***Reason for Sanders not starting***

[bobby deren]

Here is what Coach Pikiell said when asked why he did not start Corey Sanders:

“I am really trying to raise our standards in practice. I am very hopeful this may motivate him to utilize practice a little bit better and try to raise the standards of this program. I feel very confident that Corey is going to raise his level and practice better. If he is motivated to start, then he will have better practices. I think he will and I am hoping this will catapult him to be more focused.”

He also said that Shaq Doorson's foot is fine and the reason he did not play in the last two games was because of matchups.

 

[RU MAN]

Here is what Coach Pikiell said when asked why he did not start Corey Sanders:

“I am really trying to raise our standards in practice. I am very hopeful this may motivate him to utilize practice a little bit better and try to raise the standards of this program. I feel very confident that Corey is going to raise his level and practice better. If he is motivated to start, then he will have better practices. I think he will and I am hoping this will catapult him to be more focused.”

He also said that Shaq Doorson's foot is fine and the reason he did not play in the last two games was because of matchups.

A euphemism for: stop dogging it in practice Corey and be the leader you're supposed to be.

 

[T2Kplus10]

A euphemism for: stop dogging it in practice Corey and be the leader you're supposed to be.

Sounds good to me.

 

[RU-Choppin-Ohio]

Probably because they were playing Coppin State, but, Pike knows every practice is important. Taking away a start sends the right message.

I think Pikiell and Sanders have a good relationship.. Sanders even talked in the Rivals Article about how Pikiell called him everyday when he was away this summer. I liked the little joke they shared in a press conference when Pikiell responded to a question about him not being as hard on the team in practice after a huge margin of victory.

Pikeill smiled, looked at Sanders and said, " What do you think, Corey"? Sanders smiled back and said, " No way" or something similar.

 

[bac2therac]

It seems like we have to go through this too much with Sanders. Has to bring it every practice and in every game..not just when he feels like it

 

[Knights2003]

While I do not disagree this is disappointing, I think many of us, including myself, may need to realize Corey is going to be who he is. While he's easily the most physically-gifted athlete on the roster, that does not inherently make him the leader that many of us want him to be. Not everyone is leadership material. Mike Williams is a leader. Eugene is a future leader. I see leadership qualities in Geo Baker very early in his career. Corey may just not be that guy, and I think that's OK, unless it begins to harm the team, which may have begun this past few days in practice. If there is one coach over the past five whom I trust to lead his team, it's Pikiell.

 

[SirScarlet]

Message to Corey...you want to get drafted? You need to get your coach to sing a different tune

Up to you kid...

 

[RUich]

Not good in my book. This team is off to one of its best starts in years and he's dogging it in practice? Does he think this will work well once the competition becomes a lot tougher? His attitude may well be the one the rest of the team feeds off.

 

[TDIrish27]

Drafted ?

 

[SirScarlet]

Drafted ?

Yeah...picked in the nba draft.

You know, the thing he tried to do the last 2 years :-)

 

[higgins3]

If I was to have a guess, I think Sanders is not responding well to playing off the ball.

I believe in practice, they have Baker as the lead ball handler. I don't think Sanders is responding well to not having the ball in his hands. Hence, bad body language, and poor practices.

I hope Sanders composes himself going forward.

 

[RUonBrain]

If he is not starting because his head coach is not seeing good practice effort, what kind of message is that going to send to perspective teams that might draft or sign him?
(NBA or overseas)

Not a good look for Sanders
Get your "stuff" together.

 

[RU_DIO]

Yeah...picked in the nba draft.

You know, the thing he tried to do the last 2 years :)

Better chance of him being drafted to the army. I so want him to succeed but besides his athleticism, nothing else about his game is NBA quality. Doesn't mean he can't change this over the next 1 and a half but my guess is Europe will be his next destination.

 

[littlenis5]

Honestly, people are even overrating his athleticism because we’ve never had an athletic PG. Look at the NBA, look at other failed prospects we’ve gone against in the past. How does he stack up?

The NBA is not a dunk contest. He’s not dominating defensively or on the fast break which are the best signs of athleticism.

