New Starting line up....Jwill 6th man

[RUisB1Gtime]

1st five should be:

EO
Ace
Dercack
Acuff
Dylan

This line up can score. Let Jwill come in as 6th man and put the ball in his hands. He was out of control last night, but overall he is better with the ball in his hands. He gets lost a little off ball.
Acuff is a better spot shooter and fits better with Dylan....Dercack for all his flaws is a competitor and can score. We need his presence on the court. .

JMike can come in play hard in short stints and be a pest....

Seasons not lost. We are tough to beat at home. It will be difficult for anyone to beat us. Squeak out a few road wins and we may have something.

 

[RUChoppin]

This feels like the bargaining phase.

 

[RUisB1Gtime]

This feels like the bargaining phase.

You have a better suggestion? The roster is what it is. Hopefully Pike can maximize it...

 

[NewJerseyHawk]

Any starting lineup without Sommerville, is a lost cause.....Fans living in denial stages because of what exactly??

Sommerville is our 3rd most likely scoring option as a big man and has the most upside on the roster on both ends of the floor. This experiment of Ogbole starting both halves is not getting better. It's been 12 + games and the results are 4PPG and 4RPG.

If we are discussing removing JWill, that's cool I guess as a 6th man to provide offense off the bench. Give it another 2 to 3 weeks and fans will start suggesting Ace & Dylan off the bench so we can give Martini and JMike more opportunities to improve as well.....(SARCASTIC......).....

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

Any starting lineup without Sommerville, is a lost cause.....Fans living in denial stages because of what exactly??

Sommerville is our 3rd most likely scoring option as a big man and has the most upside on the roster on both ends of the floor. This experiment of Ogbole starting both halves is not getting better. It's been 12 + games and the results are 4PPG and 4RPG.

If we are discussing removing JWill, that's cool I guess as a 6th man to provide offense off the bench. Give it another 2 to 3 weeks and fans will start suggesting Ace & Dylan off the bench so we can give Martini and JMike more opportunities to improve as well.....(SARCASTIC......).....

Somerville can't guard most 5s. I am pissed at Ace for playing poor D and celebrating down 12 and blaming him for playing zone, but Somerville was a big part of it. This is not a minor thing. A program that has always played man and has been built around defense just threw in the towel and played a passive 2-3 zone. This, to me, was the biggest takeaway from the game.

Now Ogobole is marginally better.

Also something else worth keeping an eye on.....both JWill and Acuff had wide open looks to Somerville and just didn't pass it. Acuff eventually did after Somerville was open for like 3 seconds. Simpson was frozen out by a few players last year.

 

[RUsojo]

Sommerville is held in much too high regard at this point. Was the case before the season started and the case now.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

I think Pike has to look at the roster he has with the dynamics that are going on and consider doing everything in his power to get Derkack on track even if he doesn't deserve to start.

Derkack not giving full effort. The play that Derkack slapped the ball off of IU in transition that went our way was Derkack getting beat down the floor and getting lucky. His effort has been too spotty and he just isn't getting out on shooters........but we need him to get this in the right gear. Time to put away the sticks and break out the carrots. Ace and Dylan don't get sticks. In fairness Dylan doesn't need one 99% of the time.

 

[NewJerseyHawk]

Somerville can't guard most 5s. I am pissed at Ace for playing poor D and celebrating down 12 and blaming him for playing zone, but Somerville was a big part of it. This is not a minor thing. A program that has always played man and has been built around defense just threw in the towel and played a passive 2-3 zone. This, to me, was the biggest takeaway from the game.

Now Ogobole is marginally better.

Also something else worth keeping an eye on.....both JWill and Acuff had wide open looks to Somerville and just didn't pass it. Acuff eventually did after Somerville was open for like 3 seconds. Simpson was frozen out by a few players last year.

Ace celebrating, Sommerville not being an All American defender, I get it, these are all deal breakers LMAO

I bet you 100 bucks that if JWill shook off passing to Dylan and Ace, would you say the same thing?? NO you wouldn't.....because you cannot be consistent in viewpoint on what actually matters or not.

Because in the same sentence of you trying to kill Ace for his lack of defense, you did the same to Lathan. You cannot be selective on who you may think shouldn't get passes made to them, if they have position against their defender........and your line of thinking is what clouds the judgment of RU fans here and everywhere.

If Ace plays the same lack of defense that Lathan does, but he scores 30, so its OK.....?? But if I advocate for Lathan to get the same "star" treatment, so he can score 14 to 15 and RU wins, then YOU have a problem with that??

At least be consistent......ill wait to see you explain this one......LOL

 

[seansherm]

Any starting lineup without Sommerville, is a lost cause.....Fans living in denial stages because of what exactly??

Sommerville is our 3rd most likely scoring option as a big man and has the most upside on the roster on both ends of the floor. This experiment of Ogbole starting both halves is not getting better. It's been 12 + games and the results are 4PPG and 4RPG.

