Issa Thiam - such improvement!

[kennyschiano]

such improvement this year. less hesitant with the threes and lots of effort on the defensive end.

he is very raw but with some weight gain and experience, he can be a valuable player for this team in the future. not necessarily a superstar but definitely a solid contributor - which every team needs.

 

[ColonelRutgers]

He had a few points yesterday but he has not improved offensively at all. He could be valuable if he speeds up his delivery but the three position has been a major offensive deficiency. I don't care about him putting on weight. I want hin to be a weapon on the perimeter and continue to be active defensively.

 

[hiwater]

such improvement this year. less hesitant with the threes and lots of effort on the defensive end.

he is very raw but with some weight gain and experience, he can be a valuable player for this team in the future. not necessarily a superstar but definitely a solid contributor - which every team needs.

He may become a superstar when he gets stronger/bigger. That little jump hook in the paint that he hit down streatch showed some growth. He was missing those badly earlier in the year every time he took one of those shots. It was open all night for him last night when they were running him over the middle 7 feet from the basket. He was only fed once though. If he hits a couple more of those types of shots, I'm sure the guards will be more willing to dump it into him there. In the past, his handle wasn't good when there was some contact by the defender. If he gets stronger, that will not be an issue.

 

[ScarletLongIsland]

Let's remember that he is only a freshman

 

[RU-Choppin-Ohio]

His defense is pretty damn good....constantly working hard and always in the offensive players face.....rarely is he out of position. He can guard 2's and 3's....maybe some 1's in a pinch.

 

[RUBubba]

Watch his 3 pointer from the corner after Corey kicked it out to him from the baseline.

Corey had his hand up and was heading down the court before the ball went through.

 

[anon_0k9zlfz6lz9oy]

He had a few points yesterday but he has not improved offensively at all. He could be valuable if he speeds up his delivery but the three position has been a major offensive deficiency. I don't care about him putting on weight. I want hin to be a weapon on the perimeter and continue to be active defensively.

disagree. He shot in rythm yesterday and looked confident out there. At one point he was even calling for the ball. From where he was even just 2 months ago, he's improved leaps and bounds. He's a guy I see potential in. I still think Eugene has zero potential.

 

[RUPete]

Obviously he has a way to go, but what I liked last night was that once he experienced some success, you could see him playing with more confidence as the game wore on and that was big for us. Need him to gain strength and confidence in the offseason. I am confident that the staff can help with his shot.

 

[higgins3]

disagree. He shot in rythm yesterday and looked confident out there. At one point he was even calling for the ball. From where he was even just 2 months ago, he's improved leaps and bounds. He's a guy I see potential in. I still think Eugene has zero potential.

Five rebounds in ten minutes. Some really clutch ones.

Pikiell likes kids who rebound, you know?

 

[BillyC80]

First, he defends, and well. Second, he is a threat from behind the arc. Notice how teams get out on him, versus the way they slack off of almost everybody else except maybe Mike and Nigel. You need that to open up the floor. Third, as pointed out above, he's just finishing up his freshman year. Based on the way he defends, he strikes me as a guy who will work hard and get better each year. Glad to have him.

 

[RUBigFrank]

Yes - I think you want him on the perimeter shooting threes - but some of what he has shown last night leads me to believe he can be an offensive force both beyond the arc and in the paint.

Nice article yesterday about the Pete Caril and the Princeton offense - there should only be two shots taken nothing in between - threes from the arc and put layups up close- nothing in between.

 

[RU-Choppin-Ohio]

Five rebounds in ten minutes. Some really clutch ones.

Pikiell likes kids who rebound, you know?

Higgs.....he is blue collar type of worker. Every team needs those guys that will do the dirty work, plays tough and hard. That's how you build a team. You need some role players, unfortunately, some people don't understand that concept.

 

[higgins3]

Higgs.....he is blue collar type of worker. Every team needs those guys that will do the dirty work, plays tough and hard. That's how you build a team. You need some role players, unfortunately, some people don't understand that concept.

Absolutely. Should be a great game tonight. Blue collar- not a bad first class to have.

I almost guarantee a kid like Thiam and Omoyuri get better each year.

They can win tonight. Should be another good one.

"Tonight was great...but we can get more."- Pikiell.

 

[ru-baby]

Good D -great length on D. Awesome that a few went through the hoop but still not a pure 3 shooter in any regard. Is a real asset with that D. When he fills out and can take the ball to the hoop he will be a weapon on O.

 

[rubaseball78]

disagree. He shot in rythm yesterday and looked confident out there. At one point he was even calling for the ball. From where he was even just 2 months ago, he's improved leaps and bounds. He's a guy I see potential in. I still think Eugene has zero potential.

I was going to give you a like until your Eugene comment. No one has zero potential.

