Perspective

[jellyman]

I am not saying Jordan and his staff are the answer for RU's near- or long-term future. I am not saying the recruiting is sufficient for RU's needs. I am also not saying Jordan is NOT the answer,

But I wanted to give some perspective - my perspective ... again. Those who are convinced Jordan is not the answer will hate this post - I provide that information up front.

Lack of depth (compounded by lack of size issues made a bigger problem because of the specific players who have been injured - all front court players) compound against a great team ... and are even worse against a great team having a good night. RU was extremely competitive against Indiana, when RU had Laurent, and Grier going wild from 3-point range. RU competed well against Michigan (a lesser team than MSU), also with Laurent (just the 2nd game RU had Laurent back since the Indiana game), with Michigan NOT having a lights out shooting performance (though Michigan DID hit 11 of 27 from 3, which is way better than RU is able to do generally).

It is hard to know what RU would have been able to do (how close the games might have been), if Freeman had been available - RU's best scorer at the time he got hurt, and RU's best front court player by a wide margin. Not necessarily beat these best teams RU has faced, but surely compete better and make the team look a lot better.

RU has also faced a just brutal stretch of teams. The schedule eases off a little from here on out. For perspective (though the naysayers do not care about perspective, they just want a team decimated with injuries to win, regardless ... even though the 5 best coaches in the US could not win with the healthy players RU currently has), RU is indeed 0-9 in the Big Ten. But also, for perspective, here are the 9 teams RU has played:

-- Indiana (18-4, 8-1)
-- Wisconsin (13-9, 5-4)
-- Maryland (19-3, 8-2)
-- Nebraska (12-10, 4-5)
-- Ohio State (14-9, 6-4)
-- Purdue (19-4, 7-3)
-- Iowa (17-4, 8-1)
-- Michigan (17-5, 7-2)
-- Michigan State (19-4, 6-4)

MSU (currently #12), Iowa (currently #3), Maryland (currently #8), Purdue (currently #21 - but may be headed higher) are all ranked. Michigan probably should be, but is not really close at this point. The 9 games RU has played are against the TOP NINE BIG TEN TEAMS, in the Big Ten standings. RU has not played ANY Big Ten teams in the bottom 5 (well, RU itself is one of the bottom 5 teams).

Also, perspective: We shall see if RU can be more competitive over the next few weeks. RU plays in the next 7 games, Illinois 2X (10-12, 2-7), Penn State (11-11, 2-7), Northwestern (15-8, 3-7) and Minnesota (6-16, 0-10) ... plus Ohio State - which is a really bad match-up for RU. RU then closes with MSU at home, and Minnesota, again.

RU has a legitimate chance to be competitive in at least 6 of their remaining 9 games. A healthy RU team would have had a legitimate chance to win ALL SIX of those remaining competitive games ... plus Indiana and Michigan, earlier in the year. Not saying a healthy RU team would have surely beaten Indiana or Michigan, or WOULD win all 6 of the remaining competitive teams, but there would have been a chance.

 

[MCKnight2004]

Fair mention of our clear challenges and tough top 9 B1G schedule, but EJ and Team have to pull out a win or two with that remaining schedule to salvage any chance of coming back next year IMO.

 

[RU_DIO]

I hope the new RU AD doesn't think the way the OP does.

The only way this year could be forgiven is if recruiting was going well.

 

[rufeelinit]

Not sure where the op is coming from since he covered all sides with his opening disclaimer. As I have said before, eddies best case for coming back is injuries. Some seem to be buying the David vs Goliath we played well for a while stuff as a basis to say he is coaching as well as anyone could under the circumstances. We still lost by 34.

I agree the schedule has been tough but I doubt we win any of those games with our full roster. I don't think we saw freeman play one game against conference competition so while he is the best we have who knows how well he would be doing. I thought doorson showed potential but again could be a 3 yrs project. Thought Diallo looked extremely raw. Regarding Nigel, how many times have we heard how great these guys are only to be disappointed when they start playing real games. He has a body of work at Ksu and that should not be forgotten.

The bottom line remains whether or not you think he can get it done. These efforts don't change my view that he is not the guy. I can't even watch these games anymore. Willing to see how he does on the back nine but unless something entirely unexpected occurs we still need to cut our losses and move on.

 

[Section114]

I like the post. It is non-bias and non-committal, but calls out the facts.