If we are discussing removing JWill, that's cool I guess as a 6th man to provide offense off the bench. Give it another 2 to 3 weeks and fans will start suggesting Ace & Dylan off the bench so we can give Martini and JMike more opportunities to improve as well.....(SARCASTIC......).....

The best case Ogbole scenario was like 5 and 5, maybe 6 and 6, and that was if he got 20-24 minutes. He's playing 14 and rebounding as much as Sommerville who plays 25% more. Sommerville also awful defensively 90% of the time.

 

[S_Janowski]

Agree with the OP.

Need to do some shake ups and with the way J Will is playing his minutes need to be pulled back.

He was atrocious last night.

 

[seansherm]

Ace celebrating, Sommerville not being an All American defender, I get it, these are all deal breakers.

I bet you 100 bucks that if JWill shook off passing to Dylan and Ace, would you say the same thing?? NO you wouldn't Because in the same sentence of you trying to kill Ace for his lack of defense, you did the same to Lathan. You cannot be selective on who you may think shouldn't get passes......and your line of thinking is what clouds the judgment of RU fans here and everywhere.

If Ace plays the same lack of defense that Lathan does, but he scores 30, so its OK.....?? But if I advocate for Lathan to get the same "star" treatment, so he can score 14 to 15 and RU wins, then YOU have a problem with that??

At least be consistent......ill wait to see you explain this one......LOL

This guy FIG has been on ACE all night for his lack of defense

At least Ace is now rebounding, and he's 112 pounds. Sommerville isn't good on the boards, and only works remotely hard if he's touching the ball on offense. That's what you want to feature. Let me help you - this team, as built, isn't going to outscore teams no matter who it puts out there. It needs a semblance of defense.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

Ace celebrating, Sommerville not being an All American defender, I get it, these are all deal breakers LMAO

I bet you 100 bucks that if JWill shook off passing to Dylan and Ace, would you say the same thing?? NO you wouldn't.....because you cannot be consistent in viewpoint on what actually matters or not.

Because in the same sentence of you trying to kill Ace for his lack of defense, you did the same to Lathan. You cannot be selective on who you may think shouldn't get passes made to them, if they have position against their defender........and your line of thinking is what clouds the judgment of RU fans here and everywhere.

If Ace plays the same lack of defense that Lathan does, but he scores 30, so its OK.....?? But if I advocate for Lathan to get the same "star" treatment, so he can score 14 to 15 and RU wins, then YOU have a problem with that??

At least be consistent......ill wait to see you explain this one......LOL

Trust me I would say something...i watch this crap all the time.

I may be wrong sometimes...in fact i know I am wrong sometimes, but I am very consistent.

Does bad defense cloud my judgement.......most who know me know the answer....YES

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

This guy FIG has been on ACE all night for his lack of defense

At least Ace is now rebounding, and he's 112 pounds. Sommerville isn't good on the boards, and only works remotely hard if he's touching the ball on offense. That's what you want to feature. Let me help you - this team, as built, isn't going to outscore teams no matter who it puts out there. It needs a semblance of defense.

This is true.....but the way this team is built I believe there is more low lying fruit on the offensive end.....but we can't allow players to ball watch and not defend. AND the minute we start playing zone as a base defense we are cooked.

 

[NewJerseyHawk]

This guy FIG has been on ACE all night for his lack of defense

At least Ace is now rebounding, and he's 112 pounds. Sommerville isn't good on the boards, and only works remotely hard if he's touching the ball on offense. That's what you want to feature. Let me help you - this team, as built, isn't going to outscore teams no matter who it puts out there. It needs a semblance of defense.

You give me another option or alternative to score points and win games......you want to play politics and BS around.....

BOTH Ogbole and Lathan find position against their man.....NEITHER sees the ball because one isn't capable of catching the ball consistently and isn't going to score and you are advocating LOSING because you think Lathan doesn't play hard enough on defense......I guess Ace does, right??? LMAO

These fake fans with agendas.....it's hilarious the twists and turns and double and triple standards they come up with.

 

[bac2therac]

J will flopping on the floor like a fish was the last straw for me

 

[Shelby65]

The shitshow has many causes but reasons 1 and 1a are Derkack and Davis.

Acuff, Martini and Hayes usually don’t play enough to be blame leaders.

JWill sure didn’t play well on O last night but that’s often not the case. And he is a good defender.

Sommerville and Ogbole are serviceable.

Derkack and Davis don’t play D at the level they are expected to and can’t shoot or make layups either. They are the primary handicap. They are the gaping talent holes given all the PT they get.

 

[NewJerseyHawk]

Trust me I would say something...i watch this crap all the time.

I may be wrong sometimes...in fact i know I am wrong sometimes, but I am very consistent.

