quit yet and I think with Nebby losing and all pressure on them Sunday would not be surprised to see a surprising dogfight there. Realize Michigan sucks but RU was headed to the sucks catagory after those 3 losses so what we can get and look for all the signs that maybe there is more fight in this old dog yet.
Will this be Juwan's Fred Grunniger moment, Fred resigned the day after RU was embarrassed on national tv by Syracuse 50-3 on a Thursday. You can only imagine how a 30 point loss to a 15-13 Rutgers team not headed to the NCAA tournament is sitting with the Maize and Blue faithful tonight.
This game was one of those rare old fashion conference laughers you might remember from the A10 or Eastern 8 vs St Bonaventure, the ones where you just unbuckle your top pants button lay back in your plastic seat at the RAC and enjoy without a care in the world. Call it a fan appreciation game. RU was abysmal in its last game vs Maryland at the RAC and came into the game with just a 4-7 mark in its last 11 games. Yeah this one goes out to the fans who were engaged and boisterous and appreciative throughout. If they were only all this easy
Major major credit to Pike tonight in gameprep and his strategy to beat Michigan by attack and exploiting a poor defense team with little confidence. Michigan has only been blown out a few times this year and actually stayed fairly close with Purdue last game....but one thing at this point after losing 16 of 18 is that they were not going to be committed to playing defense. They would want this game up in the 80s. That they played into Pike's hands was perfect. RU didnt win with elite defense, they won with their offense tonight, perhaps a new wrinkle Pike showed tonight in his arsenal. One could not have scripted a better opening 5 minutes. RU got stops and turnovers and punished Michigan by ramming the ball right down their throats right to the hoop. Yes it helps that the shots went in early and they kept going in and RU kept ramming it down Juwan's throat. Certainly the 10-0 run by Michigan the last 5:28 of the first half was dismal by Rutgers but they came out of halftime down and rammed down Slappy's throat again and again. My game ball goes to Coach Pikiell. Had his team bouncing back from what had to be the depths after the Maryland stinker and to show so much energy and willingness to follow the gameplan and succeed tonight was impressive to see. We had all players basically on the same page for a rare time, all understanding their roles and purposes.
How great were Cliff and J Wow (Im mean Will) tonight. Tonight was a sign that RU has not quit yet and I think with Nebby losing and all pressure on them Sunday would not be surprised to see a surprising dogfight there. Realize Michigan sucks but RU was headed to the sucks catagory after those 3 losses so what we can get and look for all the signs that maybe there is more fight in this old dog yet.
Will this be Juwan's Fred Grunniger moment, Fred resigned the day after RU was embarrassed on national tv by Syracuse 50-3 on a Thursday. You can only imagine how a 30 point loss to a 15-13 Rutgers team not headed to the NCAA tournament is sitting with the Maize and Blue faithful tonight.
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