Let us be clear...this game NEVER should have been scheduled for many reasons. Its pointless to recap because the game really exposed the program right now.
Its also clear this performance could be seen coming miles away. Go read the recaps from the past 3 games. This loss was coming whether it was Kennesaw or Notre Dame.
The lack of team ball or any desire/committment to playing defense was screaming at everyone. Most here were concerned. Others felt its all about outscoring the opponents. Well guess what, our offense isnt so hot either as it struggled mightily in the first half. It wasnt just Ace it was a bunch of them. Sure RU played a decent 2nd half. If they played that 2nd half in the first half, its likely RU is able to emerge with a win perhaps even comfortably. However coming on the court like you are something when you beat 4 sisters of the poor is a surefire recipe to set a loss in play. Team was a deer in headlights as was the coach when the Owls punched them in the mouth. Soft was a word thrown around in the game thread.
Across the board the game was an absolute disaster. There no positives to take from today at least on the court. Whether you had final 4 expectations, Big 10 championship expectations or just expectations to eek into the NCAA tourney, you can put them on ice for now. This team was ranked solely on hype not based on actual performance in the first 4 games. No its not the end of the world. No it doesnt mean RU is headed toward a disappointing season. It just means we need to strip away all the hype and start accepting this team will need to work for what it gets. Not going to win by just showing up on the court with NBA press clippings. Not going to win by not wanting to play defense. Not going to win if you do not have a hunger and I think this team is clearly missing that desire to eat until the last few minutes of the world. You just cannot turn a swtich on and win.
Its going to be up to Pikiell to burn everything down and start making these guys be accountable to themselves and their teammates and to the program. It starts by taking control. Pike has to be accountable to himself and the program. Its obvious his apporach has not really worked. If nothing changes expect more of today. Pike has let the inmates run the asylum. Part of the reason this stupid game was scheduled in the first place. No upside to playing 4 creampuffs at home then throw your team out to a hostile bandbox for its first road game. To make matters worse, Vegas is next. Learning experience and needing this loss. well those are cliches but yeah well it applies here. Ace had a subpar game given his ability. His youth and immaturity showed. Yes the stars showed late and there was a chance at a last shot but yet maybe the most important lesson will be learned from Ace. Cannot hide youth, cannot hide have not been there and it showed in that very last possession. Problem is he is only here for one year so this isnt a case of saying well when Ace is senior he will take and make that game winning shot. It will have come in the next few weeks.
What about the comeback there that fell just short...well yeah its almost better they lost like that than lose by 16. That they could taste the comeback might actually be a positive and then left hanging. Want to give them credit...not me, never should have been in that situation.
The stat lines are brutal.
RU outrebounded 46-27 overall and 14-8 on the offensive boards. Brutal no matter what competiton you are playing against. Speaks to the failure for Pike to go into this season without a servicable center but also speaks to Ace needing to learn alot. I am not sure how this team will be able to compete given their rebounding woes through the first 5 games.
26-66 fg for 39% is pretty poor against an opponent who likes a track meet not known for defense. Obviously Ace at 6-17 fg was way off from the start and thats another reason why I do not like homecoming games scheduled. Yet besides Harper, you had 4 guys going a combined 4-17 fg. Down the stretch it was basically Ace and Dylan doing all the work. The concept of team ball trying to get back into the game wasnt going to work. If RU did win, it was going to be based on the individual talent of Ace and Dylan. Sure most of the time its going to be about them but can anyone feel confident about any other player being able to step up in crunch time. J Will and J Mike have been offensive black holes this season but J Will the bigger issue. If he isnt going to the third scorer, Rutgers is going to have a hard time beating good teams. Must get him healthy and on track. He does bring the only defensive intensity I have seen on the team.
Ogoble with 10 points on 4-5 fg shooting is a highlight for him. Summerville needs so much catching up on defense. Derkack leading rebounder but really shouldnt be driving into trees. PJ Hayes sneaky good game with 8 points and 5 boards. Zak basically nothing except an early 2nd half 3.
Now they head to Vegas to take on a Notre Dame team who got beat by Elon. They are well coached so I expect a dogfight but the great unknown is whether this team takes this loss to heart. Its the other 2 games in Vegas I am worried about the potential for ugliness vs Bama and then possibly Creighton/Sd St and I just do not think physically RU has show toughness to compete there.