 

[RUChow]

A euphemism for: stop dogging it in practice Corey and be the leader you're supposed to be.

This is what good college basketball coaches do.

 

[RU-Choppin-Ohio]

Normally, it's other team's fans that try to talk down about Rutgers players.....not true with Rutgers fans...we talk down about Sanders enough for everybody else.

I am not talking about this thread...just the overall narrative against Sanders dream of being an NBA player. Lotta hate targeted at the guy on this board. If he is not a NBA player, time will tell. IMO, there is no need for people constantly saying he is crazy if he thinks he is an NBA player. It will be what it will be.

 

[RU_DIO]

Normally, it's other team's fans that try to talk down about Rutgers players.....not true with Rutgers fans...we talk down about Sanders enough for everybody else.

Maybe when he starts acting like a leader and playing like someone who wants to go to the league instead of talking about it, people will be nicer with their critiques.

 

[dollarbill]

Sanders always seems to step it up as the competition gets tougher. I expect this year to be no different. He'll be fine. $$$$

 

[RU_DIO]

Sanders always seems to step it up as the competition gets tougher. I expect this year to be no different. He'll be fine. $$$$

That is true. He turned it on last year as the season went on.

 

[RU-Choppin-Ohio]

Maybe when he starts acting like a leader and playing like someone who wants to go to the league instead of talking about it, people will be nicer with their critiques.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with fair criticism. But, when the criticism goes too far or gets personal, IMO, it starts to get ridiculous....that's what Haters do. Yes, he talks about the NBA because it's his dream. No need to talk down about his aspirations....especially when we are Rutgers fans.

 

[higgins3]

Normally, it's other team's fans that try to talk down about Rutgers players.....not true with Rutgers fans...we talk down about Sanders enough for everybody else.

I am not talking about this thread...just the overall narrative against Sanders dream of being an NBA player. Lotta hate targeted at the guy on this board. If he is not a NBA player, time will tell. IMO, there is no need for people constantly saying he is crazy if he thinks he is an NBA player. It will be what it will be.

A lot of the critique has been redundant. Still, it is Sanders junior year, and some patterns are trending for him.

The coach wants to get his shooters as many looks as possible, and I don't think he wants Sanders with the ball in his hands that often, as he does force drives and misses passes.

When offball, I don't think he is comfortable. It will be interesting to see what happens going forward.

 

[RU_DIO]

There is absolutely nothing wrong with fair criticism. But, when the criticism goes too far or gets personal, IMO, it starts to get ridiculous....that's what Haters do. Yes, he talks about the NBA because it's his dream. No need to talk down about his aspirations....especially when we are Rutgers fans.

When you're looking to take your game to the next level, you bring it to every practice and every game. You don't get disciplined by your coach for doing the exact opposite. I think you're worrying too much like you have to protect the players if anyone says anything negative.

 

[RU-Choppin-Ohio]

When you're looking to take your game to the next level, you bring it to every practice and every game. You don't get disciplined by your coach for doing the exact opposite. I think you're worrying too much like you have to protect the players if anyone says anything negative.

No, I just said there is nothing wrong with fair criticism. It's been over the top at times and as Higs just said....redundant. Just saying the same thing over and over....that last part is when Fair Criticism turns into Negativity.

As Rutgers fans we should be really happen that we finally have a basketball player that has a possible chance at the next level., however slim it may be.....not talking down about him at every opportunity. Maybe it's that Jersey thing..."We eat our own".

 

[Caliknight]

He isn’t getting to the NBA dogging it in practice.

He has a lot to work on.

 

[Russ Wood]

He isn’t getting to the NBA dogging it in practice.

He has a lot to work on.

You must not know, he's Lakeland's finest! The Land, baby.

Check his resume, he has references!

 

[NickKnight 1]

It seems like we have to go through this too much with Sanders. Has to bring it every practice and in every game..not just when he feels like it

I think maybe Pikiell needs to curse him out and throw a basketball at him once in a while.

