The Sky is not falling

[MADHAT1]

With the subtractions to the team turning some posters into the end is here and now there isn't a chance in the world next season will be a good one messengers of doom and gloom. I say this:
Every year the same type of messages are posted on this board for various reasons by those who look for any and every excuse to make the RU WBB program look like a loser.
Yet just about every year the RU WBB team winds up with a winning record , though some posting here conviently ignore that when putting down the program.
Yes, RU hasn't been one of the best programs around for awhile now, you want to whine about RU WBB,whine about that and you will be making a valid point.
But when you act like the team isn't a winner think about this, 212-131 record last 11 years.
Complain about the tourney record and how RU hasn't been a force in it for a long time, but give up the BS implications that RU WBB is a loser.

Last but not least, expect CVS to overcome the defections and graduations, putting a tourney team on the court next year because she's still a real good coach
The only thing we need to be concerned about, if the team has it in them and the coaches are able to make a good showing in the tourney .
If not complain about that, but stop acting like this women's basketball program is a loser.
It's a winner, but needs to be a Tourney winner and not just earn an invite to be considered having a successful season.
A winning season is nice, but one that has a good tourney run makes the season great , one and done makes it a disapointment and though a winning season, far from being considered a successful one

 

[rutgersron]

Very well said! Do I wish that WBB was more successful? Absolutely but it is more successful than almost all RU teams. CVS runs a clean program with very good academics. When other programs were a s**t storm (Football - Flood/Ash, MBB - Way too many examples), CVS' teams were a jewel of Rutgers sports. Been following since Wicks and Sticks (was at the game two milestones were set...Sue's 2,000 and Regina's 1,000 points). Here is wishing greater success for the program.

 

[eso1989]

I’m a huge admirer of what CVS has accomplished on and off the basketball court. her record and reputation is not being questioned. That said ....the teams recent performance in tournament play, the transfers of high caliber recruits that were going to be our foundation next year plus a 73 year old lame duck coach (with no contract) is a reason to be concerned. If you are a supporter of the program (which I am) further delay in settling her contract situation is Just going to set us further back.

 

[sammybb]

I agree the sky is not falling but the trends also aren't looking good.

That being said, the player movement this offseason (in both men's and women's basketball) is like nothing people have seen before, so I am curious what the roster looks like come November 2021.

But given what we know now, what could a starting line-up look like next year?

C: Sakima Walker/Aicha Ndour
PF: Tyia Singleton/Chyna Cornwell
SF: Awa Sidibe/Erica LaFayette/Destiny Marshall
SG: Liz Martino/Joyia Maddox
PG: Stephanie Guihon/Kierra Sanderlin

 

[RUcrazee]

That's not a bad looking lineup. The concerns for me, are lack of a strong ballhandler and how fast can Ndour learn the game. Can't help but think we would have been a pretty good team with Diamond and Zippy.

But they are gone, so from the portal we could use a good guard who at the very least can handle the ball and distribute. Like in the past, KSanders , CCryor, Charise Wilson played that role for us. Even if they come from a mid major school.

 

[wngarbarini]

If that is our team we are in trouble next year and making the tourney is a stretch in my opinion. Thanks for posting that.

 

[anon_ivydyf0amkzay]

they sky may not be falling but you have to be blind about the direction of the program...that vector is not good

 

[MADHAT1]

Two years ago many posting on this board claimed the preogram was headed towards the dumpster, but the team wound up deserving a tourney invite and would have had one if tourney wasn't cancelled.
Last year many detractors claimed the RU WBB program was in that dumpster after playing well in beginning of season. Talk of CVS lost her chops wasa common complaint by those dissing her for years and even implying RU WBB was a loser for a long time.
Despite only having one losing season in years mentioned
Rough spot overcame and NCAA tourney appearance was the result.
But losing in the first round wound up bringing the anti Stringer crowd back with a vengeance.
Hell 4 years ago before season started, you would have thought Vivian was coaching from the grave the way some talked about this program
3 years ago those bandwagon doom and gloomers acted like the team could be in trouble every chance they got, but an NCAA Tourney invite came out of regular season play

Now again a bit of trouble has those whoa is Rutgers people storming the gates of the RU WBB board with another sky is falling movement.
I say to those doom and gloomers: Rutgers has weathered the storm before under C.Vivin Stringer, her staff and players and will again .

From ponytail recruiting, salary and age, there are those who try to act like CVS hasn't won during the regular season in their effort to convince others that Vivian has lost it and must be replaced.
Ignoring she won during the regular season, while talking up tourney failure.
If thay admited Stringer was a winner in regular season, but is having post season problems, that would prove to me they were looking out for the program more than having a personal agenda to replace Vivian ( for a reason or reasons they only know)

Rutgers still has good players on roster and a coaching staff that knows how to win.
So though the players leaving present a major talent drain, those staying might just make up for it and win again next season.

