Minn v. FSU

[RU-ROCS]

This game foreshadowed my worst fears about our fast start. MN was 6-0 before tonight by feasting on cream puffs. But, they got smoked tonight in Florida by a middle-of-the-pack ACC team. FSU was up 19 with 5 min. left. MN rallied to cut it to single digits, but it was not that close. I hope we fare better in Miami.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

Minnesota schedule not exactly cream puffs. Beat Arkansas and St John's. UT Arlington isn't supposed to be bad

 

[PaKnight]

This game foreshadowed my worst fears about our fast start. MN was 6-0 before tonight by feasting on cream puffs. But, they got smoked tonight in Florida by a middle-of-the-pack ACC team. FSU was up 19 with 5 min. left. MN rallied to cut it to single digits, but it was not that close. I hope we fare better in Miami.

It is still one game.

 

[RU-ROCS]

Minnesota schedule not exactly cream puffs. Beat Arkansas and St John's. UT Arlington isn't supposed to be bad

Good point. I forgot about Arkansas. That was a high quality win. But, St. John's is no better than DePaul IMHO.

 

[RU-ROCS]

Minnesota schedule not exactly cream puffs. Beat Arkansas and St John's. UT Arlington isn't supposed to be bad

Speaking of no cream puffs, I had forgotten how tough our OOC schedule was last year. We played St. John's, Clemson, Wake, Creighton, GW, Monmouth and SHU. That is considerably more challenging than this year's OCC slate. Monmouth was our only loss to a non-power conference team, if you count the A-10 as a power conference.

 

[goru7]

This game foreshadowed my worst fears about our fast start. MN was 6-0 before tonight by feasting on cream puffs. But, they got smoked tonight in Florida by a middle-of-the-pack ACC team. FSU was up 19 with 5 min. left. MN rallied to cut it to single digits, but it was not that close. I hope we fare better in Miami.

Florida State will not be a middle of the road Acc team, and they have enough to beat Duke, Unc, Virginia, and Louisville. They have athletes at every position and Hamilton has a squad that is 12 deep. Minnesota looked like they got a lot better than last year and their athleticism paled in comparison to Florida State.

 

[RU-ROCS]

Florida State will not be a middle of the road Acc team, and they have enough to beat Duke, Unc, Virginia, and Louisville. They have athletes at every position and Hamilton has a squad that is 12 deep. Minnesota looked like they got a lot better than last year and their athleticism paled in comparison to Florida State.

Seems like FSU always gives the Dookies fits. They may knock off a couple of the ACC big boys, but overall I don't think FSU is better than Duke, UNC, Cuse, UVA, Louisville or ND. That by definition makes them a middle-of-the-pack team. Time will tell.

 

[cyrock3]

Speaking of no cream puffs, I had forgotten how tough our OOC schedule was last year. We played St. John's, Clemson, Wake, Creighton, GW, Monmouth and SHU. That is considerably more challenging than this year's OCC slate. Monmouth was our only loss to a non-power conference team, if you count the A-10 as a power conference.

As far as I recall some of those teams were terrible last season.

 

[TDIrish27]

Agree on FSU------they have some dudes-------very athletic.

 

[Ole Cabbagehead]

People need to realize that our "big" accomplishment this year has basically been beating both of Drexel and DePaul. Really, anyone who had us with 13 or 14 wins this year had us at 5-1 or at worst 4-2 at this point. We have also avoided the WTF loss so far, but we aren't out of the OOC yet. So if we lose to Miami and SHU, and have a WTF loss, our season win total from most predictions will have increased by 1.

10-3 OOC instead of 9-4. Season record prediction:14-15 wins, instead of 13-14

I am super excited about the direction of this team, but that really all it is. We haven't done anything yet. This is why I don't understand these wild predictions people are making. We haven't yet done anything to indicate that we can win more than 4 games in conference play.

 

[knights1212]

Florida State is pretty good. They are #36 in the AP poll and tied with Miami at #37 in the coaches poll. The week before they were in the top 25 I think in the AP. I don't think we ever had rebounding numbers last year over less powerful teams like we have this year. Just playing hard, rebounding and defense should make us more competitive. Hopefully with 3 full days of practice (Sun-Tuesday) for Miami we can play well.

