Growth

[RUich]

I was wondering how our blue chip players would adjust to a much higher level of competition when we started this season. For some reason, I thought the rest of the team with the infusion of transfers would pretty much be solid enough to hold the line. Well, Dylan is a superstar that has definitely become better on D while Ace has had his ups and downs, but still finds points and was a defensive star last night. The important thing is that the rest of the team which has under performed early has also become a lot better. Every player last night had points. If we can continue this growth, I see no reason to think we cannot make noise in the BIG and make the tournament.
I know Pike has taken a lot of crap, and some was probably deserved, but it does look like he is also growing with this team.

 

[gef21]

Ace and Dylan have never had to really play people older than them. That learning curve, plus turning our players into a team was always going to take time.

Players win games and teams win titles. We saw their effort increase last night and that's what we are going to need to make a run.

 

[Rufaninga]

RU fans KNEW there would be growing pains and take time for the team to get & hit their stride. BUT, when we go through the WTF game skids, fans want coaches fired, this or that kid sucks & can't play at this level, we're doomed, etc. we definitely put the fan in fanatics.

We all need to relax, enjoy the bumpy ride & see how far this train can go once it really gets rolling. Definitely, Easier said than done.

 

[mikebal9]

First thing I'm noticing (to my novice, 4th grade rec-coach eyes), is that Ace is becoming a willing rebounder and Dylan is playing very solid on-ball defense. Beyond them, I just think this is what most teams are now with the portal. It's a random collection of guys who are gonna have good days and bad. I feel like we just need 2 or 3 of them to have a solid game on any given night, and it should be enough to be competitive. If they all click at once, then we're going places.

 

[RUSCFORMERLYRULOU]

First thing I'm noticing (to my novice, 4th grade rec-coach eyes), is that Ace is becoming a willing rebounder and Dylan is playing very solid on-ball defense. Beyond them, I just think this is what most teams are now with the portal. It's a random collection of guys who are gonna have good days and bad. I feel like we just need 2 or 3 of them to have a solid game on any given night, and it should be enough to be competitive. If they all click at once, then we're going places.

Dylan gets lost on screens. A lot. His offense more than makes up for it.

 

[Scangg]

Ace and Dylan have never had to really play people older than them. That learning curve, plus turning our players into a team was always going to take time.

Players win games and teams win titles. We saw their effort increase last night and that's what we are going to need to make a run.

You really think Dylan and Ace have never played against people older than them?

 

[RU205]

Dylan gets lost on screens. A lot. His offense more than makes up for it.

Really? I saw the exact opposite. I thought he does a good job either fighting through screens or switching. The good thing about having a PG his size is he can switch and guard almost anyone on the other team.

 

[jakeknight]

Yes it obvious that Dylan and Ace have never played against a steady diet of Big Ten talent that are extremely well coached, nor have they played against the likes of Notre Dame, Alabama, Texas A&M. This is not a criticism its simply pointing out the obvious. The Penn St game is an indicator of their ability and willingness to work and improve. As Coach Schiano says growth is not always linear, they will still have ups and downs. Last night in the first half they played with intensity and effort they executed Pike's game plan, moved the ball and moved without the ball, in the second they played well enough to close out the game, but clearly not as well as the first half level of consistency

 

[gef21]

You really think Dylan and Ace have never played against people older than them?

On a consistent basis in meaningful games no. There will have been very little times that they have played in true competitive games against people 3-5 years older than them.

 

[zappaa]

You really think Dylan and Ace have never played against people older than them?

Not in serious game planned against, full throttle make or break competition… no.

 

[zappaa]

On a consistent basis in meaningful games no. There will have been very little times that they have played in true competitive games against people 3-5 years older than them.

