RAPID REACTION - Wisconsin

[Degaz-RU]

1. The season is effectively over barring a magical run and championship in the Big Ten Tournament. I believe we needed to win all three of these home games to have a chance to dig out of this “resume” hole. The hole is now a crevasse.

2. You can’t spot Wisconsin a large early lead and expect to come back and win. They are too good on offense, hitting 11 of their last 12 FGs of the first half despite some decent defense. The team was completely disorganized in the early going, and it resulted in a big early lead at 15-3.

3. Our offense is lost without Dylan Harper, especially on an off night from Ace Bailey. Got some nice contributions from Acuff, but nobody else could score. Ace just missed too many shots (3-16, 1-5, 2-6).

4. We played much better defense in the 2nd half, preventing back door cuts and dribble drives, and Wisconsin was colder from the field. Forcing 16 TOs enabled our comeback. Trying to find some positives here.

5. We cut the lead to 58-55 (then 60-57) in the last quarter of the game, got some juice and energy going, but then had a few TOs and misses, and the balloon was deflated.

6. We were terrible “at the rim” tonight (my guess is 30%). We got a ton of “tips” on putback attempts but couldn’t connect on any of them.

7. Dylan Grant showed a lot of energy tonight and contributed 8 points (including a quick release 3). He should play 15-20 minutes the rest of the way. Martini should be permanently planted on the bench.

8. What else is there to say? The most promising and exciting season around here in years is on the verge of becoming a colossal failure.

 

[chrism25]

Not on verge, IS a colossal failure

 

[bethlehemfan]

I didn’t expect much this year but it sucks in general. NCAA basketball just isn’t fun to me when we aren’t decent.

 

[socaldave]

I didn’t expect much this year but it sucks in general. NCAA basketball just isn’t fun to me when we aren’t decent.

You knew Pike was going to colossally fail?

 

[socaldave]

Pike is a bad coach!
His team has some grit and some talent!
He is not putting his best players on the floor his rotations suck, he is a horrible offensive coach!
How the hell has grant not been playing more?
His team has come out slow and unprepared and have played catch up in a majority of Rutgers loses.
After not coaching his team they took matters into their own hands tonight, they were embarrassed, and showed some pride, nothing to with Pike as he put them into that situation.
On a separate note, Who knew when Acuff went Down we lost our 3rd best player!

 

[bethlehemfan]

You knew Pike was going to colossally fail?

I didn’t expect two freshman no matter how good to win in the big ten with very little support. This is a league of men. Our two stars are kids.

 

[KK1827]

 

[RU MAN]

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I couldn't agree more with Brad. And that makes me very sad and troubled by this season thus far.

 

[winfield102]

Why was Harper on the court? Clear that he had no gas in the tank. Should have been pulled 2 minutes into playing.

I liked the defensive effort. Kudos. I was shocked we held them under 80.

Our offense is offensive. There is way too much standing around while 1 guy tries to go ISO. I've seen better movement at the Y.

Grant showed enough that makes you wonder if Martini sees the floor again. I just don't see how he can. A block, a rebound, a dunk, able to get multiple shots up. He definitely isn't afraid to pull the trigger. Lol. Exactly what part of Martini's game is better??? Very bizarre.

At this point, anyone who thinks we are playing for anything other than the opportunity to play in the b1g tourney is ignoring reality.

 

[Scangg]

Pike was pretty good tonight. Dylan was a no show and Ace had an F level game yet it was a one possession game with a few minutes left. That's a near miracle

Acuff needs to step up and be that scori g guard option we need to knock down 3's and bring some veteran leadership with a calming presence

Grant needs to take all Martinis minutes. Length athleticism rebounding scoring even hit a 3

If Acuff and Grant had breakthrough games and no flukes, this team should be better going forward

We know Dylan and Ace are studs. It's been the rest of the team doing nothing. We just need a couple to step up

 

[Scangg]

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I mean it's been over for NCAA tournament barring an absolute miracle run

 

[socaldave]

I didn’t expect two freshman no matter how good to win in the big ten with very little support. This is a league of men. Our two stars are kids.

Any other coach in the Big would get this team to the tournament
They are generational talents scoring scoring 35 points in D1 games wtf are talking about?
This is basketball not football
I suppose Grants a kid too
They need a coach, not Pike!

