Pike coaching this team is like a triple option coach being asked to transition to an air raid

[KK1827]

We all couldve seen this coming. The players pike has are a mismatch for his coaching philosophy.

Pikes best teams and greatest successes are when he had blue collar upper classmen who were operating for multiple years in his defensive oriented system. In the NIL era, this is a mishmash of random kids thrown together having no time to learn a system, develop and gel.

Imo pike needs to get back to his roots which was long term development of blue collar kids and retaining players. The issue is just, is that even a reality in the NIL era of college basketball? While pikes original model probably sets a ceiling of first weekend of ncaa tourney it is what hes most successful with.

If you wanna argue his ceiling is overall very low and first weekend type of coach, thats fine, I agree. But with the way things are going of random players thrown together every year these past 2 years, the new ceiling is hoping youre getting a 1st round bye in the big ten tourney

 

[bethlehemfan]

We all couldve seen this coming. The players pike has are a mismatch for his coaching philosophy.

Pikes best teams and greatest successes are when he had blue collar upper classmen who were operating for multiple years in his defensive oriented system. In the NIL era, this is a mishmash of random kids thrown together having no time to learn a system, develop and gel.

Imo pike needs to get back to his roots which was long term development of blue collar kids and retaining players. The issue is just, is that even a reality in the NIL era of college basketball? While pikes original model probably sets a ceiling of first weekend of ncaa tourney it is what hes most successful with.

If you wanna argue his ceiling is overall very low and first weekend type of coach, thats fine, I agree. But with the way things are going of random players thrown together every year these past 2 years, the new ceiling is hoping youre getting a 1st round bye in the big ten tourney

We haven’t seen eye to eye overall on pike but agree this team doesn’t fit his MO and he needs to get back to his roots. Also agree not sure that feasible in the nil world. The other thing I’d say is he got screwed last year by his veterans due to money and I just don’t think we have the $$$ to compete in this environment. I don’t buy that we do regardless of landing Dylan and ace. Two freshmen no matter how good aren’t going to overcome a shakey roster. The big goes 7 quality players minimum typical and they are experienced. This is a mishmash of lower level veterans and talented but very inexperienced guys. Not a recipe for success imo. I love all these people complaining about the roster that likely don’t contribute squat btw.

 

[ScarletDave]

Agreed. It’s like he got the two lottery picks and decided ok, we’ll assemble an offensive oriented team around them, went and found all these sharp shooters (Martini, Hayes, Acuff) but then now instead of letting them shoot in the games and drawing up even 1 play for them, it’s like he’s expecting them to play Caleb defense. Pike is lost out there. Time to change his philosophy for even just this 1 year, and let these guys shoot, draw up plays for them. It’s not like the defense today was any better without them on the court.

 

[Mr Magoo]

We all couldve seen this coming. The players pike has are a mismatch for his coaching philosophy.

Pikes best teams and greatest successes are when he had blue collar upper classmen who were operating for multiple years in his defensive oriented system. In the NIL era, this is a mishmash of random kids thrown together having no time to learn a system, develop and gel.

Imo pike needs to get back to his roots which was long term development of blue collar kids and retaining players. The issue is just, is that even a reality in the NIL era of college basketball? While pikes original model probably sets a ceiling of first weekend of ncaa tourney it is what hes most successful with.

If you wanna argue his ceiling is overall very low and first weekend type of coach, thats fine, I agree. But with the way things are going of random players thrown together every year these past 2 years, the new ceiling is hoping youre getting a 1st round bye in the big ten tourney

You are correc, If he doesn’t adapt, he might as well go the way of Jay Wright and Tony Bennett. Developing players means nothing anymore unless you are doing it in-season for that season. If Pike doesn’t adapt to recruiting only very high-level high school players and getting real talent out of the portal instead of what he’s getting, he will be a dinosaur. NIL has changed the college game for the worst and this is pro basketball now.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

I said before the season started. Mouse Davis playing with a all star FB and TE or Buddy Ryan coaching the 1984 Dolphins