 

[toby83]

loss to Temple on neutral floor is a bad look

 

[bac2therac]

Miami is going to be a true measuring point of where Rutgers is at because the Hurricane talent wise are what we are going to face night and out in the Big 10 on average. The previous 6 games has had everyone excited because we finally look like a real team so while its impressive for a program that has been a horror show for over a decade, the competition hasnt provided any real tests of how we might fare in the league. I can remember solid starts during the 4 previous regimes to Jordan only to see the team falter once conference play began. Every game from here on out with the exception of Morgan St and C Ct St will be against better competition or tougher challenge given the venue (Stony Brook) than our last 6

We are already know the team is leaps and bounds better than last year so the program is on the ascent. Enjoy the ride up and keep expectations in check

 

[RUinFla]

Miami game is on ESPNU--not sure whether all cable companies carry it, but Comcast does. At least down here.
TL

 

[RURM85]

Didn't enjoy watching this game. Way too many fouls called especially in the first half. Kids not allowed to play. Impressed with Florida State's size.

Ojo is huge, Isaac is a big boy and the 7'4" backup center towers. Bacon heated up early in the second half and FSU took control.

Unfortunately for Minny, Coffey, their outstanding freshman, got into foul trouble early and was a non-factor in this game. His frustration showed on the bench. Watched Coffey against St. Johns and the kid can play. I like this Minnesota team.

Thought the Northwestern - Wake Forest game was a lot more entertaining than this game.

 

[Rutgers Rah]

It's definitely a similar situation, but let's not forget this was Minnesota's first road game and it's a decently far trip from there to Florida. The kids for RU have already gotten a taste of a road game which would avoid a slower start I would think. Plus our defense should give our offense a little time if it sputters early to still make it a game.

 

[ScarletDave]

People need to realize that our "big" accomplishment this year has basically been beating both of Drexel and DePaul. Really, anyone who had us with 13 or 14 wins this year had us at 5-1 or at worst 4-2 at this point. We have also avoided the WTF loss so far, but we aren't out of the OOC yet. So if we lose to Miami and SHU, and have a WTF loss, our season win total from most predictions will have increased by 1.

10-3 OOC instead of 9-4. Season record prediction:14-15 wins, instead of 13-14

I am super excited about the direction of this team, but that really all it is. We haven't done anything yet. This is why I don't understand these wild predictions people are making. We haven't yet done anything to indicate that we can win more than 4 games in conference play.

Because some people can actually be excited in the moment since we are 6-0, instead of sulking all season saying we're not going to make the NCAAs ... no one is booking their flights to the Final Four, we are just happy NOW because if you are right (and chances are you will be) and we only end up with 13-15 wins this season and we start losing down the stretch, well then why even bother following if you know from the start that we won't be that great? Might as well enjoy it now instead of being miserable and looking forward to the losses in the rest of the season to come back and say "I told you guys so" ...

 

[Ole Cabbagehead]

Because some people can actually be excited in the moment since we are 6-0, instead of sulking all season saying we're not going to make the NCAAs ... no one is booking their flights to the Final Four, we are just happy NOW because if you are right (and chances are you will be) and we only end up with 13-15 wins this season and we start losing down the stretch, well then why even bother following if you know from the start that we won't be that great? Might as well enjoy it now instead of being miserable and looking forward to the losses in the rest of the season to come back and say "I told you guys so" ...

I am thrilled. I care about the small things, about the trajectory of the program. I just don't want this place to turn into a cesspool like the football board because people have completely unrealistic expectations. That's all I am getting at. I have been beating the drum of managing expectations in the midst of what has been a fun and exciting season so far. I want people to keep having fun, because if we play organized smart basketball, its all house money this year.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

I am thrilled. I care about the small things, about the trajectory of the program. I just don't want this place to turn into a cesspool like the football board because people have completely unrealistic expectations. That's all I am getting at. I have been beating the drum of managing expectations in the midst of what has been a fun and exciting season so far. I want people to keep having fun, because if we play organized smart basketball, its all house money this year.

