Rotations

[PhillyRU]

Pike’s already backed himself into a corner and imo the rotation needs to shrink drastically. I think it’s part of the reason we looked way better in the second half, and I think honestly the answer is that this isn’t a deep team.

Davis and Acuff I think have to be almost entirely froze out. Derkack, for all his intangibles, is now below 40 percent FG and can’t space the floor.

Top 7 of: Dylan, Ace, Hayes, Martini, Center, JWill. Still unsure on Derkack rn.

 

[SBP]

Pike’s already backed himself into a corner and imo the rotation needs to shrink drastically. I think it’s part of the reason we looked way better in the second half, and I think honestly the answer is that this isn’t a deep team.

Davis and Acuff I think have to be almost entirely froze out. Derkack, for all his intangibles, is now below 40 percent FG and can’t space the floor.

Top 7 of: Dylan, Ace, Hayes, Martini, Center, JWill. Still unsure on Derkack rn.

Jordan starting a bit of a head scratcher. He missed 3 critical free throws, would have won all things the same

 

[Mr Magoo]

Pike’s already backed himself into a corner and imo the rotation needs to shrink drastically. I think it’s part of the reason we looked way better in the second half, and I think honestly the answer is that this isn’t a deep team.

Davis and Acuff I think have to be almost entirely froze out. Derkack, for all his intangibles, is now below 40 percent FG and can’t space the floor.

Top 7 of: Dylan, Ace, Hayes, Martini, Center, JWill. Still unsure on Derkack rn.

Derkack and JWill are redundant in some respects and it’s tough to have two non-shooters on the court at the same time. Davis and Acuff can’t really shoot either. I still think Hayes needs to play more and his defense can’t be an excuse because this team is riddled with bad defensive players.

 

[ScarletLongIsland]

Acuff over JMike

 

[RUBlackout]

Pike’s already backed himself into a corner and imo the rotation needs to shrink drastically. I think it’s part of the reason we looked way better in the second half, and I think honestly the answer is that this isn’t a deep team.

Davis and Acuff I think have to be almost entirely froze out. Derkack, for all his intangibles, is now below 40 percent FG and can’t space the floor.

Top 7 of: Dylan, Ace, Hayes, Martini, Center, JWill. Still unsure on Derkack rn.

Exactly this!! This has always ben Pikes Kryptonite though. He is consistent in his loyalty to players as well as time. He still rotates players in/out not based on the feel for the game but due to time on the clock or for players. Its sad

 

[Shelby65]

Derkack out, saying since game 1. No offensive talent, clumsy, can barely dribble and not worth his above average D. Despite the FT misses, fine for end game FTs.

JMiss can’t portal out of here fast enough. Should have scooted with DChucker after last year.

 

[Shelby65]

Acuff and the male cheerleader over JMike

FIFY.

 

[bac2therac]

Pike’s already backed himself into a corner and imo the rotation needs to shrink drastically. I think it’s part of the reason we looked way better in the second half, and I think honestly the answer is that this isn’t a deep team.

Davis and Acuff I think have to be almost entirely froze out. Derkack, for all his intangibles, is now below 40 percent FG and can’t space the floor.

Top 7 of: Dylan, Ace, Hayes, Martini, Center, JWill. Still unsure on Derkack rn.

for me

stock up: Hayes, Ogobole

stock down: Derkack, Martini, Davis

 

[PhillyRU]

for me

stock up: Hayes, Ogobole

stock down: Derkack, Martini, Davis

I agree, I think Martini’s spacing is important but he has to be more impactful and he has to rebound. That’s the only reason Derkack might keep a major role in the rotation, otherwise he’s not an efficient scorer, mucks up the spacing and, honestly, not a great defender rn either

 

[RUforJERSEY]

Watching at the game was trying to figure out what value Dercack brings. Looks like a mid-major they're trying to make useful at the B1G level.

 

[Shelby65]

Watching at the game was trying to figure out what value Dercack brings. Looks like a mid-major they're trying to make useful at the B1G level.

He brings better odds for his brother coming. That is all. He’s not a BiG10 starting player. Either is Martini.

 

[Shell21]

I agree, I think Martini’s spacing is important but he has to be more impactful and he has to rebound. That’s the only reason Derkack might keep a major role in the rotation, otherwise he’s not an efficient scorer, mucks up the spacing and, honestly, not a great defender rn either

yep. I expected more out of Martini being a 5th year guy from a winning program. I need him to rebound more and give us a little more offensively. Can he hit anything but a 3? Would be nice to get him inside once in awhile and to the line.

Davis shouldn’t play too much , he is god awful on offense. If he’s in, you can’t have Derkack or Jwill in. All 3 stink on offense but the latter two at least have more size to guard.

 

[bac2therac]

yep. I expected more out of Martini being a 5th year guy from a winning program. I need him to rebound more and give us a little more offensively. Can he hit anything but a 3? Would be nice to get him inside once in awhile and to the line.

