GAME 6 Central Connecticut State: RU Ready or Not

[bac2therac]

Mark this down, this will be the shortest recap of the season by far.

Another blowout against a cupcake and yes the schedule has been extremely weak thus far. Temple is okay nothing special. Tough to recap anything from today and take meaning going into a 5 game gauntlet that will have 100x the challenges on both the offensive and defensive ends. I make no bones I do not like to play such a weak schedule and that we had two complete patsies this week to me is disappointing. Biggest positive tonight was getting Caleb back on the court. 24 minutes was a bit rusty and tentative as discussed in another thread. Did exactly what he needed to get his feet wet without really risking any injury. Hopefully Paul is next. Woolfolk had another strong game and impressed with his ability to be able to fill a role right away but will he be up to the challenge that power 6 conference schools offer. Mag started to quietly put things together. Cliff's defense vs bad teams has been less than satisfactory. Cam is Cam already and it seems like he has been here for 4 years. Derek got an impressive flurry of points in late that was a good bounceback from getting benched for 10 minutes. Miller looked solid enough in his expanded minutes for the 2nd straight game and looks servicable if Derek gets into trouble. Team continues to show the hunger although in this game for a 4 minute stretch the starters decided they were not going to respect their opponents coming out of halftime and there was some ugly basketball where RU was outscored 11-2 and Pike pulled 4 of the starters and rightfully so. The 2nd team promptly rebuilt the lead and then Mag/Cliff got shots to redeem themselves and they did. Note a 10 minute stretch where Derek and Hyatt both sat. Understandable for the mistakes for the former but not the latter. Nothing wrong in winning by 34 and tough to criticize but how do we translate it to real teams. But tonight I cannot get all rah rah and excited because RU annihilated another overmatched opponent.

Trip down to Miami upcoming and its hard to get a true read on this team. Yes they are working hard and are eager and love to feast and beat up on cupcakes but to me honest I have no idea how this translates to a game on the road at Miami and then up coming games with Indiana and SHU at the RAC. Getting Caleb back helps alot even if he isnt at 100% speed but getting Paul back on to the court to be the floor general is critical to this upcoming 5 game stretch. Last year RU struggled vs bad and middling competition like Lafayette, UMass and De Paul but was ready when the level of play rose vs Clemson and Purdue. This team feasted on the sisters of the poor, struggled in their first gave vs a team with a pulse so can they elevate their game next week. I think its safe to say in another 7 days we should have much greater reader on what this team is made of and what they are capable of.

 

[Night Man]

random thought: this will be Caleb's 2nd ACC challenge game at Miami?

I'm ok with 2-3 in the next 5, but I also have low expectations that are theoretically quite surpassable.

 

[goru7]

Huge 5 game stretch at Miami , home Indiana , at Ohio State , home Seton Hall , home Wake Forest from November 30- December 17. Not one team is anything elite but a huge step up in talent level. 5 winnable games and also 5 potential losses.

Once again against an overmatched opponent our defense , our length took over the game. Against these lesser opponents , this team has shown an uncanny ability to go through a tough stretch with 3-4 turnovers, missed layups and then remarkably correct it and go on a 15-20 point blitz . We have spurtability something our previous teams with the exception of our 2019-2020 teams have not had, with a combination of defense , deflections , shot clock violations with fast break and offensive shotmaking. We still miss too many layups and get really loose and casual with the ball resulting in turnovers that are mind boggling. Do we have enough of an offensive skill set other than Cliff and Cam to compliment our elite defense. ?
These are the unknowns that are still not answered. I trust Cam or Cliff to get us a bucket when we really need it and then I trust Woolfolk . After that , no one else is trustworthy for me. I think Mag and Dean and even Hyatt have to continue to cut to the basket and then use their height to muscle in shots within 5-8 feet or get to the line. Hyatt is hitting foul shots at a tremendous clip and if he could only control the damn ball and lower his dribble he could realistically get 6-10 foul shots per game. But he continues to lose too many balls driving. That has to be corrected in film study and it is an easy adjustment.
Dean still can give us that stretch 4 three point maker but I really see a loss of confidence from him. Last year during his good stretch against Michigan State , and Illinois , 2 games for sure , Ron and Geo really tried to pump him up and had faith to send the ball around or out to him. Tonight , his best move of the night was his strong drive to the basket with the attempted flush where he got fouled. Yes , he missed the 2 foul shots , but he is capable of that type of attack of the rim , and the first sign or glimmer of some confidence. During pregame and at halftime he nailed like 6 threes in a row. Someone , Paul or Caleb or Cliff or Cam , have to somehow get Dean’s confidence up and keep it there. He is another offensive weapon and 3 point shooter we need when he is right.
Our guards , Derek and Jalen , have to continue to defend at a high level and really pressure the other team’s guards making it harder to allow them to find their 3 point shooters . We are likely going to be outscored from 3 in most games and will likely outscore teams from 2 and the foul line this year. If we limit the other team 3 point attempts , we will also limit their makes. Jalen has shown a really nice spin move on his drive to pull up for a 12 footer in back to back games that I hope translates to better competition and not a function of him knowing he could do it against lesser competition. His drives and passes have been much better. Derek is a freshman. Whatever we get out of him offensively is welcome but we cannot expect it anymore. Don’t let the 2 late open threes fool you. He is struggling trying to drive past defenders against this lesser competition . But that is okay because he can cut and slash and pass and set Cliff up for some lobs and find Cam for 3’s.
Our defense will give us a chance to win all 5 as long as we get decent offense and limit the unforced careless turnovers . Can we do the last 2 things to get us rolling ? I wish I could say we definitely will but we have not shown that consistency yet , so we really are in uncharted waters and will find out about how far this team will go this year. Buckle up !!!

