Recruit update from Jerry Carino

[ColonelRutgers]

Not sure what to make of this.

Says Ron Harper Jr is having a breakout campaign but also says Shaq Carter hasn't been starting lately and Mathis didn't play in two games this week (no explanation given by Carino) and shot 7-15 from line in a recent game.

https://www.app.com/story/sports/co...eton-hall-basketball-faring-season/321736002/

 

[kcg88]

Not exactly the best news on Mathis/Carter but nice to hear about Harper. I don't think there'll be any thoughts of redshirting him.

 

[NewJerseyHawk]

Anyone paying any attention will know that Shaq's team has a freshman that was an Evansville verbal and didn't make it there for whatever reason....plays the exact same position at the PF spot, around the same measurables.....A JUCO coaches job as a coach is to hopefully become a landing spot/powerhouse program by attracting and relaunching kids that perhaps didn't land at a 4 year school out of HS or need more seasoning.

Carter has already secured and earned his scholarship....his goal is to stay in game shape, stay ready and arrive in 3-5 months ready to roll.

The JUCO coach needs to generate as many looks for as many kids as he has on the roster....it was around the end of 2016/early 2017 that Pike and the staff were clued in on Carter and his name didn't start to publically surface until well after the season ended in March.

The JUCO coach can't get the other freshman on the roster, and the exposure they need, if they don't play more minutes now and show off their skills...playing Carter 30+ minutes, when he didn't play a lot more than 24 minutes a game last year, isn't a big deal....he split a lot of time last year as well.....

I've watched bits and pieces of Carters games online and the other Freshman PF can play and is also 6'9', probably a 2019 recruit at this stage....he has some 3 point shooting ability and decent offensive game...his game compliments their front court and they are splitting minutes for the most part, with Carter coming off the bench in the last 8-9 games.

I know Mathis went over 1000 points a couple of weeks ago, but whether he played in the last 2 games to me, isn't an issue that I'm aware of....

Do I think there is anything to worry about here, other than a lack of research or awareness.....just somewhat typical but the stat line projected over a 24-28 minutes a game for Carter at RU, should be around 8-10 PPG and 8-10 RPG....if he has bigger scoring games, it will be because he shows himself to be more reliable as a passer out of the post, where he doesn't force opportunities up and builds trust with the guards and converts more opportunities inside, vs what we have seen with an undersized Freeman at 6'5" or 6'6", going against typically a player at 6'9" or taller, with as much athleticism and footspeed.

The one item that if fans want to nitpick, it would be Carter is around a 60% FT shooter in both seasons, so while Freeman is shooting over 70% this season, hopefully the improvement in FT shooting from last year to this year is a process that continues....I'd like to see Carter around 68-70% at RU, those extra front end of 1-1's and 2 extra points per game will make a difference.

 

[RUBigFrank]

Hey Hawk always enjoy your posts - insightful and usually on the money.

just an update - Freeman from the foul line is 82.9% for conference games - he has stepped it up.

 

[Mr Magoo]

I will admit that after Street & Smith's preseason yearbook had the one-liner about Carter potentially being the best JUCO big man in the country, I expected more from him this season, but I'll take 8-10 pts and 8-10 boards next season any day. His FT% just makes him fit in with the team better.

 

[NewJerseyHawk]

I will admit that after Street & Smith's preseason yearbook had the one-liner about Carter potentially being the best JUCO big man in the country, I expected more from him this season, but I'll take 8-10 pts and 8-10 boards next season any day. His FT% just makes him fit in with the team better.

I do think 8 & 8 is more likely than 10 & 10.....Do I think from watching the games online that he can give RU more than lets say 10 & 8?? Sure...I'm also know how the expectations get out of whack....someone I know clued me on where we missed on how good Baker might be and although I think he has hit some valleys, he's exceeded my initial expectations from last summer....Despite my expectations being high for Baker, some fans then stretched the positive vibes to "he's not a lights out shooter",.....

Let me get the prospect here and on campus where some people can get a feel for him during workouts....I know I'm bullish on the 4 additions (Kiss, Mathis, Carter, Harper), so I can't see RU being worse next year, despite whatever direction Sanders goes in.

 

[Mr Magoo]

I'll take 8-10 pts and 8-10 boards any day. His FT% just makes him fit in with the team better.