Davis shouldn’t play too much , he is god awful on offense. If he’s in, you can’t have Derkack or Jwill in. All 3 stink on offense but the latter two at least have more size to guard.

I really think the issue here is everything likely revolves around ace and dylan that either these players are deferring or they are so far behind ace/dylan in practice that no chemistry can be built

J Will and J Mike were suppose to be the bridges yet they have disasppeared similar to how mulcahay and mc connell disappeared the first 10 games a few years back

 

[FIJI'83]

Now that the mesmerizing gloss of Ace and Dylan has born off to a significant degree, maybe the other players will pick up their play and develop cohesion necessary to be a winning team.

 

[RUDivision]

Dylan has to be the PG and NO Pike we don’t need another redundant bad shooting Pg out there with him. Jordan back to a back up role. Start Hayes and cut Jmike and JWill today! Right now

 

[RUJMM78]

Dylan has to be the PG and NO Pike we don’t need another redundant bad shooting Pg out there with him. Jordan back to a back up role. Start Hayes and cut Jmike and JWill today! Right now

I agree Hayes should start because Rutgers needs a 3 point scorer on the court to complement Bailey and Harper.The first half was brutal to watch because it seemed the whole strategy was to let Bailey take most of the shots until he got two fouls.Play yard basketball creating shots doesn't work against a zone defense.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

Shrink rotation???????

WTF!

Expand it and see if the other freshman can be tough and play defense and rebound.

 

[bac2therac]

Shrink rotation???????

WTF!

Expand it and see if the other freshman can be tough and play defense and rebound.

grant and dortsch must be really bad

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

grant and dortsch must be really bad

if they dont play against ND they are real bad

 

[bac2therac]

if they dont play against ND they are real bad

well was it one minute vs Wagpetermonomerriken

 

[FAT MOON]

Shocked people want our leading rebounder (Derkack) to not play as much. I get it he doesn't shoot it as well as we'd like but he defends he's a plus passer with a greater than 2 to 1 assist to turnover ratio. Also gets to the line he's third on the team in makes and attempts and is still shooting 75% even after today. He's not going anywhere.

 

[PhillyRU]

Shocked people want our leading rebounder (Derkack) to not play as much. I get it he doesn't shoot it as well as we'd like but he defends he's a plus passer with a greater than 2 to 1 assist to turnover ratio. Also gets to the line he's third on the team in makes and attempts and is still shooting 75% even after today. He's not going anywhere.

I think Derkack in isolation is fine, playing him alongside Williams/Davis/Acuff has really bad residual effects on our spacing

 

[red sail]

Shocked people want our leading rebounder (Derkack) to not play as much. I get it he doesn't shoot it as well as we'd like but he defends he's a plus passer with a greater than 2 to 1 assist to turnover ratio. Also gets to the line he's third on the team in makes and attempts and is still shooting 75% even after today. He's not going anywhere.

Derkack’s defense is fundamentally poor. He leaves his feet all the time. He is not a good defender and is a liability when he tries and drives the lane trying to shoot when he’s triple teamed. His minutes need to decrease.

 

[Duff366]

Thinking that if rebounding will be a major issue all year, that Pike should give either Grant or Dortch some run on the 2nd team and shorten the guard rotation. Can't hurt rebounding wise and maybe light a fire under some guys who need to step up with rebounding.

Starters-
Dylan
Ace
Ogbole
Hayes
Martini

Bench rotation-
Somerville
Williams
 Acuff
Grant/Dortsch
Either Dercack or JMike

I'd really like to see what Acuff can do and give him some more minutes, as a crafty scorer is definitely needed. So that'd take away from Dercack or JMike's minutes

 

[needmorecowbell]

Derkack and JWill are redundant in some respects and it’s tough to have two non-shooters on the court at the same time. Davis and Acuff can’t really shoot either. I still think Hayes needs to play more and his defense can’t be an excuse because this team is riddled with bad defensive players.

Rutgers isn’t struggling to score. They are struggling to defend/rebound. Guys that do that will play. JWill and Derkack both do that at a high level.

7 that most likely will be in the rotation
Ace
Dylan
JWill
Martini
Derkack
PJ
Sommerville/Ogbole (may be a game by game decision)

Next up
Davis
Acuff

 

[needmorecowbell]

Thinking that if rebounding will be a major issue all year, that Pike should give either Grant or Dortch some run on the 2nd team and shorten the guard rotation. Can't hurt rebounding wise and maybe light a fire under some guys who need to step up with rebounding.

Starters-
Dylan
Ace
Ogbole
Hayes
Martini

Bench rotation-
Somerville
Williams
 Acuff
Grant/Dortsch
Either Dercack or JMike

I'd really like to see what Acuff can do and give him some more minutes, as a crafty scorer is definitely needed. So that'd take away from Dercack or JMike's minutes

Less players are going to play. Not more. Expect a 8-9 player rotation in December and a 7-8 player rotation by February.

