Next year will be about the RAC

[seels2662]

The Purdue game made me think, we keep on talking about how the talent still won't quite be there next year to take the next step and I agree. But maybe its not about the talent. Maybe we are right at the cusp of how we were in the Bannon and Waters years where the RAC and our crowd helps us pull off wins that we should have never won. In those years we beat GT, Louisville, Villanova, UConn, hell we beat Syracuse during their championship season. These are teams that are better than almost anyone next year on our schedule save probably Michigan and Maryland (going by what BEPhil has said). Any by the way Sanders, Mathis, Baker, Doucoure, Kiss, Omoyuri, etc. could be at least as good if not more talented than those Rutgers teams. The 2-4 point loses we got this year against MSU and Purdue should very well be wins next year.

So for those who don't think we will have a post season next year, take into account the magic of our arena. If its back, we are back.

 

[SJScarlet]

I don't agree that the talent won't quite be there, I think it will. A roster of:
Sanders (Sr.)
Baker (So.)
Kiss (So.)
Mathis (Fr.)
Bullock (Jr.)
Harper (Fr.)
Thiam (Jr.)
Omoruyi (Jr.)
Carter (Jr.)
Doucoure (So.)
Johnson (R.Fr.)
Doorson (Sr.)
TBD player replacing Mensah (more likely than not IMO)
...if completely healthy, is the best roster Rutgers has had in AT LEAST 12 years.

 

[SJScarlet]

If mensah just does us all a favor and transfers we would be so much better off

I don't choose to think about players that wanted to come here in that way. Pikiell is the one that brought him in. That said, he will not play at all next year. Even Bullock if he stays here will be spending his 3rd year of eligibility way at the end of the bench, but maybe he's ok with that.

 

[RUChoppin]

I don't choose to think about players that wanted to come here in that way. Pikiell is the one that brought him in. That said, he will not play at all next year. Even Bullock if he stays here will be spending his 3rd year of eligibility way at the end of the bench, but maybe he's ok with that.

I'm wondering, too, if the second half of this season will serve as an audition tape for Bullock on the transfer market. He'd certainly draw a lot more interest now than he would have if he hadn't played at all this season. He'd have 3 to play 2 somewhere, and would see a lot more minutes on a team with a need than we will with so many vying for minutes at the three.

But to the point of the OP - yes, I think a lively RAC would do wonders for the team next year. They do seem to rise to the crowd energy, which could will us into games (and wins) a bit ahead of schedule. I know I'll certainly be looking to make it to more games next year.

 

[NewJerseyHawk]

We all want depth and talent and I know it's painful for assume anything, but I'm honestly not as much worried about next year as I am the year after that.....I'm fairly certain a couple of steps forward will be taken next year as the 3rd year of the staff settles the roster in and continuity takes over.

By the time next season rolls around for 2018-19, the bulk of the 2019 recruiting will be finalized and we'll have a much better idea on what we are working from....That would be Mensah's senior season along with Sanders and perhaps Doorson's as well, assuming everyone that is an upperclassmen returns.

The RAC should take care of itself with some helpful wins and play put together so far this year....3 home games left and MSG have a chance to cements what would be establishing a culture and improvement.

The 12th and 13th spots on whether they are Mensah and Bullock or whomever doesn't make the rotation is not as much of a concern to force those replacements into the roster next year. The key is can RU get better players in place for the current underclassmen that aren't perhaps ready to take that next step....That means finding a player that can be a significant step up from Issa Thiam and an additional force that can do more than what Eugene gives right now. Those 2019 kids recruited have to elevate the front court production more than worrying about whether Mensah or Bullock's spots are replaced next year.

 

[hbbsm713]

I think Sanders is the key for next year. He leaves and I’m worried a lot about what will happen. If he stays, that helps the team out so much.

 

[Andrew Donnelly]

I don't agree that the talent won't quite be there, I think it will. A roster of:
Sanders (Sr.)
Baker (So.)
Kiss (So.)
Mathis (Fr.)
Bullock (Jr.)
Harper (Fr.)
Thiam (Jr.)
Omoruyi (Jr.)
Carter (Jr.)
Doucoure (So.)
Johnson (R.Fr.)
Doorson (Sr.)
TBD player replacing Mensah (more likely than not IMO)
...if completely healthy, is the best roster Rutgers has had in AT LEAST 12 years.

Not arguing or even questioning Im just wondering. Do you think Mensah will really leave? What would he get out of that? Not like he can transfer up

 

[seels2662]

I don't agree that the talent won't quite be there, I think it will. A roster of:
Sanders (Sr.)
Baker (So.)
Kiss (So.)
Mathis (Fr.)
Bullock (Jr.)
Harper (Fr.)
Thiam (Jr.)
Omoruyi (Jr.)
Carter (Jr.)
Doucoure (So.)
Johnson (R.Fr.)
Doorson (Sr.)
TBD player replacing Mensah (more likely than not IMO)
...if completely healthy, is the best roster Rutgers has had in AT LEAST 12 years.