I have not been impressed with EJ and staff in the first 3 years. It would appear the players are not fundamentally sound, have a low b-ball IQ and in general recruiting has not been terrific with next year seemingly disappointing, but who knows. However, Corey was a great commitment, Laurent seems to have talent and should be s solid wing player if he continues to improve. Freeman will now have two years left after red-shirting. Those 3 are not a bad class by any stretch. The problem is, they are being added to NO ONE. There was no base to add these guys too- they are now the base.

What we can never know is how we would have done if Doorson, Diallo and Freeman played all year. While others have said none are great players (which is true) although Freeman will hold his own- what happens is all other players get to play "their" position. Most of the team is playing out of position which has a cumulative effect throughout the game and throughout the season. If those 3 guys are there- everyone gets more rest, plays in position and is less gassed on offense. We are also playing with our only big guy who really cannot jump due to his knees and our Senior captain guard is an absolute turnover machine. We may actually get better by subtraction here.

Again, while I am leaning more to EJ NOT being the right guy to get it done (to be clear, I desperately would love him too and root for him to) it would seem that the injuries this year have impacted progress. RU certainly would not have been 15-15, but if the injuries cost us 5 games, would 11-19 look better than 6-24? Would 11-19 make you believe we were on the right path? Part of me says he deserves another year, but so glad I do not make that decision.

As I have said before, the issue is the need to extend EJ if we retain him. I just don't have enough insight into the dollars available to extend him and then fire him next year and absorb the loss it if he doesn't improve. The other question is what type of coach can we attract without having shovels in the ground and a firm commitment to the MBB program.

 

[shields]

Did anyone watch Northwestern yesterday? They were down 25 before the subs made it closer. Watching MSU play again I have this question. What kind of weight training program do we have?. Valentine is a guard and looks like he could play linebacker for Rutgers. And then you see Goode guarding him. Foreman needs to be bigger next year and Laurent a little bigger too. And I get that Valentine is a senior but they had a number of guys that looked big.

 

[shields]

And Williams is a fine player, he shows toughness that Daniels does not have.

 

[G- RUnit]

Toughness where? They have the same number of rebounds, Daniels has a better shooting percentage and handles the ball. Curb your angry inaccurate agenda.

 

[ScarletLongIsland]

Daniels is completely unable to play with his other 4 teammates on the floor and probably has the worst decision-making I have ever seen in a guard.

 

[Double46RU]

We have lost 25 conference games in a row

 

[G- RUnit]

Daniels is completely unable to play with his other 4 teammates on the floor and probably has the worst decision-making I have ever seen in a guard.

Whose decision making has been good?? Besides Sanders nobody has been good. Grossly unfair to blame Daniels for all our troubles when we have have had shooters go 0 for 10 on multiple ocasssions.

 

[motel00]

Jelly,

I guess I'm in the same camp as you.

I do see the results of the coaching staff on the offensive end, players are really starting to buy in and understand the concepts. We are seeing them really spread the floor and get good cuts and easy shots. My concern besides the obvious (recruiting) is on the defensive side of the ball. While I know we are clearly overmatched and undersized, some of Jordan's comments have been troubling. There have been games where the other team has countless open looks where Jordan comments that, 'we didn't close out a couple of times'. There was the comment that he doesn't coach rebounding (which to be fair he did comment a few games later that he was coaching rebounding in practice).

I do think that this has been a process for him in terms of transitioning from pros to college and having appropriate expectations. One thing he does have to come to terms with is at this level, the defense can be more of a force than he seems to acknowledge and that our players and particularly our guards have to be better at getting over screens and not giving up wide open treys.

Having said that, I recognize that he did want to press and play uptempo this year but cannot do that because of injuries. And some of the defensive breakdowns are due to our simply being so undersized.

 

[ScarletLongIsland]

Whose decision making has been good?? Besides Sanders nobody has been good. Grossly unfair to blame Daniels for all our troubles when we have have had shooters go 0 for 10 on multiple ocasssions.

Guess reading comprehension was not your strong point. Where am i blaming him for our troubles? Daniels is better suited for a game of 1 on 1 at the playground and he is clueless on taking care of the ball and distributing to his teammates.

 

[G- RUnit]

You may want to look in the mirror regarding your comprehension skills. "Daniels is completely unable to play with his other four team mates on the floor" Again I ask you who has? Besides Corey, Daniels has more than double the assists of any other player on the team. Nobody else has even shown the capacity to bring the ball up the court.

