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BB Recruiting Noah Fernandes visiting RU

Gavin’s defense could determine how many minutes Cam ends up getting. Cam was a defensive liability against a bunch of B1G teams. If Gavin isn’t 100% ready defensively it could end up being Gavin or Cam.
actually I think Cam was one of the major reasons why we were one of the best defensive teams in the country. He is extremely smart and cuts off alot of passing lanes. something I wasn't expecting from his transfer. i dont think anyone was expecting it but dude has basketball smarts on defensive side...
 
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actually I think Cam was one of the major reasons why we were one of the best defensive teams in the country. He is extremely smart and cuts off alot of passing lanes. something I was expecting from his transfer. i dont think anyone was expecting it but dude has basketball smarts on defensive side...
High iq BBall player on both sides of the court. Had many seemingly minor but heady plays throughout the year.
Good anticipation and hands on D.
 
This..i dont see why most of the board here doesn't realize this
It’s not impossible. Brian Leonard was the heart and soul of the football program and he took a back seat to a better player his senior year and was still a major piece of the offense (albeit still a starter so not exactly the same thing). My point is that Mulcahy can be a major contributor next season while playing less. He’s a team player so if they are a better team with him only playing 20-25 minutes instead of 32, I’d like to think he’d do it.
 
Right now if Paul returns we’d have 5 guards to rotate amongst 120 minutes (1-3 slots). Paul and GG could also slide to the 4 for a few minutes a piece. We’d have Davis also but he’s likely a project and not going to play that much. Bottom line is we’d be a much better team if no guys were averaging 30+. I don’t think Paul or Cam care if his minutes dipped to 25ish. Would Noah? That’s the question. If yes we prob won’t take him.
 
Pike recruited who is available to him. No offense to our current and past guys but if Pike had the option to pick up 4 or 5 stars like he can now, Derek, Wolf, Mag, wouldn't be on our team.
I remember him saying most of the time players gets rated based on their offense skills and not defensive skills. Because he couldnt get those 4/5stars guys, he picked up guys who are 4/5 stars in his defense ratings. Thats why we have team full of guys who can fly on the defensive end and cover. We are able to compete at the top level even with players who were mostly 3 stars because according to Pike, based on their defense, they were 4/5 stars.
THIS is what the "hurr durr Pike's 'defense-first' philosophy doesn't work" people do not understand.
 
Gavin’s defense could determine how many minutes Cam ends up getting. Cam was a defensive liability against a bunch of B1G teams. If Gavin isn’t 100% ready defensively it could end up being Gavin or Cam.
Agreed. Cam (and Paul and Simpson) getting beat off the dribble is what made many of our defensive rotations necessary. In their defense, they were guarding the guys on the other teams who were good at that.

A key in Gavin's development will be his D, how good is it and will Pike live with a few inevitable freshmen moments and keep him on the court.
 
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THIS is what the "hurr durr Pike's 'defense-first' philosophy doesn't work" people do not understand.
Those people would point to run and gunner type offensive players in the St Peters, FDU, Florida Atlantic and other teams of the yester years. They fail to understand that A) most of those teams wouldn’t be tourney teams in the BIG and B) even if A wasn’t true, most of the time these other teams still strike out trying to pick out the overlooked 3 star offensive studs (how many years of bad teams did those 3 coaches above have before one good year). Odds are just so heavily stacked against picking out the 3 star offensive studs.
 
Those people would point to run and gunner type offensive players in the St Peters, FDU, Florida Atlantic and other teams of the yester years. They fail to understand that A) most of those teams wouldn’t be tourney teams in the BIG and B) even if A wasn’t true, most of the time these other teams still strike out trying to pick out the overlooked 3 star offensive studs (how many years of bad teams did those 3 coaches above have before one good year). Odds are just so heavily stacked against picking out the 3 star offensive studs.
There are miles and miles of middle ground between "run and gunner" offenses and what we had last season.
 
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There are miles and miles of middle ground between "run and gunner" offenses and what we had last season.
That’s not the point. Most of the time, 3 star offense first kids turn out like Jaden Jones (and he was a 4 star) at the major conference level. There are exceptions, but odds of successfully selecting a 3 star recruit that will be an above average major conference defender (if that’s your intent) are much better than odds of selecting an above average offensive player who doesn’t totally kill you on defense. The reverse isn’t true unless you get a Miller who can’t score at all. One player out of 5 can’t burn you on offense the same way a JJ type defender can. That’s the difference. Unless your offense is so good that your dropping 80+ a night, you can’t afford JJ defenders. You can work around poor shooters to at least have a chance.
 
