Let's Discuss 2017 Recruiting !

[RU-Choppin-Ohio]

I know Pikiell still has to pull together some players to fill out the 2016 roster. But, the decisions made on 2016 players will impact the number of spots available for 2017.

It would be great if this new staff had at least 3 open spots available when they hit the recruiting trail hard this summer and fall for 2017 players. I'm not sold on the "expect more transfers next year" thing. We will probably only lose Sanders and he could decide on a 3rd year if the team looks like it can be really competitive in 2017 with an outside chance at an NCAA berth.

Four spots are now open. Is it a few 5th year grad transfers, jucos, transfers that sit out a year, leave an open spot ?

 

[ScarletLongIsland]

Well, we are offering 2017's which tells me the staff is planning for a couple of open spots next year. And i agree with that philosophy. Get the twins if you can and fill the final 2 spots with grad transfers so you buy time to really recruit a couple of stud 2017's like Rafus and Gray

 

[knights1212]

Why does this same topic keep coming up? This had a thread just last week.

 

[shields]

We need another one!

 

[Scarlet Shack]

We need everything

 

[RU-Choppin-Ohio]

Why does this same topic keep coming up? This had a thread just last week.

Because I decided to make another one. The last one had minimal comments from a lot of board regulars. I would like to hear from them.

In addition, with Brandin Knight "confirmed" on board it changes the outlook for 2017 recruiting. The positive buzz brings more people to the board to comment and give their opinion. If that's okay with you ? Not to be a Pita, but, I remember 5 threads a day about firing the previous coach and no comment from you about overkill......lol

There's a positive buzz, let's enjoy it and discuss it.

 

[ScarletLongIsland]

Entire staff was at St. Pat's today. Later on, 4 deep at Roselle Catholic as well.

 

[knights1212]

Choppin, I didn't mean to get you all upset. I was just curious as to why the same thing was brought up again about how many scholarships will be available still next year. Trust me I have followed this team since 1971 and I want to see as much positive energy for the program as the next guy. I think our new staff is on top of things and I trust them to make the correct decisions.

 

[RU-Choppin-Ohio]

Choppin, I didn't mean to get you all upset. I was just curious as to why the same thing was brought up again about how many scholarships will be available still next year. Trust me I have followed this team since 1971 and I want to see as much positive energy for the program as the next guy. I think our new staff is on top of things and I trust them to make the correct decisions.

As an old Linden guy who lived within 5 minutes of Aaron Howard, Calvin Duncan, Roosevelt Peoples, Don Franco and the late Daryl Devero and knows them personally, I could never be upset with another guy who loves Linden Basketball.

IMO, Calvin Duncan was the greatest Linden player ever ! Gordon Austin was my 2nd favorite.

EDIT....maybe I have you confused with another poster. Are you the Linden fan?

 

[knights1212]

I most certainly am and have every box score since 1960. I gave Phil Colicchio and the AD all of the stats since that time. If it wasn't for me they would not have any idea who the 1,000 point scorers are. There might even be a few before that time. I know Ted Zawacki is on the list and I would have to check that maybe George Roper made it too. They both played just before 1960 and I got their season stats from microfilm at the Elizabeth library. Bob Baron is the one other guy I must research but with my health issues over the last year and a half I have not been able to do that yet.
Calvin was very good but I don't know if he was the best ever at LHS. Linden has had so many great players. I would hate to choose one. I have seen them all since 1958.

 

[RU-Choppin-Ohio]

I most certainly am and have every box score since 1960. I gave Phil Colicchio and the AD all of the stats since that time. If it wasn't for me they would not have any idea who the 1,000 point scorers are. There might even be a few before that time. I know Ted Zawacki is on the list and I would have to check that maybe George Roper made it too. They both played just before 1960 and I got their season stats from microfilm at the Elizabeth library. Bob Baron is the one other guy I must research but with my health issues over the last year and a half I have not been able to do that yet.
Calvin was very good but I don't know if he was the best ever at LHS. Linden has had so many great players. I would hate to choose one. I have seen them all since 1958.

Calvin was the highest draft pick out of Linden...2nd round to Chicago. I know the Ropers, Lee Roper was a fireman, was good friends with my father. Zawacki was before my time, but, I know the name. How about guys like George Searight, Larry McGee, Al Bakunas Howard Tower and more. I was too young to see some of them.....but, I know a few of them.

 

[knights1212]

They were all good players. I would have to check all of their totals.

 

[rubaseball78]

I certainly don't understand why any of us would be interested in discussing recruiting, whether it be 2016 or 2017 class. Personally, I prefer all of the OT topics that populate our boards. Why would we want to discuss RU bball when there are so many other topics to discuss.