Does bad defense cloud my judgement.......most who know me know the answer....YES

Do you think there's a large difference between the level of defense YOU want to see from Ace and Lathan or even Dylan?? If your answer is NO, then why hold Lathan to a higher standard?? Because hes not a Top 5 National recruit or 1 and done?? How does that matter in the context of winning games??

Ill wait.......

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

Do you think there's a large difference between the level of defense YOU want to see from Ace and Lathan or even Dylan?? If your answer is NO, then why hold Lathan to a higher standard?? Because hes not a Top 5 National recruit or 1 and done?? How does that matter in the context of winning games??

Ill wait.......

You have this all backwards.....

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

These fake fans with agendas.....it's hilarious the twists and turns and double and triple standards they come up with.

My agenda could be misguided, but it isn't fake.

I make it brutally clear everything with me is about defense. If I have a blindspot is I expect more out of the better players. I HATED Mike Rosario. Quincy Douby's lack of D got under my skin. Ron harper Jr bothered me when he took a lot of defensive possessions off.

 

[NewJerseyHawk]

You have this all backwards.....

If you ignore the weaknesses of the player and just evaluate the lineups that give RU the best chance of winning, its rather simple. Right now, we have one player who has an ability to improve from January to February and February to March and it's Sommerville.

I think if Sommerville averaged 15 & 8, fans would have a completely different take or mindset....and somehow want to reward players who literally are not improving, despite 5, 10 and almost 15 games of evidence that they're not starting caliber.

The staff owns the process but allowing the coaches a free pass and blaming the players who are on the court and don't produce on offense OR play high level defense, is strange to me.

 

[seansherm]

You give me another option or alternative to score points and win games......you want to play politics and BS around.....

BOTH Ogbole and Lathan find position against their man.....NEITHER sees the ball because one isn't capable of catching the ball consistently and isn't going to score and you are advocating LOSING because you think Lathan doesn't play hard enough on defense......I guess Ace does, right??? LMAO

These fake fans with agendas.....it's hilarious the twists and turns and double and triple standards they come up with.

Not even sure what you are arguing anymore, or where politics come into it? I've already said this team has NO alternatives to outscoring teams as a way to win. It needs defensive help and it needs offensive help.

Yes, EO and LS get offensive position. I don't think either of them not getting the ball matters much., although Lathan can score on smaller, weaker defenders. You want Lathan to be treated like Ace, or Ace to be treated like Lathan? Neither one of them are winning players at this stage of their careers, so what does it matter.

 

[kupuna133]

Agree with the OP.

Need to do some shake ups and with the way J Will is playing his minutes need to be pulled back.

He was atrocious last night.

He’s been atrocious all year. His antics and look at me attitude is what is ruining this team. Can’t get the smile and laughing at kennesaw out of my head.

 

[blueoyster]

I really don't think lineup matters at all...we don't have the talent to support Ace and DH. It's really a shame...

 

[RUinOhio]

JWill tries to play hero ball, he's just not nearly good enough. I wouldn't even have him as the 6th man.

 

[RUby RED]

My agenda could be misguided, but it isn't fake.

I make it brutally clear everything with me is about defense. If I have a blindspot is I expect more out of the better players. I HATED Mike Rosario. Quincy Douby's lack of D got under my skin. Ron harper Jr bothered me when he took a lot of defensive possessions off.

Simple question:

Take Ace off the floor last night. Do you think the game would be closer?

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

If you ignore the weaknesses of the player and just evaluate the lineups that give RU the best chance of winning, its rather simple. Right now, we have one player who has an ability to improve from January to February and February to March and it's Sommerville.

I think if Sommerville averaged 15 & 8, fans would have a completely different take or mindset....and somehow want to reward players who literally are not improving, despite 5, 10 and almost 15 games of evidence that they're not starting caliber.

The staff owns the process but allowing the coaches a free pass and blaming the players who are on the court and don't produce on offense OR play high level defense, is strange to me.

NJH.....I really don't know what the optimal lineups are...obviously depends on opponents to some extent.

I am not sure what we have in Somerville. I don't know if he is an impact player worthy of at least 15 MPG on a decent team or a player that right now shouldn't be in a rotation (not talking about this team because of TINA).

I do know he has skill.....loved the move where he finished with the left and got a and one. Love the fact that he is a good FT shooter. Can he defend at an acceptable level and can he be productive against B1G centers?

Data tells me he is a poor rebounder. I know he is a good offensive player against 6'8'' mid major centers, but I fear he is too small to succeed against better centers.

Again I need more data.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

Simple question:

Take Ace off the floor last night. Do you think the game would be closer?

No.

If the question is would have it been closer with 12 minutes left.....YES I think so.

I told the people i watched the game with at that point Ace had erased all the positives with his scoring and then some at that time.

