I was going to point out that while I certainly wanted him back (but not in his PG role) half the forum was hating on him end of last year.. (he certainly deserved some critic). However his off ball effort and leadership would certainly have helped.
I don’t really agree with this. During the (rather brief) stretch before Mag got hurt when he was playing very well and the team was hot we were playing like a top 15 team. But that’s not what I’m talking about. I’m talking about the performance averaged across the entire year including the injuries. All of the following needed to happen:
Seems like a trick question. With no other info I’d prefer the best possible player at any position at all times, but I have no idea how realistic it was to upgrade those positions in the portal.
So we are paying players millions of dollars to win one NCAA game?? That’s success to you? What a complete waste of $$$
I will never donate to NIL. Period. Paying players to be unsuccessful makes zero sense. I was born at RU. I went to church my entire life on campus. I got my degree from RU. my blood is as Scarlet as anyone else’s. I will never “donate” money to a cause that makes zero sense. It makes ZERO SENSE to pay players to be unsuccessful. IF we were to win the NCAA tournament next year, then I guess the system works. But it’s not happening for RU next year and likely never will.
except that fans don’t get to choose who they are buying and Pike will spend on ‘best available’ who will agree to come.
How did you graduate from Rutgers with such illogical thinking? That's embarrassing. It takes NIL to win games. But you won't donate to NIL ever because you don't want to contribute if we are losing games. If we are winning games (and we don't need your donation) then you will consider contributing. ???????????????
I think he’s saying that if NIL gets us at best a tourney bid every once in while for a first round win or maybe two, what’s the point ? Is it worth it ?
I wonder if Pike kind of knew this year would be down…they recruited JWill with the last scholly last summer (instead of giving it to an eligible guy), he was supposed to be ineligible this year being a 2 time transfer (not to mention the gambling or the Achilles) they weren’t even expecting him to play until 24-25
I didn’t realize that outcome was written in stone.
If you think Pike is an idiot who will waste your NIL money then sure. I don’t believe that but I could see it as a reason not to donate.
Once he found out Paul and Cam were leaving I’m sure he knew there would be trouble this year. There were worlds where we were okay but nothing really went his way.
Iirc the Board last summer (including me) generally expected Noah>Paul and GG to be a ~10 ppg scorer, not replacing Cam, but filling a decent gap. We all also expected Cliff to be at least 2nd team All B1G, and Mag to be ready physically and mentally for the B1G campaign. We know how all that didn't materialize unfortunately.
Not an idiot, but I do think he’ll have to overspend just to get any new starters at all, nevermind legit ones. The Ivy names being mentioned are clearly not P5 starter talents.
Normally I would agree that so many people leaving is a red flag, but it seems like that is happening everywhere now so I’m not so sure.
I would honestly be happy to have Simpson as a bench player; he does a lot of things well and I think he could be an okay piece when not asked to do so much offensively.
Yes I’d be fine with Simpson as a limited time defensive role player, and I’d happily change my moniker for him from DSelfish to DStopper. Fine with me. But instead he clearly sees himself as a star player worthy of 10+ isolation shots a game and that mentality sunk us in many games.
I don’t think it’s super clear. It’s possible you’re right. But I think it’s also possible he felt compelled to play that way because of the general futility of our offense this past season. I guess we’ll see what happens at his next stop.
Was clear to me. Almost always took shots early in the clock and other players never bothered to cut to the hoop or pop out for a pass once he started his drives.
The real red flag would be having to ask Simpson to come back.
You are all over the place with this post. Take a breath. Didn’t Pike convince Dylan, all of the Harper family, Ace etc etc??
Another player that has a bad , overbearing father ugh.
Unfortunately, I have more confidence in Ace and Harper bringing in upgraded talent from the portal than I do the coaching staff. Hopefully, they are still “recruiting”.
Disagree with this sentiment, Gavin needs to fix HIMSELF, and he's lacking in a multitude of areas. Many including KnOwledge (who is said to be a family member) are critical that they didn't run enough plays to get him shots, so essentially they should have risked games and ultimately the season to develop one player. A ridiculous idea for a guy that had plenty of opportunities and struggled, and don't know how that would've fixed his problems on D or the FT line? The father's criticism of Pike and his handling of GG shows a very selfish side of the Griffiths family, his progress should have been prioritized this year and next, even if at the expense of the team. Others have said he had an attitude and didn't appear to be a team player at games, seems like he wasn't a good fit and his departure is best for all. I look forward to what school will make him the priority over the team as per the family's wishes
FWIW I've read Martini is a good rebounder and blocks out on every shot
Partly true but it’s also true we didn’t have any semblance of team offense to get him any clean looks, or Hyatt or Oskar. There isn’t a shooter anywhere in the country who would have excelled with the guard play we had last season. Not one.
Eh I love Caleb and Paul but I don’t see it that Cam succeeded because of them on our roster. The guard play didn’t help but what your saying is a major stretch. Plenty of shooters would’ve done just fine individually on our team.
Disagree. Did the guys I mention have just one wide open jumper all year ? Asked another way, did DSelfish, JaChucker or JWill drive, draw defenders and pass to an open player for a jumper ? The answer is: never.
Foul line fail, sure. Should have been 70+. I put most of the live action struggles on the guard play though. Think back as I said how often did Hyatt drive this year because the guards couldnt pass him open. there was nothing else for him. GG took 25 footers because that’s how far away he needed to be to get space. There’s no way around it. The guards didn’t distribute for better looks and played hero ball instead, or tried to.
Or, the guards couldn't distribute anywhere because the off ball movement was awful. Gavin basically stood still half the year. It was a combination of many things and blame belongs everywhere.