This. I think we can state we are much better than last year. Given the competition so far we really can't say much more than that. Increased expectations could be very dangerous for the program and fans. 6-0 is better than 5-1 for sure. For the long term of this program I don't see any difference. I don't think the fact that they found a win to win vs. Hartford changes anything. Everyone should fully expect 3 steps forward for every 2 steps backward.

 

[bac2therac]

what the last two guys said..that

 

[Russ Wood]

Florida State will not be a middle of the road Acc team, and they have enough to beat Duke, Unc, Virginia, and Louisville. They have athletes at every position and Hamilton has a squad that is 12 deep. Minnesota looked like they got a lot better than last year and their athleticism paled in comparison to Florida State.

FSU will be out coached by each of those teams you mentioned and I say that with a great deal of respect for Coach Hamilton who I really like.

FSU has athletes but with their schedule they'll probably go 9-9 in the ACC this year. If they beat Duke it will be in Tallahassee where they typically play Duke pretty tough. That's the one game FSU typically sells out each season.

 

[goru7]

FSU will be out coached by each of those teams you mentioned and I say that with a great deal of respect for Coach Hamilton who I really like.

FSU has athletes but with their schedule they'll probably go 9-9 in the ACC this year. If they beat Duke it will be in Tallahassee where they typically play Duke pretty tough. That's the one game FSU typically sells out each season.

I think they can beat any of the top teams and I am not talking about a fluke win against Duke at home. They have the athletes that can beat Duke, Unc, Louisville on any given night. Any team that can beat any of the top of the conference will not be a middle of the pack team. Furthermore, there is a chance that the Acc might be 10 strong in the tourney this year. The Acc appears to be the best league early. Kentucky appears the best team early.

 

[RU-ROCS]

It's definitely a similar situation, but let's not forget this was Minnesota's first road game and it's a decently far trip from there to Florida. The kids for RU have already gotten a taste of a road game which would avoid a slower start I would think. Plus our defense should give our offense a little time if it sputters early to still make it a game.

I'm hopeful that the scenario you suggest could happen! Can't wait.

 

[RU-ROCS]

People need to realize that our "big" accomplishment this year has basically been beating both of Drexel and DePaul. Really, anyone who had us with 13 or 14 wins this year had us at 5-1 or at worst 4-2 at this point. We have also avoided the WTF loss so far, but we aren't out of the OOC yet. So if we lose to Miami and SHU, and have a WTF loss, our season win total from most predictions will have increased by 1.

10-3 OOC instead of 9-4. Season record prediction:14-15 wins, instead of 13-14

I am super excited about the direction of this team, but that really all it is. We haven't done anything yet. This is why I don't understand these wild predictions people are making. We haven't yet done anything to indicate that we can win more than 4 games in conference play.

I agree. Looking back on last year's schedule with Freeman healthy we did not have any WTF losses OOC. (GWU and Monmouth both won more than 25 games, so I would not call losing to them WTF losses). The coaching this year seems to be world's better than last year, but because of the cream puff schedule the performance hasn't really been demonstrably better yet, except for the road win at DePaul, which I assume we would have lost last year. Although, in fairness we were one terrible call by the refs away from winning at St. John's at the same time last year, which would have been an early road win comparable to DePaul. So, a win at Miami would be huge. A close loss would not really tell us too much, as we lost by 2 to Wake early last year on a neutral court when they were hot after they had knocked off Indiana and UCLA.

Having said all that, I really love the new coaching staff and believe the future is bright, especially given the new emphasis on rebounding and defense. It may just be too much to ask for this team to take a quantum leap this year.

 

[bac2therac]

I think they can beat any of the top teams and I am not talking about a fluke win against Duke at home. They have the athletes that can beat Duke, Unc, Louisville on any given night. Any team that can beat any of the top of the conference will not be a middle of the pack team. Furthermore, there is a chance that the Acc might be 10 strong in the tourney this year. The Acc appears to be the best league early. Kentucky appears the best team early.

FSU will likely fall in the same area they fall every year and thats around 500. They usually have the one or two big wins over the top teams in league but I would be shocked at a top 4 finish