RAPID REACTION — Illinois

[Jerseylegends]

1. Officiating story of the game. If Pike doesn’t go crazy one game he’s not a good coach. Only reason we didn’t win this game by double digits is officiating.

2. Ace and Dylan are amazing. Some will argue/question but Pike has a decent argument what if Dylan and Ace are 100% healthy all year.

3. Love Pike but you have to get Ace more shots in the 2nd half. Please!!!!

4. Back to back threes by Martini and Hayes key moments of game.

5. JWill played some of the dumbest hoops I’ve ever seen by anybody in an RU uniform.
Yet steal and foul shooting and defense helped us win the game.

6. Grant was awful most of the game but start of second half was aa important stretch as any this year.

7. Despite truly awful officating we won the game at the line.

8. We can beat anybody. Pike, Ace and Dylan have to be way more selfish.

9. JMike and Sommerville had moments and getting much better but have to defer more.

Get to B1G tourney and in the words of Bob Wenzel, Dream Big Dreams!

Ace made an effort to play within his self offensively. He needs more time in practice working against double teams. Without Dylan on the court he panics because he feels he has to score, probably some of that is coaches telling him to take over when Dylan was hurt/sick. I don't think he wanted more shots tonight, ace wants to win and play in the tournament. He needs to build his confidence up so when the team needs that scoring burst he can take on double teams without rushing. Get comfortable in his process passing out of it or finding a way to get to his shot process.
Some of his roaming on defense is good and helps protect the rim but I need to see him play more structured defensively as well. He gets away with cheating on defense because his length and athleticism allow him to close out on 3 pt shooters but he's getting burned more often. Pretty sure opposing coaches are seeing this on film and telling their team to take advantage.

 

[ru66]

Rutgers must get to 19-12 to feel good

18-13 is less than 50/50..bubble yes...good position no..and conference tourney performance won't matter

You know as much , or in reality, as little as all of us. Your predictions have been as useless as anyone's. I've said it before you blow with the wind.

 

[NewJerseyHawk]

The recap is about 3 key items.

A) Taking some shots from 3 when presented by the defense.

B) Confidence starts in the backcourt (Dylan Harper and others worked very hard to make Illinois work on both ends of the court.

C) The roster displayed a level of competitiveness that resemble a RU roster, despite missing some size (Ogbole) and some decision-making (JWill).

Some games look like a street fight and this was one of them. I felt like everyone "played through contact " on both ends of the court which is how RU wom the game.

The RU FT shooting offset a relatively quiet night from 3. Grant 1 of 6 was for the most part, clean looks in rhythm. His 2nd half 3 was half way down near the top of the key. His dunk and 3 starting the 2nd half, gave this team a boost

Martini.....this was his best RU game of the aeason....why??

Because he didn't just drift into finding shots....he found a way to take a charge, which to me was the turning point of the game. His timely 3 mixed with the charge taken really helped take away 2 and adding 3.

With 5 freshman logging 117 out of a possible 200 minutes, it's always been the only true path I felt was capable of winning against high pressure, high quality opponents. I know Grant/Dortch and Sommerville are not going to score like Ace and Dylan, but for the 1st time this season, RU dedicated minutes to the size, speed and length on the roster.

Playing Grant, Dortch and Sommerville a combined 47 minutes, gave RU 12 points, 13 rebounds and a key block (Grant) and a key assist (Dortch ability to pass, helps even if he's not a shooter, finding a cutting Harper for a layup, is good offense for Pike and staff).

Mix in a timely and excellent feel for the game, with putting in Hayes in the 2H and the pieces who need to shoot (Martini, Hayes, Acuff the last couple of games) are not asked to do too much.

The good news (to me) is that RU played well, but there's still room for improvement with the freshman (Sommerville, Grant). If either plays a little better, with Ace, Dylan and a 3rd option scoring, RU is capable of competing against anyone in the B1G, home or away. That's all anyone could ask for.

 

[Randal7]

1. Officiating story of the game. If Pike doesn’t go crazy one game he’s not a good coach. Only reason we didn’t win this game by double digits is officiating.

2. Ace and Dylan are amazing. Some will argue/question but Pike has a decent argument what if Dylan and Ace are 100% healthy all year.

3. Love Pike but you have to get Ace more shots in the 2nd half. Please!!!!

4. Back to back threes by Martini and Hayes key moments of game.

5. JWill played some of the dumbest hoops I’ve ever seen by anybody in an RU uniform.
Yet steal and foul shooting and defense helped us win the game.