 

[ScarletLongIsland]

I'm not saying there are any other players to bring the ball up (besides Corey). Im just saying that Daniels's game is awful.

 

[AreYouNUTS]

We are the WORST TEAM IN NJ and that says it all, sorry, and it kills me to say it because EJ was my first hoops "idol' as a kid. I can't buy being "competitive' games against teams that may or may not be uninterested, may or may not have had a bad day, or anything else, we stink this season. Period.

 

[higgins3]

Toughness where? They have the same number of rebounds, Daniels has a better shooting percentage and handles the ball. Curb your angry inaccurate agenda.

]

Williams has improved his ppg by 4 points in one year. Daniels just one point from last year. Williams plays defense, has grit. Daniels does not appear to want to give consistent effort defensively.Williams shooting better from the stripe and has one more rebound pg than Daniels. Daniels also has more more to a game than Williams.

I want to see Williams pass more. Comparing the two at the present, Williams seems to be better in a good number of areas. Williams has to become a more complete team player,though.

 

[higgins3]

We are the WORST TEAM IN NJ and that says it all, sorry, and it kills me to say it because EJ was my first hoops "idol' as a kid. I can't buy being "competitive' games against teams that may or may not be uninterested, may or may not have had a bad day, or anything else, we stink this season. Period.

One of our best players in injured.

EJ hires the strength and conditioning coach though and has not been seen to make great hires thus far.

 

[higgins3]

Whose decision making has been good?? Besides Sanders nobody has been good. Grossly unfair to blame Daniels for all our troubles when we have have had shooters go 0 for 10 on multiple ocasssions.

You can say what you want, but at some point, in some rationale, you expect more from a senior at the D1 level. I am a year older than Daniels, so I hate to judge. If you are getting a full scholarship though, you expect something else from Daniels at this point. At list Williams is showing improvement from freshman year to this year.

 

[AreYouNUTS]

One of our best players in injured.

.

Well aware, however, it changes nothing at this moment. Injuries are a part of the game, unfortunately, and we've stunk all year long (again, unfortunately).

 

[G- RUnit]

]

Williams has improved his ppg by 4 points in one year. Daniels just one point from last year. Williams plays defense, has grit. Daniels does not appear to want to give consistent effort defensively.Williams shooting better from the stripe and has one more rebound pg than Daniels. Daniels also has more more to a game than Williams.

I want to see Williams pass more. Comparing the two at the present, Williams seems to be better in a good number of areas. Williams has to become a more complete team player,though.

Sorry I am a season ticket holder and have seen all the away games. While Daniels has been an offensive adventure and roller coaster( no more than our shooter going 0 for 10, 3 for 12 etc) I have yet to see this absence of defensive effort. Stats suggests otherwise.

 

[ScarletLongIsland]

Are you saying that Daniels is better than Williams defensively? LOL, what games are you watching?

 

[Upstream]

I am an Eddie Jordan fan, and have been since he was a player at Rutgers.

I disagree with the people on this board who imply that Jordan can't coach. The guy has more than 30 years of coaching experience at the college and NBA levels. I am fairly confident that he knows a lot more about coaching basketball than anyone who posts on this board.

I think his tenure as Rutgers HC has been plagued by a lot of unfortunate issues beyond his control. He inherited a mess from Rice. The decent players from Rice that stayed with the program have now graduated, so he has a young team in which the best players are freshmen and sophomores. He is trying to recruit for a program that has been essentially ignored by the athletic department for close to 2 decades. This year he was hit with injuries that essentially wiped out his frontcourt.

Nonetheless, I think Rutgers needs a new head coach for next year. I think at this point, as the losses have mounted up, it is an impossible task for Jordan to recruit and build the program.

A new coach can come in with a clean record and a fresh start, and start building this program. Jordan's tenure has moved us away from the toxic reputation that was here following the Rice affair. Jordan has also provided a decent nucleus of young players who a new coach can build around. And, with the expected start of construction on the practice facility, a new coach can point to the fact that Rutgers is now investing in basketball.

While I don't think a new coach will have an easy building job. I do think that our best option is for a new coach to take a clean start and build from a better position than Jordan found when he arrived.

 

[shields]

I have seen Williams get rebounds versus kids 4 inches taller than him. He battles and yes I have seen every game this year. Jellyman has written about this and I agree with him.