 

[toby83]

Yes the Reiber drive and Jalen Miller drive and pull up jumper from 13- 15 feet were great to see. Baby steps.

 

[365Poster24Seven]

Why is a recap of a game we all saw with no new info such a popular thread? Tells you a lot about our fanbase.

 

[knightfan7]

First time I've been in person since I gave up my season ticket 10 years ago.

Spencer was great, Miller and Woolfolk (9 and 4 in 12 minutes) looked good, and Simpson with the exception of the 1st 2 minutes of the 2nd Half played well, scoring 8 pts in a row later on. I thought the interior D and rebounding was pretty bad considering the competition. The long scoring draught was a concern too. Hyatt made a nice hustle play blocking a layup but otherwise...

It was great to see Caleb out there getting some of the rust off.

 

[zebnatto]

Agree that competition has been too weak to draw much. Overall, haven’t really loved the offense.

Would say none of returnees have made big leaps—modest ones for Mag andJalen. And that we’ve definitely added contributors in Cam, Antoine, and Derek. Beyond that, still tons of unknowns. Looking forward to Miami game.

 

[kcg88]

Why is a recap of a game we all saw with no new info such a popular thread? Tells you a lot about our fanbase.

For one many people didn't see it, but also this thread isn't that popular lol. Bac started out by saying there's not really any analysis to take away from such a bad opponent. If you read his other recap threads you'll understand that he does tend to have good (basketball) insight.

 

[bac2therac]

Why is a recap of a game we all saw with no new info such a popular thread? Tells you a lot about our fanbase.

Stfu greg2020

 

[bac2therac]

For one many people didn't see it, but also this thread isn't that popular lol. Bac started out by saying there's not really any analysis to take away from such a bad opponent. If you read his other recap threads you'll understand that he does tend to have good (basketball) insight.

This is admittedly one of my worst all time recaps because i just didnt think i could bring anything new to the table given its the 2nd creampuff in 5 days.

The two best things are Caleb came back and the team still has the eagerness to succeed. Its time to get the real season started. I wish we kicked it off earlier with another tougher test but away we go

 

[365Poster24Seven]

Stfu greg2020

Seriously we all saw it most of us were there. Do you take notes at the game? The more complicated the game the longer the recap? Did you ever play or coach? You have to realize that it’s the same game we all saw right? Continue knocking yourself out I just don’t get it.

 

[BillyC80]

It might be a generational thing, but bac’s recaps bring back fond memories of reading about the game in the next day’s sports section of the newspaper. In those days I enjoyed every word, especially if we won, even though I was at the game or watched it on tv.

Can’t remember the last time I read about sports in a newspaper. This board is my lifeline to reading about RU sports, and even better than a newspaper, having the opportunity to chime in with observations of my own.

 

[Groz]

Bac,

Just keep writing your recaps. If someone doesn't want to read them, they don't have to. You do an excellent job.

Even though I am at every game, it is still interesting to read your write-ups. Of course, writing about the cream-puff games is not much fun for you as opposed to analyzing REAL games.....

Best of Luck,
Groz

 

[zebnatto]

Seriously we all saw it most of us were there. Do you take notes at the game? The more complicated the game the longer the recap? Did you ever play or coach? You have to realize that it’s the same game we all saw right? Continue knocking yourself out I just don’t get it.

I enjoy the recaps, probably for much the same reason as Billy C cited. Though I disagree with him as much as I agree, Bac has a good insight into the game and I appreciate that he takes the time to do the write-ups. And, btw, it doesn't prevent anyone else from posting their own recap and opinion.

 

[fatsam98]

Don't feed the troll. Love your recaps @bac2therac

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

This is admittedly one of my worst all time recaps because i just didnt think i could bring anything new to the table given its the 2nd creampuff in 5 days.

The two best things are Caleb came back and the team still has the eagerness to succeed. Its time to get the real season started. I wish we kicked it off earlier with another tougher test but away we go

I actually thought it was fine. Didn’t sugar coat. Brought up who was in game and wasn’t during runs.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

Another great attraction of his posts is that you can go to the archives and check. Bac and GAME xx

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

This is admittedly one of my worst all time recaps because i just didnt think i could bring anything new to the table given its the 2nd creampuff in 5 days.

The two best things are Caleb came back and the team still has the eagerness to succeed. Its time to get the real season started. I wish we kicked it off earlier with another tougher test but away we go

Yeah - not much to say. The game felt like a complete waste of time other than getting Caleb out there for game speed action.

I’m also not quite ready to jump on the “Mag is quietly putting it together” band wagon. Nice to see him finally hit a 3 but most of his offense so far has come where we already know he excels - in situations where his athleticism can simply dominate the opponent. Need to see something from him against a somewhat real team (Rider might have had a bit more of a pulse if they hadn’t just flown back from Ireland or wherever they went).

 

[BigEastPhil]

Bac- we all love the Summary. Keep it comin !

 

[S.W.A.I.N]

Seriously we all saw it most of us were there. Do you take notes at the game? The more complicated the game the longer the recap? Did you ever play or coach? You have to realize that it’s the same game we all saw right? Continue knocking yourself out I just don’t get it.

You’re being weird.

 

[toby83]

Nice to see him finally hit a 3 but most of his offense so far has come where we already know he excels - in situations where his athleticism can simply dominate the opponent.

Spot on