One thing we definitely need is more shooting. These teams that are left in the tourney are hitting 45 percent of their field goals, win or lose.
I’m in the minority here…but I would prefer to keep this group INTACT
- Thread starter Scarlet Shack
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Agreed defense is a key in December but those teams you highlighted avg 72,78,78 points game. So have the guys to play match defense but they don’t have enough on the offensive end.
Maintain our identity of defense but upgrade talent amd athletes to score more.
I generally agree with you. My tweaks would be this…
#1. Like you said definitely add an experienced guard to the mix. I’ll add that he must be one that can dribble drive penetrate and finish or dish.
#2. If Paul comes back it’s in this different role that kinda overlaps with Hyatt. I’m cool with 1 coming back but probably not enough space in minutes or emotionally for both.
#3 In summary I’m cool with bringing back our core 5 + 1 Pg transfer + wolf/Chol + 3 freshmen + the wild card is do we need someone likely ahead of Wolf at the 4/5 for this upcoming year?
We need 8 guys we can count on. This year we never had more than 6 at the same time. (Derek didn’t truly emerge until well after Mag was out).
The Rutgers offense this season had woeful stats .Bringing back the players that got most of the minutes isn't the answer. Rutgers needs players that can create and make shots off the dribble.They also need a half court offense similar to what has been shown by teams winning NCAA games.That means passing and player movement that results in layups and wide open jump shots.
Yes also a program mentality shift needs to occur. With the current roster the guys are using up way too much energy on the defensive end so they end up resting and standing around on offense. So our offense bogs down and player movement grinds to a halt.
I want to be fair so::
Pike realized this year he doesn’t have the horses on the offensive end so he has them play that hard on defense.(although this has been is style for a while now)
Pike has a style and he is sticking to it no matter what it costs us on the offensive end. (Defensive coach and going to live or die on that end)
Pike realizes with new talent coming in he can still be agressive on Defense but has to play more guys(depth), keep people fresh, and have more movement to be successful on the offensive side. *
*when we play faster and score more we will give up more points. More possessions for our opponents means they will put up more points. That’s ok !!
So bizarre that Hyatt went into the toilet right after the win @Wisconsin. Down 1 with under 2 minutes, Hyatt secured a monstrous defensive rebound where his guy had inside position. Next possession, game winning put back dunk off the Simpson miss. The high point of his season IMO. From there....wtf happened?
LOL, Mag has always been one of the fastest players on the team. Why do you think the guy playing the 4 is the top of the press.
Unfortunately you must be happy with 60-65 pts a game if you think it change just for the sake of change.
Paul even said during a postgame interview that they were trying to play much faster as a team. Now why would he bring that up? Because that’s the style needed to be competitive.
And having incoming freshmen isn’t change unless they are all playing 25-30 mpg. The roster needs to be retooled. I definitely enjoyed watching this team but there is no hiding the elephant in the room. They need need to play faster and add more bench depth. You don’t get there without shedding at least 3-4 players from this roster.
I hope the guys in our rotation can all return. I think Reiber will be back as he will be a senior and he came to RU because his grandfather graduated from RU. I think he wants his RU degree. He might only be a 10th man or such but I think he returns. I also think Chol may be a surprise. He was a red shirt but he can really shoot the ball from deep. I have attended 23 practices this season and I don't say he will be a big time star but I believe if he has picked up on defense and is working hard in the weight room that he just might be a contributor next season and surprise many of you. You can not ignore 6'10".
I hope they all come back too. We need players and not know if all / know nothing fans. I come here looking for good news and am happy to see posts like Shacks but some of our fans are kind of idiots. They are not pathetic though. I won’t say that.
This team was really fun to watch for most of the year. We had that slide and started to turn it back on in the tournament as 2 Freahmen upped their games. The rotation and the roles carved out between the injuries was really special. Come back boys. Smash your phones with hammers and ignore this cesspool and all of the others.
This team was really fun to watch for most of the year. We had that slide and started to turn it back on in the tournament as 2 Freahmen upped their games. The rotation and the roles carved out between the injuries was really special. Come back boys. Smash your phones with hammers and ignore this cesspool and all of the others.
Blowing up this team is a good thing. Let the dead weight transfer, the nice guys graduate and we bring in a nice freshman class and now can offer solid minutes to portal guys with a stable program to offer. I am very confident we can replace Paul with someone more stable in the portal, same with Andre.