That is a very solid roster. Probably better than we had in well over a decade. But if you look at the rest of the conference, almost all the teams have an equal or more talented roster. Its not a product of us being bad, its a product of the B1G loading up next year. A little side conversation would have been what next years team would have looked like with this year's schedule and all the B1G teams who are finding their way this year and building for a 2018-19 run like Northwestern, Nebraska, Michgan, etc.

But as I said before, this team is good enough that the home field advantage that we will have will be enough to pull wins against big big games.

 

[ScarletKid2008]

NEED . SANDERS . BACK

need Corey next season. He’s matured so much and one more season of him continuing to improve and mature would be HUGE , not just for next years team but for the entire program.

 

[bac2therac]

Don't be fooled by yesterday. ..the roster has a long way to go to get consistent enough to get wins in bunches. Too much assumptions based on close losses and competitive games does not mean post season as the rest of the league is still more talented. Next step should be trying to move out of 14th to 11th before we worry about anything else

 

[RUsojo]

Pike can coach. If he can lock down the 2019 class in a big way (Hyatt Mulcahy Dixon), and Corey stays to keep our product on the court strong next year, the program will have turned the corner. Especially in conjunction with the facility almost being finished, he should be able to follow up with a good 2020 class.

 

[SJScarlet]

Not arguing or even questioning Im just wondering. Do you think Mensah will really leave? What would he get out of that? Not like he can transfer up

He gets the ability play in basketball games, if that is what he wants. If instead he is fine with being on scout team in practice, cheering the team on and getting a Rutgers degree, then I can see it getting awkward between him and Pikiell, who I guarantee wants that scholly. It may not get decided until the season is over.

 

[SJScarlet]

That is a very solid roster. Probably better than we had in well over a decade. But if you look at the rest of the conference, almost all the teams have an equal or more talented roster. Its not a product of us being bad, its a product of the B1G loading up next year. A little side conversation would have been what next years team would have looked like with this year's schedule and all the B1G teams who are finding their way this year and building for a 2018-19 run like Northwestern, Nebraska, Michgan, etc.

But as I said before, this team is good enough that the home field advantage that we will have will be enough to pull wins against big big games.

I think we agree, it is a good enough roster to make every game with the bottom half of the league a toss up game at worst. Win more than your share of those and spring a couple upsets at home, and you can get close to a .500 conference record.

 

[bac2therac]

Mensah and maybe one other need to be pushed along

 

[RedChucken123]

My favorite thing to do lately after close games where we are an underdog (win or lose) is to go on opposing fan’s boards and game threads and watch their panic and excuses. Yes, maybe their team could be struggling at the same time, but maybe a little bit of respect for Rutgers too? They make it sound like we’re a high school team, which in some of Eddie Jordan’s games wouldn’t surprise me, but we’ve definitely improved since then too.

In terms of the impact of fan atmosphere, there is no question that we play better with a favorable crowd. When a big part of your game plan is heart and effort, you’re gonna need that extra support/adrenaline boost. That’s why it’ll be important for the Big Ten tournament. I’m not saying we will win it, but it will definitely be much more fun and interesting with a home crowd. We definitely need to take advantage of that.

 

[Rhuarc]

Pike can coach. If he can lock down the 2019 class in a big way (Hyatt Mulcahy Dixon), and Corey stays to keep our product on the court strong next year, the program will have turned the corner. Especially in conjunction with the facility almost being finished, he should be able to follow up with a good 2020 class.

This would truly be the ultimate scenario, IMO. I don't think you get all 3 though. 2 would be solid, especially if we keep Sanders.

 

[RUJMM78]

Don't be fooled by yesterday. ..the roster has a long way to go to get consistent enough to get wins in bunches. Too much assumptions based on close losses and competitive games does not mean post season as the rest of the league is still more talented. Next step should be trying to move out of 14th to 11th before we worry about anything else

The minimal goal for next season should be a winning season .The consecutive losing seasons is over a decade and that must stop next year .It won't be easy because there will be out of conference games on the road which means more league wins will be required to offset any unexpected losses.

 

[Scarlet83]

This would truly be the ultimate scenario, IMO. I don't think you get all 3 though. 2 would be solid, especially if we keep Sanders.

I am curious. Why don’t you think we can get all 3?

 

[bdodger3]

I am curious. Why don’t you think we can get all 3?

Scarlet83 - the board is vastly overrating our chances with Hyatt. Yes, he likes the staff. But his primary interest in RU revolves around any desire he had to return home to the Metro NYC area. That interest, however, is not a big factor for him and is heavily outweighed by other factors. His recruitment has not been all that serious to date. I expect it will eventually take off and quite a number of much more attractive programs will seriously recruit him. RU will remain in the mix due to geography and hard work of the staff, but it is a long, long shot.

By contrast, we are in very good shape with Mulcahy. I would be surprised if we did not land him.

I am not that familiar with Dixon's recruitment, but others who are assert he does not have serious interest in us.

There are other, high quality players who do have interest like Massoud - a small forward who needs to get stronger but had very good skills. RU is doing well, but it is extremely difficult to overcome the perception that comes from being the worst program in the Big East and Big Ten for decades.