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That’s not the point. Most of the time, 3 star offense first kids turn out like Jaden Jones (and he was a 4 star) at the major conference level. There are exceptions, but odds of successfully selecting a 3 star recruit that will be an above average major conference defender (if that’s your intent) are much better than odds of selecting an above average offensive player who doesn’t totally kill you on defense. The reverse isn’t true unless you get a Miller who can’t score at all. One player out of 5 can’t burn you on offense the same way a JJ type defender can. That’s the difference. Unless your offense is so good that your dropping 80+ a night, you can’t afford JJ defenders. You can work around poor shooters to at least have a chance.
Ha! I think you're agreeing with what I thought you were disagreeing with. My bad.
 
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would be nice to see some tape of him running an offense and making some passes too. How he dribbles vs. press, etc.
 
I'm not convinced on Simpson's dribbling skills yet to be true leading PG for Rutgers. I think he is better PG than Paul towards end of the season but Noah is huge upgrade from Simpson.

fyi: Pike never said he is going for lengthy players... lol...
Pike recruited who is available to him. No offense to our current and past guys but if Pike had the option to pick up 4 or 5 stars like he can now, Derek, Wolf, Mag, wouldn't be on our team.
I remember him saying most of the time players gets rated based on their offense skills and not defensive skills. Because he couldnt get those 4/5stars guys, he picked up guys who are 4/5 stars in his defense ratings. Thats why we have team full of guys who can fly on the defensive end and cover. We are able to compete at the top level even with players who were mostly 3 stars because according to Pike, based on their defense, they were 4/5 stars.

Rieber, Palm, Paul, they were brought in for offense than defense.
I agree with you on Simpson’s handle. It needs some work during the off season. That’s his weak spot in my mind.
 
The staff showing interest in Fernandes shows you what the staff thinks as Simpson as the PG and the freshman coming in.
They were trying to land a PG transfer last off-season. Nothing has changed. Paul returning doesnt matter for Noah or any PG we seek after.
All this shows is the staff knows the need and is trying to fill it for this year.
 
Will Fernandes be able to guard BIG guards?
I thought the same thing about Cam a year ago. Seemed too slow and at times he was.

Will Fernandes at times get beat because he's smaller? Certainly. On balance, he'll be able to hold his own and then some or they wouldn't be courting him.
 
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The staff showing interest in Fernandes shows you what the staff thinks as Simpson as the PG and the freshman coming in.
Or maybe they are just doing their jobs covering their basis. The staff needs to be recruiting high level PGs in case Paul leaves just like they were recruiting top big men in case Cliff leaves

It'll be interesting to see of Fernandes is interested in actually coming to Rutgers both with and without Paul or only if he leaves. There is a clear role for him either way, but obviously more him running the offense with the ball in his hand without Paul here
 
Will Fernandes be able to guard BIG guards?
yes. little guards have guarded big guards before...

some people play much bigger than their height.
and some people play much smaller than their height (hyatt - sorry for the side kick).

of course being taller is great but some players, when they have feel for the game, they dont let their lack of physical attributes affect their playing.
 
I think Paul leaves...
After testing NBA draft, (which he wont get drafted obviously) then I think he will transfer. He can get GOOD money for his last year of eligibility. Money he can put towards his business venture after school.
 
I think Paul leaves...
After testing NBA draft, (which he wont get drafted obviously) then I think he will transfer. He can get GOOD money for his last year of eligibility. Money he can put towards his business venture after school.
The deadline to enter the portal is before the draft.
 
The only thing known for sure is that Paul isn't transferring
Knowing Paul, how dedicated to Rutgers he was. how much he loved being here. Would love him to stay and be a leader. play SG,SF and play 25mins a game.
but

I think transferring might be best option for him...

Imagine starting for 4 years and then become almost after thought as PG... ouch... He is true team player but thats gotta hit him hard...

Get that money and start a business! He seems to have knack for putting things together.
 
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yes. little guards have guarded big guards before...

some people play much bigger than their height.
and some people play much smaller than their height (hyatt - sorry for the side kick).

of course being taller is great but some players, when they have feel for the game, they dont let their lack of physical attributes affect their playing.