 

[Shelby65]

We haven’t seen eye to eye overall on pike but agree this team doesn’t fit his MO and he needs to get back to his roots. Also agree not sure that feasible in the nil world. The other thing I’d say is he got screwed last year by his veterans due to money and I just don’t think we have the $$$ to compete in this environment. I don’t buy that we do regardless of landing Dylan and ace. Two freshmen no matter how good aren’t going to overcome a shakey roster. The big goes 7 quality players minimum typical and they are experienced. This is a mishmash of lower level veterans and talented but very inexperienced guys. Not a recipe for success imo. I love all these people complaining about the roster that likely don’t contribute squat btw.

Yea, Kennesaw St. has countless big donors. Too much NIL. That’s the reason this team can’t play defense

 

[Shell21]

a good coach should be be adaptable to his personnel on any given year. Danny hurley had a similar philosophy but changed . Granted he had multiple first round picks and better players but you get my point.

You can’t coach the same way every year if you have a completely different team. You have to adapt and have different ways to win. I would play super uptempo and go smaller and just try to out score teams at this point. We don’t play d or rebound great anyways so what’s the difference , might as well embrace a more offensive style

 

[Freddy Stubbs]

a good coach should be be adaptable to his personnel on any given year. Danny hurley had a similar philosophy but changed . Granted he had multiple first round picks and better players but you get my point.

You can’t coach the same way every year if you have a completely different team. You have to adapt and have different ways to win. I would play super uptempo and go smaller and just try to out score teams at this point. We don’t play d or rebound great anyways so what’s the difference , might as well embrace it

Maybe Pike is not a good coach.

 

[bethlehemfan]

Yea, Kennesaw St. has countless big donors. Too much NIL. That’s the reason this team can’t play defense

Jesus you’re a moron

 

[bethlehemfan]

a good coach should be be adaptable to his personnel on any given year. Danny hurley had a similar philosophy but changed . Granted he had multiple first round picks and better players but you get my point.

You can’t coach the same way every year if you have a completely different team. You have to adapt and have different ways to win. I would play super uptempo and go smaller and just try to out score teams at this point. We don’t play d or rebound great anyways so what’s the difference , might as well embrace it

Haha you’re another moron. You couldn’t coach your way out of a paper bag.

 

[fluoxetine]

I don’t really think this take is correct..

The problem with this team isn’t that it doesn’t fit his philosophy. If Pike of all people can’t get this roster to play defense and rebound competently then I’m not convinced anyone can.

The problem is everyone sucks except for the obvious two and even Ace a bit raw and isn’t ready to carry a team in the Big Ten.

 

[Shell21]

Haha you’re another moron. You couldn’t coach your way out of a paper bag.

i do coach for 20years and i guarantee ive forgotten more about bball than you know

 

[fluoxetine]

Haha you’re another moron. You couldn’t coach your way out of a paper bag.

Can’t play defense or rebound? Obviously we should just give up on both!

 

[bethlehemfan]

I don’t really think this take is correct..

The problem with this team isn’t that it doesn’t fit his philosophy. If Pike of all people can’t get this roster to play defense and rebound competently then I’m not convinced anyone can.

The problem is everyone sucks except for the obvious two and even Ace a bit raw and isn’t ready to carry a team in the Big Ten.

True but the roster doesn’t really fit pikes strengths imo. Hope I’m wrong.

 

[Shell21]

Maybe Pike is not a good coach.

i think he’s a good defensive coach when he has his personnel but an extremely limited offensive coach

 

[fluoxetine]

i think he’s a good defensive coach when he has his personnel but an extremely limited offensive coach

Yes but shouldn’t that be GOOD for this roster? He has two walking buckets. What they need to be good is defense.

 

[bethlehemfan]

i do coach for 20years and i guarantee ive forgotten more about bball than you know

I love coaching against low iq individuals like you.