 

[bethlehemfan]

Any other coach in the Big would get this team to the tournament
They are generational talents scoring scoring 35 points in D1 games wtf are talking about?
This is basketball not football

To me it’s obvious. I don’t think i can explain it in a way that you would understand

 

[RU MAN]

1. The season is effectively over barring a magical run and championship in the Big Ten Tournament. I believe we needed to win all three of these home games to have a chance to dig out of this “resume” hole. The hole is now a crevasse.

2. You can’t spot Wisconsin a large early lead and expect to come back and win. They are too good on offense, hitting 11 of their last 12 FGs of the first half despite some decent defense. The team was completely disorganized in the early going, and it resulted in a big early lead at 15-3.

3. Our offense is lost without Dylan Harper, especially on an off night from Ace Bailey. Got some nice contributions from Acuff, but nobody else could score. Ace just missed too many shots (3-16, 1-5, 2-6).

4. We played much better defense in the 2nd half, preventing back door cuts and dribble drives, and Wisconsin was colder from the field. Forcing 16 TOs enabled our comeback. Trying to find some positives here.

5. We cut the lead to 58-55 (then 60-57) in the last quarter of the game, got some juice and energy going, but then had a few TOs and misses, and the balloon was deflated.

6. We were terrible “at the rim” tonight (my guess is 30%). We got a ton of “tips” on putback attempts but couldn’t connect on any of them.

7. Dylan Grant showed a lot of energy tonight and contributed 8 points (including a quick release 3). He should play 15-20 minutes the rest of the way. Martini should be permanently planted on the bench.

8. What else is there to say? The most promising and exciting season around here in years is on the verge of becoming a colossal failure.

#3 is spot on. Plus we all saw with our own eyes that Acuff is getting better and more relaxed out there and Grant needs to take over Martini's minutes, period.

 

[snowboarder]

Pike was pretty good tonight. Dylan was a no show and Ace had an F level game yet it was a one possession game with a few minutes left. That's a near miracle

Acuff needs to step up and be that scori g guard option we need to knock down 3's and bring some veteran leadership with a calming presence

Grant needs to take all Martinis minutes. Length athleticism rebounding scoring even hit a 3

If Acuff and Grant had breakthrough games and no flukes, this team should be better going forward

We know Dylan and Ace are studs. It's been the rest of the team doing nothing. We just need a couple to step up

This team is going nowhere
It's obvious
Incompetently put together

 

[Degaz-RU]

Setting aside roster construction, coaching, and any other negative slant on the season (all well earned, don’t get me wrong), is it not the most “Rutgers” thing that our best player gets sick right before the biggest stretch of the season?

 

[bethlehemfan]

Setting aside roster construction, coaching, and any other negative slant on the season (all well earned, don’t get me wrong), is it not the most “Rutgers” thing that our best player gets sick right before the biggest stretch of the season?

I was thinking the same thing. It’s so rutgers. It’s definitely a curse. For sure the school is built on a burial ground.

 

[Wagram97]

Setting aside roster construction, coaching, and any other negative slant on the season (all well earned, don’t get me wrong), is it not the most “Rutgers” thing that our best player gets sick right before the biggest stretch of the season?

This. And the cherry on top is it happens after one of their best games. We all got our hopes back up.

Is Pike just unlucky?

 

[newell138]

Setting aside roster construction, coaching, and any other negative slant on the season (all well earned, don’t get me wrong), is it not the most “Rutgers” thing that our best player gets sick right before the biggest stretch of the season?

This season is so Rutgers. So much hype and promise and it’s been a nightmare

 

[RUJMM78]

Overdependence on Bailey and Harper .The half court offense stinks .The defense allows far too many easy baskets.Lack of consistent scoring from the bench.Foul shooting matters in close games.Coaching at both ends of the court in basic fundamentals is lacking.The end result is 8-7 record with half the regular season schedule over.Clearly a missed opportunity for Rutgers to have a outstanding season fans would always remember.

 

[RW90]

It's not just Martini. I love the intangibles and hustle with Derkack, but it's not enough for him to get the minutes he does, he's just too limited.

I can't imagine Grant simply had a good week of practice. Where's he been all this season? Fifteen games in and the staff hasn't settled on a rotation or roles is criminal.

