Mathis

[BOCA93]

Becoming more and more apparent that the early criticism of him was off base. Really like the way this kid plays, especially his aggressiveness on D. Gaining confidence each game and not trying to do more than is asked of him. I think Pike trusts him more too - 20 mins last night.

 

[RUChoppin]

If he keeps playing D like that, he'll definitely earn more minutes. Really seems to be settling down and getting more comfortable. Great to see his early progression.

 

[soundcrib]

Mostly because he has a “scowl”. :joy:

 

[MV9000]

3/4th of the board overreacts.

Talking transfer on kids like McConell, Carter and a ton of other non-sense.

Love Mathis game, like a pitbull on D.

 

[BOCA93]

Mostly because he has a “scowl”. :joy:

Lol, that reminds me of Tom Savage. That guy was legit pissed every time he stepped onto the court.

 

[anon_0k9zlfz6lz9oy]

Hes really turning into a lockdown defender. Needs to work on getting lost in transition though, and when to/and not to collapse from the wing.

You can see his skills on offense, hes a bull getting to the rim. Just needs to work on finishing. This year will be a year to gain experience. Next year im sure pike and crew will have him ready to bang.

 

[Degaz-RU]

Becoming more and more apparent that the early criticism of him was off base. Really like the way this kid plays, especially his aggressiveness on D. Gaining confidence each game and not trying to do more than is asked of him. I think Pike trusts him more too - 20 mins last night.

I don’t think the early criticism of Mathis was off base. It was well deserved, as he was out of control and out of sync with the rest of the team.

But I think most people felt that this was just the early jitters of a freshman, and people were advocating patience.

But he now seems to be finding his role and getting more comfortable in the offense, and not forcing things too much. As I said in my observation thread, I love the way he is embracing his role as a defensive stopper, and now finding the right times to get aggressive on offense.

Kid is definitely progressing before our eyes. Patience is being rewarded.

 

[bac2therac]

Just takes some time for freshmen to adjust, I think some of our fans get caught up in a new guy coming in and showing all the goods in the first couple of games. He is certainly progressing and learning to relax out there. Another critical period of exams is coming up soon for these players which adds to a new wrinkle to how they adjust to school life, practice and gameday

 

[kcg88]

I like that he doesn't shy away from contact and was much better from the FT line but he needs to finish some of those drives. Still shooting 25%...

 

[anon_0k9zlfz6lz9oy]

I like that he doesn't shy away from contact and was much better from the FT line but he needs to finish some of those drives. Still shooting 25%...

I believe he’ll start finishing at the rim soon enough. It’s one of those things where you start off timid early on and then eventually you go back to your roots and what you know and you go winner takes all mode and rather than shy away from contact you seek it out and finish strong. I like the potential I see. I see flashes. He’ll struggle a little this year but I expect our staff to build off his experience this year to mold him into a smaller version of richard jefferson

 

[toby83]

Next year will be one of few who can take the ball to the rim, draw fouls, shot clock bail out

Will be lot of bad shots and frustration this season but he's not going to back down

 

[RUsojo]

A little extra weight on him and I expect he will finish with ease at the rim. Kid knows how and where he gets his buckets. Very crucial aspect of someone’s game. Guys who don’t understand that and their role in the team really hurt your offensive efficiency and spacing. Think Freeman.

 

[BigEastPhil]

Anyone notice when Mathis shoved Langford late in the game after shooting a free throw. Loved it.

 

[soundcrib]

My man is from Charm City, not New Hampshire.

 

[RU_DIO]

Lol, that reminds me of Tom Savage. That guy was legit pissed every time he stepped onto the court.

Savage was my friends roommate freshman year and my friend was a non athlete.(could you imagine nowadays having basketball players rooming with the general population.) We went to visit my friend and Savage was there. My friend started yelling all kinds of fun nonsense in the hallway while Savage was studying. Savage got pissed and threw a marker at my friend while he quickly retreated. That scowl on a 6'6" man was freaking scary.

 

[RU82]

I think Mathis is already surpassing Harper as the preferred 6th man due to his defensive prowess. The kid has tools and upside. I think he’ll be a serious cog in our wheel sooner rather than later.

 

[willisneverrana43]

3/4th of the board overreacts.

Talking transfer on kids like McConell, Carter . . .

I liked how Carter ripped one out of the hands of an MSU player and then smoothly laid it in.

 

[MV9000]

Me too bud. He will be fine. We will be fine. Next year is the BIG jump. This year we garner more respect

Happy as hell with Caleb too. Looked confident

 

[KevH]

I believe he’ll start finishing at the rim soon enough. It’s one of those things where you start off timid early on and then eventually you go back to your roots and what you know and you go winner takes all mode and rather than shy away from contact you seek it out and finish strong. I like the potential I see. I see flashes. He’ll struggle a little this year but I expect our staff to build off his experience this year to mold him into a smaller version of richard jefferson

Smaller version of Richard Jefferson. I'd take that.

