Just a good tweet.

[ColonelRutgers]

Colonel this isn't HS anymore where you leave with and your eligibility is instant .

There isn't a better opportunity for him anywhere than here.

Glad you're so confident but you're lost, man. Have you followed college basketball at all in the last 10 years? Pay attention. Hell, some might see sitting out a year as a transfer as a positive not a negative and there are lots of things that go into a player deciding to transfer that are not evident to fans. Like being a parent, for example.

 

[TDIrish27]

The guys that transfer 99 % of the time transfer because they aren't playing enough.

 

[DHajekRC84]

Just remember, every other team gets better beside Rutgers Basketball program.

Guys..THIS is sarcasm....:okay:...a response to the comments about RU not getting better...

our upside to get better is significantly higher than the teams way above who are already there...5-6 close games could mean a 3 game W_L swing next season...

 

[RutgHoops]

Steve Pikiell was hired on March 22nd 2016. Midknight Madness was October 7th 2016.

You don't think this coach given a full year with this team plus a full offseason of S+C and individual workouts isn't going to have this team better next year? Really?

I'll make it easy. $250 or $500 Scarlet R donation (your choice). I'll take the side that Rutgers has a better overall record next season (B1G record would be too easy). Any takers for the other side?

 

[bac2therac]

the non conference schedule will be tougher, the conference record should be between 2-7 wins and the non conference should be between 9-12 depending on how tough they schedule...so thats worst case 11, best case 19...split the difference at 15.

 

[RickB113]

Tough to talk about right now without knowing what the roster looks like. If everyone is back and we just add the two recruits I see us winning 12-13 games. Gettys is a huge loss. He helped us so much in non conference games. Combine that with a more difficult schedule is trouble. I am still hoping the key guys all come back and we find a way to add two impact players.

Say Corey leaves and we can't find another impact guard which is very possible. Mensah becomes our starting PG. we would win 7-8 games in that scenario. Maybe less

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

In the end it is up to the players to get better or stay the same during the 7 month off season. Having a support staff and a plan makes it easier. Most of our team's ability to improve will be based on the 10-12 players dedicating themselves. If they don't we will the same or even go backwards.

2 things that can't be said enough (and good to temper expectations)
1. Our OOC was real, real, real bad this year....save Miami and SHU it was cupcakes of the cupcakes
2. B1G will be SO much better next year. This is a down year. I fully expect next year to be a real strong one.

13-19 is possible next year WITH massive improvement to the team and program. It all depends on what the OOC looks like.

Eliminate non top 150 teams and our real record this year is 2-16. What if our REAL record next year is 7-18, which includes 2 TOP 25 victories? We could conceivable still finish 13-18

 

[chrisru99]

On talk radio specifically channel 84 XM college station I have heard on more than one occasion that the BIG is down this year. It this is true it may mean a worse season next year. We play tough in every game but the bottom line is wins and losses. Coaxh Pike needs to get better players and soon because soon the being in games will not be enough. He has to hit a home run on the trail next year no ifs ands or butts. IMO. As far as the BIG being down lets see how many teams end up in the sweet 16.

 

[higgins3]

Guys, my comment abut the Rutgers Program not getting better was sarcastic. Every day in the past two weeks, people have commented how much better other programs will get, and how we will still be behind.

To be honest, it is the same mentality that keeps our players from winning games. Having a losing mentality. Fans have it here. Does it bother me?No, I don't care. I do not play on the team, nor is my dad on the staff. Just saying.

Our team can be better,too.

 

[ColonelRutgers]

The guys that transfer 99 % of the time transfer because they aren't playing enough.

99% huh?

1. Mike Rosario
2. Dahntay Jones
3. Greg Echenique
4. Junior Etou
5. Eli Carter
6. Jerome Seagears
7. DJ Foreman
8. Steve Watson
9. Todd Billet

Want me to go on?