I do think 8 & 8 is more likely than 10 & 10.....Do I think from watching the games online that he can give RU more than lets say 10 & 8?? Sure...I'm also know how the expectations get out of whack....someone I know clued me on where we missed on how good Baker might be and although I think he has hit some valleys, he's exceeded my initial expectations from last summer....Despite my expectations being high for Baker, some fans then stretched the positive vibes to "he's not a lights out shooter",.....

Let me get the prospect here and on campus where some people can get a feel for him during workouts....I know I'm bullish on the 4 additions (Kiss, Mathis, Carter, Harper), so I can't see RU being worse next year, despite whatever direction Sanders goes in.

Agree with you about Baker. He was an "under-the-radar" steal and now some people don't like the way he's playing. Not many 3 star players can start on a B1G team from day 1 as a freshman. He looks more like a 4 star (and Doucoure more like a 3 star), IMO.

One major aspect of solid backcourt and wing players is whether or not the player can create their own shot at a D1 level. We have exaclty two of these players and we know who they are.

 

[shields]

Like Baker a lot.

 

[Local Shill]

Only 4 players in the entire Big Ten average 8 or more rebounds per game but Carter is going to get 8-10?

Get outta here.

 

[higgins3]

I am sure Mathis will be fine. I am high in Harper Jr. Hawk has a good point on juco and trying to showcase other players.

 

[BigEastPhil]

Could have sworn Shaq carter was at the rac for the Indiana game and maybe that caused him not to start? Flight delayed, missed his flight. Posted this in another thread

 

[RutHut]

Agree with you about Baker. He was an "under-the-radar" steal and now some people don't like the way he's playing. Not many 3 star players can start on a B1G team from day 1 as a freshman. He looks more like a 4 star (and Doucoure more like a 3 star), IMO.

One major aspect of solid backcourt and wing players is whether or not the player can create their own shot at a D1 level. We have exaclty two of these players and we know who they are.

Don't expect Harper to have the same impact as Gio as a freshman, but my gut tells me he'll be a scorer at RU, which is much needed. If we need to add another "glue" guy, what about Vellcamp?:stuck_out_tongue_winking_eye:

 

[biazza38]

Don't expect Harper to have the same impact as Gio as a freshman, but my gut tells me he'll be a scorer at RU, which is much needed. If we need to add another "glue" guy, what about Vellcamp?:stuck_out_tongue_winking_eye:

Harper seems like the type of guy that gets a few minutes here and their freshmen year, but puts in the work necessary to get more time sophomore year. A bit like Geno

 

[FELONIOUSMONK]

We are RU.We get what we get .If 1 of them can shoot I call it a major victory.

 

[RUBigFrank]

Thought some poster was saying we are getting nothing but five stars

 

[DennisHajekRC84]

Hey Hawk always enjoy your posts - insightful and usually on the money.

just an update - Freeman from the foul line is 82.9% for conference games - he has stepped it up.

ditto and ditto.

as much as I express issues with him, this is also something worthy of note. I've eyeballed this improved execution as well.

 

[Vegas pj]

Only 4 players in the entire Big Ten average 8 or more rebounds per game but Carter is going to get 8-10?

Get outta here.

Second coming of SH's A. Delgado?

 

[Scarlet Shack]

Carter is a 9 and 7 guy next year in 25 minutes

 

[Degaz-RU]

Jerry lists Harper as 6-4. I thought he was 6-6. Anybody know the truth?

 

[RUJMM78]

Carter is a 9 and 7 guy next year in 25 minutes

If he was that productive, Carter would play more than 25 minutes.

 

[NewJerseyHawk]

Only 4 players in the entire Big Ten average 8 or more rebounds per game but Carter is going to get 8-10?

Get outta here.

Rebounds per game is dictated by pace of the game of possessions per game....Common sense or someone blinded by stats would pick apart and say "only 4 players averaged more than 8RPG".....LOL

We have people saying "you need a 40% shooter from 3 point range".....you need to shoot better from the FT line....yadda yadda yadda....stats taken out of context of the time of the game, was it a contested 3 pointer or a streak of 3's made in a row????, was the bulk of the FTs part of a blowout win or loss or under pressure of a tight game???.....stats can be looked at a lot of different ways

Is the player better than what we have returning??? If so, proceed to step 2....

Is the player bigger and more mobile or likely to be a better rebounder, on a team that, let me guess, actually focuses on rebounding/defense??