Team needs a guard that can get to the rim and be aggressive.
Simpson has potential for that.
If Paul returns, you’re getting more Paul for the sake of loyalty and less Simpson.
Simpson has potential for that.
If Paul returns, you’re getting more Paul for the sake of loyalty and less Simpson.
Agreed, but is Mag really available in 23-24? If we stay similar to this year and he is not ready, we look as dysfunctional as this February come December.
Not sure how long it takes for Mag to come back
An elite 8 team? Let’s not get carried away.
With a few portal upgrades at guard and a 4/5, + Gavin, we can push to a first weekend team again.
I keep seeing this and it's a small sample size of a handful of games. If we look at the entire body of work for the entire season, why does it make sense to shed Hyatt, when Mulcahy's play was significantly worse over the entire season??
Hyatts stats actually improved from his 2021-22 to 2022-2023 in almost every category.
Mulcahy's stats worsened from 2021-22 to 2022-2023 in almost every category.
This notion of "look at the reduction in Hyatts minutes, could or easily should have been "we should have reduced Paul's minutes, more". The notion is not supported by any real measure whatsoever.
Mulcahy dropped off in most categories from junior to senior year.....Hyatt improved in most categories from junior to senior year.
Mulcahy played 32MPG in BOTH of the last 2 seasons, so we can't say "he played less minutes ".
Mulcahy 2021-22 to 2022-2023
32 MPG to 32 MPG
43.8 FG% to 41.6 FG %
3PT % 34.7 to 37.0%
FT% 77.6 to 72.5%
RPG 4.1 to 3.6
APG 4.9 to 5.3
PPG 9.0 to 8.3
Hyatt 2021-22 to 2022-2023
12 MPG to 23 MPG
35.3 FG% to 37.4 FG %
3PT % 27.1 to 30.6 %
FT% 63.4 to 69.6%
PPG 4.3 to 8.8
The slight increase of Mulcahy's 3 PT shooting is on half as many 3 point attempts taken vs Hyatt.......He only took 54 3s in all of those minutes played. Yes he had 5 APG, but it's literally impossible to figure that you're going to get more shooting/scoring from Mulcahy, he's just not wired to score.....and if you reduce his minutes, his scoring is going to go down even more, along with his assists per game. You can certainly get around 6 PPG from another guard, playing 20 or so minutes. Yes, you would be losing valuable experience, but it's not like I get 3s, defense or anything specific, off the bench, if he stays.
On the flip side, even with "somehow terrible Hyatt, LOL", I can at least point to the staff finding a role last year and show stats that increased from Year 1 at RU in a limited role, to Year 2 in an expanded role.
There is no support, based on numbers that show a clear difference (other than blind faith or lying to yourself), that Mulcahy jumps in production, but I can clearly point to more production in the same amount or slightly more Hyatt minutes, with Caleb graduating and Mag healing up.
Once you factor in that someone else via the portal has to replace his almost 150 attempted 3s (45-147 from 3), there's a safe bet that Hyatt duplicates or improves, vs not, even if he's still around 24MPG.....
The guard play (whether Simpson, or portal PG/CG), is the largest likely jump in production, in replacing a starter (Mulcahy). The other obvious jump in production, should be Gavin shooting/scoring vs Calebs offense, but I can assume the dropoff in defense, will be a wash (better offense with Gavin vs losing a 1st team all B1G defender in Caleb).
When we were fully healthy we were a top 10 team on kenpom and Bart.
Now sample size was small and I don’t know how sustainable it was with no bench, but we were trending to a 4-5 seed which included our early season losses with the injuries.
SD state, FAU or Tennessee were not better than us. Our equal???
NJH,
Your numbers don’t include his defense and the fact it was so bad Pike moved Oskar ahead of him.
You also aren’t including his rebound numbers which went down on both glasses. This despite playing more minutes at the 4 compared to the 3.
Your numbers don’t include his defense and the fact it was so bad Pike moved Oskar ahead of him.
You also aren’t including his rebound numbers which went down on both glasses. This despite playing more minutes at the 4 compared to the 3.
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Paul was hurt basically the entire season. Literally everyone knows he was hurt
But if he wants to come back and from mid season on he winds up being 7th ur not OK with that? I am
I'm torn on Paul. He was obviously hurt. He will be healthy next year with more offensive talent around him with Gavin instead of Caleb. He brings a ton of experience and leadership.
