Might have to revise my season prediction

[Degaz-RU]

We just cannot shoot the ball. We haven't shot more than 29% from three point range in any game so far this year, and that's against low level competition in which we are getting WIDE OPEN looks consistently.

This issue isn't going to resolve itself magically. So we will struggle to score against everybody.

Under these conditions, i don't know if i can stick with my season prediction of 11-2 OOC and 6-12 in league for a 17-13 record overall. We're not going to be able to dominate B1G teams on the boards like we are against cupcakes, so our poor shooting will make it very difficult for us to score more than 60-65 ppg - which will not get it done against B1G teams.

I think we have enough sample size (4 games) to at least draw some preliminary conclusions. And I'm very concerned.

 

[FELONIOUSMONK]

Smoke a bowl have a drink play with your wife and kids, not in the same way of course, have a nice meal. And get over it. We are better than we have been for the better part of 25 years

 

[soundcrib]

16–15 + 1-1 B1G tournament.

17-16

 

[ruready4somefootball]

16–15 + 1-1 B1G tournament.

17-16

I'll take it.

 

[T2Kplus10]

I'll take it.

+1

 

[mikefla]

We will be fine.
Good things happening all over the court

17-14 +1 in the BE
18-15

 

[richthedentist]

We will be fine.
Good things happening all over the court

17-14 +1 in the BE
18-15

I am with Degaz we still can’t shoot at all and when I watch our defense it is not good our guys hedge off their men way too much giving the other teams wide open 3 point shots. When we get into conference play with teams that can shoot forget it we will be smoked. Don’t get me wrong I like Pikiell but I don’t see any improvement at all over last year. To me there will probably have the same record at best

 

[RUJMM78]

I am with Degaz we still can’t shoot at all and when I watch our defense it is not good our guys hedge off their men way too much giving the other teams wide open 3 point shots. When we get into conference play with teams that can shoot forget it we will be smoked. Don’t get me wrong I like Pikiell but I don’t see any improvement at all over last year. To me there will probably have the same record at best

Like the football program the mens basketball has to mask the lack of offensive talent with defense .It works against mediocre out of conference opponents but doubtful against B1G competition.

 

[mikefla]

I am with Degaz we still can’t shoot at all and when I watch our defense it is not good our guys hedge off their men way too much giving the other teams wide open 3 point shots. When we get into conference play with teams that can shoot forget it we will be smoked. Don’t get me wrong I like Pikiell but I don’t see any improvement at all over last year. To me there will probably have the same record at best

Pike can teach better D & more intensity thats what we hired him for
I am fan
I am sorry you dont see improvement
I do
I will stick with my numbers

 

[HeyHuey]

"You know what I love, I think we have seven starters," said Pikiell. "Eugene certainly makes a case for it. But I like the fact that every game there's different people. Think about our season so far, Mike (Williams) one time, Geo, Eugene, Corey, Deshawn, Issa (Thiam)…We've had good performances from a lot of guys."

 

[ru109]

What do we need to do to make the NIT? Will just a record over .500 be enough?

 

[dpwhite]

What do we need to do to make the NIT? Will just a record over .500 be enough?

No. Have to win 19 or 20

 

[ru109]

No. Have to win 19 or 20

I would think 19 or 20 wins and us being in the BIG would get us into the NCAA. Doesn't the NIT

 

[jellyman]

What do we need to do to make the NIT? Will just a record over .500 be enough?

Probably 20 regular season wins would be needed for the NIT, though with RU's weak OOC schedule, that might not be enough, given RPI is a factor for an NIT invite.

Separately, Degaz has a point: The extremely poor 3-point shooting, plus I would add the FT shooting, and generally not GREAT 2-point jump shooting has to be a concern to fans. Also, Freeman and Sanders have been inconsistent.

ON THE OTHER HAND: You would have to be blind to not see a number of improved and more optimistic areas. In particular, Omoruyi and Thiam are clearly improved, maybe substantially improved. Doucore is not the same type of player as was Gettys, but clearly has a much higher ceiling, even during THIS season - and would appear to be capable of providing the same rebounding and similar or maybe even better, defense. Though maybe not as obvious, I believe Baker is a material improvement over Nigel Johnson.

 

[dpwhite]

I would think 19 or 20 wins and us being in the BIG would get us into the NCAA. Doesn't the NIT

Nope. Not anymore. A lot harder to get in the NIT now.

 

[xkiesterx]

The NIT is essentially for low-major conference champions who didn't win their conference tournaments and NCAA bubble teams.

 

[RUJMM78]

What do we need to do to make the NIT? Will just a record over .500 be enough?

No ,NIT now looks for 20 win seasons and teams that just missed getting NCAA bids.

 

[ScarletDave]

In this "Scarlet knight Showcase" all the other schools see it as a big opportunity. Our guys I think are sleepwalking a bit because we did so good last year in OOC and expected to do it again. But the difference is Pike is able to light a fire under them as a coach, and even in games where you might start to worry, we still won by 25. Improvement is an understatement

 

[mrslate]

Probably 20 regular season wins would be needed for the NIT, though with RU's weak OOC schedule, that might not be enough, given RPI is a factor for an NIT invite.