6. Grant was awful most of the game but start of second half was aa important stretch as any this year.

7. Despite truly awful officating we won the game at the line.

8. We can beat anybody. Pike, Ace and Dylan have to be way more selfish.

9. JMike and Sommerville had moments and getting much better but have to defer more.

Get to B1G tourney and in the words of Bob Wenzel, Dream Big Dreams!

Hear hear on the Jwill comments

 

[zappaa]

You know as much , or in reality, as little as all of us. Your predictions have been as useless as anyone's. I've said it before you blow with the wind.

Actually he knows a lot more than us.

 

[bac2therac]

You know as much , or in reality, as little as all of us. Your predictions have been as useless as anyone's. I've said it before you blow with the wind.

I was the #3 rated brackeologist in 2024 so I will take my chances

 

[RUJMM78]

He may be a good analyst, but he likes to take digs at RU. Over and over again.

Hummel is a mid west guy that probably favors teams from that area.Announcers have personal bias but most keep those view points in check during games.

 

[ru66]

I was the #3 rated brackeologist in 2024 so I will take my chances

Keep loving yourself -- ever read what you say --like your rants during a game-- yeah ,you blow with the wind. And your guesses are as good or bad as anyone. So attacking another guy's guesses is so presumptuous.

 

[bethlehemfan]

Rutgers must get to 19-12 to feel good

18-13 is less than 50/50..bubble yes...good position no..and conference tourney performance won't matter

I’m guessing the committee works so hard at it going into tournaments combined with all the potential last minute possibilities if someone goes on a run here or there or exits early I think the process and timing just doesn’t allow for much leeway going into the tournament. It’s kind of proven out in recent years so looking at winning a couple to get in I think if that’s where you are it ain’t happening except in extreme cases where maybe they can’t decide between two teams pre conference tourney but guessing they try to avoid conference tournament contingencies as much as possible.

 

[zappaa]

Keep loving yourself -- ever read what you say --like your rants during a game-- yeah ,you blow with the wind. And your guesses are as good or bad as anyone. So attacking another guy's guesses is so presumptuous.

I ranted when Bobby Richardson dropped a sure double play ball in game 7 of 1964 World Series….I haven’t stopped ranting during the games of my favorite teams since.
RUTGERS
Giants
Rangers
Yankees

 

[RUinOhio]

9. Robbie Hummel is a tool. The early stretch in the first half that got us to 23-6 was full of negative Rutgers commentary. He wanted to badly to say he was right when the Illini made it a game, but too bad buddy.

Bad take. Hummel's good. Ex-player who knows his sh#t. Does his homework. Zero problems with him. Just my opinion though. Him and Bardo are the best things goin' in the B1G announcer/analyst-wise.

he was BAD all game. I've never had a problem with him. Last night awful. His "analysis" is not high level stuff.

 

[RUJMM78]

The return of Harper was the difference in winning the game.Its rather amazing that a player that hasn't practiced for over a week could perform at such a high level.The lack of shots by Bailey in the second half was troubling.Rutgers lack of a half court offense with player and ball movement makes it easier for opponents to double team him.This was a great team win and a shout out to the RAC fans in black who were supportive throughout then game.

 

[bac2therac]

I’m guessing the committee works so hard at it going into tournaments combined with all the potential last minute possibilities if someone goes on a run here or there or exits early I think the process and timing just doesn’t allow for much leeway going into the tournament. It’s kind of proven out in recent years so looking at winning a couple to get in I think if that’s where you are it ain’t happening except in extreme cases where maybe they can’t decide between two teams pre conference tourney but guessing they try to avoid conference tournament contingencies as much as possible.

does it hurt to do well in tourney of course not.....however big warning would be fans getting all excited about a 20-14 rutgers team who was a 9 seed and knocked off the 15 seed and the 1 seed in the Big 10 tourney but lost in the semis to the 4 seed and expecting a bid and then when it not coming going nuts. Lately the think of 10-20 years ago with tourney performances just isnt moving needles.

Body of work and the tourney games are just one game or 2 games in 33.

 

[LeapinLou]

Rutgers must get to 19-12 to feel good

18-13 is less than 50/50..bubble yes...good position no..and conference tourney performance won't matter

Did you not post a game summary? I don't see one.

 

[LeapinLou]

Last night is a reminder of two things:
- If Dylan had stayed healthy for the entire season, this is a lock NCAA Tournament team.
- If RU had retained Cliff, and everyone stayed healthy, they'd be a solid top 20 team

RU benefitted from a very slow start by Illinois and an injury to their big man that limited his playing time. But Rutgers had the better energy and urgency. And when you have Ace and Dylan both playing well, we're always going to be a tough out.