 

[higgins3]

Well aware, however, it changes nothing at this moment. Injuries are a part of the game, unfortunately, and we've stunk all year long (again, unfortunately).

It is not an excuse. If you take each teams best player and sit them out for the year, they will have different results. No question.

I want to see better hires from Jordan. I am not all in on his hire for strength and conditioning, or his friend who just recently got put in a different position. I like Van, but am unsure of the rest of the staff. I hate to judge, but I just want to see results,too.

I think the team has improved the past couple games. The results are not showing it, but they are fighting.

 

[higgins3]

Sorry I am a season ticket holder and have seen all the away games. While Daniels has been an offensive adventure and roller coaster( no more than our shooter going 0 for 10, 3 for 12 etc) I have yet to see this absence of defensive effort. Stats suggests otherwise.

Daniels is a senior and Williams is a sophmore. I know you know this, but it seems like you keep defending Daniels. I hate to judge players, and I will never write poorly about them. But you do expect more from your seniors. I have seen improvement from Daniels this year. He has helped himself out with a pass, and has played in more control. I Will not say he is a better player than Williams.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

Jelly I can't disagree with what you say. It is just real tough to try and look pass the injuries and look past the warts that are worse because of the injuries

The one thing that I have been able to hold my hat on was Jordan's team looking decent at times in the half court offense. Lately we rarely get in to sets and there is WAY too much dribbling. When we use our sets we have gotten good looks (which we can't finish unfortunately).

What have you seen as his strengths as a coach?

 

[higgins3]

I am an Eddie Jordan fan, and have been since he was a player at Rutgers.

I disagree with the people on this board who imply that Jordan can't coach. The guy has more than 30 years of coaching experience at the college and NBA levels. I am fairly confident that he knows a lot more about coaching basketball than anyone who posts on this board.

I think his tenure as Rutgers HC has been plagued by a lot of unfortunate issues beyond his control. He inherited a mess from Rice. The decent players from Rice that stayed with the program have now graduated, so he has a young team in which the best players are freshmen and sophomores. He is trying to recruit for a program that has been essentially ignored by the athletic department for close to 2 decades. This year he was hit with injuries that essentially wiped out his frontcourt.

Nonetheless, I think Rutgers needs a new head coach for next year. I think at this point, as the losses have mounted up, it is an impossible task for Jordan to recruit and build the program.

A new coach can come in with a clean record and a fresh start, and start building this program. Jordan's tenure has moved us away from the toxic reputation that was here following the Rice affair. Jordan has also provided a decent nucleus of young players who a new coach can build around. And, with the expected start of construction on the practice facility, a new coach can point to the fact that Rutgers is now investing in basketball.

While I don't think a new coach will have an easy building job. I do think that our best option is for a new coach to take a clean start and build from a better position than Jordan found when he arrived.

I would think that is important for Jordan to stay one year with the commits he just received. If he doesn't, it will be an even bigger rebuilding project if kids start to leave.

I was a Jordan supporter at the start, and still think he is a decent coach, but if he doesn't do well next year, I think Hobbs will find a replacement.Jordan is an NBA coach and I don't think he is truly ready or patient enough for a rebuild.

 

[Scarlet Shack]

Did anyone watch Northwestern yesterday? They were down 25 before the subs made it closer. Watching MSU play again I have this question. What kind of weight training program do we have?. Valentine is a guard and looks like he could play linebacker for Rutgers. And then you see Goode guarding him. Foreman needs to be bigger next year and Laurent a little bigger too. And I get that Valentine is a senior but they had a number of guys that looked big.

Shields

I have been saying this for a decade

We have had a major S&C issues since Gary was canned a decade ago

 

[Duff366]

Rutgers was picked to finish last in the AAC in Eddie's first year and surprised a little by finishing 7th. Everyone remembers the 61pt blowout to Louisville, but they did win the opening round game of the AAC tournament too and finished above expectations in conference.

They have lost a lot of games because of many reasons. Eddie had to patch together a squad the first year. The second year revealed that the veteran players had a lot of flaws to their game. This year it's a young squad who has been decimated by injuries.

Some posters have said he can't recruit but he has gotten some decent players: Etou, Williams, Doorson, Freeman, Foreman, Sanders and Laurent.. and that's with trying to recruit after a national scandal, with no recent basketball success and poor facilities

I would give Eddie at least until midseason next year. If things completely fall apart the first half of next year, then I would be OK with letting Eddie go. He deserves to be given the opportunity to turn this thing around.