Pikes initial phase of the rebuild is to mask and hide as many deficiencies as possible and that is with defense and rebounding.....I know it's beyond the mindset of some fans, but everyone on RU actually makes attempts to rebound (unlike some teams)

Mike Williams at 6'2" gets 4 Rebounds a game
Issa Thiam at 6'9"....gets 4 rebounds a game
Corey Sanders at 6'2"....gets 4.5 rebounds a game
Eugene Omoruyi at 6'7"....gets 4.7 rebounds a game
Freeman gets 7.5 rebounds a game (as a starter typically playing 25-30 minutes a game)
Doucoure gets 3.6 rebounds a game in limited/foul plagued efforts
Candido Sa gets 3.2 rebounds a game, in limited action
Geo Baker even gets 2+ rebounds per game

I don't see how it's impossible for a projected starter to get 8-10 rebounds a game, at 6'9" and is somewhat more mobile than Candido Sa, Shaq Doorson and replaces Freeman in the lineup....someone has to absorb the minutes for Freeman Sa and Mike Williams....

But carry on with the technicalities, whether it's 6, 7, 8 or 10...the point is in 20+ minutes in a faster paced, higher scoring JUCO game, he averages a lot of rebounds...in a more controlled defensive focused team, like RU, I don't see 8-10 rebounds a game as unreasonable....but if it's 6.5 or 7 rebounds per game and the team continues to rebound well, I'm fine with it....also ready to have Carter called a disappointment by bitter fans, because he doesn't meet whatever expectations are thrown out there.

 

[GoFish2]

Carter is a 9 and 7 guy next year in 25 minutes

He's an 8 & 6 guy in Juco. I don't see how he's going to be 9 and 7 in the Big Ten.

 

[higgins3]

I am not sure how tall Harper is, but I will say his genes give him long arms which will help him a ton. Trend about recruits,too.

JUCO to BIG TEN. I think Carter is a 6 and 6 player at minimum. Just keeping expectations realistic. He can achieve more, but that is the base I think at what he can give. Obviously the ceiling is higher in certain houses.

 

[RUChoppin]

the point is in 20+ minutes in a faster paced, higher scoring JUCO game, he averages a lot of rebounds...in a more controlled defensive focused team, like RU, I don't see 8-10 rebounds a game as unreasonable....but if it's 6.5 or 7 rebounds per game and the team continues to rebound well, I'm fine with it....also ready to have Carter called a disappointment by bitter fans, because he doesn't meet whatever expectations are thrown out there.

Okay, couple of things in this last para.

In a faster paced game, he gets a lot of rebounds... but in a more controlled defensive focused team, he'll get more? If anything, in a slower paced game with fewer possessions/shots, he'd have fewer, no?

I'm not so caught up in the number of rebounds he'll have a game - though I am expecting him to lead the team (though I'd love it if Doucoure could improve to the point where he could stay on the court and give him a run for his money).

Second thing, though, is that you say you're ready to have Carter called a disappointment because he doesn't meet "whatever expectations".... and then you're putting a very high expectation of 8 rebounds on him earlier in your post. Can't set the bar high and then be frustrated with people expecting him to clear it.

 

[NewJerseyHawk]

There's only so many 6'9' players that are on RU...and if Freeman can average 7.5 this year. I don't see 8+ as outrageous...

My suggestion is not anything more than that...Freeman battles hard for rebounds and is 6'6"...I don't mind placing realistic goals on talented players....

 

[knights1212]

Carter only plays 20 minutes as a JUCO player as many guys on his team play a lot of minutes. Some how I think he will get 6-7 rpg for us. I am not expecting more but he just might get more. On the video I have seen he looks pretty good but I don't think he jumps that high. I think his shoulders and body size help him the most. Coach Pikiell called him a center when I spoke to him. I think that might be more the plan than his being a PF. We shall see moving forward. Maybe Doucoure can play the PF along with Eugene. I myself hope that we can still add someone like Manuel or another guy to our front court.

 

[RutgHoops]

Freeman averaged 6.1 rebounds per at Hutchinson, and has averaged 7.8 and 7.5 rebounds per in his two years at RU. Carter is a better rebounder than Deshawn imo.

 

[cyrock3]

Hawk has bullish expectations for Rutgers players.

His views represent the high end. Greene Rice FIG is usually the low end.

 

[kcg88]

Hawk has bullish expectations for Rutgers players.

His views represent the high end. Greene Rice FIG is usually the low end.

Haven't seen Greene around recently.

 

[Scarlet Shack]

If he was that productive, Carter would play more than 25 minutes.