Neither have probably participated in a throw the records out rivalry game Seton Hall will provide either!
The Hall will defend with great intensity and energy,
On to Seton Hall, I trust Pike will have them ready again.
Watch Ace’s interview, Pike has convinced him his job is to compete for every rebound and the scoring will come naturally without thinking.
He said his goal against PSU was rebounding… 15 baby, that’s what it’s all about

 

[Arizona Knight]

Neither have probably participated in a throw the records out rivalry game Seton Hall will provide either!
The Hall will defend with great intensity and energy,
On to Seton Hall, I trust Pike will have them ready again.
Watch Ace’s interview, Pike has convinced him his job is to compete for every rebound and the scoring will come naturally without thinking.
He said his goal against PSU was rebounding… 15 baby, that’s what it’s all about

The change in his mentality was evident. He was a monster on the boards. A 6’10” pogo stick when the ball hit the rim.

 

[Eagleton96]

The change in his mentality was evident. He was a monster on the boards. A 6’10” pogo stick when the ball hit the rim.

I wasn't sure what I was seeing at first, but I also saw Ace boxing out. Who would have thought that Pike would be able to explain to these Freshmen how to play better. Almost like he's "coaching" them or something.

 

[Degaz-RU]

Definitely see growth over the past two weeks:

- Play like dog crap in first half of KSU, then storm back with superb 2nd half, but fall short because of poor late game execution.
- Get in three track meets in Vegas, and in all three of them, late game execution was poor, but we barely beat Notre Dame in OT but lose to Bama and aTm.
- Got destroyed in first road game in Big Ten at OSU
- Last night, build big lead with good offense, good defense, and outstanding rebounding, let PSU chip away the entire second half, yak foul shots, but finally overcome with good late game execution, including a winning play by Ace to grab a defensive rebound, go coast to coast, and score to put us up 4 points.

We played 32 minutes of really good basketball last night, and 8 minutes of rough basketball, except we finally figured out how to win in crunch time. The team is learning how to play in Pike's system, learning how to play with 40 minutes of intensity, learning how to execute in crunch time.

Now we need to build on this and wipe out the next three OOC opponents to go into January with momentum and confidence.

 

[RUJMM78]

The time Bailey and Harper are on the bench resting needs to be closely watched.There were times in the second half where the offense was having a hard time making baskets along with the missed layups.

 

[Scangg]

On a consistent basis in meaningful games no. There will have been very little times that they have played in true competitive games against people 3-5 years older than them.

Of course not but Dylan has been playing against older bigger players his entire life and it shows

 

[goru7]

Of course not but Dylan has been playing against older bigger players his entire life and it shows

Not sure it will matter with Dylan as his size , frame and first step and elite handle would probably be ready to play against NBA guys this year.
Ace’s thin frame and lack of strength will likely be an issue going up against older 4th and 5th year guys that are athletic , not as athletic as he is , but athletic enough to cause him problems. However, if he gets to his spots in rhythm , there is no one can defend or affect his elevated jumper , which is a pro trait. ACE needs some more weight and strength for sure.

 

[lion1983]

The time Bailey and Harper are on the bench resting needs to be closely watched.There were times in the second half where the offense was having a hard time making baskets along with the missed layups.

I do not think Harper and Bailey have both been on the bench at the same time in any game this season (other than the 2 games Bailey missed).

 

[jakeknight]

Bailey’s second bounce is incredibly quick, he may get muscled down low, but he is so quick and moves so well it will be difficult to to “pin” him.

 

[RU848789]

First thing I'm noticing (to my novice, 4th grade rec-coach eyes), is that Ace is becoming a willing rebounder and Dylan is playing very solid on-ball defense. Beyond them, I just think this is what most teams are now with the portal. It's a random collection of guys who are gonna have good days and bad. I feel like we just need 2 or 3 of them to have a solid game on any given night, and it should be enough to be competitive. If they all click at once, then we're going places.

Well said. We've seen some growth and improved intensity at times, but the unanswerable question, at this time, is will we be able to compete with high energy and good teamwork much of the time (100% isn't a realistic expectation, but 75% probably is) throughout the season, including on the road. If we could bottle last night's first half, we'd win 15+ B1G games, whereas if the 2nd half team showed up consistently (or worse, like at OSU), we might win 7-8. I don't know what to expect other than it's going to be a fun, likely frustrating at times ride, like it's been so far.