Joey Downes

[RUonBrain]

We are looking for someone to spell Baker, and someone who can help bring the ball up the court.

What about Joey Downes for a couple of minutes a game?

He is short and a walkon, but he looked good in his 2 minutes of garbage time dribbling out of trouble, maintaining control of the ball, and even getting 2 rebounds.

He doesn’t need to shoot, just handle on ball pressure and look competent (Unlike many walkons, or even players from last years team - Mensah, Bullock).

If Baker gets into foul trouble, I wouldn’t be surprised to see it happen.

Thoughts?

 

[rudad02]

He looked good to me also in his limited time on the court.

 

[Rutgers25]

Obviously extremely limited action, but he looked more comfortable with the ball than McConnell.

 

[RUJMM78]

Right now whoever replaces Baker at point guard puts Rutgers in a position of playing 5 against 4 on the court because of the lack of offense by the replacement.

 

[TheAtlanticFiles]

FLAT OUT... NOOOOO. He should never see any sort of meaningful minutes in a Rutgers Basketball game. You are complimenting him on his dribbling ability in a 30 point game with 2 minutes left. If this guy ever sees the court in a meaningful game we are screwed. Sorry to be blunt.

 

[BellyFullOfWhiteDogCrap]

It's that time of the year!. Time for Rivals posters to look to the end of the bench for walk-on saviors. Please stop.

 

[kcg88]

It's that time of the year!. Time for Rivals posters to look to the end of the bench for walk-on saviors. Please stop.

Yup, we went through this with Dadika last year. He got eaten alive defensively when he had to play real minutes. Love his (and Downes) contributions to the program but walk-ons are generally walk-ons for a reason.

 

[MV9000]

Its not going to happy nor should it.

Like a previous poster said dribbling around confidently with 2 minutes left and nearly a 30 point lead.

Its going to be McConell. In OOC we need these guys on the court as often as possible while maintaining a W to get them in rhythm and adjusted. This would be a huge waste.

 

[goru7]

We are looking for someone to spell Baker, and someone who can help bring the ball up the court.

What about Joey Downes for a couple of minutes a game?

He is short and a walkon, but he looked good in his 2 minutes of garbage time dribbling out of trouble, maintaining control of the ball, and even getting 2 rebounds.

He doesn’t need to shoot, just handle on ball pressure and look competent (Unlike many walkons, or even players from last years team - Mensah, Bullock).

If Baker gets into foul trouble, I wouldn’t be surprised to see it happen.

Thoughts?

He is a walk on for a reason. Although he got 2 rebounds and dribbled around trouble it was against Eastern Michigan and maybe their backups. It will or should not happen in conference. Coach had no choice to play Jake last year because of the whiff on Souf. I like Joey and I think he can hit a jumper or a three but let him do it when we are up 30. Caleb and the rest of the guys will have to help bringing the ball up and then just throw the ball to Myles and we will break any press and hopefully get layups or open threes.

 

[BellyFullOfWhiteDogCrap]

McConnell is going to be just fine. He's a true freshman playing in his 4th game. Relax. If you can't see his potential, I don't know what to tell you.
Can't wait for the Luke Nathan thread.

 

[littlenis5]

Carino tweeted at 11pm last night that McConnell hadn’t left the RAC yet and wouldn’t until he got 1000 shots up. Kid is a worker who is probably a bit behind due to injury over the summer. He’ll catch up

 

[BellyFullOfWhiteDogCrap]

I would like to see McConnell get into the offensive flow a little more before he launches from deep. Coming off the bench and immediately shooting is very difficult. Mathis does the same thing. Shooting is all about feel and rhythm. It takes a few touches/possessions to get that.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

I think this is a valid question. If there is a need who is the 3rd string PG.

Eugene?
Kiss?
Harper?
Issa?
Joey?

 

[kcg88]

I think this is a valid question. If there is a need who is the 3rd string PG.

Eugene?
Kiss?
Harper?
Issa?
Joey?

3rd string: Jacob Young with sunglasses and a mustache.

4th string: Paul Mulcahy wearing Joey Downes' jersey.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

5th string Brandon Knight

 

[RUonBrain]

I think this is a valid question. If there is a need who is the 3rd string PG.

Eugene?
Kiss?
Harper?
Issa?
Joey?

Exactly what I was getting at.
Thank you GRFIG

There will be times when we need a 3rd PG.
(Foul trouble, injury, sickness)

Dadika did a great job last year buying a few minutes (not talking about 10 minutes a game, or even 5 on most nights).

And for the wise guy waiting to see a Luke Nathan thread.
We don’t need more bigs.
We need more ball handlers.

Downes looked like he has a competent handle
That makes me feel a little better than the usual poor play you expect to see from walkons, especially this year when we are thin at the position.

 

[Rutgers25]

Poor Luke...we have so much big man depth that he can’t even get in during blowouts...

 

[knights1212]

I believe the plan for Luke is to red shirt him this year. He could improve and eventually have a role for us going forward. He might not play at all this season.

 

[dkostus]

I believe the plan for Luke is to red shirt him this year. He could improve and eventually have a role for us going forward. He might not play at all this season.

If I were him, this would be a no-brainer. 5 years in school playing D1 ball, and with his frame he could be physically able to help in a few years as long as he puts the time in with the weight room. Sounds like a great way to spend your early 20s. God I miss college...