Happy realization I came to last night: All season, I've been watching Mathis and thinking "Man, he looks short. Is he really 6'4"?" Then I looked at the other 4 guys on the floor with him and realized we were 6'6" and above at all the other spots. He was the shortest (or should I say the "least tall") but by no means short. We really do have a lot of length on this squad. Love it!

Geo is 6'4" too but looks taller. Could it be the 4+ inches of hair? lol

 

[80yrdPacheco]

Kid got some dog in him. We need that going forward.

 

[Sir ScarletKnight]

Smaller version of Richard Jefferson. I'd take that.

Happy realization I came to last night: All season, I've been watching Mathis and thinking "Man, he looks short. Is he really 6'4"?" Then I looked at the other 4 guys on the floor with him and realized we were 6'6" and above at all the other spots. He was the shortest (or should I say the "least tall") but by no means short. We really do have a lot of length on this squad. Love it!

Geo is 6'4" too but looks taller. Could it be the 4+ inches of hair? lol

We have one of the tallest teams in the Big Ten.

 

[Scarlet Shack]

He is going to put on 15-20 lbs of muscle like dahthay did and be a terror taking it to the glass

 

[rudad02]

Really tough D. Will also probably score.

 

[Night Man]

I think people were expecting a lot of him and he's had some struggles, but he has a bright future. Some of that is that we're used to seeing freshmen with talent asked to take on major roles, but this year we don't necessarily need him to take 10 shots a game and work out his kinks with high in-game reps

 

[kcg88]

The important thing is that we have the depth to bring him along somewhat slowly. He didn't need to start and be the savior on day one.

 

[Degaz-RU]

We have one of the tallest teams in the Big Ten.

I think we have the 5th tallest team in the entire COUNTRY.

 

[higgins3]

Mathis played great defense for sure.

I wish Rutgers played Purdue in the next couple days. I think Purdue is overrated in the BIG 10.

A great coach can plan for one game changer, but will struggle to plan for two real players on the court. 3 would be a very tough obstacle.

Purdue has Carsen Edwards, and he can be planned for. They have a transfer as well. Still not seeing how Rutgers could not beat them.

 

[RUChow]

I think Mathis is already surpassing Harper as the preferred 6th man due to his defensive prowess. The kid has tools and upside. I think he’ll be a serious cog in our wheel sooner rather than later.

Harper is a much, much, much better all around player.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

Harper is a much, much, much better all around player.

Harper may be a better all around player right now, but I don't think Harper, TODAY, has the ability to change the game like Mathis possibly can.

Mathis has something we haven't seen at Rutgers since Dahntay Jones. Can it translate this year in to us being a better team? Jury is still out.

Mathis is unbelievably emotional (as are many others on this team). I trust Pikiell to channel it.

 

[zebnatto]

RH and MM have such different games. MM’s strengths are lock defense and getting to the rim. RH is longer, sees the floor much better, and looks to have a better shot. MM is more aggressive, needs to cut down on bad shots and turnovers but will get to the line. When he goes to the hoop, though, he doesn’t see the floor, something that was a problem with Corey. RH looks like what I would call a swing forward—has skills,in many areas, hasn’t exhibited great proficiency in any YET. Looking like minutes will be spread situationally.

 

[RUhobbit]

I think it's too early to know too much about RHJ and MM other than they look promising!

I love watching MM play defense. It reminds me of watching the mid-90's Bulls and seeing Scottie Pippen playing doberman back there. His speed and length would suffocate people and force turnovers. He and MJ back there, wow. I got a flash of that watching MM against MSU on Friday.

RHJ just looks like he has that instinct to make plays. Whether that's because of maturity, court vision, watching so much NBA ball with his dad, or just his physical skills he seems to have a knack for being in the right place at the right time and trying to make the right play. Some of these passes he's made have blown me a way for a 18 year old. I've also loved his sneaky great defense.

Love Pike and the kids he's brought in. It's amazing what it's like to have a program that you feel great about!!

 

[RutHut]

Good for Mathis and RU. Seems like the kid is already finding his way and he'll be a positive player for us if not already.

 

[Degaz-RU]

Speaking of Michael Jordan, am I the only one who thinks Mathis looks like MJ from when the latter was a young kid at UNC? Maybe it’s the #23, but MM just physically looks like MJ, plus has a similar athleticism. (No I’m not talking about the talent level)

 

[needmorecowbell]

Mathis is the only guy on th team that can take his guy one on one to the hole at will. Still needs some work finishing but it’s a quality we need. That was the major difference between RU and Michigan St the other night. Both teams had shooters but MSU got to the rim consistently.

 

[4theknights]

The game has slowed down for him and he really stayed within the offense vs MSU. He was a terror on defense. Once he gets his offense squared away, he will be playing major minutes.

 

[RU82]

Harper is a much, much, much better all around player.

Defensively Mathis outshines him considerably. That’s a meaningful thing.

 

[Scarlet Knut]

Like all our young players. Lots of talent and desire.