At the same time, I want this team to get more athletic and play quicker
If Paul leaves and we land a stud replacement guard in the portal, we will be fine. If we land a bust it's going to hurt and we will all be missing Paul
Is Davis ready to play some minutes as a freshman. He brings speed quickness and athleticism. He can get to the lane and finish in creative ways as well as pull up in the mid range. Skill sets the team needs but he'd a true freshman so banking on him first year is risky
At the same time, I want this team to get more athletic and play quicker
If Paul leaves and we land a stud replacement guard in the portal, we will be fine. If we land a bust it's going to hurt and we will all be missing Paul
Is Davis ready to play some minutes as a freshman. He brings speed quickness and athleticism. He can get to the lane and finish in creative ways as well as pull up in the mid range. Skill sets the team needs but he'd a true freshman so banking on him first year is risky
Greenberg & others were calling us a Second Weekend team the first part of the season.
So Healthy with most returning, adding Gavin, an improved Simpson, some other new recruits, why couldn’t we be on track for an elite 8?
Obviously there are a lot of factors that develop through the course of the season, but we should be even better than we were this year pre-Mag’s injury
So Healthy with most returning, adding Gavin, an improved Simpson, some other new recruits, why couldn’t we be on track for an elite 8?
Obviously there are a lot of factors that develop through the course of the season, but we should be even better than we were this year pre-Mag’s injury
Exactlyyy. He has never been a good 3 point shooter in college. He was in HS but it never happened. Do people really think we can't find a 28% 3 point shooter in the portal who misses layups and gets lost on D? We should be able to find an upgrade if he leaves
I'm not sold that Hyatt is a better option than Ndongo. Ndongo could probably shoot a similar percentage minimum. Way more athletic. Better shot blocker for sure. Probably better rebounder with his athleticism and wingspan
Wouldn’t Davis come in and back up Simpson if Paul leaves? So DS starts gets to the rim, pull ups from the foul line and runs the offense like the last 3 games? Davis them slots in as our back up .
Warning…..don’t look at Simpson’s stats for the year.
Also if we are going to take a players best 4 or 5 games then Paul is the best player on the team.
Also if we are going to take a players best 4 or 5 games then Paul is the best player on the team.
Mulcahy is the better shooter and is also much more versatile being able to dribble and pass. If we only get one of them back we would be better with Mulcahy, even if he moves away from guard and is a sixth man type. Mulcahy might even be a better 4 than Hyatt, a little lighter but a hair taller, i bet his rebounds go up being down low. If Simpson does not improve on his shotting percentages and Davis is not ready we could be in trouble losing both Paul and Caleb as ball handlers. I am assuming if Paul comes back he is healthy and refreshed. If I was advising Mulcahy I would say get a good NIL deal to stay in college or move on to your chosen career, whether it is Europe, coaching or Wall St.
Numbers dont matter when Hyatt is just a scorer and rebounder. He is definition of role player and he couldn't get that right
His defense and decision far worse than Mulcahy. Paul's best is still better than Hyatts..and Paul certainly has hos faults
Can you tell me why a guy went from zero playing time to getting picked in the rotation over a guy that scored 24 points vs Nebraska. Remember just 6 and 9 minutes in the Big 10 tourney
I know my answer
He was a freshman who only played on the ball in his true position for 3 games and he got better in each of those games.
Paul has never been the best player on the team.
We're a little too slow and need more shooters, but I appreciate your point. Cliff also needs to improve. I am not sure Paul, as much as I like him, is an Elite 8 sort of PG.
Any team is better off with a guy like Paul - if he is healthy.
No one is more competitive than Paul, and no one will sacrifice more than Paul to win.
Paul became a regular starter because he was the guy sacrificing his body to get any loose ball. His teammates notice how big his heart is and they do not want to embarrass themselves by giving a mediocre effort. Intensity is a key to winning, and Paul brings that in spades.
Intangibles play a big part in sports, and Paul has all those.
He is also unselfish (perhaps too unselfish), and his teammates recognize that as something they should emulate.
Paul has trouble reigning in his competitiveness, but that is a small price to pay for the leadership role he plays for his teammates.
I would love to have a quicker point guard with a better shooting touch, but that person has to be able to replace Paul's leadership - and that is hard to do.