 

[AshCatchEm]

disagree. He shot in rythm yesterday and looked confident out there. At one point he was even calling for the ball. From where he was even just 2 months ago, he's improved leaps and bounds. He's a guy I see potential in. I still think Eugene has zero potential.

Zero potential yet he is helping us win games in his own way as a true freshman...Such a joke.

He had the fourth most rebounds on the team last night. Are you shitting me right now? You're the worst man.

 

[RUPete]

Coach loves Eugene's toughness and the fact that he plays hard on D. That's why he plays. He showed scoring potential in the Northwestern game on the road, so I'm not going to say a freshman has zero potential. Think about what that means: zero potential = meaning no contributions, ever. That's a little ridiculous at this point. I noticed that as soon as Freeman fouled out, Eugene came in and grabbed an important rebound off the bench. He doesn't light up the scoring column yet, but he does contribute.

 

[AshCatchEm]

Coach loves Eugene's toughness and the fact that he plays hard on D. That's why he plays. He showed scoring potential in the Northwestern game on the road, so I'm not going to say a freshman has zero potential. Think about what that means: zero potential = meaning no contributions, ever. That's a little ridiculous at this point. I noticed that as soon as Freeman fouled out, Eugene came in and grabbed an important rebound off the bench. He doesn't light up the scoring column yet, but he does contribute.

It must be tough to understand for some that other categories besides scoring contribute to the outcome of a game. Seems like basketball 101 to me.

 

[mikefla]

being asked to contribute IMMEDIATELY as a Freshman in the B10 is hard to do
Coach P has often said several of our players would NOT get much time on other teams

Thiam is gaining confidence...
he plays GREAT D
I expect him to be better next year
and
BLOSSOM by Jr year..........he has ALL the tools to be a star by then !!!!

 

[RUPete]

It must be tough to understand for some that other categories besides scoring contribute to the outcome of a game. Seems like basketball 101 to me.

To play the way we want to play, we need guys like Eugene. Now, we can't have an entire team of glue guys because we obviously need to shoot better, but I think guys like him are always going to have an important role as long as Coach P is here.

 

[higgins3]

To a lot of people that said winning was all about recruiting...Pikiell is laughing.

 

[Degaz-RU]

A few points:

1. I LOVED Thiam's defense last night. Despite being 6-9, he is actually pretty quick, and with those long arms, he is an absolute NIGHTMARE for guy trying to get off a three pointer. I would guess that there wasn't a single shot attempted over him last night.

2. Thiam does need to work on his release, as it is quite deliberate (I've never seen a 6-9 kid get so many shots blocked), but he seems to have adjusted, so he's better at deciding when to shoot and when to move the ball. If he can correct the release issue, he can be a 15 ppg scorer, because that little jump hook in the lane proved that he also can score in other ways.

3. Omoruyi seems better suited as an athletic PF, rather than a wing/SF. But he definitely shows promise, as he is a good rebounder/defender and a terrific passer. I noticed that Pike adjusted the rotation a few weeks ago to make Omoruyi the backup PF to Freeman, and that's when Sa's minutes dropped at PF and Laurent's minutes increased at SF. Hopefully EO can develop a 15 foot jumper, because he does most everything else pretty well (as freshmen go).

 

[HeyHuey]

When Thiam leaves RU he will weigh 100lbs more than he does now.

 

[RU_DIO]

When Thiam leaves RU he will weigh 100lbs more than he does now.

Yes,

So he'll be up to 205 then? :)

 

[rudad02]

Thiam's 3's were big.

 

[RUChoppin]

A few points:

1. I LOVED Thiam's defense last night. Despite being 6-9, he is actually pretty quick, and with those long arms, he is an absolute NIGHTMARE for guy trying to get off a three pointer. I would guess that there wasn't a single shot attempted over him last night.

2. Thiam does need to work on his release, as it is quite deliberate (I've never seen a 6-9 kid get so many shots blocked), but he seems to have adjusted, so he's better at deciding when to shoot and when to move the ball. If he can correct the release issue, he can be a 15 ppg scorer, because that little jump hook in the lane proved that he also can score in other ways.

3. Omoruyi seems better suited as an athletic PF, rather than a wing/SF. But he definitely shows promise, as he is a good rebounder/defender and a terrific passer. I noticed that Pike adjusted the rotation a few weeks ago to make Omoruyi the backup PF to Freeman, and that's when Sa's minutes dropped at PF and Laurent's minutes increased at SF. Hopefully EO can develop a 15 foot jumper, because he does most everything else pretty well (as freshmen go).

Yeah, Omoruyi has seen more minutes at the four lately, and I think it suits him. He's basically as big as Freeman is (listed 6-6, 230 vs. "6-7", 220), and is a lunchpail guy on defense. He passes better than Freeman, but doesn't rebound as well. If he can extend his game out toward the perimeter a bit more as he progresses in Pike's system, he could be a good hybrid 3/4 guy.