 

[goru7]

I am not saying Jordan and his staff are the answer for RU's near- or long-term future. I am not saying the recruiting is sufficient for RU's needs. I am also not saying Jordan is NOT the answer,

But I wanted to give some perspective - my perspective ... again. Those who are convinced Jordan is not the answer will hate this post - I provide that information up front.

Lack of depth (compounded by lack of size issues made a bigger problem because of the specific players who have been injured - all front court players) compound against a great team ... and are even worse against a great team having a good night. RU was extremely competitive against Indiana, when RU had Laurent, and Grier going wild from 3-point range. RU competed well against Michigan (a lesser team than MSU), also with Laurent (just the 2nd game RU had Laurent back since the Indiana game), with Michigan NOT having a lights out shooting performance (though Michigan DID hit 11 of 27 from 3, which is way better than RU is able to do generally).

It is hard to know what RU would have been able to do (how close the games might have been), if Freeman had been available - RU's best scorer at the time he got hurt, and RU's best front court player by a wide margin. Not necessarily beat these best teams RU has faced, but surely compete better and make the team look a lot better.

RU has also faced a just brutal stretch of teams. The schedule eases off a little from here on out. For perspective (though the naysayers do not care about perspective, they just want a team decimated with injuries to win, regardless ... even though the 5 best coaches in the US could not win with the healthy players RU currently has), RU is indeed 0-9 in the Big Ten. But also, for perspective, here are the 9 teams RU has played:

-- Indiana (18-4, 8-1)
-- Wisconsin (13-9, 5-4)
-- Maryland (19-3, 8-2)
-- Nebraska (12-10, 4-5)
-- Ohio State (14-9, 6-4)
-- Purdue (19-4, 7-3)
-- Iowa (17-4, 8-1)
-- Michigan (17-5, 7-2)
-- Michigan State (19-4, 6-4)

MSU (currently #12), Iowa (currently #3), Maryland (currently #8), Purdue (currently #21 - but may be headed higher) are all ranked. Michigan probably should be, but is not really close at this point. The 9 games RU has played are against the TOP NINE BIG TEN TEAMS, in the Big Ten standings. RU has not played ANY Big Ten teams in the bottom 5 (well, RU itself is one of the bottom 5 teams).

Also, perspective: We shall see if RU can be more competitive over the next few weeks. RU plays in the next 7 games, Illinois 2X (10-12, 2-7), Penn State (11-11, 2-7), Northwestern (15-8, 3-7) and Minnesota (6-16, 0-10) ... plus Ohio State - which is a really bad match-up for RU. RU then closes with MSU at home, and Minnesota, again.

RU has a legitimate chance to be competitive in at least 6 of their remaining 9 games. A healthy RU team would have had a legitimate chance to win ALL SIX of those remaining competitive games ... plus Indiana and Michigan, earlier in the year. Not saying a healthy RU team would have surely beaten Indiana or Michigan, or WOULD win all 6 of the remaining competitive teams, but there would have been a chance.