 

[needmorecowbell]

I think Derkack in isolation is fine, playing him alongside Williams/Davis/Acuff has really bad residual effects on our spacing

Derkack and JWill probably should not both be in the floor when Ogbole/Sommerville is also playing.

 

[needmorecowbell]

for me

stock up: Hayes, Ogobole

stock down: Derkack, Martini, Davis

It’s one game and you could argue Derkack was the most effective and efficient player through the first 4 games out side of Dylan. Martini’s role is locked in too. Davis is going to have a tough time getting minutes.

To say it simply… Hayes and Martini are crucial to spacing/shooting, JWill and Derkack are crucial to defense/rebounding. Dylan’s and Ace are going to score. And someone will rotate at center. Davis and Acuff probably rotate in during December/January but unless something changes they will be out in Feb/March.

 

[Loyal_2RU]

Derkack’s defense is fundamentally poor. He leaves his feet all the time. He is not a good defender and is a liability when he tries and drives the lane trying to shoot when he’s triple teamed. His minutes need to decrease.

Be was getting called out by the anniversary for his D All game. I thought he was D player of the year last year. Something different make sense...

I will stubbornly insist that Acuff can be a stabilizing force for this team.

 

[FAT MOON]

I will stubbornly insist that Acuff can be a stabilizing force for this team.

Based on what? Just the fact that he scored a bunch last season? I'm not seeing much of anything in his game that would suggest that. At least so far...

 

[Duff366]

Dercack is feisty and tough, but I don't see his defense as being a difference maker so far. Haven't really watched Acuff's defense and it looks like he is still getting back in game shape.

Acuff was the 8th leading scorer in college last year. Are we sure he can't be a decent defender? Dylan and Ace need someone to take a little of the slack on O and Acuff is the only other guy on the team who may be able to create his own shot (JWill can drive but is an inconsistent shooter).

 

[Loyal_2RU]

Based on what? Just the fact that he scored a bunch last season? I'm not seeing much of anything in his game that would suggest that. At least so far...

First game he played calm and smart. I was very impressed.
Haven't seen him enough since then.

 

[littlenis5]

It all comes back to the center problem really. If we had a solid defensive center, we could play PJ Hayes more, because he is one of the more solid players on the team at rebounding, caring for the basketball, and clearly shooting. Of course if we had a solid center the rebounding problem would be much smaller too.

To me if Martini isn’t going to rebound Hayes needs to take some of those minutes where he’s playing the 4 until that changes. Until the rebounding improves Derkack is absolutely going to play. Need to watch more closely to see if his numbers are so high because he’s poaching off other guys boxing out.

There’s also a case to see pike really experiment more…can a lineup of Dylan-Ace-PJ-Martini-Lathan survive both on the glass and defensively? That could be a scoring paradise that should rebound at a plus from the guard and wing spots if Lathan/Martini own their roles.

 

[richthedentist]

Jordan starting a bit of a head scratcher. He missed 3 critical free throws, would have won all things the same

He missed 4 free throws and came in shooting 93% from the line
I can’t figure out the love affair with this guy
I know he’s hard nosed but he brings nothing to the offensive side of the ball

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

There’s also a case to see pike really experiment more…can a lineup of Dylan-Ace-PJ-Martini-Lathan survive both on the glass and defensively? That could be a scoring paradise that should rebound at a plus from the guard and wing spots if Lathan/Martini own their roles.

A hard NO

 

[richthedentist]

Dercack is feisty and tough, but I don't see his defense as being a difference maker so far. Haven't really watched Acuff's defense and it looks like he is still getting back in game shape.

Acuff was the 8th leading scorer in college last year. Are we sure he can't be a decent defender? Dylan and Ace need someone to take a little of the slack on O and Acuff is the only other guy on the team who may be able to create his own shot (JWill can drive but is an inconsistent shooter).

We definitely need Tyson to get going on the offensive game we need him

 

[littlenis5]

A hard NO

Yes, I know you’d rather see Dortch and Grant

 

[NickRU714]

Similar to "if Davis isn't playing elite defense, why is he on the floor?" - if Martini isn't going to score and rebound, why is he on the floor?

Maybe the love fest with Princeton was a bit overdone?

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

Yes, I know you’d rather see Dortch and Grant

They are still fictional characters to me. If we don't see them soon then we have a good idea what they are (at least this year).

PJ Hayes is brutal defensively..........at least he is pitching in on the defensive glass.

If you want to swap out Martini for a better defensive player
Maybe improve defense a hair by playing EO over Somerville

Those are ways to get PJ and Ace on the floor together.

 

[higgins3]

I like an 8 man rotation or so.

PIkiell made a major mistake not getting a center. His other option-rebounding by committee. Everyone hits the boards.

We will know what we have after the next 3 games.