 

[cubuffsdoug]

does it hurt to do well in tourney of course not.....however big warning would be fans getting all excited about a 20-14 rutgers team who was a 9 seed and knocked off the 15 seed and the 1 seed in the Big 10 tourney but lost in the semis to the 4 seed and expecting a bid and then when it not coming going nuts. Lately the think of 10-20 years ago with tourney performances just isnt moving needles.

Body of work and the tourney games are just one game or 2 games in 33.

You seem to move the field goal to fit your argument. One year, the committee factors in a team that goes on a run, especially with several Quad 1 & 2 wins, to close out the season, and now you're saying that doesn't matter. What gives?

 

[satnom]

Dylan was awesome and lets the game come to him.

Ace’s rebounding effort in late 2nd half was a key to winning in my opinion.

JWIll is frustrating to watch with some goofy plays and then he makes a shot in paint and/or hits fts. Experienced player who plays like a frosh many times.

Grant plays confident and not like a true frosh even when not hitting shots.

Somerville has to keep improving his defense and not getting silly fouls.

Martini gives a lot of effort but has to improve makes from 3 if all his shots are from beyond the arc.

JDavis playing confident and giving effort on D.

Hayes came in and gave us a basket when needed.

One thing I noticed about Acuff is that he is stagnant and stands in one spot without the ball. He can hits shots but he lets the defense off the hook by not making them work and ball watching.

Derkack not a factor. Kid has ability to contribute. Just has to make smarter decisions and harness it.

Hummel is the man. Calls it like it is and knows his shit. Praises when merited and gives constructive criticism when warranted. Him and Bardo are the dudes.

Think Pike did nice coaching job.

Got the win and onto MD.

GO RU

 

[bac2therac]

no...the committee does not factor in "runs" or how a team finishes...its been almost 20 years since that has been used. Ive never said that....I have said if you are winning alot down the stretch you are likely stacking Q1 and Q2 wins which helps your profile

always stressed BODY OF WORK...thats why not having anything non conference is an issue on the resume

 

[zappaa]

does it hurt to do well in tourney of course not.....however big warning would be fans getting all excited about a 20-14 rutgers team who was a 9 seed and knocked off the 15 seed and the 1 seed in the Big 10 tourney but lost in the semis to the 4 seed and expecting a bid and then when it not coming going nuts. Lately the think of 10-20 years ago with tourney performances just isnt moving needles.

Body of work and the tourney games are just one game or 2 games in 33.

I have vehemently disagreed with our posters thinking the committee would favor us because of the Dylan-Ace pomp and circumstance.

Based on the National press those two get, I’m starting to agree, if we get hot and give the committee a legitimate reason to take us…they will

 

[bac2therac]

I have vehemently disagreed with our posters thinking the committee wants us because of the Dylan-Ace pomp and circumstance.

Based on the National press those two get, I’m starting to agree, if we get hot and give the committee a legitimate reason to take us…they will

thats the key..if the wins are there on the resume and there is a legit reason to take RU....personally without seeing the landscape since we are still 5 weeks away, I tend to lean 19-12 as that level....18-13 which could be 18-14 or 19-14 is very precarious

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

I think a shout out to Davis is warranted for his rebounding effort. He’s normally not a good rebounding guard and we needed all 4 of those. He tied up a few others that resulted in side out Illinois not showing up in the stats.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

I was the #3 rated brackeologist in 2024 so I will take my chances

i do think you need to roll up the sleeves and do some work before saying with confidence what we may need. This bubble could be completely different this year with the strength at the top of most conferences.

you have a great handle on what resumes usually look like, but this year may or may not be an outlier.

 

[RW90]

It was also cool seeing Hayes get back to the bench where he's been relegated most the season after what might have been his best minute of play this season (defense aside).
His excitement with his teammates was palpable and genuinely great to see.

 

[toby83]

8. Pike, Ace and Dylan have to be way more selfish.

PLEASE

 

[RUskoolie]

Best win of the season. Just enjoy it. .500 team all year guys. My hope is to finish top 9 in the BTT to get one bye at least and then we have to hope for a miracle.

 

[RexMantlepiece]

The fact that we lost the lead and came back to win shows grit. If we can beat MD Sunday I think we can go on a run because the team is playing better D. Also in order to go on a run we will also need to win the bench battle. If Martini is going to play the 5 then we we are on O he is going to need to shoot the 3 better so that the other teams big man has to come out to the 3 point line to guard him, when that happens he needs to take him to the basket or other players have to cut to the rim. Martini is going to have to show up big because Lathan is in foul trouble every game.