Jellyman, always great to hear your perspective !!!
The problem is our fan base is so fractured now with Bac, Tk, Ruman, Rock, so dead
set on getting rid of Eddie and not caring to hear about the unique situation we are in, and Choppin , Cyrock, soundcrib saying Eddie will get it done. Whose perspective is watching this team?
I have previously expressed disappointment in Eddie's NBA style, his assistants, his lack of input or allowing his assistants to engage, in prior years not making his guards pressure the point guard so teams cannot just get into their sets easily, as well as missing on getting shooters. However, how for the life of me , any Rutgers fan who has watched the games, cannot understand how losing our front court , shot blockers, rebounders, inside scorers, disrupts our entire team playing this year. To me , you are either blind, so sick of losing or have given up to have that view. Anyone with a basketball IQ watching us get out rebounded by 30 a night and watching poor Mike Williams at 6'2 guarding a 6'8-6'10 player should be able to see it is not a fair fight every night. The can Eddie crowd Say then it is Eddie's fault because he allowed his roster to be depleted. Eddie 's failures in recruiting is allowing or causing Etou to transfer without replacing his rebounding, thinking Goode could play and shoot at this level, and not recruiting enough shooters..Anyone blaming him this year. Is an uninformed person not worthy of listening to.
However, I look at whether Eddie's offense or defense is trying to get it done. Are the players listening to him? Can he coach out of timeouts? Can he switch defenses ? Can he disrupt the other team? Offensively his sets are sound, his spacing is sound, we get back cuts, layups, but we set up guys for open shots but we do not shoot it well. Eddie's inbounds plays have led to many layups . He has also called good plays out of timeouts!! The players are listening and trying. In fact, earlier during the non conference I did not think they were playing hard enough on defense or offense or the boards but clearly that has not been the case in conference play. On defense, the guards are digging down on the bigs and trying to recover from 3 and it is almost impossible. The off guards should not sag and leave shooters in the corner which would cut down on open shooters. So with this depleted roster the guys are giving their all!! Eddie has not lost them.
My perspective is that Eddie might get it done but he needs his full squad to evaluate it fairly. The recruiting of Sanders, Freeman, and Laurent and Nigel last year to me was a wonderful start considering our dreadful last 10 years . I think Dailey has some CJ Fair in him and will help immediately next year. A full squad of Corey and Nigel at the guards with Mike off the bench , and he is really coming on with 17 plus points in a few games, with Freeman , Laurent and Doorson up front and Diallo and DJ and Dailey for
depth can compete and win games in this conference. Another shooter and another impact big and we make Bac and crew positiods again!!!
That is one person's perspective !!!!

 

[Double46RU]

Rutgers was picked to finish last in the AAC in Eddie's first year and surprised a little by finishing 7th. Everyone remembers the 61pt blowout to Louisville, but they did win the opening round game of the AAC tournament too and finished above expectations in conference.

They have lost a lot of games because of many reasons. Eddie had to patch together a squad the first year. The second year revealed that the veteran players had a lot of flaws to their game. This year it's a young squad who has been decimated by injuries.

Some posters have said he can't recruit but he has gotten some decent players: Etou, Williams, Doorson, Freeman, Foreman, Sanders and Laurent.. and that's with trying to recruit after a national scandal, with no recent basketball success and poor facilities

I would give Eddie at least until midseason next year. If things completely fall apart the first half of next year, then I would be OK with letting Eddie go. He deserves to be given the opportunity to turn this thing around.

How are we suppose to improve when half the team transfers and we have no one coming in to replace them?

 

[goru7]

to improve when half the team transfers and we have no one coming in to replace them?[/QUOTE]
As of last night we are losing DANIELS , Grier and Lewis as seniors or grad transfer and replacing with Dailey, Tripp
And Issa with one more scholarship to give. What is your point again!

 

[Double46RU]

to improve when half the team transfers and we have no one coming in to replace them?

As of last night we are losing DANIELS , Grier and Lewis as seniors or grad transfer and replacing with Dailey, Tripp
And Issa with one more scholarship to give. What is your point again![/QUOTE]

True with guys like that coming in we should be able to compete with most of the NEC and MAAC

 

[bac2therac]

talent wise we are not losing a lot but production wise we are...Grier has provided a 3 point threat and Daniels an offensive threat. Lewis still has shown he can provide more offense than either Diallo or Doorson who gave very little scoring in the time we saw from them. So that's has to be made up. I don't see much more than a wash with the new recruits but our increased production will come from Freeman and Nigel Johnson. I am not expecting all that much from the new guys since they will be riding the bench behind the returning players.

 

[B1GNJHoops]

We're not adding what I'd consider consistent outside shooting or legit post players.

Maybe in 3 years Dailey and Issa are those players but unfortunately time is not a friend of Jordan's right now.

Nigel might take care of the ball better than Bishop but does that translate into wins against Big Ten, or even against GW and SHU?

Are Foremam or Laurent ready to become Big Ten starting wings? Neither shoot the 3 but have most experience next year. Freeman does his damage near the basket but he has height disadvantage against big ten teams.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

Laurent can shoot. Based on what I see and observe, other than injuries, knowledge of the offense is holding him back. Always seems to be in the wrong place based on reactions I see from Eddie.

 

[goru7]

We're not adding what I'd consider consistent outside shooting or legit post players.

Maybe in 3 years Dailey and Issa are those players but unfortunately time is not a friend of Jordan's right now.

Nigel might take care of the ball better than Bishop but does that translate into wins against Big Ten, or even against GW and SHU?