This is my personal NBA bias.
I see 5'11" and think non-starter.
But I would say a 6'4" RHJ PF is a non-starter too.

College basketball isn't as big as NBA. As you say, you can have smaller players and be effective and excel.
 
Knowing Paul, how dedicated to Rutgers he was. how much he loved being here. Would love him to stay and be a leader. play SG,SF and play 25mins a game.
but

I think transferring might be best option for him...

Imagine starting for 4 years and then become almost after thought as PG... ouch... He is true team player but thats gotta hit him hard...

Get that money and start a business! He seems to have knack for putting things together.
Paul is as RU as it gets. He either returns or leaves college basketball.
 
That’s not the point. Most of the time, 3 star offense first kids turn out like Jaden Jones (and he was a 4 star) at the major conference level. There are exceptions, but odds of successfully selecting a 3 star recruit that will be an above average major conference defender (if that’s your intent) are much better than odds of selecting an above average offensive player who doesn’t totally kill you on defense. The reverse isn’t true unless you get a Miller who can’t score at all. One player out of 5 can’t burn you on offense the same way a JJ type defender can. That’s the difference. Unless your offense is so good that you’re dropping 80+ a night, you can’t afford JJ defenders. You can work around poor shooters to at least have a chance.
So true. I was always taught your defense is only as good as your weakest defender.
 
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So, some people seem to think that a 2023 honorable mention all B1G player would not be a major factor next season? PM was beat up down the stretch this year. Had shoulder issues all season. Basically willed RU to victory at MSG against MSU. He was also honorable mention in 2022. Just have to shake my head.

HONORABLE MENTION
Connor McCaffery, Iowa
Tony Perkins, Iowa
Filip Rebraca, Iowa
Julian Reese, Maryland
Hakim Hart, Maryland
Donta Scott, Maryland
Joey Hauser, Michigan State
A.J. Hoggard, Michigan State
Dawson Garcia, Minnesota
Keisei Tominaga, Nebraska
Zed Key, Ohio State
Brice Sensabaugh, Ohio State
Justice Sueing, Ohio State
Andrew Funk, Penn State
Seth Lundy, Penn State
Braden Smith, Purdue
Fletcher Loyer, Purdue
Caleb McConnell, Rutgers
Paul Mulcahy, Rutgers
Cam Spencer, Rutgers
 
The staff showing interest in Fernandes shows you what the staff thinks as Simpson as the PG and the freshman coming in.
The staff also knows that you can't have much success with a sophomore and freshman guards running the show. Losing Caleb and possibly Paul is a MAJOR experience hit and needs to be fixed by getting a ball handler in the portal.
 
You can't say that the Big Ten suffers because they're lacking dynamic guard play and then turn your nose up at a guy like this.

So, some people seem to think that a 2023 honorable mention all B1G player would not be a major factor next season? PM was beat up down the stretch this year. Had shoulder issues all season. Basically willed RU to victory at MSG against MSU. He was also honorable mention in 2022. Just have to shake my head.

HONORABLE MENTION
Connor McCaffery, Iowa
Tony Perkins, Iowa
Filip Rebraca, Iowa
Julian Reese, Maryland
Hakim Hart, Maryland
Donta Scott, Maryland
Joey Hauser, Michigan State
A.J. Hoggard, Michigan State
Dawson Garcia, Minnesota
Keisei Tominaga, Nebraska
Zed Key, Ohio State
Brice Sensabaugh, Ohio State
Justice Sueing, Ohio State
Andrew Funk, Penn State
Seth Lundy, Penn State
Braden Smith, Purdue
Fletcher Loyer, Purdue
Caleb McConnell, Rutgers
Paul Mulcahy, Rutgers
Cam Spencer, Rutgers
Is this just last year? That would mean that more than 1/3 of all the starters in the league were at least Honorable Mention.
 
Simpson is a stud.100% a starter,was effective when finally given the job and is likely to improve.
The team was ready to make a run after Purdue,because of Derek.
Derek,Cam,Gavin ,Mag & Cliff.Starters
Portal backup PG ,& 5 /power 4.
Hyatt,Wolf ,Paul(?) bench
This is not CP3. ,& Pike will never promise starters minutes to Fernandez.
 
Paul comes back and plays the 3 sharing minutes with Mag, and can play point forward with Mag at 3.
 
Half the league is honorable mention. It’s not an accomplishment. Paul was bad last year and will not be kept in the starting rotation if he plays badly next year.
 
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