 

[wngarbarini]

Might not also!

 

[SBP]

Where there’s smoke....

 

[HeavenUniv.]

Whether she comes back next year or not, I hope Pat Hobbs has already put together a list. Who are some of the Top young assistants at the powerhouses like Baylor, South Carolina, Stanford, UConn, Notre Dame etc. that know how to recruit New Jersey ?

 

[Knight Time Fan]

Whether she comes back next year or not, I hope Pat Hobbs has already put together a list. Who are some of the Top young assistants at the powerhouses like Baylor, South Carolina, Stanford, UConn, Notre Dame etc. that know how to recruit New Jersey ?

I too hope he has a list, every AD should for the major sports in their department. That said, I'm not sure about the schools you mention as "sources". Certainly not UConn, which just lost Shea Ralph and has only Jamelle Elliott - who was not a success at Cincinnati, on staff (not counting CD of course). The rest have either more mature assistants, regional folks often alums, and some very young inexperienced folks. A real mix.

I think you do need to look at top assistants - there are "lists" put out by some publications yearly - and also the rising non-power 5 coaches. Oklahoma and I think even Wisconsin just did top-notch jobs hiring.

 

[MADHAT1]

Whether she comes back next year or not, I hope Pat Hobbs has already put together a list. Who are some of the Top young assistants at the powerhouses like Baylor, South Carolina, Stanford, UConn, Notre Dame etc. that know how to recruit New Jersey ?

Every AD worth his /her salt should have a list of possible replacements in case a coaching change is needed..
If the fanatics on a school's sports message boards can quickly come up with possible quality replacements, the AD surly should be able to do the same.
Even if the AD knows for a fact the HC plans to stay, medical issues , family situations and a host of other reasons could cause that HC to leave.

The list might not have all on it likely to take the job, but ones worth trying to get, along with those on list the AD feels will accept, if offered.

 

[ScarletteK80]

Whether she comes back next year or not, I hope Pat Hobbs has already put together a list. Who are some of the Top young assistants at the powerhouses like Baylor, South Carolina, Stanford, UConn, Notre Dame etc. that know how to recruit New Jersey ?

Your list is quite foolish. Look up who some of the assistants are, and you will see why.

 

[HeavenUniv.]

Since I didn’t post a list, it can’t be foolish.

 

[SBP]

It has fallen.... major rebuild ahead

 

[RUJMM78]

Both Rutgers basketball teams are in the catch up mode coping with the recruiting impact of the transfer portal.

 

[RUfanDNT]

Will next year’s team look different, of course. Is the sky falling, no. We had a great recruiting class last year of which only one is gone. We will never know why people left, but I believe we will be alright. IMHO!

 

[MADHAT1]

Will next year’s team look different, of course. Is the sky falling, no. We had a great recruiting class last year of which only one is gone. We will never know why people left, but I believe we will be alright. IMHO!

Sakima Walker was a four-star recruit and No. 21 overall prospect according to All-Star Girls Report when she committed

Chyna Cornwell was a four-star recruit and No. 48 overall prospect according to All-Star Girls Report when she committed


Elizabeth Martino was a once ranked as high as the No. 25 prospect in the nation according to espnW Hoopgurlz before a knee injury ended her junior season. She was ranked the No. 53 overall prospect according to Blue Star Basketball. when she committed


Erica Lafayette was a No. 40 ranked wing according to espnW Hoopgurlz. She was one of the top recruits out of the state of Louisiana, ranked No. 2 by Blue Star Basketball, No. 3 by All-Star Girls Report and No. 4 by espnW Hoopgurlz. when she committed

2019 commit Joiya Maddox : was a First Team USA Today High School All-USA Alabama Team selection l ... ... Also named to the Alabama Sports Writers Association Super All-State Team

 

[wngarbarini]

Yes and almost none of them sniffed the hardwood except maybe Martino. CVS played her starters almost 40 minutes. If they were so good why not play them?

 

[MADHAT1]

Yes and almost none of them sniffed the hardwood except maybe Martino. CVS played her starters almost 40 minutes. If they were so good why not play them?

Getting them used to the college game and the way Stringer expects them to play.
They mainly were fist year players fresh out of HS and had thir first year sit and learn so be prepared for sophomore year as a productive member of team.

Some talent need that slow walk to playing time , some start off running being able to merge their talent into the college game far better and quicker than other talented HS players when they move on to the college level.

 

[richthedentist]

Yes and almost none of them sniffed the hardwood except maybe Martino. CVS played her starters almost 40 minutes. If they were so good why not play them?