Separately, Degaz has a point: The extremely poor 3-point shooting, plus I would add the FT shooting, and generally not GREAT 2-point jump shooting has to be a concern to fans. Also, Freeman and Sanders have been inconsistent.

ON THE OTHER HAND: You would have to be blind to not see a number of improved and more optimistic areas. In particular, Omoruyi and Thiam are clearly improved, maybe substantially improved. Doucore is not the same type of player as was Gettys, but clearly has a much higher ceiling, even during THIS season - and would appear to be capable of providing the same rebounding and similar or maybe even better, defense. Though maybe not as obvious, I believe Baker is a material improvement over Nigel Johnson.

I hope you are right about Doucore. He may have a higher ceiling than Gettys, but he also has a lower floor. I have not yet seen enough of the team to form any opinions on him.

 

[BellyFullOfWhiteDogCrap]

Just about everyone seems to have improved with the exception of our "best" player. This concerns me. Corey got off to a slow start last year as well, which I chalked up to playing under a new coach. I know we're only 4 games in, but why isn't he any better at shooting and especially decision making? Is he one of those guys that just doesn't get it?

 

[SkilletHead2]

Probably 20 regular season wins would be needed for the NIT, though with RU's weak OOC schedule, that might not be enough, given RPI is a factor for an NIT invite.

Separately, Degaz has a point: The extremely poor 3-point shooting, plus I would add the FT shooting, and generally not GREAT 2-point jump shooting has to be a concern to fans. Also, Freeman and Sanders have been inconsistent.

ON THE OTHER HAND: You would have to be blind to not see a number of improved and more optimistic areas. In particular, Omoruyi and Thiam are clearly improved, maybe substantially improved. Doucore is not the same type of player as was Gettys, but clearly has a much higher ceiling, even during THIS season - and would appear to be capable of providing the same rebounding and similar or maybe even better, defense. Though maybe not as obvious, I believe Baker is a material improvement over Nigel Johnson.

How are we at dunking?

 

[BellyFullOfWhiteDogCrap]

I hope you are right about Doucore. He may have a higher ceiling than Gettys, but he also has a lower floor. I have not yet seen enough of the team to form any opinions on him.

Duke is going to be a stud. Put it in the bank.

 

[mrslate]

Just about everyone seems to have improved with the exception of our "best" player. This concerns me. Corey got off to a slow start last year as well, which I chalked up to playing under a new coach. I know we're only 4 games in, but why isn't he any better at shooting and especially decision making? Is he one of those guys that just doesn't get it?

Corey likes to keep things interesting. Conference play is where Rutgers will need him.

 

[BellyFullOfWhiteDogCrap]

Corey likes to keep things interesting. Conference play is where Rutgers will need him.

Pike appears to be shortening the leash....finally. This should have happened in game 1. What I'd LOVE to see in our next game is Pike sit Corey's ass the first time he does something stupid. Let him sit the whole 1st half.

 

[RUinFla]

Just about everyone seems to have improved with the exception of our "best" player. This concerns me. Corey got off to a slow start last year as well, which I chalked up to playing under a new coach. I know we're only 4 games in, but why isn't he any better at shooting and especially decision making? Is he one of those guys that just doesn't get it?

And, in fact, he hasn't practiced well, as Pikiell noted, so Williams started. Hope this gets Corey going, but just don't think he has the ceiling that posters seem to credit him with. He at times can be a detriment with erratic play, and this is a team which must play smart.
TL

 

[BellyFullOfWhiteDogCrap]

He at times can be a detriment with erratic play
TL

This 100%. Your best player should never be a detriment.

 

[RU89]

This 100%. Your best player should never be a detriment.

Sanders is a solid player that at times can be dominant with his athleticism. No chance on earth could he or will he ever play in the NBA. He'll make money in Europe and do well there. Still glad to have him however.

 

[bac2therac]

We just cannot shoot the ball. We haven't shot more than 29% from three point range in any game so far this year, and that's against low level competition in which we are getting WIDE OPEN looks consistently.

This issue isn't going to resolve itself magically. So we will struggle to score against everybody.

Under these conditions, i don't know if i can stick with my season prediction of 11-2 OOC and 6-12 in league for a 17-13 record overall. We're not going to be able to dominate B1G teams on the boards like we are against cupcakes, so our poor shooting will make it very difficult for us to score more than 60-65 ppg - which will not get it done against B1G teams.

I think we have enough sample size (4 games) to at least draw some preliminary conclusions. And I'm very concerned.

its fair to question based on the offensive struggles against such bad teams. On the other hand RU has won comfortably despite poor shooting from 3 and free throw line with the CCSU game which I think its a bit of an outlier. Shows that Pike has done a good job of masking the teams defeciencies by relying on strong defense. It looks like that RU is going to have a small margin of error for league wins this year unless they are having a hot night shooting. Will have to rely on defense and sometimes strong defense just is not good enough. God this team needs two three point shooters

 

[Mr Magoo]

Just about everyone seems to have improved with the exception of our "best" player. This concerns me. Corey got off to a slow start last year as well, which I chalked up to playing under a new coach. I know we're only 4 games in, but why isn't he any better at shooting and especially decision making? Is he one of those guys that just doesn't get it?