 

[higgins3]

In the end it is up to the players to get better or stay the same during the 7 month off season. Having a support staff and a plan makes it easier. Most of our team's ability to improve will be based on the 10-12 players dedicating themselves. If they don't we will the same or even go backwards.

2 things that can't be said enough (and good to temper expectations)
1. Our OOC was real, real, real bad this year....save Miami and SHU it was cupcakes of the cupcakes
2. B1G will be SO much better next year. This is a down year. I fully expect next year to be a real strong one.

13-19 is possible next year WITH massive improvement to the team and program. It all depends on what the OOC looks like.

Eliminate non top 150 teams and our real record this year is 2-16. What if our REAL record next year is 7-18, which includes 2 TOP 25 victories? We could conceivable still finish 13-18

Greene, virtually every college program has a cupcake OOC schedule. Remember, not just Rutgers. Look up Duke, everyone.

 

[higgins3]

The idea the Sanders kid even contemplating leaving is silly.

He's an OK college player-----stop.

Was it you that thought Haas was a first round pick? No.

Sanders with a reliable three point shot, more assist, and a solid left and right drive, could potentially make the NBA.

 

[higgins3]

This thread, of course, goes into something else. It is pretty much complete normal at this point, lol.

Besides Knights1212 talking to Pikiell, Baker is not coming here as a true,selfless, distributing point guard.Right now, he is a scoring guard. He barely handles the ball up the court right now. It will not be an immediate position for him to come in here and be ready to play some point next year.

Sanders is a point guard at the next level. When he trust his team mates more, we will see it. Sanders with shooters around him is a 6-8 assist a game type of player. We will see improvement from our players. A lot of you just have the mentality of the last ten years. Mediocrity. This staff is not that.

 

[higgins3]

And of course defense.His level of athleticism, personality is very much what the NBA wants. Because the fan base is different when you get to the NBA. They are not expecting what college fans are expecting. The markets are different.

 

[higgins3]

Good tweet. Nigel has been a solid scorer as of late. I think him and Corey getting another year would be great. Without Gettys though i think we decline A LOT. Need a solid grad center.

Absolutely. I think we will get a grad, juco center. Gettys will be missed, for sure. What a great grad transfer, and even better kid.

 

[Scarlet Shack]

Johnson tweeted he will be back next year 100%. If he stays, there is a good chance Sanders will be here as well.

I like their chances.

GO
RU

This is good news as I really had concerns he might play his 5th year elsewhere...especially went he hit the wall...

 

[higgins3]

How can every team get better?

By that logic, in 20 years, every team in America will he INCREDIBLE because they ALL get better EVERY single year.

In certain leagues, yes, most teams can get worse. If they have the wrong staff, you can see that. We have the right staff, and that is undeniable.

I think we will get better. If we had Jordan as a coach, the team probably gets worse.

 

[higgins3]

Tough to talk about right now without knowing what the roster looks like. If everyone is back and we just add the two recruits I see us winning 12-13 games. Gettys is a huge loss. He helped us so much in non conference games. Combine that with a more difficult schedule is trouble. I am still hoping the key guys all come back and we find a way to add two impact players.

Say Corey leaves and we can't find another impact guard which is very possible. Mensah becomes our starting PG. we would win 7-8 games in that scenario. Maybe less

Johnson is probably the starting pg at that point. I am confident Sanders stays. I would like to get BK's opinion.

 

[MV9000]

Absolutely. I think we will get a grad, juco center. Gettys will be missed, for sure. What a great grad transfer, and even better kid.

Agreed. Although there were wtf moments with him on the court, our team would be WAY worse off without him this year. Also a fantastic ambassador to the school.

 

[higgins3]

Agreed. Although there were wtf moments with him on the court, our team would be WAY worse off without him this year. Also a fantastic ambassador to the school.

Absolutely. I think Pikiell has something in the works right now. Gettys will be remembered for a while here. As he should be.

 

[TDIrish27]

Yes I do and next year he will be----steak dinner bet-----spot of your choice.