Agree 100% and we lost our best recruit

 

[wngarbarini]

Our best player Diamond Johnson was a freshman and she started and excelled and quit to go to NC State. Freshmen in the top 50 like we recruited start at many top programs all over the country. CVS rarely starts a freshman or plays them for significant minutes.

 

[sammybb]

"Freshmen in the top 50 like we recruited start at many top programs all over the country. CVS rarely starts a freshman or plays them for significant minutes."

This is simply not true. Some freshmen in the top 50 play significant roles immediately. Some of them take a year or two to become significant contributors. Some of them never turn out to be as good as they were hyped up to be. This is not unique to RU. There are many things to criticize CVS for, but this is not one of them.

 

[wngarbarini]

If you really feel that way there is nothing more I will say on the subject.

 

[sammybb]

It's not how I feel. It's what's happening across the country.

Check out the Hoopgurlz Top 50 from 2020 (Diamond was only RU player in top 50): http://www.espn.com/high-school/girls-basketball/recruiting/rankings/_/class/2020

I'll break it into brackets:

Top 10: This was a particularly strong class. 9/10 started most/all of the games for their team (I'm counting Angel Reese from MD, who was crushing it before her injury). One player had just two starts, 16.7 min per game.

Top 11-20: Here's where you start to see a shift. 6 players started most/all of the games for their teams and were significant contributors. But 4 were bit players at best, none of them averaging more than 15 min per game.

Top 21-30: Here you have 50/50 divide:
You have one player who started every game for her team (Sasha Goforth, Oregon State). You have three players (A. Edwards of UConn, Kateri Poole of Ohio State, Madison Hayes of Miss State) who got some starts and averaged between 18-21mpg. You have one player (Lauren Ware, AZ) who never started but averaged 17mpg.

And you have 5 players who all averaged under 13mpg and had minimal impact on their teams.

Top 31-40: You have 4 players starting/making significant contributions; 3 players averaging under 12mpg, and 3 redshirts

Top 41-50: You have one freshman of the year from Tulane, two people who are consistent contributors to their team, 6 players averaging less than 14mpg and playing minor roles, and 1 player who went to Harvard, and the Ivy opt'd out of the season.

So by my count, you have about half of the top 50 making significant contributions. And half who did not. Again, this is just after one year in college--they can all still make their marks.

 

[Knight Time Fan]

It's not how I feel. It's what's happening across the country.

Check out the Hoopgurlz Top 50 from 2020 (Diamond was only RU player in top 50): http://www.espn.com/high-school/girls-basketball/recruiting/rankings/_/class/2020

You have one player (Lauren Ware, AZ) who never started but averaged 17mpg.

So by my count, you have about half of the top 50 making significant contributions. And half who did not. Again, this is just after one year in college--they can all still make their marks.

I agree 100% with your over-arching point. Viv has historically been willing to play the very best freshmen she recruits, the rest she definitely gives a year to develop which is not unusual.

As to Lauren Ware, she is a first rate volleyball player who is going to be a 2 sport athlete. Because Volleyball was moved to the spring (the championship is this week) the decision was made for her to focus on basketball her first year.

 

[rimsky]

With the subtractions to the team turning some posters into the end is here and now there isn't a chance in the world next season will be a good one messengers of doom and gloom. I say this:
Every year the same type of messages are posted on this board for various reasons by those who look for any and every excuse to make the RU WBB program look like a loser.
Yet just about every year the RU WBB team winds up with a winning record , though some posting here conviently ignore that when putting down the program.
Yes, RU hasn't been one of the best programs around for awhile now, you want to whine about RU WBB,whine about that and you will be making a valid point.
But when you act like the team isn't a winner think about this, 212-131 record last 11 years.
Complain about the tourney record and how RU hasn't been a force in it for a long time, but give up the BS implications that RU WBB is a loser.

Last but not least, expect CVS to overcome the defections and graduations, putting a tourney team on the court next year because she's still a real good coach
The only thing we need to be concerned about, if the team has it in them and the coaches are able to make a good showing in the tourney .
If not complain about that, but stop acting like this women's basketball program is a loser.
It's a winner, but needs to be a Tourney winner and not just earn an invite to be considered having a successful season.
A winning season is nice, but one that has a good tourney run makes the season great , one and done makes it a disapointment and though a winning season, far from being considered a successful one

Agreed. CVS needs to schedule stronger non-conference opponents. Those pre-season blow out games give a false impression. She used to say “to be the best, you must play the best”.

 

[sammybb]

TO be fair, scheduling OOC games this year was particularly challenging for nearly every school due to COVID precautions.

The team's COVID pause also coincided with the "meat" of their B10 schedule--featured games with Maryland, Indiana, Iowa, Northwestern, and Michigan.