Game 9 Fordham: Pathetic

[ru66]

delusional

 

[Degaz-RU]

This was certainly a disappointing game. Preseason, I stated that I EXPECTED to lose one of the mid-major OOC games, because of the difficulty of integrating six new players, including five who never played in a D1-A college basketball game. So the end result of this game doesn't surprise me, and shouldn't really surprise anyone.

But it is the WAY we lost that was very concerning to me. We didn't just lose to a team that got ridiculously hot from 3-point range (which is what usually happens in these mid-major versus high-major upsets). Our entire defense was AWFUL in the 2nd half, and we seemingly couldn't stop Fordham. The high-screen and dribble penetration action run by Honor made us look completely impotent on defense, and to top it off we got KILLED on the offensive glass. Yes, they hit 10 threes, but it was Honor's diverse abilities that won that game for the Rams. As with the SJU games, we were exposed again for our inability to defend quick guards (and we're going to see alot of them as the year goes on).

I predicted us going 7-3 OOC and about 6-14 in league, for an overall 13-17 record. But I was hoping that the early season positive look would increase that total to 15-15. Now, after seeing a 9-game sample size -- which not only exposed some defensive liabilities but also a continuation of MAJOR scoring issues -- I'm not even sure we can get to 13-17.

I still have faith in Pike, as recruiting has been good, he's (usually) not out-coached, and he is managing a team that is one of the least experienced (<300) in the country. But we're going to have to live with the ups and downs of a young team.

 

[zebnatto]

This was certainly a disappointing game. Preseason, I stated that I EXPECTED to lose one of the mid-major OOC games, because of the difficulty of integrating six new players, including five who never played in a D1-A college basketball game. So the end result of this game doesn't surprise me, and shouldn't really surprise anyone.

But it is the WAY we lost that was very concerning to me. We didn't just lose to a team that got ridiculously hot from 3-point range (which is what usually happens in these mid-major versus high-major upsets). Our entire defense was AWFUL in the 2nd half, and we seemingly couldn't stop Fordham. The high-screen and dribble penetration action run by Honor made us look completely impotent on defense, and to top it off we got KILLED on the offensive glass. Yes, they hit 10 threes, but it was Honor's diverse abilities that won that game for the Rams. As with the SJU games, we were exposed again for our inability to defend quick guards (and we're going to see alot of them as the year goes on).

I predicted us going 7-3 OOC and about 6-14 in league, for an overall 13-17 record. But I was hoping that the early season positive look would increase that total to 15-15. Now, after seeing a 9-game sample size -- which not only exposed some defensive liabilities but also a continuation of MAJOR scoring issues -- I'm not even sure we can get to 13-17.

I still have faith in Pike, as recruiting has been good, he's (usually) not out-coached, and he is managing a team that is one of the least experienced (<300) in the country. But we're going to have to live with the ups and downs of a young team.

Agree 100%.

We have no answer for guards who can take you off the dribble and shoot threes. No one with the quickness. Also, on the pick and roll, there were times when Shaq actually had his back to the basketball.

And I’ll add a by-the-way: It is not a radical or novel idea to switch some zone in with your man-to-man defense.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

Agree 100%.

We have no answer for guards who can take you off the dribble and shoot threes. No one with the quickness. Also, on the pick and roll, there were times when Shaq actually had his back to the basketball.

And I’ll add a by-the-way: It is not a radical or novel idea to switch some zone in with your man-to-man defense.

Guards who make 25 footers and quick off the dribble are very difficult for any team to defend, Rutgers included.

The argument to swap out Doorson holds more water to me than asking us to play a defense that Rutgers doesnt play

 

[Scarlet Shack]

Fans are disappointed and shocked but they should be. It's unfortunate that upsets happen in sports actually...LOL

The fans starved for a winner want to cut corners. Honor is a major guard folks, but overall RU played bad against Boston University and bad today. One we got away with and today we didn't.

There's no straight line folks....we will see this post multiple times over the next 2 years, whining about bad performances. My guess is what will the notion be for the next upset win or loss. The team is 317th in minutes and experience played, yet fans want flawless 40 minutes of action and to skip steps along the way.

The team is not a finished product folks....it's NINE games into a bunch of kids sorting things out...1st and 2nd options in Geo and Eugene are learning on the fly. And Jay Young and Pike dropped the ball on Honor and a game plan...willing to give the kid credit, he played lights out.

My takeaways are 37 minutes for Geo and 3 for McConnell isn't good....25 minutes for Mathis and Harper must happen to get offense out of the rest of the roster. We almost had 5 players in double figures, Carter and Mathis each had 8...both are capable of 12 per night with more playing time.

If Harper, Mathis, McConnell and Carter can get more production, it will balance things out to help Geo and Eugene.

I'd like to see how much longer we ride with Shaq Doorson and Thiam as starters...

You guys can knock me all you want for saying this...but the reality is...and this isn’t a character assination...is that kiss, doorson, and thiam talent level
Lend them to roll players who playing starters minutes.

When that happens...you get some good games and some bad games...more talented players get more good than bad

Everyone to the eye sees that Johnson, Mathis and Harper WILL be better players than doorson, thiam and kiss...but they aren’t there yet. They have to grow up and develop

When you have Mathis, Harper and Johnson as juniors, a senior in baker, a senior in young, a second player in Mulchay..that should be a much more taleneted and deeper team....and should be more good than bad. Need to Backfill more big guys on recruiting

It’s not a straight line up...but the trajectory is there.

There is a build going on ...and it was a step back on Saturday ...but it’s about growing up the younger players right for the long term while competing today.

 

[Scarlet Shack]

So we were up 10 late in 1st half and Fordham could get nothing done offensively and everyone knew Fordham was going to stay in the game and win.

People also knew that we should have started in zone in the 2nd half because Fordham was going to go unconscious from the perimeter.

Are people delusional or have psychic powers

Correct...there wasn’t any evidence to suggest that Fordham was going to go off on us

The one thing that coach needed to do was change defenses (zone, a press)....just to get them out of rhythm when they got hot for an extended period ..and we didn’t do that and let them stay comfortable. That’s one is on coach P

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

Everyone to the eye sees that Johnson, Mathis and Harper WILL be better players than doorson, thiam and kiss...but they aren’t there yet. They have to grow up and develop

A Kiss that takes and makes 3s could end up being a more valuable player throughout his career despite being a no show on both glasses and being a poor on ball defender.

Sample size way too low on everyone at this point. Mathis has PLUS PLUS athletic ability we haven't seen in a LONG time. It doesn't always translate in to helping a team win. I think/hope it will here, but right now he is unbelievably RAW.