So what is Paul up to????

[Joey Bacala]

While we know what Cliff has been doing, what’s Paul up to in his “desire to enter the draft?”

He’s clearly not entering portal with tomorrow’s deadline looming.

Sounds like three possibilities:
- ends his bball career
- overseas
- he’s baaaaccckkk

Anyone have insight???

 

[ImBadRU]

Back

 

[FinalFourOrBust]

He has zero shot to go pro and isn’t gonna quit college ball with the way NIL deals are getting handed out. He was always coming back.

 

[toby83]

He's somewhere on I70 in Maryland by now, hunting down Huggy Bear the antichrist.

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

He has zero shot to go pro and isn’t gonna quit college ball with the way NIL deals are getting handed out. He was always coming back.

He’ll be able to play ball overseas but why rush to do that when you can collect NIL. I’d be very surprised if he’s not back.

 

[RUskoolie]

He will be back

 

[Morrischiano]

I hope that he’s back. No player cares more about RU BBall. He’s a great young man and will a very valuable contributor to this team if he returns.

The people that wish that he leave are idiots.

 

[SBP]

I can’t see him being the point guard. So the more pertinent question is, WHERE does he play? Does he start at the 3?

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

I can’t see him being the point guard. So the more pertinent question is, WHERE does he play? Does he start at the 3?

Sure - call it what you want. The 3. He’s going to play point forward. In effect, resuming the role he had when Geo brought up the ball. Halfcourt ball distribution is and always has been his strength. Paul and GG will play together at 3/4 at times too.

 

[NickRU714]

I can’t see him being the point guard. So the more pertinent question is, WHERE does he play? Does he start at the 3?

This.
I don't think anyone "wishes" he leaves.

Just that if he does return, his role should be adjusted according to the current talent on the team (Ferdandes, Gavin, Simpson) and not just default to prior role the last couple of years.

As pointed out - it's not Paul v. Simpson anymore. It's Paul v Gavin v Mag v Hyatt v (replacement for Ndongo?) to start and play.

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

This.
I don't think anyone "wishes" he leaves.

Just that if he does return, his role should be adjusted according to the current talent on the team (Ferdandes, Gavin, Simpson) and not just default to prior role the last couple of years.

As pointed out - it's not Paul v. Simpson anymore. It's Paul v Gavin v Mag v Hyatt v (replacement for Ndongo?) to start and play.

It was never Paul vs. Simpson. Paul played 30+ minutes in the games where Simpson saw a boost in PT.

 

[NickRU714]

It was never Paul vs. Simpson. Paul played 30+ minutes in the games where Simpson saw a boost in PT.

I meant for next year.
After Mag got heard they freed up minutes for Simpson last year.

Next year - Simpson main competition for minutes is Fernandes and Cam.
Paul's main competition are Gavin, Mag (when/if healthy), Hyatt and any potential Ndongo replacement.

 

[MiloTalon13]

I think Paul plays 1-4 if you have to put numbers out there

• Paul with Cam and GG - Paul is the 1
• Paul with Cam, GG and Noah - Paul is the 4
• Paul with Noah and GG - Paul is the 2
• Paul with Noah and Simpson - Paul is the 3

Gives Pike a ton of positional/substituting flexibility - which I think he does a great job with
What will the best mixes be? Pike will try them all and find them

 

[RUJMM78]

There really is no reason for further delay in Paul announcing his decision.The roster is uncertain with potential scholarships available depending on Mag,Paul and Cliff returning and the two unfilled scholarships.

 

[new jersey1]

There really is no reason for further delay in Paul announcing his decision.The roster is uncertain with potential scholarships available depending on Mag,Paul and Cliff returning and the two unfilled scholarships.

Pike (and his teammates) may know which is all that really matters.

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

I think Paul plays 1-4 if you have to put numbers out there

• Paul with Cam and GG - Paul is the 1
• Paul with Cam, GG and Noah - Paul is the 4
• Paul with Noah and GG - Paul is the 2
• Paul with Noah and Simpson - Paul is the 3

Gives Pike a ton of positional/substituting flexibility - which I think he does a great job with
What will the best mixes be? Pike will try them all and find them

Yup - he may also be the 3 or 4 at times with Simpson and Noah playing together. He’s going to play 27+ minutes.

 

[new jersey1]

I think Paul plays 1-4 if you have to put numbers out there

• Paul with Cam and GG - Paul is the 1
• Paul with Cam, GG and Noah - Paul is the 4
• Paul with Noah and GG - Paul is the 2
• Paul with Noah and Simpson - Paul is the 3

Gives Pike a ton of positional/substituting flexibility - which I think he does a great job with
What will the best mixes be? Pike will try them all and find them

Love the options and flexibility. It’s all about matchups from one opponent to the next and during the course of a game.

 

[MiloTalon13]

Pike (and his teammates) may know which is all that really matters.

If they know, why wouldn't they make it public?
I'm open to legit reasons why, I just can't think of any, which makes me think he hasn't really decided yet.

 

[new jersey1]

If they know, why wouldn't they make it public?
I'm open to legit reasons why, I just can't think of any, which makes me think he hasn't really decided yet.

Can’t answer that so maybe you are right. Or he could be leaning on coming back, but not ready to fully commit with a formal announcement.

 

[NickRU714]

If they know, why wouldn't they make it public?
I'm open to legit reasons why, I just can't think of any, which makes me think he hasn't really decided yet.

It's just what players do nowadays.
Why did RHJ wait until the last possible moment in 2021 to announce he was returning?
Similar he didn't get an invite to the NBA or G-League combine. Everyone assumed he would come back.