 

[RickB113]

To a lot of people that said winning was all about recruiting...Pikiell is laughing.

SLOW DOWN. I could have sworn we finished last and will not make the NCAAs again and we have a great coaching staff. You want to bet whether or not we make it next year? Having a great coach just gives you a chance. We now have a chance. We will only get to the NCAAs with great recruits.

 

[higgins3]

I am sure the staff and nutritionist want to see Thiam at around 225-22

SLOW DOWN. I could have sworn we finished last and will not make the NCAAs again and we have a great coaching staff. You want to bet whether or not we make it next year? Having a great coach just gives you a chance. We now have a chance. We will only get to the NCAAs with great recruits.

My point is, a coach is very important. It is not all just about having great players that come here.

 

[RickB113]

I am sure the staff and nutritionist want to see Thiam at around 225-22


My point is, a coach is very important. It is not all just about having great players that come here.

I somewhat agree. But no matter how good he is he isn't winning until we recruit consistently top 150 guys year in and year out. We I will argue a lesser coach can win by just recruiting great. Look at Willard at Shu. I have never seen him over achieve with a group. In fact he has certainly under achieved with teams there. He finally started recruiting studs and they will be going to the tourney two years in a row. Just an ok coach at best but he has stud recruits.

 

[gigantor1024]

Thiam's 3's were big.

he hit a big 2 pointer at some point I believe last night as well. Think it was a semi hook shot either way confidence builders

 

[hbbsm713]

Coach loves Eugene's toughness and the fact that he plays hard on D. That's why he plays. He showed scoring potential in the Northwestern game on the road, so I'm not going to say a freshman has zero potential. Think about what that means: zero potential = meaning no contributions, ever. That's a little ridiculous at this point. I noticed that as soon as Freeman fouled out, Eugene came in and grabbed an important rebound off the bench. He doesn't light up the scoring column yet, but he does contribute.

The kid just started playing basketball in the 10th grade. I think that's a great sign for his future development. Coach has the chance to mold him into a good, potentially very good player over the next 3 seasons

 

[knight82]

When Thiam leaves RU he will weigh 100lbs more than he does now.

Do they still make those cheese fries at Brower?

 

[bac2therac]

SLOW DOWN. I could have sworn we finished last and will not make the NCAAs again and we have a great coaching staff. You want to bet whether or not we make it next year? Having a great coach just gives you a chance. We now have a chance. We will only get to the NCAAs with great recruits.

fully agree....I see some posters already predicting NCAA next year and I am just rolling my eyes..there is only so much you are going to get out of this team and its losing a key cog in Gettys and so far not bringing in difference makers. Thiam will be a key to improvement and he was solid last night but our fans tend to go overboard on a win or two...we need 10-12 league wins to make the dance next year...need 8 or 9 wins to make the NIT. RU will not sneak up on league teams like they did this year

 

[jtung230]

being asked to contribute IMMEDIATELY as a Freshman in the B10 is hard to do
Coach P has often said several of our players would NOT get much time on other teams

Thiam is gaining confidence...
he plays GREAT D
I expect him to be better next year
and
BLOSSOM by Jr year..........he has ALL the tools to be a star by then !!!!

Has Pike actually say this? also, Thiam is not going to gain 100 lbs. he is a 2/3 and doesn't need 100 lbs. he needs to find a better handle and a higher release.

 

[Night Man]

Here at Rutgers we consider 15-17 (3-15) "winning"

BTW Thiam on fire early!

 

[knight82]

Here at Rutgers we consider 15-17 (3-15) "winning"

BTW Thiam on fire early!

When you were 7-25 last year, um yeah, 15-17 is winning

 

[Night Man]

When you were 7-25 last year, um yeah, 15-17 is winning

No! It's not!

 

[anon_0k9zlfz6lz9oy]

Zero potential yet he is helping us win games in his own way as a true freshman...Such a joke.

He had the fourth most rebounds on the team last night. Are you shitting me right now? You're the worst man.

Plain and simple you dont know basketball. 4th most rebound on the team in a single game and thats his best attribute? LOL. Youre so clueless I actually laugh when I read your posts. Sad.

 

[AshCatchEm]

Plain and simple you dont know basketball. 4th most rebound on the team in a single game and thats his best attribute? LOL. Youre so clueless I actually laugh when I read your posts. Sad.

if you cant see the value in rebounds when our team literally won last night solely because of them, i dont know what to tell you. people can tell who is full of shit in this debate and i dont see many people agreeing with you. stick to football.

 

[Night Man]

I've seen enough guys in this program get significantly less productive over the course of their career that I've been conditioned to ignore any talk of potential