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No Reiber and Mag

Even with our abysmal shooting performance, Dean wasn’t part of a possible 2nd half comeback….an afterthought.
Mag not an offensive player and the fact he never will be is troubling
Mag is the fifth leading scorer on the team. Not too far behind Simpson.
 
It’s too soon to write off Mag’s offense. And, Reiber was banged up earlier in the season so maybe he’s still making his way back. His PT also seems to depend largely on the matchups and size of RU’s opponents.
 
Through four games they're not better than last year. Arguably worse. If this program is about player development that's really bad.
 
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It’s too soon to write off Mag’s offense. And, Reiber was banged up earlier in the season so maybe he’s still making his way back. His PT also seems to depend largely on the matchups and size of RU’s opponents.
No, it's not.
Unbelievable. This is Mamadou Doucoure 2.0
What are you guys watching?
 
I can only assume you don’t follow Rutgers best writers or listen to any of the press conferences or interviews with Pikiell. This wasn’t my take on who I think should start this is who is most likely going to start based on everything that’s been written and said.
I follow closely. Pike never said Mag would start over Hyatt. Hyatt was always going to be a starter with Caleb.
 
It’s too soon to write off Mag’s offense. And, Reiber was banged up earlier in the season so maybe he’s still making his way back. His PT also seems to depend largely on the matchups and size of RU’s opponents.
Way too early to write off Mag. Yes, he takes alot of outside shots that havent falllen. Hes a streaky shooter. I would rather see him go to hoop more and he can post up. Pikiell says hes really good so i believe him. Hes also a good defender. He had some sloppy play against Temple but make no mistake, he will play an important role this season.

In looking at the schedule through December 30th, i would love to see us at 10-3. That means winning the expected OOC , taking 2-3 from Miami, SHU and Wake and splitting with indiana and OSU. That could be a lofty goal but I think it’s doable.
 
Mag is apparently currently playing through an injury

Dean missed one week and everyone attributes his lack of play to missing a week of practice in preseason
 
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Mag is apparently currently playing through an injury

Dean missed one week and everyone attributes his lack of play to missing a week of practice in preseason

No idea about an injury - but my issue with Mag is that he just doesn’t seem to be a smart player to this point. He’s skilled on defense but even on that end he makes dumb, untimely decisions that cost us. Worse on offense though and his poor shooting percentage understates this point. For instance, Caleb isn’t a good shooter either but his court sense is much better than Mags. Mag’s going for the record on shot attempts made with Cliff’s back to basket.

Outside of one awkward midrange that rolled in, almost all of Mag’s baskets have been through sheer athleticism - in transition, put back, etc. Those points will be harder to come by as the competition improves.
 
Athleticism means stugatz if you can't hoop, period. Your logic is flawed. In WHAT world do you think Mag is better than Reiber? SHOT? NO friggin way. Overall OFFENSE? Hells no. Because he runs around and flails his arms around the court? OK, sure. Basketball IQ? Again, NO friggin way. Defense? OK, on the ball pressure and speed, yes. Dean has PROVEN he can achieve success at this level. Mag has not. Proof is in production.

That said, Dean is obviously still hobbled. Not sure if his game is going to return to the level it was at seasons end last year, and TAHT is disappointing...but in no way is Mag better.
I think Rieber’s injury is more than meets the eye. He’s trying to play through, but it is clear its is affecting him.
 
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Through four games they're not better than last year. Arguably worse. If this program is about player development that's really bad.
It’s only four games in. At least we are consistent in starting off the season as inconsistent. If it means better team in B1G play with and 3 star players we just may have to live with it. We will get the occasional 4 star, but more often we will not so gotta do with what we get and slowly build.
 
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Let’s pick on kids after a bad game. Cool.

On the brite side at this point last year I read that nobody on our team could play except Ron and Geo but they weren’t doing enough either or were “inconsistent.” So I’m optimistic about this years team based on all of our experts.
 
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The offense struggled in pockets of every game last year even with Ron and Geo. It wasn’t until we increased Cliff to the offense in high ball screen PnR with Mulcahy that the team took off as it was able to find efficient offense at all times even if Ron and Geo both went cold.

This year without Ron and Geo, the offense is going to be woeful, and we will need increase the frequency of high ball screen PnR with cliff and Paul even more if we want a chance of having a below average passable offensive efficiency.
 
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You're wrong - he said it in a podcast and he said it at the open donor practice that Hyatt is a great sixth man, and Mag was wearing the starter red jersey, Hyatt was wearing white like all the other non-starters.
Well, it certainly doesn’t look like that’s going to be the case when Caleb returns . Mag will be coming in from the bench
 
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I actually like Hyatt off the bench. He certainly has a scorer’s mentality (for better or for worse). I think this team will certainly struggle to to score at times and the reserves will be too weak without a potential scorer.
 
The offense struggled in pockets of every game last year even with Ron and Geo. It wasn’t until we increased Cliff to the offense in high ball screen PnR with Mulcahy that the team took off as it was able to find efficient offense at all times even if Ron and Geo both went cold.

This year without Ron and Geo, the offense is going to be woeful, and we will need increase the frequency of high ball screen PnR with cliff and Paul even more if we want a chance of having a below average passable offensive efficiency.
We’ll see. I’m hoping it’s apples and oranges and that we will just play a different style. We didn’t have guys who could finish well in transition last year. So while Caleb got a ton of steals, we didn’t create much offense off his defense. I’m hopeful that improves a lot this year. Way too soon to tell considering Caleb hasn’t even played yet.
 
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We played Rider tonight - I'm not ready to say anything other than we played a very overmatched team who did not belong on the same court as us. Our real season begins November 30th - that is when we will really be able to say who 'is' and who 'isn't'.
 
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He had 1 point, 1 rebound and 3 fouls in 16 minutes. Defensively, he was frequently out of position and a step slow to recover. Just seems to feel uncomfortable, not yet gelling at the PF spot.
Dean was one of the first guys up and down the floor in transition. He actually looked much faster than the early games and he was elevating quickly in help D to try and block shots. His ankle looks like it is healing. He needs some swagger that is all. Also he was missed wide open a few times which is where we miss Paul and Caleb. Anyone notice Cliff is not getting many ally oops this year?

Mag is still rushing his shot on drives but was getting the rolls. He played well overall. His defense is outstanding.
 
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You were telling everyone that it was Reiber and not Mag or Hyatt as the starting 4.
Yes I did. It seems his injury has definitely hampered him. He’s not even where he was end of last year. But tonight was better. I still think by seasons end he will start a couple games if he finds his stoke again. It’s early.
 
We played Rider tonight - I'm not ready to say anything other than we played a very overmatched team who did not belong on the same court as us. Our real season begins November 30th - that is when we will really be able to say who 'is' and who 'isn't'.
That’s a veteran Rider team that usually shoots almost 40% from 3 point land. Dont make them out to be Columbia.
 
If you followed closely on Friday it was Hyatt's perimeter D that really put us in a hole.
You should tone it down with the Hyatt hate. The entire team played horrible defense in the first half against Temple and here you are singling out one guy in Hyatt. That's ridiculous !!!
 
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Yes I did. It seems his injury has definitely hampered him. He’s not even where he was end of last year. But tonight was better. I still think by seasons end he will start a couple games if he finds his stoke again. It’s early.
I was very pleased with the game. The 3 negative takes always from me

1. Rider has 18 OREB
2. Free throw shooting
3. Simpson on offense (not defense!)

Reiber had 1 DREB in 16 minutes. That is a problem.
 
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