I hope players at least let the coaching staffs know well in advance - so they can plan accordingly for who they have to or don't have to replace.

 

[MADHAT1]

It's just what players do nowadays.
Why did RHJ wait until the last possible moment in 2021 to announce he was returning?
Similar he didn't get an invite to the NBA or G-League combine. Everyone assumed he would come back.

I hope players at least let the coaching staffs know well in advance - so they can plan accordingly for who they have to or don't have to replace.

I wouldn't be surprised if Pike was involved with Paul's should I go or should I stay decision.
It also could involve how RU does getting good players in the portal to come to Rutgers that will help Paul decide to move on or come back

 

[needmorecowbell]

While we know what Cliff has been doing, what’s Paul up to in his “desire to enter the draft?”

He’s clearly not entering portal with tomorrow’s deadline looming.

Sounds like three possibilities:
- ends his bball career
- overseas
- he’s baaaaccckkk

Anyone have insight???

99% he’s back

 

[needmorecowbell]

I still believe Pike will run the ball handler role like UCONN did. They will have a Point Guard and a Point Forward. Noah and Paul probably split the ball handling duties down the middle. It may be a game by game thing too.

Simpson probably plays the 2 guard for most of the game. It’s a better fit for his skill set.

 

[mikebal9]

If they know, why wouldn't they make it public?
I'm open to legit reasons why, I just can't think of any, which makes me think he hasn't really decided yet.

Not flaming here, but legitimately...because they don't care if we know. We don't need to know. If his coach and teammates know, that's all that matters. It's frustrating for fans, but it's true.

 

[RU-ROCS]

Paul and Cam represented the hoops team at tonight’s annual R Fund donor dinner, which makes me think Paul is definitely coming back,

 

[MiloTalon13]

Not flaming here, but legitimately...because they don't care if we know. We don't need to know. If his coach and teammates know, that's all that matters. It's frustrating for fans, but it's true.

"They don't care if we know" - then why would they care if we don't know? That doesn't make any sense.
They don't care but it's a closely guarded secret?

NIL is such a big deal in everything according to most BUT is anyone giving Paul a cent if they're not sure if he's coming back? KoTR donations, Geo's group - wouldn't it matter to them too?

 

[mikebal9]

"They don't care if we know" - then why would they care if we don't know? That doesn't make any sense.
They don't care but it's a closely guarded secret?

NIL is such a big deal in everything according to most BUT is anyone giving Paul a cent if they're not sure if he's coming back? KoTR donations, Geo's group - wouldn't it matter to them too?

No one is guarding anything. They haven't made an announcement. That's it.

 

[Nycrusupporter]

I still believe Pike will run the ball handler role like UCONN did. They will have a Point Guard and a Point Forward. Noah and Paul probably split the ball handling duties down the middle. It may be a game by game thing too.

Simpson probably plays the 2 guard for most of the game. It’s a better fit for his skill set.

I definitely see Paul as a Point Forward, but don’t see him having much of a role getting the ball up the court, he wasn’t good at it, had to be slow and deliberate in order to avoid turning the ball over. Let Noah push the ball up and then have both of them help run the offense when they are on the court together.

 

[richthedentist]

99% he’s back

100%

 

[RutgersChow]

Sure - call it what you want. The 3. He’s going to play point forward. In effect, resuming the role he had when Geo brought up the ball. Halfcourt ball distribution is and always has been his strength. Paul and GG will play together at 3/4 at times too.

I think Pike still has him play some point when Fernandez is out. There's a lot of trust there.

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

I think Pike still has him play some point when Fernandez is out. There's a lot of trust there.

Definitely. He’s going to shift slots all game. He can slide in 1-4 depending on match ups.

 

[AreYouNUTS]

While we know what Cliff has been doing, what’s Paul up to in his “desire to enter the draft?”

He’s clearly not entering portal with tomorrow’s deadline looming.

Sounds like three possibilities:
- ends his bball career
- overseas
- he’s baaaaccckkk

Anyone have insight???

As I’ve been saying, from day, one, post season: Paul will be back next year. Never a doubt.

 

[Salvi's Headband]

Practicing his tripping.

(lol i kid i kid)

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

Quite a few posters have lost their credibility using 99% and 100% probabilities.

PRO TIP: pick a smaller percentage to give yourself an escape route.

 

[Shelby65]

It’s not just the talent but also the pace which Paul undermines. With the players on this roster and coming soon, this shouldn’t be a plodding offense. Yet that’s Paul’s game.

Time to move on from him as starter-minutes guy. Bench role, sure.

 

[rudad02]

It’s not just the talent but also the pace which Paul undermines. With the players on this roster and coming soon, this shouldn’t be a plodding offense. Yet that’s Paul’s game.

Time to move on from him as starter-minutes guy. Bench role, sure.

Absolutely agree. Probably time for Paul to move on period.

 

[NickRU714]

Wait until Bailey (and hopefully Harper) get here.
They'll be off campus by end of March probably.

I wonder if players of their caliber even bother finishing out the semester or just drop once the season is over.

 

[AreYouNUTS]

Absolutely agree. Probably time for Paul to move on period.

Glad you're not part of the decision-making process.

 

[RUBlackout7]

Glad you're not part of the decision-making process.

He won’t contribute much this coming year.

 

[MADHAT1]

Glad you're not part of the decision-making process.

You're right saying this.
Paul is an asset for the program and helps the team in many ways.
Maybe not the most talented, but does have enough talent to make a difference when playing .
Also with his basketball IQ knows how to play the game to help the team when he's on the floor.
I look for Paul to be a 6th man this season.
PF & PG will be his roll