 

[Shell21]

Yes but shouldn’t that be GOOD for this roster? He has two walking buckets. What they need to be good is defense.

obviously his defensive system takes more time and experience to implement and this team has a tone of turnover and new faces

 

[Freddy Stubbs]

Yes but shouldn’t that be GOOD for this roster? He has two walking buckets. What they need to be good is defense.

Problem is that Pike can't coach offense, so once the walking buckets get shut down he can't figure out how to get others to score.

 

[Shell21]

I love coaching against low iq individuals like you.

sure dude. My guess is i’d run circles around you

 

[bethlehemfan]

sure dude. My guess is i’d run circles around you

You could coach for 50 years and you’d still be an idiot.

 

[fluoxetine]

Problem is that Pike can't coach offense, so once the walking buckets get shut down he can't figure out how to get others to score.

I think Pike’s “inability” to coach offense is overblown. I don’t think he’s a plus offensive coach but most of his teams’ offensive struggles have been roster related imo

 

[Shell21]

You could coach for 50 years and you’d still be an idiot.

it’s obvious you have no idea what you’re talking about in any of these threads.

 

[IL Lusciato]

I said before the season started. Mouse Davis playing with a all star FB and TE or Buddy Ryan coaching the 1984 Dolphins

Totally agree with this metaphor, but Shula had been a defense/run coach and adapted. It can be done. Just not sure Pike can do it.

 

[Freddy Stubbs]

I think Pike’s “inability” to coach offense is overblown. I don’t think he’s a plus offensive coach but most of his teams’ offensive struggles have been roster related imo

In the past I would agree that roster was part of the offense issue. He has a very good three point shooter in Hayes and can't find a way to get him shots in his limited time on the floor.
I know his defense sucks, so play zone when he is on the floor and get him some shots!

 

[fluoxetine]

In the past I would agree that roster was part of the offense issue. He has a very good three point shooter in Hayes and can't find a way to get him shots in his limited time on the floor.
I know his defense sucks, so play zone when he is on the floor and get him some shots!

Hayes has gotten shots when he’s been in the game.

 

[rucoe89]

We all couldve seen this coming. The players pike has are a mismatch for his coaching philosophy.

Pikes best teams and greatest successes are when he had blue collar upper classmen who were operating for multiple years in his defensive oriented system. In the NIL era, this is a mishmash of random kids thrown together having no time to learn a system, develop and gel.

Imo pike needs to get back to his roots which was long term development of blue collar kids and retaining players. The issue is just, is that even a reality in the NIL era of college basketball? While pikes original model probably sets a ceiling of first weekend of ncaa tourney it is what hes most successful with.

If you wanna argue his ceiling is overall very low and first weekend type of coach, thats fine, I agree. But with the way things are going of random players thrown together every year these past 2 years, the new ceiling is hoping youre getting a 1st round bye in the big ten tourney

It may be time to move on after this season. 8 years is a long time to be ok with mediocre as a ceiling. New AD hopefully brings a fresh set of eyes.

 

[fluoxetine]

There is a 0.0% chance we move on after this season.

 

[bethlehemfan]

There is a 0.0% chance we move on after this season.

So dumb haha. Good lord.

 

[LotusAggressor]

You are correc, If he doesn’t adapt, he might as well go the way of Jay Wright and Tony Bennett. Developing players means nothing anymore unless you are doing it in-season for that season. If Pike doesn’t adapt to recruiting only very high-level high school players and getting real talent out of the portal instead of what he’s getting, he will be a dinosaur. NIL has changed the college game for the worst and this is pro basketball now.

It's pro basketball from the standpoint of paying players. From the standpoint coaching and execution on the court, not so much.

 

[AshCatchEm]

I don’t really think this take is correct..

The problem with this team isn’t that it doesn’t fit his philosophy. If Pike of all people can’t get this roster to play defense and rebound competently then I’m not convinced anyone can.

The problem is everyone sucks except for the obvious two and even Ace a bit raw and isn’t ready to carry a team in the Big Ten.