 

[bac2therac]

Greene, virtually every college program has a cupcake OOC schedule. Remember, not just Rutgers. Look up Duke, everyone.

RU's non conference SOS was 332 out of 351....Duke's was 91. Rutgers had an incredibly weak schedule. People were saying Hartford was a good team..lmfao. The schedule was so weak that they were not going to be really challenged by most on the schedule. Next year there will be lower level teams but expect more of the teams picked to be near the top of their low rated conferences. Wouldnt be surprised to see Princeton back on the schedule

 

[higgins3]

This whole team will be remembered for a while. Bringing back Rutgers Basketball this year was no easy task.

I am hopeful for what a Baker can contribute, but let's not expect too much. He will need to be taught how to play defense Pikiell's way. And while he is good at several aspects on offense, he is not a lights out shooter or ball handler. Good at both but not lights out. His best attribute appears to be his feel for the game. His defense might be his lowest rated attribute.

He needs to hit the weight room like most freshman and be coached up, which I feel this staff can and will do.

I have spoken to the strength and conditioning coach. Baker has his strength packet right now. He is starting to get to work.

 

[higgins3]

Yes I do and next year he will be----steak dinner bet-----spot of your choice.

Hahaha. I get it,man. You like him as a player. Look at the mock boards, and what he really is. You think he is first round? I will gladly except a bet of starbucks on livi. If I lose, any drink you want. If I had a lot of money, I would bet 500$.

Let's do it,though. Let's save this comment.

 

[higgins3]

RU's non conference SOS was 332 out of 351....Duke's was 91. Rutgers had an incredibly weak schedule. People were saying Hartford was a good team..lmfao. The schedule was so weak that they were not going to be really challenged by most on the schedule. Next year there will be lower level teams but expect more of the teams picked to be near the top of their low rated conferences. Wouldnt be surprised to see Princeton back on the schedule

That's true.

They did it strategically. The BIG wanted to see Rutgers better, so they gave it to them. It was a wise business choice.

 

[bac2therac]

That's true.

They did it strategically. The BIG wanted to see Rutgers better, so they gave it to them. It was a wise business choice.

I agree but to just assume next year is going to be 11-2 again with a stronger schedule is wishful thinking. There will be bigger challenges....RU might win them..and they also may suffer a WTF which they avoided this year vs Hartford but may not be lucky next year.

 

[knights1212]

Next season will be tough unless we get a center who can do as much as Gettys has done for us. I think coach Pikiell will bring in a center to do that for next season. I have faith in all of our coaches. I don't think our OOC schedule will change too much for next season. I am guessing we will have SHU at the RAC plus Fordham and Stony Brook. I am guessing we will get a team like Boston College at the RAC in the Challenge against the ACC. I don't think we will be in the Gavitt games next year as we have played at St. John's (2015) and at Depaul (2016). Only 8 of 14 BIG teams are in these games each season so I would think we will miss it this coming season but I could be wrong. Whenever we are in it again we should get a home game after 2 years in a row on the road.
I seem to think I remember reading that coach didn't want to make the OOC too difficult until he gets his players in place and we are doing better as a team. I am thinking we will have quite a few OOC home games again but the teams could be a little tougher but I think we will have 10 or 11 home games, just my guess. I could see one very good team either home or away.

 

[higgins3]

I agree but to just assume next year is going to be 11-2 again with a stronger schedule is wishful thinking. There will be bigger challenges....RU might win them..and they also may suffer a WTF which they avoided this year vs Hartford but may not be lucky next year.

How is strength of schedule determined?I would think it would be like where a team gets to draft from.

Our schedule next year will not flip from being where it was this year, to top f the pack.

We still have a lot of losses this year. Like Knights1212 said, I do not expect anything dramatically different. It wouldn't make sense.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

kenpom has our OOC at 346 out of 351.

our kenpom OOC
240, 181, 260,323,331,29,324,341,209,266,189

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

How is strength of schedule determined?I would think it would be like where a team gets to draft from.