 

[NewJerseyHawk]

I have to say that things are in good hands now and RU still has a ton of work to do....I don't know how we can equate recruiting for 2017, if we look at things based on where the roster may be in a year.....there has to be a sorting out process to really determine can this roster morph into a defensive minded team.....the athleticism is there in some spots, but not in others. This roster was recruited for offense first and defense, while it should have been better, still needs a significant upgrade in footspeed for the frontcourt IMO. I would have liked the opportunity to see what a DJ Foreman could have developed into, but I am not quite sure he would have fit the bill.....A player with the skill set of a Junior Etou, with some defensive principals coached into that type of athlete, can gets stops on the defensive end and putbacks on offense as well.

If that means we chase Sa from San Jacinto JUCO to help change the culture of what this roster wants to look like defensively, then we may need to revisit 2017 recruiting and figure out not necessarily who is the highest ranked player we can land, but what players are the best two-way athletes that can play. I know Bullock is a good start to adding that change because he's team oriented and willing to do other things beyond trying to score, so that is a good first step. That may raise some eyebrows since Bullock may not be ranked high enough for some, but I am convinced it's the only way to essentially build the defensive frame work of a rebuilding program.

The staffs biggest hurdle is can they convince the 3 guards, to get used to playing offense and defense together. I have no doubt that RU can get points in transition with Nigel, Corey and Mike Williams properly as the 3rd guard. Can the 3 guards become in sync defensively and set the tone for the rest of the roster. Getting an eraser like a Sa that has footspeed is pretty much a preferred start, although it will be a difficult get...if it's not exactly Sa, we'll probably see a player with similar skill sets recruited for 2017.

 

[PatrickRU92]

This roster was recruited for offense first and defense....

Hawk not trying to be confrontational or argumentative, but this is the 2nd time I saw you say this and I don't get it.

Who are you talking about on the roster? Sanders aside who we all agree is legit . But after that we have just about zero offense on this team. We have guys that will score points by default and being on the court, but we have a roster fully of players with very little offensive skills, which btw includes FT shooting.

We don't need to convert from offensive to defensive minded. We don't need to be worried about finding specific positions to fill. It's not like we're a big solid 4 away from the NCAAs. Aside from the 1 position (which will likely need more of because it seems obvious that even if he comes back Sanders isn't staying for 4 years) we need everything.

Our offense and defense were equally inept.The big change we need to make is to stop sucking.

 

[rubaseball78]

Hawk not trying to be confrontational or argumentative, but this is the 2nd time I saw you say this and I don't get it.

Who are you talking about on the roster? Sanders aside who we all agree is legit . But after that we have just about zero offense on this team. We have guys that will score points by default and being on the court, but we have a roster fully of players with very little offensive skills, which btw includes FT shooting.

We don't need to convert from offensive to defensive minded. We don't need to be worried about finding specific positions to fill. It's not like we're a big solid 4 away from the NCAAs. Aside from the 1 position (which will likely need more of because it seems obvious that even if he comes back Sanders isn't staying for 4 years) we need everything.

Our offense and defense were equally inept.The big change we need to make is to stop sucking.

If we were recruiting for offense, why can't anyone make a jump shot or layup?

 

[RUJMM78]

Hawk not trying to be confrontational or argumentative, but this is the 2nd time I saw you say this and I don't get it.

Who are you talking about on the roster? Sanders aside who we all agree is legit . But after that we have just about zero offense on this team. We have guys that will score points by default and being on the court, but we have a roster fully of players with very little offensive skills, which btw includes FT shooting.

We don't need to convert from offensive to defensive minded. We don't need to be worried about finding specific positions to fill. It's not like we're a big solid 4 away from the NCAAs. Aside from the 1 position (which will likely need more of because it seems obvious that even if he comes back Sanders isn't staying for 4 years) we need everything.

Our offense and defense were equally inept.The big change we need to make is to stop sucking.

After all the years of futility there still remains a segment of the fan base that say Rutgers has offensive talent but the problem has been the lack of defense.Coach Rice stated prior to his firing that Rutgers would have difficulty winning until the team started scoring around 70 points per game.Long suffering fans are still waiting.

 

[RutgHoops]

I agree with Hawk. Sanders, Nigel and Williams are about what they can do offensively. Getting them to play solid, aggressive, technical, competent defense would go a long way in 2016. Where I slightly disagree is Diallo and Doorson are here for what they can provide defensively at the rim. I think Pikiell is the type of HC who will get a lot out of those two if healthy. Freeman is about putting it in the basket. Laurent may be able to be one of the two way players we need.

HC Pikiell has done everything right thus far. I have gotten excited about next year.

 

[ScarletLongIsland]

Williams gets after it defensively.