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OT: Hoops team

LKAP13

LKAP13

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I watched the game on my iPad with RedZone on the big screen. I have no idea if we will win more than 2 conference games this year but I will say that we are much better than last year and the players are definitely accountable. When Sanders got out of control for a few possessions, he got a seat next to Brandon Knight for about 5 minutes. When he came back in he was a different player.

We are much bigger, more aggressive on the boards, moving the ball better and actually taking good shots for the most part. Again, I can't yet tell how this will translate to the B1G schedule but it's a vast improvement over last year.

Baby steps ...
 
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LKAP13 said:
I watched the game on my iPad with RedZone on the big screen. I have no idea if we will win more than 2 conference games this year but I will say that we are much better than last year and the players are definitely accountable. When Sanders got out of control for a few possessions, he got a seat next to Brandon Knight for about 5 minutes. When he came back in he was a different player.

We are much bigger, more aggressive on the boards, moving the ball better and actually taking good shots for the most part. Again, I can't yet tell how this will translate to the B1G schedule but it's a vast improvement over last year.

Baby steps ...
Click to expand...

We had 56 rebounds - that's all you need to know about the team effort under Pikiell - team played excellent defense, rebounded great and even passed/shot ok. We actually have good size and two very good guards (I really like Johnson and Sanders together and Williams provides good energy/defense off the bench). This was a team we would've struggled with in the past. I like the direction. Think we can win 5 B1G games this year and will possibly make a run at 0.500, which would be a huge improvement.
 
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I moved psychologically from FB to BB this weekend...need to have some optimism. Watched the Drexel game and came away with a good feeling. This team has some talent and the coaching looks good as well..
 
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Premature comments before road games and Big Ten-quality competition. Number of wins is the measurement.
 
Mr_Twister said:
Premature comments before road games and Big Ten-quality competition. Number of wins is the measurement.
Click to expand...

Yes, but you can tell right away if something is different. Case in point: opener of the 1988-89 season, Bob Wenzel's first game. Struggled against Rider early, then won relatively easily. And that wasn't a great Rutgers team, either, just one that was better prepared to play.

We didn't know at the time that was largely an assistant's work, but the point remains. You could tell something was different.
 
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it is difficult to figure how good the team will be this year because we have to understand that Drexel is probably not very good..

I was encouraged that we did play pretty well several stretches during the game, and showed a bit of coordination ...

the transfer center is going to be a fan favorite, more so when he gets a few buckets .... I liked the fact that he was
motioning to others as to where they should be on the court on set plays.... looks like he wants to be a leader.
 
Just having a full roster is great, i went last year and hoped they did not get in foul trouble with 7 damn players. My favorite memory was Justin Goode guarding Denzel Valentine.
 
Been a season ticket holder for years and attended both games so far and have to agree, it's impossible to tell how it will translate to better competition, but this is a clearly improved team. Just having more size helps and you can see them playing harder and as a more cohesive unit than at any point in the last couple years. Also, I think not only the size but the talent level of our bigs may surprise some people.
 
I was at the second game and was happy with what I saw...... during the game I thought they were taking care of the ball better than in the past, and was a bit suprised that we had as many turnovers ( 17?) as was
Recorded...... it seemed cleaner to me

There were a number of very nice moves to the basket that got us points.... these are the type of plays that a lot harder against big 10 teams.... it will be interesting to see how mobile and coordinated they are
 
rufanpops said:
Also, I think not only the size but the talent level of our bigs may surprise some people.
Click to expand...

I went to the game Friday night and watched yesterday and I was really impressed with both Gettys and Sa. Having two upperclassmen with size and skill is a huge boost to the team. Just the fact that they can catch the ball makes a big difference. So tired of the parade of hands of stone that have traditionally manned the middle for us.
 
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Forget the competition. Anyone who has watched RU in the past, and specifically in the Hill/Rice/Jordan eras, can see the difference here. Every aspect of the game is night and day. Whether you talk defense, rebounding, shot selection.
Pikiell is a real college coach. And to be fair, he has a healthy and full roster to work with. This team will surprise. This team will reenergize the RAC. And that means some upsets.
 
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the program lost to Drexel by double digits two years ago, while Drexel really has dropped off, yesterday was night and day for the RU program compared to the Jordan era. It may not translate into wins but it will translate into a watchable product for the first time in 3 years in hoops
 
BoroKnight said:
Yes, but you can tell right away if something is different. Case in point: opener of the 1988-89 season, Bob Wenzel's first game. Struggled against Rider early, then won relatively easily. And that wasn't a great Rutgers team, either, just one that was better prepared to play.

We didn't know at the time that was largely an assistant's work, but the point remains. You could tell something was different.
Click to expand...