 

[Unionst]

Downes looked quick as well.

 

[RutgersMO]

5th string Brandon Knight

6th String: Pike!!!

MO

 

[higgins3]

It is still very early in the season. I thought I would see more out of CM, but I want to believe it is just an adjustment and Pikiell asking him to do more than he did in HS.

CM best friend died in a car accident three weeks before the season started. Four people were in the car, and all of them died. I happen to be on anti-social media and saw this.

 

[dkostus]

It is still very early in the season. I thought I would see more out of CM, but I want to believe it is just an adjustment and Pikiell asking him to do more than he did in HS.

CM best friend died in a car accident three weeks before the season started. Four people were in the car, and all of them died. I happen to be on anti-social media and saw this.

That makes all of the emotional tweets make a lot more sense. I thought it was just adjusting to college. Damn... that's horribly sad.

 

[higgins3]

That makes all of the emotional tweets make a lot more sense. I thought it was just adjusting to college. Damn... that's horribly sad.

Horrible. I spoke to him on campus as well. Very nice kid from a good family.

I am pulling for CM.

 

[PiscatawayMike]

3rd string: Jacob Young with sunglasses and a mustache.

4th string: Paul Mulcahy wearing Joey Downes' jersey.

[roll]

Sounds good, as long as this guy isn't the coach...

 

[BellyFullOfWhiteDogCrap]

I think this is a valid question. If there is a need who is the 3rd string PG.

Eugene?
Kiss?
Harper?
Issa?
Joey?

Then your backcourt is any combination of Kiss/Mathis/Harper.

 

[Scangg]

It is still very early in the season. I thought I would see more out of CM, but I want to believe it is just an adjustment and Pikiell asking him to do more than he did in HS.

CM best friend died in a car accident three weeks before the season started. Four people were in the car, and all of them died. I happen to be on anti-social media and saw this.

Absolutely terrible. He's also had surgery in the summer. CM isn't as bad as most posters on here think

 

[higgins3]

Absolutely terrible. He's also had surgery in the summer. CM isn't as bad as most posters on here think

Gosh. My heart dropped when I heard it. Thankfully, adolescents are very resilient.

I hope he will come along as the season progresses. He is not getting a ton of minutes, and it's easy to play really safe and not super confident in those kinds of minutes.

I don't think Pikiell should play Baker 38-40 minutes. I also was a soccer player. Lungs are big. Still, Baker needs a breath, and his legs could use a 5-6 minute rest. Myles Mack tore his achilles overseas and it's an overuse injury.

Give Downes or McConnell a little play.

 

[OntheBanks]

Just wondering. Why do you bring in a walk-on like Downes then red-shirt him his first year. Why red-shirt a walk on?
https://scarletknights.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=7029

 

[kcg88]

Just wondering. Why do you bring in a walk-on like Downes then red-shirt him his first year. Why red-shirt a walk on?
https://scarletknights.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=7029

It's more of a thing of if you don't need him, there's no reason to play him. We had Dadika to get walk on guard minutes so no need. But if they like the way Downes practices then the redshirt gives them an opportunity to be around for an extra year. Or get four years here and then grad transfer somewhere lower and get real playing time if he wants. We're seeing the same thing with Luke Nathan this year.

 

[Local Shill]

Just wondering. Why do you bring in a walk-on like Downes then red-shirt him his first year. Why red-shirt a walk on?
https://scarletknights.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=7029

Kid has a great personality. Some of his answers are hilarious.

 

[OntheBanks]

Kid has a great personality. Some of his answers are hilarious.

A Comedian? Would that make him a stand-up walk on.

 

[anon_0k9zlfz6lz9oy]

We are looking for someone to spell Baker, and someone who can help bring the ball up the court.

What about Joey Downes for a couple of minutes a game?

He is short and a walkon, but he looked good in his 2 minutes of garbage time dribbling out of trouble, maintaining control of the ball, and even getting 2 rebounds.

He doesn’t need to shoot, just handle on ball pressure and look competent (Unlike many walkons, or even players from last years team - Mensah, Bullock).

If Baker gets into foul trouble, I wouldn’t be surprised to see it happen.

Thoughts?

I thought the same exact thing. He looked good with the ball, good handle, scrappy and aggressive on the defensive end. I was pleasantly surprised

 

[ChrisNalwasky]

3rd string: Jacob Young with sunglasses and a mustache.

4th string: Paul Mulcahy wearing Joey Downes' jersey.

https://rutgers.rivals.com/news/one-on-one-with-rhoops-coach-steve-pikiell

 

[richthedentist]

3rd string: Jacob Young with sunglasses and a mustache.

4th string: Paul Mulcahy wearing Joey Downes' jersey.

https://rutgers.rivals.com/news/one-on-one-with-rhoops-coach-steve-pikiell

Caleb will be just fine has looked a little more comfortable with each game. If you notice Pikell is taking Baker out a little before the 12 minute TV time out to give him a little extra rest so we will be fine

 

[zebnatto]

I think it’s foolish to laugh off the possibility out of hand. No one is looking for a savior. We’re looking for a kid who might give us a max of five minutes if need be. Can Downes do that? I don’t know, but I don’t think any of us do.

If either Geo or Caleb gets injured, he’ll get his chance.