MSU game - observations

[Degaz-RU]

1. Team just isn’t ready to beat a top 10 team yet. Not enough offensive weapons to keep up with a team like MSU that can score in so many ways, inside and out.

2. Damn, Cassius Winston is good. Kid is just smooth and efficient, and boy can he shoot. Future PG in the NBA.

3. Nick Ward was unguardable. Scored 20 points in just 24 minutes, and got all of our bigs in foul trouble.

4. We couldn’t guard that high ball screen all night. Winston would run right around the screen and our guard couldn’t get through it, so then Winston either had a clear path into the paint or could dish for an easy bucket.

5. Didn’t like our shot selection much of the night. Lots of forced shots and desperation heaves. MSU bottled us up pretty good in the 2nd half.

6. McConnell had a mini coming out party tonight. Played under control and hit a couple of shots. I think Pike was going to put Geo back in the game with a few minutes left in the first half, but Caleb was playing so well that he didn’t need to put Geo back in with 2 fouls. For me, Caleb’s play is the big takeaway of the entire night. We can now have confidence that Caleb can give Geo a rest for 4 minutes each half.

7. You can really see Mathis now buying in to being a defensive stopper. He is so quick, athletic and long armed that he creates a lot of problems for his man. He’s also now picking his spots to get aggressive on offense a bit better, but damn I wish he could finish. Also 5 for 6 at the line. Baby steps.

8. I liked Kiss’ energy in the first half, and liked his offense too. Would’ve liked him to hit that one WIDE OPEN three in the first half, but solid contribution tonight. He seems to be playing better defense too.

9. Thiam can’t be a ghost like this in big games. He could barely get a shot off all night. MSU did a superb job of taking him out of the game.

10. I love Harper’s Court sense and ability to score inside of 15 feet. But he’s now 3-20 on three pointers. Still waiting for him to break out from deep. It would be HUGE if he could become an instant offense guy off the bench.

11. Three solid minutes from Carter tonight. Very active on the boards.

12. You can just see the talent with the young guys, but geezus they’re so green and are still a work in progress. They’re like baby fawns learning how to walk. Can not wait for them to grow up.

13. Jacob Young is a great teammate. Kid seems like a leader on the bench even though he can’t play this year. Really looking forward to him playing next year.

14. How about Shaq sinking those 2 FTs on the technical?

 

[ScarletDave]

Geo has matured so much it’s amazing. We treat him like a senior and expect seniority and he’s just a few games into his second year. Special guys on this team

 

[FrankZ]

Caleb was playing so well, I actually wanted him to start the 2nd half.

 

[IBleedScarlet]

Geo has matured so much it’s amazing. We treat him like a senior and expect seniority and he’s just a few games into his second year. Special guys on this team[/QUOTE

We lost, but we're still learning how to win. This helps us in February.

 

[Proud NJ Sports Fan]

@Local Shill

How were the 300s, real sellout?

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

I thought a lot of our players didn’t play well and we were competitive.

The lack of turnovers was a huge positive.

I really like Mathis

Kiss needs to rebound and play defense

Issa can’t play the 3 and be invisible offensively

Our bigs did a bad job defensive rebounding in 2nd half

 

[RUnTime]

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[CranfordKnight]

We played a competitive game against a top 10 team when our two best players, Geo and Eugene, had off nights. As disappointed as I was in the end result, I'm encouraged by what I see. I wonder how this game would have played out if we didn't play on the road 2 days ago.

 

[RUsince52]

We showed we belong on the same court with a top 10 team. We just don't have the inside game to match them. Tough to shoot great from the outside all night and not many free throws. We have to compensate by doing the little things better and more consistent.
We're still learning and will get better too. Every league game will be a war and we'll be ready to play.

 

[bac2therac]

Degaz great post, you read my mind.......perfect observations. Its true we just are not ready but you can see it, thats what might be different to me at least from tonight to last years close losses to MSU.

Add in this was a top 20 type effort from MSU, they didnt mail it in because they were playing RU

 

[Scarlet Blind]

You know why the players were down in the second half because they saw the BS calls they were getting in the first half over and over 5 fouls in the first 4 minutes, 2-3 of them garbage calls and that mysterious foul on EO in the first half even though he got pushed down. Not one illegal or moving screen all game. They probably stewed about it at halftime and came out flat. You don't think the players that have been here the last year or 2 years see certain officials on the court, they know they are screwed, happens at all levels of basketball. The hot start, it seemed like the players were eyeing the referees like you called 5 fouls on us and we're are still up 18-10 after every make.