 

[NewJerseyHawk]

NJH.....I really don't know what the optimal lineups are...obviously depends on opponents to some extent.

I am not sure what we have in Somerville. I don't know if he is an impact player worthy of at least 15 MPG on a decent team or a player that right now shouldn't be in a rotation (not talking about this team because of TINA).

I do know he has skill.....loved the move where he finished with the left and got a and one. Love the fact that he is a good FT shooter. Can he defend at an acceptable level and can he be productive against B1G centers?

Data tells me he is a poor rebounder. I know he is a good offensive player against 6'8'' mid major centers, but I fear he is too small to succeed against better centers.

Again I need more data.

He's a freshman.......does he compare well to other freshman or are we using a junior, senior, 5th year senior curve??

Did Cliff look functional as a freshman.....what about Myles Johnson??

What standard for freshman are we discussing??

 

[bac2therac]

I really don't think lineup matters at all...we don't have the talent to support Ace and DH. It's really a shame...

this

people are doing a lot of bargainning right now but there is no kind of tinkering that will move the needle beyond a insignificant amount

 

[RUby RED]

No.

If the question is would have it been closer with 12 minutes left.....YES I think so.

I told the people i watched the game with at that point Ace had erased all the positives with his scoring and then some at that time.

Still think you’re wrong but if nothing else I appreciate the consistency

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

With 12:35 seconds left we were down 56-38. We were in zone the entire 2nd half. Ace had many possessions in the 1st where baskets were scored directly because of him and we were forced to go zone mostly because of him.

He was 8-17 from the field
1-2 from 3
2-3 FT
19 points
0 assists

He got us back in the game and made it respectable...rest of the way
8-12 FG
2-3 from 3
1-5 FT

19 points

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

Still think you’re wrong but if nothing else I appreciate the consistency

you got it

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

Still think you’re wrong but if nothing else I appreciate the consistency

I probably am wrong....but the negative impact of Ace on the defensive end last night is NOT being noticed by most fans. He has been making progress, but he was real BAD. Was it because he was expending a lot of needed energy on the offense end. ABSOLUTELY. Is it a good excuse/worth it? THAT IS WHERE THE DEBATE LIES

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

He's a freshman.......does he compare well to other freshman or are we using a junior, senior, 5th year senior curve??

Did Cliff look functional as a freshman.....what about Myles Johnson??

What standard for freshman are we discussing??

Very fair and valid point

 

[DHajekRC84]

J will flopping on the floor like a fish was the last straw for me

LOL that's exactly how I described it to my wife.

Regardless I am sick of these guards driving out of control into the lane and under the basket with 2-3 guys around them. Only to get stuck, blocked, or the TO.
JMac and Derk can both drive nicely when the lane is open but this lack of discipline crap just burns me (and of course I am not talking about Harp who can do just about anything and anything down there).

This whole me offense just sucks. The total lack of Team play both ends just sucks.
Also told my wife this was like watching Eric Riggins and Littlepaige back during those horrible years.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

this

people are doing a lot of bargainning right now but there is no kind of tinkering that will move the needle beyond a insignificant amount

I am in partial DENIAL phase here. This is not binary because I am also part ACCEPTANCE.

Can a lineup of........not be capable of being a Top 50 defensive team. I am just having a struggle trying to understand why this isn't just happening. WHY WHY WHY

JaMike or JWill
Dylan
Derkack
Ace
EO or LS

 

[Scangg]

Everyone outside or Dylan and Ace are just not getting it done. The last two games have been ridiculous though. They can't suck THAT bad all season... I hope

It's crazy that we can't find maybe 2 players a game out of the rest of the roster to contribute something and have a solid game. That would have us in games

The players with the most length and athleticism are Grant and Dortch and they don't play

 

[G- RUnit]

You guys are turning on JWill just like you did on Simpson.
Let him wear Nikes too. I saw the falls last year and was mocked for suggesting a change in sneakers.

Last time I looked JWill only guy besides the big 2 who plays D.
One poster said JMike is improving? Certainly not his foul shooting and how many times have we seen opposing teams rain threes on him. His D has gone downhill.

I’m looking at the box score despite the falls, JWill had 8 rebounds and three assists. Be careful what you wish for.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

Everyone outside or Dylan and Ace are just not getting it done. The last two games have been ridiculous though. They can't suck THAT bad all season... I hope

It's crazy that we can't find maybe 2 players a game out of the rest of the roster to contribute something and have a solid game. That would have us in games

The players with the most length and athleticism are Grant and Dortch and they don't play

WHY WHY WHY are we 9 points worse defensively compared to last year. I need an answer. Ace isn't getting it done on defense.

 

[Scangg]

WHY WHY WHY are we 9 points worse defensively compared to last year. I need an answer. Ace isn't getting it done on defense.

Ace had 39 points. There is no possible way he could be so bad on defense that it negates that