 

[RU_DIO]

No, I just said there is nothing wrong with fair criticism. It's been over the top at times and as Higs just said....redundant. Just saying the same thing over and over....that last part is when Fair Criticism turns into negativity.

The discipline happened today. Why wouldn't people be talking about it and discussing his play today? You know most people on this board want Corey to be first team AA, and are expecting better play from him.

 

[RU-Choppin-Ohio]

You must not know, he's Lakeland's finest! The Land, baby.

Check his resume, he has references!

See...this is what I expect....non-Rutgers supporters talking down about our players... I don't expect our fans to do this type of thing.

 

[ColonelRutgers]

No, I just said there is nothing wrong with fair criticism. It's been over the top at times and as Higs just said....redundant. Just saying the same thing over and over....that last part is when Fair Criticism turns into Negativity.

As Rutgers fans we should be really happen that we finally have a basketball player that has a possible chance at the next level., however slim it may be.....not talking down about him at every opportunity. Maybe it's that Jersey thing..."We eat our own".

I beg of you, please consider refraining from turning every thread into your critique of every poster's take on the talents of the players on the team. It's redundant and tiresome and, you are NOT the moderator of this board. If your idea is that you will be able to limit what you consider negative takes, be assured that it has the opposite effect which you have somehow not figured out yet.

Corey is probably the most important player on this team right now but he's not an NBA player. That's not "eating our own" that's just the truth. Corey wants to be an NBA player but this is his third year and every year he has been suspended and/or benched for disciplinary reasons. As a Rutgers fan this is disappointing and very frustrating. The fact that it happened again TODAY means that people are going to express this frustration.

 

[RU_DIO]

I beg of you, please consider refraining from turning every thread into your critique of every poster's take on the talents of the players on the team. It's redundant and tiresome and, you are NOT the moderator of this board. If your idea is that you will be able to limit what you consider negative takes, be assured that it has the opposite effect which you have somehow not figured out yet.

Corey is probably the most important player on this team right now but he's not an NBA player. That's not "eating our own" that's just the truth. Corey wants to be an NBA player but this is his third year and every year he has been suspended and/or benched for disciplinary reasons. As a Rutgers fan this is disappointing and very frustrating. The fact that it happened again TODAY means that people are going to express this frustration.

Holy shit. You mean i'm not the only one who sees that he does this on every thread.

 

[RU-Choppin-Ohio]

I beg of you, please consider refraining from turning every thread into your critique of every poster's take on the talents of the players on the team. It's redundant and tiresome and, you are NOT the moderator of this board. If your idea is that you will be able to limit what you consider negative takes, be assured that it has the opposite effect which you have somehow not figured out yet.

Corey is probably the most important player on this team right now but he's not an NBA player. That's not "eating our own" that's just the truth. Corey wants to be an NBA player but this is his third year and every year he has been suspended and/or benched for disciplinary reasons. As a Rutgers fan this is disappointing and very frustrating. The fact that it happened again TODAY means that people are going to express this frustration.

Your first paragraph and the conclusion drawn is just plain Silly. Because I don't like overly negative and repetitive comments about Rutgers players ( never have , never will) , you are saying that people are becoming MORE negative. Having the opposite effect. That's stupid, but, if true, that's just immaturity. The kind of stuff little children do. Colonel, I hope that's not what you are saying?

 

[ColonelRutgers]

Your first paragraph and the conclusion drawn is just plain Silly. Because I don't like overly negative and repetitive comments about Rutgers players ( never have , never will) , you are saying that people are becoming MORE negative. Having the opposite effect. That's stupid, but, if true, that's just immaturity. Colonel, I hope that's not what you are saying?

Call it immaturity, call it whatever you want, but that's EXACTLY what I'm saying. Read the threads you hijack. Someone posts something that you think is negative. Then, you attack that person for being negative and put a positive spin on the player/team/whatever. Then, that person who is attacked for being a negatoid or having what is usually a legitimate opinion comes back and expands on why they feel that negative opinion is correct. And the fact that you don't argue the person's take on its merits adds nothing but clutter to what is a pretty good board. That's it - I'm out. I tried. It's a long season.