Really, no big man should be playing more than 25 mpg

Even if he is scheduled for 28-30 minutes in the rotation...foul trouble will take off 3-5 minutes a game

plus eugene deserves 25 mpg next year, doucoure 20 and 10 for either Doorson or Johnson

We have some depth starting to build so 25 mpg in the front court is a Likely
Number

9 and 7 in 25 mpg would be quite good for next year

 

[bac2therac]

Haven't seen Greene around recently.

yeah noticed that...hopefully everything is alright with him

 

[knights1212]

I also hope he is alright but he usually goes into hibernation during the summer. Maybe he got disgusted and took an early hibernation.

 

[RUChoppin]

There's only so many 6'9' players that are on RU...and if Freeman can average 7.5 this year. I don't see 8+ as outrageous...

My suggestion is not anything more than that...Freeman battles hard for rebounds and is 6'6"...I don't mind placing realistic goals on talented players....

Last RU player to average 8 rb/g was Echenique in his freshman year in 2008-09. Would love to see Carter come in and give us the 8.4/8.4 that Ech did that season.

The last player to do it before Ech was Rashod Kent as a junior and senior in 2000-02. Before that was Keith Hughes during his junior/senior seasons in 1989-91.

But sure, not outrageous at all.

Edit: Lamoureaux did not average 8+ rebounds in 1992-93; needed to go back to Keith Hughes in 1990-91.

 

[ru-baby]

On Baker and what he has turned out to be, I think a strong argument can be made that he is the best RU player. Yes he has had valleys, but watching Sanders really only be able to go right and multiple teams blocking that now mitigates against him being that guy. The NBA and draft talk really needs to stop as it's harmful to Corey and keeps him from enjoying and focusing on a solid college period by always having one foot out the door. He should really focus on trying to get RU to the post season in his senior season, which would give him the best shot overseas.

 

[mikefla]

I'm bullish on the 4 additions (Kiss, Mathis, Carter, Harper), so I can't see RU being worse next year, despite whatever direction Sanders goes in.

I am a tad in the doldrums at what has transpired late THIS season
and I need a "hope infusion" regarding next
you just provided it(above)
THANKS!

 

[ruman]

On Baker and what he has turned out to be, I think a strong argument can be made that he is the best RU player. Yes he has had valleys, but watching Sanders really only be able to go right and multiple teams blocking that now mitigates against him being that guy. The NBA and draft talk really needs to stop as it's harmful to Corey and keeps him from enjoying and focusing on a solid college period by always having one foot out the door. He should really focus on trying to get RU to the post season in his senior season, which would give him the best shot overseas.

There is no NBA or draft for Corey. It’s Rutgers or versus overseas next year. Prefer he stays, but will not be crushed if he leaves

 

[ColonelRutgers]

I am a tad in the doldrums at what has transpired late THIS season
and I need a "hope infusion" regarding next
you just provided it(above)
THANKS!

I've been very discouraged at how this season has unfolded but, sadly, that four person class doesn't do anything to wow me. And that has me in the doldrums. I'm not an obsessive recruiting follower but from I've been able to gather I don't see that four person recruiting class as providing the Big Ten boost that's needed to make a meaningful difference over the next few years. We don't even know what other attrition we're looking at after the season. There's usually at least one guy that no one was counting on to leave that we'll end up badmouthing as "not a big loss" after the fact.

 

[RutHut]

Colonel, say if we grab Mulcahy and Hyatt for 2019. Would that lift your mood?

 

[soundcrib]

It would lift mine. But what if Pikiell swings and misses? If he closes on both, I’ll believe again.

 

[Rhuarc]

I've been very discouraged at how this season has unfolded but, sadly, that four person class doesn't do anything to wow me. And that has me in the doldrums. I'm not an obsessive recruiting follower but from I've been able to gather I don't see that four person recruiting class as providing the Big Ten boost that's needed to make a meaningful difference over the next few years. We don't even know what other attrition we're looking at after the season. There's usually at least one guy that no one was counting on to leave that we'll end up badmouthing as "not a big loss" after the fact.

I guess that's one way to look at it. My way is that if we can just nab one or 2 consistent shooters from the charity stripe and the arc and maintain our strong rebounding, there's no way we can't get better. .500, then NIT, then NCAA. Doesn't matter how long it takes for me as long as when it's done, it's done for good. Respectability comes first, then recruiting will improve.