"Pike of all people" as if pike is some amazing coach who has more than one tournament win here at Rutgers to his name 😂

Guy can't even scheme an inbounds pass let alone an offense

 

[fluoxetine]

"Pike of all people" as if pike is some amazing coach who has more than one tournament win here at Rutgers to his name 😂

Guy can't even scheme an inbounds pass let alone an offense

This is what I mean about small brain. How have Pike’s teams been *at defense*?

 

[AshCatchEm]

This is what I mean about small brain. How have Pike’s teams been *at defense*?

They've been good enough to win one single tournament game and blow a play-in tournament game with one of the most talented senior laden teams we have had in decades

 

[fluoxetine]

They've been good enough to win one single tournament game and blow a play-in tournament game with one of the most talented senior laden teams we have had in decades

Friend, friend, I know this is difficult for you but I’m trying to write below a third grade level here.

How have the teams been at defense? To be clear, defense is the part of the game where man on your team try stop bad man from other team to put ball in basket

 

[bethlehemfan]

Friend, friend, I know this is difficult for you but I’m trying to write below a third grade level here.

How have the teams been at defense? To be clear, defense is the part of the game where man on your team try stop bad man from other team to put ball in basket

Dumb it down a little

 

[AshCatchEm]

Friend, friend, I know this is difficult for you but I’m trying to write below a third grade level here.

How have the teams been at defense? To be clear, defense is the part of the game where man on your team try stop bad man from other team to put ball in basket

Acting like playing good defense (not this year) is a benchmark of success instead of actually making the tournament and winning games 😂. But hey! At least we played defense during our losing season last year

 

[Scarlet Shack]

We all couldve seen this coming. The players pike has are a mismatch for his coaching philosophy.

Pikes best teams and greatest successes are when he had blue collar upper classmen who were operating for multiple years in his defensive oriented system. In the NIL era, this is a mishmash of random kids thrown together having no time to learn a system, develop and gel.

Imo pike needs to get back to his roots which was long term development of blue collar kids and retaining players. The issue is just, is that even a reality in the NIL era of college basketball? While pikes original model probably sets a ceiling of first weekend of ncaa tourney it is what hes most successful with.

If you wanna argue his ceiling is overall very low and first weekend type of coach, thats fine, I agree. But with the way things are going of random players thrown together every year these past 2 years, the new ceiling is hoping youre getting a 1st round bye in the big ten tourney

Pay attention to recruiting …think it’s already happening , or attempting to happen

We don’t know who is retained …but on paper its this for 2025-2026

Sr Jwill /Derkack/Ogobole
Jr Jmike
So sommwrville /grsnt /doetch
Fr. Nuwuli /Ware/ powers /Mark

Lot of front court players and length

need to retain and add a class of 2026 with guards and wings

 

[fluoxetine]

Acting like playing good defense (not this year) is a benchmark of success instead of actually making the tournament and winning games 😂. But hey! At least we played defense during our losing season last year

No, no, friend, you desperately need to learn to read. I said Pike is good at teaching defense. The benchmark for good defense, is, wait for it............................ good defense. He could literally just instruct the players to chuck the ball out of bounds on every offensive possession and that would not change his ability at teaching defense. Because, and this is fundamental, defense and offense are different things.

 

[AshCatchEm]

No, no, friend, you desperately need to learn to read. I said Pike is good at teaching defense. The benchmark for good defense, is, wait for it............................ good defense. He could literally just instruct the players to chuck the ball out of bounds on every offensive possession and that would not change his ability at teaching defense. Because, and this is fundamental, defense and offense are different things.

Yes yes I know you're acting smart. So your point that pike can coach defense proves what? How has that helped us the last 3 years?

 

[fluoxetine]

If Pike of all people can’t get this roster to play defense ... then I’m not convinced anyone can.

Yes yes I know you're acting smart. So your point that pike can coach defense proves what?

It proves that this post makes sense. You know, the post you were making fun of? I don't have to act very smart to run circles around you lol.

How has that helped us the last 3 years?

By reducing the number of points opponents score against us.