Getting the stars to align

[RUChoppin]

At different points this year, we've had different players step up and show flashes... but never all at once. There's definitely a potential to knock off a much better opponent if all cylinders fire together - but that's been elusive so far.

Looking at the leading scorers for each Div-I game:
Central CT: Williams, Omoruyi, Freeman
Cleveland St: Baker, Thiam, Sanders
Coppin St: Omoruyi, Sanders, Baker
Bryant: Baker, Sanders, Williams
ECU: Freeman, Thiam, Doorson
FSU: Omoruyi, Sanders, Freeman
Minnesota: Doucoure, Baker, Omoruyi

We've had five different players as leading scorers (Williams, Baker, Omoruyi, Freeman, Doucoure), and seven that have ended up in the top two scorers (adding Sanders and Thiam). No one player has been leading scorer more than twice (Omoruyi, Baker) and none have been in the top two scorers more than three times (Omoruyi, Baker, Sanders). That shows a balance that different players can step up at different times... but we haven't yet seen more than a few have good games together.

It's also interesting that while Sanders is our leading scorer on average (12.6/game), he hasn't been the leading scorer in any individual game... which speaks a bit to the lack of consistency among the other players.

 

[jellyman]

I like the analysis.

The question is, will the stars align (need some luck with this) in a game RU might be able to WIN - like NW, Michigan, PSU, or in a game where RU might STILL lose (like MSU or Purdue).

I would rather lose to MSU/Purdue by 20 points each, and get 2 upsets, while winning 4 or 5 of the toss ups (I think there are 6-8 toss ups) - to get to 6 or 7 Big Ten wins, than lose to MSU/Purdue by 4-6 points - but not get ANY upsets, and have to split the toss-ups, and only win 3-4 Big Ten games.

 

[DHajekRC84]

At different points this year, we've had different players step up and show flashes... but never all at once. There's definitely a potential to knock off a much better opponent if all cylinders fire together - but that's been elusive so far.

Looking at the leading scorers for each Div-I game:
Central CT: Williams, Omoruyi, Freeman
Cleveland St: Baker, Thiam, Sanders
Coppin St: Omoruyi, Sanders, Baker
Bryant: Baker, Sanders, Williams
ECU: Freeman, Thiam, Doorson
FSU: Omoruyi, Sanders, Freeman
Minnesota: Doucoure, Baker, Omoruyi

We've had five different players as leading scorers (Williams, Baker, Omoruyi, Freeman, Doucoure), and seven that have ended up in the top two scorers (adding Sanders and Thiam). No one player has been leading scorer more than twice (Omoruyi, Baker) and none have been in the top two scorers more than three times (Omoruyi, Baker, Sanders). That shows a balance that different players can step up at different times... but we haven't yet seen more than a few have good games together.

It's also interesting that while Sanders is our leading scorer on average (12.6/game), he hasn't been the leading scorer in any individual game... which speaks a bit to the lack of consistency among the other players.

its ALL about consistency and learning to play TOGETHER. Still revert to way too much 1 on 1 ball/shot attempts and making things more difficult than they should be.

UM had 23 assist vs. RU's 11.

 

[Russ Wood]

its ALL about consistency and learning to play TOGETHER. Still revert to way too much 1 on 1 ball/shot attempts and making things more difficult than they should be.

UM had 23 assist vs. RU's 11.

Rutgers' 11 assists is not that bad a number when you consider that the team only made 24 shots.

What is REALLY bad is that RU had an amazing 17 offensive rebounds but just 10 second chance points. Then you add just 8 points off of Minnesota's 14 turnovers. Minnesota turned 14 Rutgers turnovers into 19 points.

Unless you are shooting absolutely lights out you gotta do a better job of converting offensive rebounds and opponents turnovers into points.

 

[BillyC80]

Against Minny we had 5 guys in double figures plus Thiam had 8. That's about as balanced as you can get for our 67 points.

 

[JQRU91]

I've been noticing this, too. We don't have really consistent go to guys for scoring, but a bunch of guys that are capable of going off for 15 to 25 or so on any given night.

 

[mikefla]

We fought the good fight vs FSU as they just pounded #5 UFlorida 88-66

I do like the analysis. We have players that all but disappear some games.
Mike Williams, GEO, Corey & Freemn are our "O" engine.....(Eugene and Doucore of late as well)
If any one of them has an off day we struggle

The trick to getting the stars to align is to have more stars IMO

 

[RUJMM78]

I like the analysis.

The question is, will the stars align (need some luck with this) in a game RU might be able to WIN - like NW, Michigan, PSU, or in a game where RU might STILL lose (like MSU or Purdue).

I would rather lose to MSU/Purdue by 20 points each, and get 2 upsets, while winning 4 or 5 of the toss ups (I think there are 6-8 toss ups) - to get to 6 or 7 Big Ten wins, than lose to MSU/Purdue by 4-6 points - but not get ANY upsets, and have to split the toss-ups, and only win 3-4 Big Ten games.

Your bottom line analysis is spot on.Winning matters far more for a program battling for a winning season than to lose by less than 20 points to Michigan State and Purdue.

 

[RUDead]

The stars are going to align sooner than later for this team and they are going to shock someone!

 

[Proud NJ Sports Fan]

RU should pull off a few upsets this season but not tonight.

There are better odds that RU loses to NJIT Thurs then them beating MSU tonight.