 

[RUonBrain]

Your first paragraph and the conclusion drawn is just plain Silly. Because I don't like overly negative and repetitive comments about Rutgers players ( never have , never will) , you are saying that people are becoming MORE negative. Having the opposite effect. That's stupid, but, if true, that's just immaturity. The kind of stuff little children do. Colonel, I hope that's not what you are saying?

It's exactly what he is saying, and it makes perfect sense and I agree.

It was the same thing when you kept defending Eddie.

If people disagree with your points (such as Eddie needing more time), people who disagree had to respond and post reasons why they disagreed with you.

How can you not see this?

 

[RU-Choppin-Ohio]

Holy shit. You mean i'm not the only one who sees that he does this on every thread.

I call BS...your first comment in this thread was....Sanders has a better chance of being drafted into the army

You are the one that came into this thread with that nonsense about one of our players.

 

[RUsojo]

Don't need to make too much out of this one.

 

[Woody522]

Honestly, people are even overrating his athleticism because we’ve never had an athletic PG. Look at the NBA, look at other failed prospects we’ve gone against in the past. How does he stack up?

The NBA is not a dunk contest. He’s not dominating defensively or on the fast break which are the best signs of athleticism.

We are not overhyping his Athleticism, he graded out as one of the most athletic point guards in the history of Nike Sparq testing. He is a very athletic point guard, regardless of what level he is at

 

[RU-Choppin-Ohio]

It's exactly what he is saying, and it makes perfect sense and I agree.

It was the same thing when you kept defending Eddie.

If people disagree with your points (such as Eddie needing more time), people who disagree had to respond and post reasons why they disagreed with you.

How can you not see this?

Any type of point - counterpoint discussion makes perfect sense. That is what I do. That's what message board discussions are all about.

It's the overly negative stuff that I don't like. Those dudes that come in and just keep saying the same thing over and over, day after day. There is no way you can tell me you have not seen that here. We just saw it recently with Souf...thankfully, BK came in and put a stop to it.

People try to do that on the Premium board and the mods put an end to it.

Lastly, I am not the only one here that hates Backseat Drivers !!! lol

 

[RUinFla]

Normally, it's other team's fans that try to talk down about Rutgers players.....not true with Rutgers fans...we talk down about Sanders enough for everybody else.

I am not talking about this thread...just the overall narrative against Sanders dream of being an NBA player. Lotta hate targeted at the guy on this board. If he is not a NBA player, time will tell. IMO, there is no need for people constantly saying he is crazy if he thinks he is an NBA player. It will be what it will be.

Chop. a neutral observer might think Corey has gone backwards since freshman year, when EJ gave him free reign. He is not amenable to coaching, since his MO has not changed. He reminds me of AI his freshmen year at Georgetown, except AI was faster. The comparison is that AI was also undisciplined, didn't play much D, and was prone to dribbling into trouble. A few days ago, I suggested maybe try Corey at the 2 and see if Baker could get him open looks. They seem to want to try that, except Corey is not good with that and has responded by not practicing well. His lack of discipline and seeming disinclination to respond to coaching do not bode well for an NBA career. At the end of the season, unless a radical attitude adjustment happens, there is zero chance he will be drafted. And that is nothing against Corey--would love to see him succeed, but he is just not progressing and the prognosis is not great.
TL

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

Let me preface my comment by saying he has worked really hard on the defensive side of the court so far in games and I have zero problems with the way he has played offensively in games(not the results).

STRIKE 1 is not dealing with his deficiencies and spending off-season away from team

STRIKE 2 is having to be publicly disciplined for not practicing hard

We aren't far, in my mind, for having Corey follow Nigel.

Next years team, ON PAPER, has little use for a guard that can't shoot, can't go to his left, and is unreliable off the court.

 

[Russ Wood]

See...this is what I expect....non-Rutgers supporters talking down about our players... I don't expect our fans to do this type of thing.

Just saying, Corey thinks he is a better player than he actually is. It has been that way ever since I saw him during his sophomore year in HS.

If I'm not mistaken there is a Corey Sanders mixtape where he's called Lakeland's Finest.