Not sure how the media has us last but we will need to earn respect so who cares!
Many may say too optimistic or some not happy with 17 wins but if we finish anywhere with the above number of wins we should be in the NIT which is fine by my standards for year two of the Pikiell era. Included in my prediction is 7 wins in the Big 10 which is also a nice increase and I think very attainable.
Caveat: staying healthy is clearly essential for us to reach 17 plus wins.
Reasoning:
Comparing this years team to last years gives me my optimism. We lost Getty’s up front and he gave us some leadership and solid minutes, points and rebounds. I think the scoring and rebounding will be more than made up for with a combination of Doucoure, Shaq and Johnson. I think Doucoure is going to be a monster for us in the next few years but if he can give us the offensive rebounding we need, he will get his points. I also watched him closely at the FT line in the open practice and he’s very solid.
Speaking of FT shooting. We were horrendous last year and lost several games at the FT line. I think and hope we will make a big improvement and that will be a difference maker this season leading to the additional wins. That has to improve to achieve my win total.
The only other player we lost who makes a difference is Nigel. Geo Baker is going to be a special player and I think he will be on the all freshman team this year. Mike Williams, Corey and Thiam will more than make up for Nigel’s points and then some. Remember that mike is now a senior and he knows exactly what the expect and I’m guessing this is Corey’s last season so he needs to shine. Add Soufs speed and maturity, he’s like 22-23 years old and Rutgers has quite a backcourt. Still not sure how to classify Thiam but let’s just say he has the ability to put up 20 points on any given night if he’s open.
The guys who will add the grit and power on defense are Freeman and Omuyuri. Omuyuri is built now like tank and goes after every ball as hard as anyone in the Big 10. You don’t want to be guarded by Eugene as you are going to ache after each And every game. I think the key with Freeman is not trying to do too much. He tends to shoot a lot when there are more options on the court and his real talent is rebounding. Clean the glass and pop in your points that way. When you are double teamed, kick the ball out instead of trying to force a shot. Issue with Feeeman is his size. As long as he stays within his game, his contributions are amazing. He’s not a 3 point shooter although he hit a big one last year.
Surprise player- watch Candido Sa this season. He struggled in Big 10 play but this is year 2 and he worked in the off season. I hope he can make his free throws because he’s all over the court grabbing rebounds and loose balls. Another guy who needs to play within himself and not waste possessions. Possessions are like gold and you have be smart.
Hopefully we pack the RAC and get our fans back this season. I know some of you are back from a few years of not coming. Bring a friend when you come this year and they will want to come back. We should be sold out for every conference game this year. I know we won’t be but I’m saying we should. You will see an offense, multiple looks on defense and hustle like you’ve never seen before from Rutgers!
Many may say too optimistic or some not happy with 17 wins but if we finish anywhere with the above number of wins we should be in the NIT which is fine by my standards for year two of the Pikiell era. Included in my prediction is 7 wins in the Big 10 which is also a nice increase and I think very attainable.
Caveat: staying healthy is clearly essential for us to reach 17 plus wins.
Reasoning:
Comparing this years team to last years gives me my optimism. We lost Getty’s up front and he gave us some leadership and solid minutes, points and rebounds. I think the scoring and rebounding will be more than made up for with a combination of Doucoure, Shaq and Johnson. I think Doucoure is going to be a monster for us in the next few years but if he can give us the offensive rebounding we need, he will get his points. I also watched him closely at the FT line in the open practice and he’s very solid.
Speaking of FT shooting. We were horrendous last year and lost several games at the FT line. I think and hope we will make a big improvement and that will be a difference maker this season leading to the additional wins. That has to improve to achieve my win total.
The only other player we lost who makes a difference is Nigel. Geo Baker is going to be a special player and I think he will be on the all freshman team this year. Mike Williams, Corey and Thiam will more than make up for Nigel’s points and then some. Remember that mike is now a senior and he knows exactly what the expect and I’m guessing this is Corey’s last season so he needs to shine. Add Soufs speed and maturity, he’s like 22-23 years old and Rutgers has quite a backcourt. Still not sure how to classify Thiam but let’s just say he has the ability to put up 20 points on any given night if he’s open.
The guys who will add the grit and power on defense are Freeman and Omuyuri. Omuyuri is built now like tank and goes after every ball as hard as anyone in the Big 10. You don’t want to be guarded by Eugene as you are going to ache after each And every game. I think the key with Freeman is not trying to do too much. He tends to shoot a lot when there are more options on the court and his real talent is rebounding. Clean the glass and pop in your points that way. When you are double teamed, kick the ball out instead of trying to force a shot. Issue with Feeeman is his size. As long as he stays within his game, his contributions are amazing. He’s not a 3 point shooter although he hit a big one last year.
Surprise player- watch Candido Sa this season. He struggled in Big 10 play but this is year 2 and he worked in the off season. I hope he can make his free throws because he’s all over the court grabbing rebounds and loose balls. Another guy who needs to play within himself and not waste possessions. Possessions are like gold and you have be smart.
Hopefully we pack the RAC and get our fans back this season. I know some of you are back from a few years of not coming. Bring a friend when you come this year and they will want to come back. We should be sold out for every conference game this year. I know we won’t be but I’m saying we should. You will see an offense, multiple looks on defense and hustle like you’ve never seen before from Rutgers!