 

[G- RUnit]

Crowd favorite JMike put us in a 8-2 deficit which we never recovered. True story. Simpson gets these starting minutes, what might have been… JMike gets a free pass.

The clown who mocked me and said we were a good throw shooting team, didn’t age well.
6-13 is awful…again.

Never going to win shooting 25-73.

On the positive note, a healthy Acuff shows what he can do but unfortunately may be too little too late.

Grant has a future.

Thought we played well in spurts. Dylan getting the flu hurts. Thought we rebounded well in the 2nd half.

Too many ill advised hero ball shots and oddly random. Latham is going to be focus next year but random jumper from top of key? Why? Killer when we are about to make a run.

Firmly believe Ace and Dylan should touch the ball every set.

Two games in a row burned by buzzer beaters at end of the first half.

Why so flat coming out beginning every single game. JMike has the ball in his hands. Time for a change? Hmmmm.

Derkack quite good game but if game is to get to the line, has to shoot better from the line.

Thought decent crowd but student section behind band was absent.

With NIT and Fox postseason? What’s criteria for Fox Tourney?

 

[Degaz-RU]

Crowd favorite JMike put us in a 8-2 deficit which we never recovered. True story. Simpson gets these starting minutes, what might have been… JMike gets a free pass.

The clown who mocked me and said we were a good throw shooting team, didn’t age well.
6-13 is awful…again.

Never going to win shooting 25-73.

On the positive note, a healthy Acuff shows what he can do but unfortunately may be too little too late.

Grant has a future.

Thought we played well in spurts. Dylan getting the flu hurts. Thought we rebounded well in the 2nd half.

Too many ill advised hero ball shots and oddly random. Latham is going to be focus next year but random jumper from top of key? Why? Killer when we are about to make a run.

Firmly believe Ace and Dylan should touch the ball every set.

Two games in a row burned by buzzer beaters at end of the first half.

Why so flat coming out beginning every single game. JMike has the ball in his hands. Time for a change? Hmmmm.

Derkack quite good game but if game is to get to the line, has to shoot better from the line.

Thought decent crowd but student section behind band was absent.

With NIT and Fox postseason? What’s criteria for Fox Tourney?

Derkack did not have a good game. He had good moments but also had 4 TOs.

I will agree that JMike hurt us in the first couple of minutes with a missed early shot clock three and a TO. But overall, he has frankly been the least of our worries over the past 4 or 5 games. He has actually been steady, which cannot be said about JWill, who has been bad and was awful tonight.

 

[RutgersChow]

1. The season is effectively over barring a magical run and championship in the Big Ten Tournament. I believe we needed to win all three of these home games to have a chance to dig out of this “resume” hole. The hole is now a crevasse.

2. You can’t spot Wisconsin a large early lead and expect to come back and win. They are too good on offense, hitting 11 of their last 12 FGs of the first half despite some decent defense. The team was completely disorganized in the early going, and it resulted in a big early lead at 15-3.

3. Our offense is lost without Dylan Harper, especially on an off night from Ace Bailey. Got some nice contributions from Acuff, but nobody else could score. Ace just missed too many shots (3-16, 1-5, 2-6).

4. We played much better defense in the 2nd half, preventing back door cuts and dribble drives, and Wisconsin was colder from the field. Forcing 16 TOs enabled our comeback. Trying to find some positives here.

5. We cut the lead to 58-55 (then 60-57) in the last quarter of the game, got some juice and energy going, but then had a few TOs and misses, and the balloon was deflated.

6. We were terrible “at the rim” tonight (my guess is 30%). We got a ton of “tips” on putback attempts but couldn’t connect on any of them.

7. Dylan Grant showed a lot of energy tonight and contributed 8 points (including a quick release 3). He should play 15-20 minutes the rest of the way. Martini should be permanently planted on the bench.

8. What else is there to say? The most promising and exciting season around here in years is on the verge of becoming a colossal failure.

Tips are low percentage shots. Grab the rebound with two hands, square your shoulders, head and shoulder fake and go up strong - get fouled and hit two foul shots. For the 100th time - coaching.

 

[ajwsc1987]

1. The season is effectively over barring a magical run and championship in the Big Ten Tournament. I believe we needed to win all three of these home games to have a chance to dig out of this “resume” hole. The hole is now a crevasse.

