Should we speed the game up next year?

[BillyC80]

Started wondering today whether we, with our depth and experience next year, should speed the game up and emphasize possessions by pressing to try and get turnovers and by running more.

Seems like a fast-paced game would play to our strengths while also getting more players involved.

Kinda shifts the emphasis from minutes played to possessions played per player.

Not sure it’s what Pike would ever do, because it doesn’t seem to be his style or strategy so far. Just wondering.

 

[RUsince52]

We'd have to learn how to run a controlled fast break. Young might provide the solution. We always have trouble finishing unless it's a breakout and we very rarely draw a shooting foul in those situations.

 

[Scangg]

We lose Doorson who isn't built for that style and add Young and Mulcahey who are so I expect us to push the pace more next season. Mathis Harper EO Caleb Carter all run the floor well too

 

[colbert17]

Beat Penn St.

 

[Scarlet Shack]

The potential is there ...but it’s all relative.

We have been trying to play selectively faster this year and expect to take it up a notch

With length and depth...we could definelet press some next year ...and certainly might pressure up the court to wear our teams

 

[RUissy]

Mathis and Harper are both very good in transition. Adding Young and Mulcahy will help also. I do think we'll push a little more but don't want to lose our identity as a tough, physical half court defensive team.

 

[zebnatto]

I think that yes we should push. It’s been effective this year (with some notable exceptions) and should be more so with next year’s additions. Either way we play it, our scoring is heading up.

 

[RUJMM78]

I think the decision will be based on how improved the offense will be in a half court slower paced game.With quality depth it makes sense to wear down the opponent by pressing defense .Layups should be easier to make than shots against guarded defense in a half court offense.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

No.

Play the same way we are playing this year and add better defense as players are required to play less minutes.

People in this league are very skilled. Keep the game at a reasonable place, get a few more turnovers being a little more active in passing lanes.

 

[FELONIOUSMONK]

Amphetamines?

 

[Scangg]

No.

Play the same way we are playing this year and add better defense as players are required to play less minutes.

People in this league are very skilled. Keep the game at a reasonable place, get a few more turnovers being a little more active in passing lanes.

Those turnovers will lead to transition buckets. You don't just walk the ball up the court every time bc some advanced metric from last season tells you to. As the season went on we got better and better in transition. Not just straight up fast breaks but when the D isn't set guys like Harper and Mathis can get all the way to the rim. Young is lightning quick and Paul is excellent running the break. Both will excel in that area. We can't force it when it's not there, but we should and will be a very dangerous team in transition next season.

 

[goru7]

Those turnovers will lead to transition buckets. You don't just walk the ball up the court every time bc some advanced metric from last season tells you to. As the season went on we got better and better in transition. Not just straight up fast breaks but when the D isn't set guys like Harper and Mathis can get all the way to the rim. Young is lightning quick and Paul is excellent running the break. Both will excel in that area. We can't force it when it's not there, but we should and will be a very dangerous team in transition next season.

My only concern is transition defense. In the Minnesota and Purdue games early , we lost their players both at the three point line as well as allowing them to dunk on us as 3 guys went to one guy leaving other guys wide open . Last year we were terrible. . Our last 5-6 games our transition defense especially against faster teams like Illinois and Iowa has been much better . If the transition defense continues to improve , we will run more. Next year besides Geo and Young getting an outlet to start the break , we will have 3 guys in Montez, Ron , and Paul who will grab a rebound and just go. I expect our transition points to be up next year appreciably.

 

[ChrisNalwasky]

Piscataway HS boys hoops uses its athletes and get out on fast breaks and tries to go fast every time down. Its worked for them, but the coach, who actually is a former Rutgers player, always talks to me about going fast but still being controlled.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

If you think we are going to succeed long term against the good teams of the conference with Mathis and Harper taking it coast to coast you are mistaken.

No doubt we have had some short term success.

You are asking way too much of Young and Mulcahy. Young has taken only 36 free throws in his 63 game career. 28 assists as a freshman and 22 assists as a sophomore.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

The talent gap is closing, but there is still a gap. Against most B1G teams we decrease our chances of victory with every possession that occurs.

 

[cubuffsdoug]

The talent gap is closing, but there is still a gap. Against most B1G teams we decrease our chances of victory with every possession that occurs.

The talent gap is close enough where good coaching and a solid scheme makes that gap non-existent.

Speeding up the game may work against certain opponents for a while, but overall it will hurt the team who is trying to do it more than anyone else.

 

[YoucancallmeRay]

I'll be Captain Obvious here and say that it depends on the other team's weaknesses. RU is versatile enough to play big or small, press or play tough halfcourt man. Our primary identity so far this year has been centered on our front court being taller, stronger, and more intimidating on D versus the other teams' O, so I wouldn't get too far away from that next year since we only lose Shaq D. Again, Coach has built a nice blend of height, speed, and depth, so he can coach his a__ off.

