Rothstein at Rutgers practice today
- Thread starter PiscatawayMike
- Start date
Interesting ... personally, I am pretty sure Martini (isn't he a co-captain with Williams?) will start at PF, for spreading the floor ... unless Davis has REALLY changed and improved his offensive game.
On the other hand ... Rothstein saw a practice and I have not. And if he is seeing in practice Bailey as ridiculously good offensively (not just great, but even more so than great), and fully able to defend all 5 positions, maybe you can get away with Davis and his premier defense with just Harper, Bailey and Williams as offensive players on the court to start a game.
We will surely know a lot more after the St. Johns exhibition, I would think.
hmmm.. maybe the thought is with Ace and Harper on the floor there is enough offense. Perhaps Martini will come on to give Ace rest and provide offense in his absence.
In any case, Pike will be playing with the lineup quite a bit in early games. Perhaps the opponent profile will dictate some starters.
Doesn’t seem Rothstein picked up the starting lineup based on a confirmed statement, more that I bet Davis popped in practice more than Martini, which id say is expected, I feel Martini is the type to not pop in a practice setting but does the little stuff in game. The statement about JMike guarding Dylan proves that Rothstein didn’t get his projection from an A team vs B team scrimmage
That’s horrible review. First off they are NOT a bubble team.
He also said nothing about any of the other players at all.
Tired of these prognosticators, if they fire up the team as much as they piss off the fans, then OK.
He also said nothing about any of the other players at all.
Tired of these prognosticators, if they fire up the team as much as they piss off the fans, then OK.
So saying Dylan and Ace need to play like All B1G players while not mentioning any others really speaks volume of their supporting cast.....
Bad take. On everything. Not a bubble team. Better than that. JMike will NOT start. No mention of other players.
Dylan
JWill
Ace
Martini
Big E
Dylan
JWill
Ace
Martini
Big E
I went to 2 practices when Dylan was doing mostly drills and held out of the scrimmage part of practice. Now Dylan is back but what I saw was Martini and Hayes are going to see time as the 3 point specialists. JWill and Dylan will control the the ball and the team. JMike has improved offensively but he will not be starting , I do not think , over JWill , Dylan or the wings. He will play a lot. I also saw Derdack play very well and Acuff was in a boot and hasn’t been factored on yet . They will all play.
Lastly , Lathanwas a stud hitting multiple shots in 1 of the 2 practices and will push E , who has trimmed down and running the floor and his hands have gotten better. Dylan Grant also was very impressive. Trying to get this lineup right around Dylan and ACE will be Pike’s biggest challenge but a great problem to have. They can all play and be impactful.
Lastly , Lathanwas a stud hitting multiple shots in 1 of the 2 practices and will push E , who has trimmed down and running the floor and his hands have gotten better. Dylan Grant also was very impressive. Trying to get this lineup right around Dylan and ACE will be Pike’s biggest challenge but a great problem to have. They can all play and be impactful.
I've said Davis will play more than people think, not sure he'd start though, especially early on. Pike will want Martini out there for some leadership.
Probably the best defensive five who can get after it on the D end and set the tone early. I wouldn’t want to have to try to score at the Y against those five dudes.🤣
I think Martini will be a lowkey major contributor either way.
I think you will have tons of mix and match lineups this year based upon the opponents strengths and weaknesses. During the Pike era, we've never had this depth where the top 10 can all legitimately start. Who has the hot hand will most likely determine things as well.
Gotta say, if this team was on the bubble, that would be a major disappointment?Am I wrong? If they don't go to sweet 16, Pikiell will have some heat on him.
I’ll say it again, I just want to not have to sweat on selection Sunday. Anything after that is gravy.
A starting (and presumably closing?) lineup of JWill,Davis, Ace and Ogbole - call that the mud offense
Maybe quicksand offense.
That's likely what Ace and Dylan will feel like as they are trying to score 2 on 4.
I was worried about spacing with ONLY 1 of Martini or Hayes (or Acuff?) on the floor.
Didn't consider none of them would be on the floor.
Davis might lead the league in open 3pt shots then (actually making them would be a different matter).
Maybe quicksand offense.
That's likely what Ace and Dylan will feel like as they are trying to score 2 on 4.
I was worried about spacing with ONLY 1 of Martini or Hayes (or Acuff?) on the floor.
Didn't consider none of them would be on the floor.
Davis might lead the league in open 3pt shots then (actually making them would be a different matter).
Honestly the review saying we NEED ace and Dylan to be first team all big ten just to make the dance. Sounds like a bad indictment on the rest of the squad.
Being a bubble team would be a major disappointment
Makes me wonder if we had Cliff back .. what the media hype would be different
Being a bubble team would be a major disappointment
Makes me wonder if we had Cliff back .. what the media hype would be different
I'll repeat: I do not believe Davis will start, or finish, games.
There may be times Rothstein's projected starting line-up will be on the court at the same time - a potentially very good defensive line-up.
I would think at the end of games, especially close games where RU has the lead, Pikeill will have better FT shooters on the floor (remember how much he stated that one focus in the portal was better FT shooting) ... meaning Martini ... maybe Acuff/Derkack.
I reiterate, my expected starting line-up as Harper, Williams, Bailey. Martini and Ogbole. I could see a game-ending line-up in close games of Harper, Williams, Acuff, Bailey and Martini (FT shooting).
And I believe MOST of the time you will see EITHER Martini OR Hayes in the line-up, for 3-point shooting to create and take advantage of spacing. If Derkack or Acuff can hit 3's at 33% or better that will earn them more minutes than I have penciled in for them.
Just my opinion.
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