Quick question could grit and the team identity that goes with grit as well as clearly improving on D and rebounding recently be attributed to coaching?

 

[goru7]

1. Welcome back, Dylan Harper. What a stat line. 28 points, 7-15 FG overall (3-5 on threes), 11-12 FTs, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 steals, and 1 block. He put the team on his back and willed this team to a big top 25 win.

2. Rutgers is now 4-1 when Ace and Dylan are healthy, and the one loss (OSU) was before Ace settled in as a college player.

3. Timely contributions from the supporting cast. Big threes in the second half by Grant, Hayes, and Martini. 13 points (including 7-8 FTs) from JWill. 4 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists from JMike.

4. Rutgers really battled tonight. We went up 17 points in the first half, and we all knew Illinois was going to make it a game, and they did just that by crashing the boards in the 2nd half and finally hitting shots, taking advantage of their paint dominance and taking a 55-52 lead. But Rutgers fought back in the final 10 minutes, outscoring Illinois 30-18 to close out the game.

5. Rebounding was a struggle after the first quarter of the game. But it ended up 41-40 overall. Illinois did get 18 offensive rebounds, but guess what, we got 16. Ace with an 18-11 double double.

6. Great job at the line tonight, 28-34 for 82.4%. Won the game at the line, full stop.

7. Interesting rotation from Pike tonight. He basically didn’t play Acuff or Derkack, presumably thinking that they would not be able to keep up with the athleticism of Illinois. So mainly rotated three guards with Dylan, JWill, and JMike, with Acuff, Derkack, and Hayes getting spot minutes.

8. As I said after the NW game, this win doesn’t change our retooled goal (make the BTT and hope to finish 9th to get a single bye). We’re out of the at-large NCAA conversation (unless we win out), but this win keeps us on schedule for the BTT.

Your #1 and # 6 was the key to the win. Dylan Harper , early season Dylan , one of the best players in the country Dylan was on full display .
Hitting 28-34 or 82% was the other main reason we win by 9 and we needed them.

One little criticism was I thought ACE did not have a good full game. He was tremendous early getting to the foul line area and hitting 2 jumpers , where he should have gotten in the Michigan game. Great start.
He had a great ending picking up 6 rebounds. Needed everyone of them.

However , he was stuck at 16 points forever and then just decided he wasn’t going to jump for rebounds or go after loose balls not that far from him. His defense was also bad during that stretch and opportunities for blocked shots were instead to my suprise , turned into staying down and not contesting anything. I do not know if he got tired but he literally let Illinois catch up to us on the boards and then go past us. He allowed second chance rebounds with a smaller guy getting the rebounds on 2-3 occasions. Very weird seeing that from ACE as he usually plays with a high IQ and a high motor. Then suddenly with 4-5 minutes left in the game he decided to jump and get rebounds again, which were crucial.

Other than that small criticism , having Dylan and ACE together was great for the win , along with contributions from the supporting cast. The defense is definitely getter better or should I say definitely better this game. The transition offense also produced 24 points and it was a beautiful sight to see as we got back to playing offense like in Vegas . This team unlike past years really thrives and can score in transition against anyone in the country. Pike doesn’t push it because he is worried about our transition defense but that has improved. If we can hit the defensive glass like we did for a good part of the game , we can get those 20 transition points we need and they cannot double Dylan or ACE.

Really a great tough wonderful game and we deserved the win. Stacking wins is the next goal.

 

[BillyC80]

does it hurt to do well in tourney of course not.....however big warning would be fans getting all excited about a 20-14 rutgers team who was a 9 seed and knocked off the 15 seed and the 1 seed in the Big 10 tourney but lost in the semis to the 4 seed and expecting a bid and then when it not coming going nuts. Lately the think of 10-20 years ago with tourney performances just isnt moving needles.

Body of work and the tourney games are just one game or 2 games in 33.

Seth twice touted RU having 4 Quad 1 wins in the postgame show, saying they have an opportunity to work their way onto the bubble with the Quad 1 games remaining.

He and Rapheal also joked about starting up the bus if RU can get a win at MD. Long way to go, but with Harper back we are no pushover.

 

[RUGiddy777]

Hummel is good

But if you don’t notice his bias towards the “old guard” then you’re not paying attention

It’s funny. Had lunch with Michigan and Purdue alums on Saturday and a lot of the fans like the Jersey swag RU has brought to the B1G.