2. You can’t spot Wisconsin a large early lead and expect to come back and win. They are too good on offense, hitting 11 of their last 12 FGs of the first half despite some decent defense. The team was completely disorganized in the early going, and it resulted in a big early lead at 15-3.

3. Our offense is lost without Dylan Harper, especially on an off night from Ace Bailey. Got some nice contributions from Acuff, but nobody else could score. Ace just missed too many shots (3-16, 1-5, 2-6).

4. We played much better defense in the 2nd half, preventing back door cuts and dribble drives, and Wisconsin was colder from the field. Forcing 16 TOs enabled our comeback. Trying to find some positives here.

5. We cut the lead to 58-55 (then 60-57) in the last quarter of the game, got some juice and energy going, but then had a few TOs and misses, and the balloon was deflated.

6. We were terrible “at the rim” tonight (my guess is 30%). We got a ton of “tips” on putback attempts but couldn’t connect on any of them.

7. Dylan Grant showed a lot of energy tonight and contributed 8 points (including a quick release 3). He should play 15-20 minutes the rest of the way. Martini should be permanently planted on the bench.

8. What else is there to say? The most promising and exciting season around here in years is on the verge of becoming a colossal failure.

Number 2 is a consistent feature of pike teams. Never ready to go, clawing back, sometimes pulling it off but more often coming up short. So often team is not ready to go and it kills them.

 

[RAC93]

1. The season is effectively over barring a magical run and championship in the Big Ten Tournament. I believe we needed to win all three of these home games to have a chance to dig out of this “resume” hole. The hole is now a crevasse.

2. You can’t spot Wisconsin a large early lead and expect to come back and win. They are too good on offense, hitting 11 of their last 12 FGs of the first half despite some decent defense. The team was completely disorganized in the early going, and it resulted in a big early lead at 15-3.

3. Our offense is lost without Dylan Harper, especially on an off night from Ace Bailey. Got some nice contributions from Acuff, but nobody else could score. Ace just missed too many shots (3-16, 1-5, 2-6).

4. We played much better defense in the 2nd half, preventing back door cuts and dribble drives, and Wisconsin was colder from the field. Forcing 16 TOs enabled our comeback. Trying to find some positives here.

5. We cut the lead to 58-55 (then 60-57) in the last quarter of the game, got some juice and energy going, but then had a few TOs and misses, and the balloon was deflated.

6. We were terrible “at the rim” tonight (my guess is 30%). We got a ton of “tips” on putback attempts but couldn’t connect on any of them.

7. Dylan Grant showed a lot of energy tonight and contributed 8 points (including a quick release 3). He should play 15-20 minutes the rest of the way. Martini should be permanently planted on the bench.

8. What else is there to say? The most promising and exciting season around here in years is on the verge of becoming a colossal failure.

I liked everything you said, this is my number 8.
8. What else is there to say? The most promising and exciting season around here in years is on the verge of becoming last season.

 

[S_Janowski]

Derkack did not have a good game. He had good moments but also had 4 TOs.

I will agree that JMike hurt us in the first couple of minutes with a missed early shot clock three and a TO. But overall, he has frankly been the least of our worries over the past 4 or 5 games. He has actually been steady, which cannot be said about JWill, who has been bad and was awful tonight.

I’m done with the JWill experiment.

He needs his minutes cut in half and a new pair of shoes before he’s allowed back in the court.

What a disappointment he’s been. He shouldn’t have started the 2nd half.

 

[RUskoolie]

I have seen enough of J Will. He should not be starting. Nor should Ogbole. Let them come off the bench to light a spark under them.

The 4 transfers generally suck. Acuff had a nice game tonight. So did that Smurf we had last year against Wisconsin ironically. Give me a few more good games and we can talk.

All this does not matter. Season was effectively over when we scheduled Princeton (but the 1970s!) and then lost to them. We are playing out the schedule and then the fire Pike clock starts for 2025-26.

 

[Ridge 22]

I’m done with the JWill experiment.

He needs his minutes cut in half and a new pair of shoes before he’s allowed back in the court.

What a disappointment he’s been. He shouldn’t have started the 2nd half.