Are Foremam or Laurent ready to become Big Ten starting wings? Neither shoot the 3 but have most experience next year. Freeman does his damage near the basket but he has height disadvantage against big ten teams.

Listen, if you think we will not be better off with Doorson replacing Lewis, who is playing hurt and is a warrior but has hardly scored in the last 10 games , or with Nigel replacing DANIELS , better ball handler , shooter and defender, and maybe even as a driver to the hoop, or with Laurent in his natural 3 position replacing Grier, then I will vehemently disagree with you.
If you do not think Dailey or Issa will not contribute for 3 years u are foolish. Both will add immediate depth next year and play. Dailey reminds me a little of CJ Fair the former Cuse star, and there is not enough film to give a complete assessment of Issa but he appears athletic and he can defend which will get him on the court. Don't know if you watched Indiana /Michigan game but the real star of the game was a kid that had hardly played, Obie?, who totally shut down Ervin and showed offensive skills that popped off the screen. A light bulb went off and now he will be an integral part of Crean's lineup down the stretch. Their defensive improvement as a team is amazing, not to get off topic . But Issa might be able to give Ru that lift.
DJ has to be more under control and continue to take it to the hoop and Laurent has a sweet stroke and can be a solid wing player.
Finally , Freeman if healthy , will be our leading scorer and rebounder next year. Enough said!!!!!

 

[ruman]

Listen, if you think we will not be better off with Doorson replacing Lewis, who is playing hurt and is a warrior but has hardly scored in the last 10 games , or with Nigel replacing DANIELS , better ball handler , shooter and defender, and maybe even as a driver to the hoop, or with Laurent in his natural 3 position replacing Grier, then I will vehemently disagree with you.
If you do not think Dailey or Issa will not contribute for 3 years u are foolish. Both will add immediate depth next year and play. Dailey reminds me a little of CJ Fair the former Cuse star, and there is not enough film to give a complete assessment of Issa but he appears athletic and he can defend which will get him on the court. Don't know if you watched Indiana /Michigan game but the real star of the game was a kid that had hardly played, Obie?, who totally shut down Ervin and showed offensive skills that popped off the screen. A light bulb went off and now he will be an integral part of Crean's lineup down the stretch. Their defensive improvement as a team is amazing, not to get off topic . But Issa might be able to give Ru that lift.
DJ has to be more under control and continue to take it to the hoop and Laurent has a sweet stroke and can be a solid wing player.
Finally , Freeman if healthy , will be our leading scorer and rebounder next year. Enough said!!!!!

If all these things happen we will be better. How much better in W & L s is the question. At some point you need to win a little. Will we be a 10 win team? 12 wins? Can we reach .500? Think that's a big reach.

And Eddie better win a couple of games soon or he won't be here

 

[ScarletRunner]

Listen, if you think we will not be better off with Doorson replacing Lewis, who is playing hurt and is a warrior but has hardly scored in the last 10 games , or with Nigel replacing DANIELS , better ball handler , shooter and defender, and maybe even as a driver to the hoop, or with Laurent in his natural 3 position replacing Grier, then I will vehemently disagree with you.
If you do not think Dailey or Issa will not contribute for 3 years u are foolish. Both will add immediate depth next year and play. Dailey reminds me a little of CJ Fair the former Cuse star, and there is not enough film to give a complete assessment of Issa but he appears athletic and he can defend which will get him on the court. Don't know if you watched Indiana /Michigan game but the real star of the game was a kid that had hardly played, Obie?, who totally shut down Ervin and showed offensive skills that popped off the screen. A light bulb went off and now he will be an integral part of Crean's lineup down the stretch. Their defensive improvement as a team is amazing, not to get off topic . But Issa might be able to give Ru that lift.
DJ has to be more under control and continue to take it to the hoop and Laurent has a sweet stroke and can be a solid wing player.
Finally , Freeman if healthy , will be our leading scorer and rebounder next year. Enough said!!!!!

Next year we should be better because of a healthy Freeman, Nigel Johnson looks to be an upgrade over Daniels, Doorson + Diallo should be > this year's Lewis, and we will simply have more bodies.

Expecting meaningful Year 1 contributions from the new guys - all seemingly with upside, but not highly sought after - seems unreasonably optimistic, and Eddie's track record with diamond-in-the-rough recruits gives no realistic reason to think otherwise.