 

[LotusAggressor]

9. Robbie Hummel is a tool. The early stretch in the first half that got us to 23-6 was full of negative Rutgers commentary. He wanted to badly to say he was right when the Illini made it a game, but too bad buddy.

RU B1G telecasts are better with the sound off.

 

[mjjoyce51]

no...the committee does not factor in "runs" or how a team finishes...its been almost 20 years since that has been used. Ive never said that....I have said if you are winning alot down the stretch you are likely stacking Q1 and Q2 wins which helps your profile

always stressed BODY OF WORK...thats why not having anything non conference is an issue on the resume

But they just did it with Rutgers two years ago right? They went on record saying how they finished was one of the reasons why they were left out.

 

[JavaDunk18]

BINGO!
if committee factored negatively against Rutgers, based on the downward spiral they finished on (despite still having better resumes than 2 or 3 teams in the field, and being on over 90% of people's pre-selection brackets), then maybe it can work the other way around this year.
Also they might consider in how the team performs with Ace & Dylan at 100%,
It is not just pure metrics..
Name Bias still considered too. How is Carolina even near the bubble, let alone in the tournament on a lot of team's brackets?

 

[robjknight]

Good thing with Somerville is he is pretty much money at the foul line. Just needs to get there more often.

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

i do think you need to roll up the sleeves and do some work before saying with confidence what we may need. This bubble could be completely different this year with the strength at the top of most conferences.

you have a great handle on what resumes usually look like, but this year may or may not be an outlier.

Maybe - but that doesn’t necessarily change what we would need to do. There may be less bloated options from the major conferences with enough fire power, but there’s also an abundance of 4-6 loss lower majors out there to choice from along with a collection of 7 loss A-10 and MWC types. If Dayton has only 9 or 10 losses on Selection Day to go along with wins over Marquette, UConn, NW and say VCU the committee might prefer that to a team like Rutgers with 14 losses. Tough to say.

 

[RUich]

He may be a good analyst, but he likes to take digs at RU. Over and over again.

Do not agree. He has been very complimentary when things are going well for us. Last night at the half, he was spot on about Rutgers doing itself in by poor play/IQ.

 

[bac2therac]

Did you not post a game summary? I don't see one.

@LeapinLou delayed but not denied

 

[bac2therac]

But they just did it with Rutgers two years ago right? They went on record saying how they finished was one of the reasons why they were left out.

no they did that because RU ****ed its resume up by gathering so many losses AND had a major injury where it was clear they were not the same team without Mag...impacted them greatly

the committee does not consider how one finishes

 

[bac2therac]

i do think you need to roll up the sleeves and do some work before saying with confidence what we may need. This bubble could be completely different this year with the strength at the top of most conferences.

you have a great handle on what resumes usually look like, but this year may or may not be an outlier.

uncalled for

all i know is currently rutgers at 12-11 and 6-11 in Q1/2/3 isnt even on my consideration list TODAY

win the next 2 and they will be and strongly in the mix

 

[billgumpper]

Prime example would be the BRUTAL 10 second violation he got by walking the ball up and having another brain fart. Yet, he also helped make some plays late and hit free throws to help get the win, he’s such a frustrating player.

He also gets into foul trouble with a lot of ticky tack fouls, he needs to play smarter.

 

[mjjoyce51]

no they did that because RU ****ed its resume up by gathering so many losses AND had a major injury where it was clear they were not the same team without Mag...impacted them greatly

the committee does not consider how one finishes

Okay but they DID consider how the team finished. This would be the same situation, but inversed, where it would be clear that an injury impacted the team and they are a different team with a healthy Harper and Grant being in the lineup.

Committee Chairman Craig Reynolds full answer to Steve Torre and Christopher “Mad Dog” Russo on Sirius XM’s Mad Dog Sports Radio when asked what went into leaving Rutgers out of the field and putting other bubble teams like Nevada in:

“These are very difficult situations. It’s challenging because it’s like splitting hairs. Both teams had good years — not great years, but good years. But I will say this: when you look at Rutgers, for example, their non-conference schedule — in particular, their non-conference wins — the committee looked hard at that. They were trying to find something they could really grab to. In the non-conference as it relates to having success in that portion of the schedule, it was lacking. And they certainly had some wins over conference teams, I don’t want to take that away from them. However, when you get to February 7, the team suffered a setback with an injury to a key member of the team and they just didn’t look the same the rest of the year. We had several games we could observe them from February 7 on and they had a difficult time. So we certainly look at the full body of work, but when you look at the non-conference schedule and lack of quality wins (in it), and how they looked down the stretch, the combination of the two were the reason why they were left out by the committee.”