 

[RUMountie]

I think we should move in the direction of a faster pace on offense next year. Maybe it was just me, but we looked significantly more athletic than Iowa.
And now our BB IQ, game awareness, team chemistry and skills are gelling to go along with our athleticism. Man we could be dangerous in this year's B1G tournament let alone next year.

 

[RU-Choppin-Ohio]

Let's be honest....we have one guy who can be characterized as really athletic and that is Montez Mathis. That is not a good recipe for trying to outrun other teams in the open court....unless you are playing all of your games against Slow Azz Iowa.

 

[zebnatto]

Those turnovers will lead to transition buckets. You don't just walk the ball up the court every time bc some advanced metric from last season tells you to. As the season went on we got better and better in transition. Not just straight up fast breaks but when the D isn't set guys like Harper and Mathis can get all the way to the rim. Young is lightning quick and Paul is excellent running the break. Both will excel in that area. We can't force it when it's not there, but we should and will be a very dangerous team in transition next season.

Yup.

 

[MadRU]

It will be interesting too see if or who gets the last open scholarship. If we get a legit rim protector that can contribute early that might change things even more.

 

[Scarlet Shack]

The talent gap is closing, but there is still a gap. Against most B1G teams we decrease our chances of victory with every possession that occurs.

I’m going to drop you a hint

I don’t think there is a talent gap all with most of the big ten...right now.

Not next year..right now .

Only teams I think that have talent a notch above us in the aggregate right now is Michigan state, Purdue, Michigan and Maryland

We aren’t closing the Gap with smoke and mirrors basketball and some hot shooting games. We are beating teams physically.

 

[colbert17]

a legit rim protector

In the old days we called that "a big guy".

 

[Scangg]

Let's be honest....we have one guy who can be characterized as really athletic and that is Montez Mathis. That is not a good recipe for trying to outrun other teams in the open court....unless you are playing all of your games against Slow Azz Iowa.

You don't have to be a an elite explosive fastest player on the court type like Mathis to be good in transition. You wouldn't describe Harper or Mulcahey that way but they both are. Scoring in transition doesn't mean whoever is fastest is best always

 

[RU-Choppin-Ohio]

You don't have to be a an elite explosive fastest player on the court type like Mathis to be good in transition. You wouldn't describe Harper or Mulcahey that way but they both are. Scoring in transition doesn't mean whoever is fastest is best always

Well, there is a reason slower teams " normally" don't play at a fast pace.

I don't think we are talking about points off turnovers....all teams strive for those baskets regardless of team speed.

IMO, If Rutgers attempted to get into a track meet with an Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Maryland, MSU and others...it would be ugly.

 

[Westcoast]

Well, there is a reason slower teams " normally" don't play at a fast pace.

I don't think we are talking about points off turnovers....all teams strive for those baskets regardless of team speed.

IMO, If Rutgers attempted to get into a track meet with an Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Maryland, MSU and others...it would be ugly.

I don't think getting into a track meet is the idea. Its about trying to get easier baskets by getting to the rim before the defense is set as opposed to walking it up and waiting for the defense to be set. We probably won't be a great shooting team next year either. Its a way to offset that liability.

 

[colbert17]

Beat Penn State Wednesday.

 

[MadRU]

Iowa uses a 3 quarter court trapping zone press. Sometimes they get turnovers from it, other times it uses clock.

Iowa isn’t a super fast team. A trapping press with long athletes can be affective and maybe wear out teams that aren’t deep.

 

[Scangg]

I don't think getting into a track meet is the idea. Its about trying to get easier baskets by getting to the rim before the defense is set as opposed to walking it up and waiting for the defense to be set. We probably won't be a great shooting team next year either. Its a way to offset that liability.

Thissss

Harper and Mathis are both great at this where there are players back on D, but it's not set up yet.... so they just attack the rim. When there is space in front of them and they have a head of steam heading to the rim, they are tough to stop. If you're not a great shooting and efficient team on offense you want to get as many easy buckets as you can.

 

[goru7]

Well, there is a reason slower teams " normally" don't play at a fast pace.

I don't think we are talking about points off turnovers....all teams strive for those baskets regardless of team speed.

IMO, If Rutgers attempted to get into a track meet with an Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Maryland, MSU and others...it would be ugly.

You cannot lump in Illinois and Indiana with Minnesota, Maryland or Michigan State. The last 3 are elite in transition and Maryland and Michigan State have the three point shooters and dunkers and finishers and are more athletic. Illinois and Indiana are not at that level and I will take our crew of Geo, Ron, Montez, and Paul grabbing rebounds and going with Geo and Ron able to pull up from 3. Westcoast’s point is that we will have another way to get easier offensive points ,which we struggle with at times, while at the same time stressing the opponent’s defense and wearing them out with our depth. I also forgot Young , who will also pull up from three.