Maybe it was just too small a sample to be predictive, but he seems to have really regressed this year. Plays very out of control

 

[NiTeKnight]

RU had 18 offensive rebounds. I wonder how many second chance points we had.
Indiana had 34 second chance points with 18 offensive rebounds last game.
Didn't seem anywhere close to that.

 

[RUGiddy777]

#3 is spot on. Plus we all saw with our own eyes that Acuff is getting better and more relaxed out there and Grant needs to take over Martini's minutes, period.

He looked faster too.

 

[NiTeKnight]

I’m done with the JWill experiment.

He needs his minutes cut in half and a new pair of shoes before he’s allowed back in the court.

What a disappointment he’s been. He shouldn’t have started the 2nd half.

He sure does fall down a lot, which he also did last year.

 

[Scangg]

RU had 18 offensive rebounds. I wonder how many second chance points we had.
Indiana had 34 second chance points with 18 offensive rebounds last game.
Didn't seem anywhere close to that.

We took 16 more shots and 7 more FTs and lost by a dozen

 

[RU848789]

Pike was pretty good tonight. Dylan was a no show and Ace had an F level game yet it was a one possession game with a few minutes left. That's a near miracle

Acuff needs to step up and be that scori g guard option we need to knock down 3's and bring some veteran leadership with a calming presence

Grant needs to take all Martinis minutes. Length athleticism rebounding scoring even hit a 3

If Acuff and Grant had breakthrough games and no flukes, this team should be better going forward

We know Dylan and Ace are studs. It's been the rest of the team doing nothing. We just need a couple to step up

Good post. We were saying just imagine if we could have decent contributions from Acuff, Grant, JMike, LS and JW most games, while having good games from Harper and Bailey - this team could be really good. Wonder if it's just too late, though. I think we can win games without Bailey, but not Harper, but hopefully that's not an issue going forward.

 

[winfield102]

Davis with 3 shots and 1 turnover in the 1st 3-4 minutes. No!

JWill definitely tried to do too much. I don't understand how the staff continues to let him wear those shoes. Wrong size? Not tightly laced? Terrible tread?

Derkack does some good things and then some bad things. He had 4 of the 8 turnovers. I've said it before, he's our basketball Gary Nova.

We basically need Ace to be efficient in 12 of the next 16 games. With those shots from all over the court, I just don't see how that's possible.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

It's not just Martini. I love the intangibles and hustle with Derkack, but it's not enough for him to get the minutes he does, he's just too limited.

I can't imagine Grant simply had a good week of practice. Where's he been all this season? Fifteen games in and the staff hasn't settled on a rotation or roles is criminal.

Derkack has spurts of hustle, but mostly dogs it. He jogs back on D, just doesnt get out in shooters and looks like he has ice skates when staying in front of people.

 

[RutgersClassof2004]

🍸

 

[socaldave]

Pike was pretty good tonight. Dylan was a no show and Ace had an F level game yet it was a one possession game with a few minutes left. That's a near miracle

Acuff needs to step up and be that scori g guard option we need to knock down 3's and bring some veteran leadership with a calming presence

Grant needs to take all Martinis minutes. Length athleticism rebounding scoring even hit a 3

If Acuff and Grant had breakthrough games and no flukes, this team should be better going forward

We know Dylan and Ace are studs. It's been the rest of the team doing nothing. We just need a couple to step up

We need a coach to run an offense, put the right guys on the floor, mentally prepare his team and put them in a position to succeed.
None of that is happening!

 

[BIGRUBIGDBIGredmachine]

I turned game on a bit late ~8mins left in 1st half we were down by about 13-14 pts and was po'd seeing both Harper and Ace on the bench. I rushed to the game thread and learned about Harper's sickness and was resigned to another L.

I started getting pumped when we made our run in 2nd half and got it down to a one possession game but then Ace couldn't get anything to go after he blew the 2 FTS , and the wheels proceeded to fall off from there. Ace had a baaaaaad game tonight which sucks because we didn't need 39 from him tonight but damn we needed 25.

As other posters have pointed out, we aRne't winning without big games from Dylan or Ace, and we need big games from both together to beat quality teams. It's just how the roster is constructed, boom or bust based on those 2 guys.

 

[NiTeKnight]

We took 16 more shots and 7 more FTs and lost by a dozen

This happens when you shoot 34% and the other team shoots 54%.