Everyone who has coached or played on winning teams in any sport knows that most winning teams have that one person who may not have all the star attributes, but who brings it all as soon as the game starts. Paul is one of those.
We were not seeing that effort during the closing days of the season, which tells me Paul was playing hurt. I only hope that the issue, or issues, is one that can be resolved and is not chronic.
No one is more competitive than Paul, and no one will sacrifice more than Paul to win.
Paul became a regular starter because he was the guy sacrificing his body to get any loose ball. His teammates notice how big his heart is and they do not want to embarrass themselves by giving a mediocre effort. Intensity is a key to winning, and Paul brings that in spades.
Intangibles play a big part in sports, and Paul has all those.
He is also unselfish (perhaps too unselfish), and his teammates recognize that as something they should emulate.
Paul has trouble reigning in his competitiveness, but that is a small price to pay for the leadership role he plays for his teammates.
I would love to have a quicker point guard with a better shooting touch, but that person has to be able to replace Paul's leadership - and that is hard to do.
Everyone who has coached or played on winning teams in any sport knows that most winning teams have that one person who may not have all the star attributes, but who brings it all as soon as the game starts. Paul is one of those.
We were not seeing that effort during the closing days of the season, which tells me Paul was playing hurt. I only hope that the issue, or issues, is one that can be resolved and is not chronic.
NJH,
Your numbers don’t include his defense and the fact it was so bad Pike moved Oskar ahead of him.
You also aren’t including his rebound numbers which went down on both glasses. This despite playing more minutes at the 4 compared to the 3.
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Again, you are blinded by comparing someone who plays TEN more minutes per game vs another player and is not a good defensive player either.
The impact of someone at 22 to 24 minutes per game is far more critical than running it back with the same 32 to 34MPG guard, who scores 8PPG??
I can at least be realistic and say Hyatt has a role, off the bench and he could be the corner 3 shooter. At the same time, at ten less minutes per game, I have 45 3s made to just 20.
Even in a BEST case scenario of moving Mulcahy off the ball, someone not named Cam Spencer and Gavin Griffiths, have to take 3s on this roster.
If you are telling me that off the ball, Mulcahy is going to take 150 3s, then I'm all in. He doesn't have the quick release, needs to be spotted up to find space.
Mulcahy is the lowest scoring guard in the B1G, for a starter by a minimum if 2PPG from the next to last starting guard. A starting guard at 32MPG, needs to be near 12 to 13PPG, not 8PPG.
Again, you aren't answering the question.....don't give me Hyatt was having his minutes reduced, when Paul played non-stop, with no improvements, no increase in production and took a complete and utter meltdown after 4 to 5 straight non production games at PSU, to finally be taken off the ball.
You must be blind to hang your hat on that as your answer. It is FAR more likely that the solution was playing Simpson more and Mulcahy less, than playing Oskar more and Hyatt less???
Again, 32 to 34MPG and the lowest production by ANY starting guard in the B1G.....what is your answer to this??
At least, Hyatt warts and all, takes 3s and puts the ball in the basket once in awhile. He outscored Mulcahy in 10 less minutes per game, on a team that lacks offense. You act as if Mulcahy is Caleb on defense....really??
A different sport but Paul is like an Alex Smith. He does a lot right, he’s smart, and he wins a lot. But, the style of play is somewhat limited with him. I have no idea if turning the team over to Derek for a whole season will be better but at some point you need to take the chance because we know what we have now and it isn’t enough.
Let’s not compare Hyatt and Mulcahy. Oskar moved ahead of Aundre.
The debate is Paul and his flaws and whether a team can win with a player like him. How much of his poor play was because of his injury?
I value a player who will get the ball to others in good spots. If we have a team with more firepower we can certainly be OK with a guy who scores 7 PPG and only takes wide open 3s.
I can’t answer what happened to Paul in the 2nd half. Not many were questioning Paul as our PG in the 1st half of the year.
The debate is Paul and his flaws and whether a team can win with a player like him. How much of his poor play was because of his injury?
I value a player who will get the ball to others in good spots. If we have a team with more firepower we can certainly be OK with a guy who scores 7 PPG and only takes wide open 3s.
I can’t answer what happened to Paul in the 2nd half. Not many were questioning Paul as our PG in the 1st half of the year.
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