Its also clear this performance could be seen coming miles away. Go read the recaps from the past 3 games. This loss was coming whether it was Kennesaw or Notre Dame.
The lack of team ball or any desire/committment to playing defense was screaming at everyone. Most here were concerned. Others felt its all about outscoring the opponents. Well guess what, our offense isnt so hot either as it struggled mightily in the first half. It wasnt just Ace it was a bunch of them. Sure RU played a decent 2nd half. If they played that 2nd half in the first half, its likely RU is able to emerge with a win perhaps even comfortably. However coming on the court like you are something when you beat 4 sisters of the poor is a surefire recipe to set a loss in play. Team was a deer in headlights as was the coach when the Owls punched them in the mouth. Soft was a word thrown around in the game thread.
Across the board the game was an absolute disaster. There no positives to take from today at least on the court. Whether you had final 4 expectations, Big 10 championship expectations or just expectations to eek into the NCAA tourney, you can put them on ice for now. This team was ranked solely on hype not based on actual performance in the first 4 games. No its not the end of the world. No it doesnt mean RU is headed toward a disappointing season. It just means we need to strip away all the hype and start accepting this team will need to work for what it gets. Not going to win by just showing up on the court with NBA press clippings. Not going to win by not wanting to play defense. Not going to win if you do not have a hunger and I think this team is clearly missing that desire to eat until the last few minutes of the world. You just cannot turn a swtich on and win.
Its going to be up to Pikiell to burn everything down and start making these guys be accountable to themselves and their teammates and to the program. It starts by taking control. Pike has to be accountable to himself and the program. Its obvious his apporach has not really worked. If nothing changes expect more of today. Pike has let the inmates run the asylum. Part of the reason this stupid game was scheduled in the first place. No upside to playing 4 creampuffs at home then throw your team out to a hostile bandbox for its first road game. To make matters worse, Vegas is next. Learning experience and needing this loss. well those are cliches but yeah well it applies here. Ace had a subpar game given his ability. His youth and immaturity showed. Yes the stars showed late and there was a chance at a last shot but yet maybe the most important lesson will be learned from Ace. Cannot hide youth, cannot hide have not been there and it showed in that very last possession. Problem is he is only here for one year so this isnt a case of saying well when Ace is senior he will take and make that game winning shot. It will have come in the next few weeks.
What about the comeback there that fell just short...well yeah its almost better they lost like that than lose by 16. That they could taste the comeback might actually be a positive and then left hanging. Want to give them credit...not me, never should have been in that situation.
The stat lines are brutal.
RU outrebounded 46-27 overall and 14-8 on the offensive boards. Brutal no matter what competiton you are playing against. Speaks to the failure for Pike to go into this season without a servicable center but also speaks to Ace needing to learn alot. I am not sure how this team will be able to compete given their rebounding woes through the first 5 games.
26-66 fg for 39% is pretty poor against an opponent who likes a track meet not known for defense. Obviously Ace at 6-17 fg was way off from the start and thats another reason why I do not like homecoming games scheduled. Yet besides Harper, you had 4 guys going a combined 4-17 fg. Down the stretch it was basically Ace and Dylan doing all the work. The concept of team ball trying to get back into the game wasnt going to work. If RU did win, it was going to be based on the individual talent of Ace and Dylan. Sure most of the time its going to be about them but can anyone feel confident about any other player being able to step up in crunch time. J Will and J Mike have been offensive black holes this season but J Will the bigger issue. If he isnt going to the third scorer, Rutgers is going to have a hard time beating good teams. Must get him healthy and on track. He does bring the only defensive intensity I have seen on the team.
Ogoble with 10 points on 4-5 fg shooting is a highlight for him. Summerville needs so much catching up on defense. Derkack leading rebounder but really shouldnt be driving into trees. PJ Hayes sneaky good game with 8 points and 5 boards. Zak basically nothing except an early 2nd half 3.
Now they head to Vegas to take on a Notre Dame team who got beat by Elon. They are well coached so I expect a dogfight but the great unknown is whether this team takes this loss to heart. Its the other 2 games in Vegas I am worried about the potential for ugliness vs Bama and then possibly Creighton/Sd St and I just do not think physically RU has show toughness to compete there.