That wasn't a 5-star loaded team but a team that played with immense heart and didn't like to lose. Also very well coached. Then Wenzel, the next year brought in Duncan and Hughes, sat savage and the chemistry of the team was killed.
 
Mr_Twister said:
Premature comments before road games and Big Ten-quality competition. Number of wins is the measurement.
Click to expand...
Not when you were 7-25 a year ago. Each game is seen as a baby step or minor measuring stick. Game 1: don't screw around with a D-2 opponent and win decisively. Game 2: Avoid a death struggle and a WTF loss with a mid-major and get a solid win. Game 3: Play well and get a road win against a BE opponent. The rebounding numbers and defensive effort are enough cause for optimism. Team also looks like they are in much better shape physically.
 
bac2therac said:
the program lost to Drexel by double digits two years ago, while Drexel really has dropped off, yesterday was night and day for the RU program compared to the Jordan era. It may not translate into wins but it will translate into a watchable product for the first time in 3 years in hoops
Click to expand...
I actually enjoyed going to the last two games and watching this team. I can't remember the last time I thought that. Really like Sa. What were his other offers again? I can't remember.
 
shields said:
Just having a full roster is great, i went last year and hoped they did not get in foul trouble with 7 damn players. My favorite memory was Justin Goode guarding Denzel Valentine.
Click to expand...
And Laurent guarding power forwards and centers...
 
This is what a well conditioned well coached team looks like. There are pieces we need, namely a point guard. But we won't be embarrassed like we were under the last staff.


Not sure we can ever truly complete in football in this league, at least not for a while. The gap between those in our division and us is just so massive in scale.

Hoops is different. That gap can be closed much faster considering the smaller scale.
 
Good experienced coaching and good experienced staff makes all the difference in the world!!!! Pleasure to watch. Seeing improvement game to game.
 
Mr_Twister said:
Premature comments before road games and Big Ten-quality competition. Number of wins is the measurement.
Click to expand...

Scenario:
A car drives by you going 10 mph. A minute later a car drives by you going 40 mph.

Do you know the exact speeds off the top of your head? No. Do you know which one was faster? Yes.

This team, man, is so much faster (committed to the metaphor).
 
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Caliknight said:
This is what a well conditioned well coached team looks like. There are pieces we need, namely a point guard. But we won't be embarrassed like we were under the last staff.


Not sure we can ever truly complete in football in this league, at least not for a while. The gap between those in our division and us is just so massive in scale.

Hoops is different. That gap can be closed much faster considering the smaller scale.
Click to expand...
I find it funny that you defend Ash For not having the players but trash Jordan when he had 7 scholly players w/o any players in front court.
 
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Sounds like the team is playing great "D" with enthusiasm, team chemistry and is developing a bond with the fans. Much tougher league but can this team make a RUN like Wenzel's 1st team? I'm beginning to think good tings R gonna happen THIS year!

Congrats to the team for the big win Thursday Knight and the great 3-0 start!
 
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Enjoyed the win though the end was hairy as we wilted against the press and Depaul hot hot from 3. Still holy cow we beat a big east team on the road and I'll take it.
 
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Eddie was my favorite player, but I think we finally have a coach. I love what I see so far.
 
Bball will struggle against B10 schools BUT you can see the difference Coach wise with a experienced head Coach and experienced Div1 assts., vrs taking assistants and making them first time head Coaches..Not Pikiells first time at the rodeo..he has a plan with the talent he has to work with on roster.
Also dont know if it was RU athletics or IMG,but whomever got Jerry Recco as RU new play by play guy..Great Move! Its getting RU alot of air time in NYC market on boomer and Carton..lots of RU talk..allmost like when Carlin worked with Fat Mike..
http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2016/11/18/boomer-carton-jerry-makes-his-return-2/
 
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jtung230 said:
I find it funny that you defend Ash For not having the players but trash Jordan when he had 7 scholly players w/o any players in front court.
Click to expand...

BTW, thanks to former Coach Jordan and Shoes for bringing us the following players:
Corey Sanders
Deshawn Freeman
Issa Thiam
Shaq Doorson
Nigel Johnson
Jonathan Laurent
Mike Willams

Thanks to Coach Pikiell and all the current coaches for improving these players.
 
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Good stuff. A little more interesting than I like towards the end but the defense and rebounding effort were there for the majority of the game. As for Eddie, I think he had noble intentions, but was completely overwhelmed by the situation he inherited and running a program in today's college hoops environment. Yes, there were injuries and he lacked players, but the difference is that coach P and staff went out and got players and are coaching everyone up. Pretty happy so far.
 
Great stuff. Watched both the Drexel game and last night. Love the effort by the players. Scrapping for each loose ball, diving, crashing the boards. Most important saw some emotion last night. Doorson goes up for the rebound, scores and the bench explodes.

After what the program has been through, more concerned about effort, defense and rebounding, and the wins will eventually follow.
 
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