Agree with you about Sanders but I’m in the minority in that I don’t think he improved last year either. I also don’t think Sa has improved at all. I remember there being a lot of excitement after he chose us over Texas. I haven’t really seen anything yet.

 

[gordel1]

You can't turn a poor shooter into a good shooter, and we have too many poor to average shooters but not only from 3 but also from 2 and the foul line. Combine that with constantly giving inferior teams open shots that they constantly miss, is a recipe for disaster once we start playing the real teams on our schedule. Enjoy all the cupcake wins, because when the real season begins, the wins will be hard to come by unless our players magically become good shooters.

 

[higgins3]

Our shooting likely won't improve.

That being sad, I do expect Baker and Doucoure to not hit the wall. I think they continue to greater their feel for D1 play, and have their contributions.

I expect some better games when the competition increases it's level.

 

[higgins3]

That being said, I am noticing some teams in the BIG ten that are not as strong as people think.

Northwestern has chemistry issues, and a lot of players with poor body language. Beat by a very good texas tech team.

I still think Rutgers can win 14-15 games. A lot of it will depend on if Mike Williams is healthy, and if Baker can find his shooting stroke.

 

[Mr Magoo]

That being said, I am noticing some teams in the BIG ten that are not as strong as people think.

Northwestern has chemistry issues, and a lot of players with poor body language. Beat by a very good texas tech team.

I still think Rutgers can win 14-15 games. A lot of it will depend on if Mike Williams is healthy, and if Baker can find his shooting stroke.

Was thinking the same. Northwestern got absolutely destroyed by Texas Tech today and they lack an inside presence.

Michigan State, Purdue, and Minnesota look like they are clearly the class of the league right now, although Bridges went down with and ankle injury today. The rest of the league is not looking as impressive as I thought they would.

I figured we would win around 14 games and I still think the same.

 

[higgins3]

Was thinking the same. Northwestern got absolutely destroyed by Texas Tech today and they lack an inside presence.

Michigan State, Purdue, and Minnesota look like they are clearly the class of the league right now, although Bridges went down with and ankle injury today. The rest of the league is not looking as impressive as I thought they would.

I figured we would win around 14 games and I still think the same.

Solid prediction. How did Williams look? I did not attend the game today. Lindsey is a decent player for Northwestern, but his body language was horrible today. I think all these teams, and hopefully the Rutgers program, increase their level of play in the big schedule. Still, as you said, teams in the big ten are not jumping off the screen at times.

In saying that, it is hard to tell what these teams really have against some of these subpar matchups.

 

[Rutgers25]

Sa had us excited in non conference play last year. He posted up some and even knocked down a few 3s. Seems like has a shorter leash offensively this year.

 

[jellyman]

Solid prediction. How did Williams look? I did not attend the game today. Lindsey is a decent player for Northwestern, but his body language was horrible today. I think all these teams, and hopefully the Rutgers program, increase their level of play in the big schedule. Still, as you said, teams in the big ten are not jumping off the screen at times.

In saying that, it is hard to tell what these teams really have against some of these subpar matchups.

Williams shot very poorly today, something like 1-9 or 1-10 ... 4 missed 3's and 4 missed 2's. Shots he can make (i.e. not forced). He will not shoot 1-9 every game ... just like he will not shoot 7-10 (like against St. Johns in the exhibition) every game. But he could shoot 40% plus for the season, and 33% to 35% from 3.

 

[higgins3]

Williams shot very poorly today, something like 1-9 or 1-10 ... 4 missed 3's and 4 missed 2's. Shots he can make (i.e. not forced). He will not shoot 1-9 every game ... just like he will not shoot 7-10 (like against St. Johns in the exhibition) every game. But he could shoot 40% plus for the season, and 33% to 35% from 3.

No doubt. I was also wondering more about how he looked physically. i do think he contributes more some nights. As Choppin said, it seems like the team will have more contributors this year.

 

[soundcrib]

Solid prediction. How did Williams look? I did not attend the game today. Lindsey is a decent player for Northwestern, but his body language was horrible today. I think all these teams, and hopefully the Rutgers program, increase their level of play in the big schedule. Still, as you said, teams in the big ten are not jumping off the screen at times.

In saying that, it is hard to tell what these teams really have against some of these subpar matchups.

Same Mike Williams since Freshman year. Just being honest and we need him.

 

[higgins3]

Same Mike Williams since Freshman year. Just being honest and we need him.

That is a very strong compliment to Williams. He has been very consistent from an energy standpoint. It sounds like he is working through his injury, or over it.

That is important.

 

[RUJMM78]

Masking poor shooting from the 3 point line and the foul line aren't going to happen with video tapes of previous games .Pikiell understands the challenge and will hope to keep league games close and gut check a couple wins at the buzzer.

My biggest concern so far is the lack of consistency game to game against weak competition.The notion that the team suddenly will show marked improvement when B1G games commence is truly wishful thinking.The reality is this season probably will be very similar to last season with the strength being defense and rebounding and the weakness shooting.