Our schedule next year will not flip from being where it was this year, to top f the pack.

We still have a lot of losses this year. Like Knights1212 said, I do not expect anything dramatically different. It wouldn't make sense.

That is probably a function of what Hobbs and Pikiell want to do with the remaining 4-5 games we probably dont have scheduled yet.

 

[higgins3]

kenpom has our OOC at 346 out of 351.

our kenpom OOC
240, 181, 260,323,331,29,324,341,209,266,189

I am sure all those teams had records like we had last year. Wins and losses is probably how they give a schedule. We will still see at least 7 games in that range for OOC. It would make sense.

 

[higgins3]

Yes I do and next year he will be----steak dinner bet-----spot of your choice.

I love steak, but I wouldn't want to shrink your wallet that much. Just get ready to show up to livi 20 minutes before a game one night!

 

[rubaseball78]

In the end it is up to the players to get better or stay the same during the 7 month off season. Having a support staff and a plan makes it easier. Most of our team's ability to improve will be based on the 10-12 players dedicating themselves. If they don't we will the same or even go backwards.

2 things that can't be said enough (and good to temper expectations)
1. Our OOC was real, real, real bad this year....save Miami and SHU it was cupcakes of the cupcakes
2. B1G will be SO much better next year. This is a down year. I fully expect next year to be a real strong one.

13-19 is possible next year WITH massive improvement to the team and program. It all depends on what the OOC looks like.

Eliminate non top 150 teams and our real record this year is 2-16. What if our REAL record next year is 7-18, which includes 2 TOP 25 victories? We could conceivable still finish 13-18

Our OOC this year was the correct approach to help Coach implement his system and to start changing the culture. Besides, the previous few years we would have had several WTF losses in the OOC schedule which did not happen this year.

 

[needmorecowbell]

This team has potential to grow substantially together.

With a year of bumps and bruises now out of the way, and the team knowing what's expected of them from the staff...I'm stoked at the proposition of what next season could bring.

When you listen to Pikiell talk about his team's film...it's obvious he values the PG spot a ton. I for one can't wait to see what having a TRUE PG on the floor might do for this offense.

Agree with BK. This team spent most of the season learning how to play for Pikiell. They now get it defensively and will only improve as time goes on. Offensively they struggled for most of the year but will now get a chance to study the offense all off season. On top of that, they add a shooter and a point guard. Both are big needs.

 

[RutgHoops]

Gettys was a 4 and 4 guy and UNC Wilmington. You don't think Pikiell had a ton to do with that kids development?

I'd be shocked if Coach P goes after a grad transfer. Doorson (even understanding his limited ability to work this off season), Diallo and Sa will be manning the "5" next year.

 

[ColonelRutgers]

Gettys was a 4 and 4 guy and UNC Wilmington. You don't think Pikiell had a ton to do with that kids development?

I'd be shocked if Coach P goes after a grad transfer. Doorson (even understanding his limited ability to work this off season), Diallo and Sa will be manning the "5" next year.

I doubt Coach is comfortable with only those three up front. If he's got an extra ship (which he will) I'd be shocked if he didn't go big for a grad transfer or juco 6-9 PF/C type. Sa has been MIA and Diallo has been getting no time. Neither Diallo or Doorson have proven they can stay on the floor without picking up fouls in bunches. Need help there.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

7 foot graduate transfers that are servicable are not easy to get. We got VERY lucky with Gettys. Assuming Pikiell can find another is silly. It comes down to luck if there any of these types in the market and another team looking for one.

Past 10 years 5th year graduate transfers...
Gettys
Grier
Moore
Lumpkins
Russell

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

...and over the past 12 senior days (including this weekend) we have seen 12 seniors start and finish their careers here.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

2006 none
2007 hill webb
2008 joynes
2009 garmer inman griffin
2010 Hamady
2011 Coburn
2012 none
2013 Miller
2014 mack jack kone
2015 none
2016 lewis
2017 none

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

2013 a johnson and miller

14 in 12 years