 

[BigEastPhil]

Some points:

- Geo lost his swagger when he was called for 2 fouls and MSU double teamed him in 2nd half.
- Issa can't play invisible.
- Eugene with another ho hum double double but tried to do too much at times.
- Doorson is a warrior.
- Dourcoure: Please don't shoot especially from 17 feet
- Montez: terrific game and toughness a la shoving Langford late in game in 2nd half. Good FT Shooting
- Caleb - grew up tonight
- Myles - wold love to see him more selfish with the ball down low
- Kiss: great first half and played with swagger
- Refs: Hosed us whole game. Courtney Green is a POS who should be reported to Big 10. Very biased towards RU or Pikiell. Its the same every game with him.
- Sparty: A good team; not a great team. I don;t see them as a 2nd weekend team in NCAA's.
- Crowd: Outstanding
- Notables at Game: Plaxico Burress (hope they frisked him); Paul Mulcahy and Adam Zagori aamong others I'm sure.
- Chris Ash: was at game don't even know if he was wearing a RU Shirt.
- Hobbs: Was telling Courtside Folks "we're not done yet" when we were down 10. And I yelled at him whether he says that during football games.
- Mulcahy: Great Kid to root for and he understands the challenge and joy that will come with it.

 

[JQRU91]

We showed we belong on the same court with a top 10 team. We just don't have the inside game to match them. Tough to shoot great from the outside all night and not many free throws. We have to compensate by doing the little things better and more consistent.
We're still learning and will get better too. Every league game will be a war and we'll be ready to play.

We have no dependable inside game to go to when we need it. Instead we shoot threes in those situations. Plus we have trouble finishing at the rim. Conversely, MSU just destroyed us inside in the second half. But we're young and it's a good game to build off of.

 

[goru7]

We have no dependable inside game to go to when we need it. Instead we shoot threes in those situations. Plus we have trouble finishing at the rim. Conversely, MSU just destroyed us inside in the second half. But we're young and it's a good game to build off of.

Actually think we do have a low post game but it doesn’t have to go through Eugene all the time. It should go through Myles or Shaquille once in a while. Myles hit a nice bank shot on a post up and we should be going to him more especially when our shooting is off from three or from outside .Plus I think not getting Shaquille on the block and letting him try a baby hook is a mistake. If both of them start making more of the increased opportunities, then the double will come and then the dish out for three will be there.

 

[zebnatto]

I don’t think it’s fair to say that we’re not ready to beat a team like Michigan State. I do think it is fair to say that we’re not ready to beat them on a consistent basis.Which is different from saying that those games are automatic losses

 

[RUShea]

Some points:


- Myles - wold love to see him more selfish with the ball down low

Was begging for this myself. Love that he's unselfish but it seemed there were a few times he could have had a very good look only to kick it out.

 

[Dpgru]

Bottom line is MSU is just better than we are right now. However, we are young, everyone played, and we saw what we will be in the very near future. There is just so much to look forward to with these guys and this staff. We can beat anyone on our schedule and, conversely, be beaten by anyone. Games should all be good, close, and exciting. GO RU.

 

[toby83]

I thought a lot of our players didn’t play well and we were competitive.

The lack of turnovers was a huge positive.

I really like Mathis

Kiss needs to rebound and play defense

Issa can’t play the 3 and be invisible offensively

Our bigs did a bad job defensive rebounding in 2nd half

Where do you see Harper's game contributing as we move forward? Im not sure if he can slash at this level.

 

[toby83]

Thought that was Plaxico. Green hoodie.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

Where do you see Harper's game contributing as we move forward? Im not sure if he can slash at this level.

I really am not sure yet. Too early for me. Time will tell.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

1 thing I didnt see mentioned....

Eugene not acting like an upperclassmen captain and letting his frustrations get a silly 2nd foul. Totally understandable, but cant happen. We have a very emotional team.

 

[JQRU91]

Actually think we do have a low post game but it doesn’t have to go through Eugene all the time. It should go through Myles or Shaquille once in a while. Myles hit a nice bank shot on a post up and we should be going to him more especially when our shooting is off from three or from outside .Plus I think not getting Shaquille on the block and letting him try a baby hook is a mistake. If both of them start making more of the increased opportunities, then the double will come and then the dish out for three will be there.

The potential for more of a low post game may be there, but it's no good if we don't run that enough as part of our offense that other teams have to respect it. Being that we're the fourth tallest team in the nation, that should make low post entry passes easier. I'd like to see us try to lean on Doorson and Johnson a bit more on offense to see what they may be able to produce.