This team can WIN

[BillyC80]

Sooner than we think. Yes it’s only one game but a lot was thought by many on this board (incl. me) that this team was too young with too many newcomers to win more than 12-14 games.

That may not be the case. To wit:
Doorson - Senior in the best shape of his career
Eugene - Junior, better and now with 3-pt range
Issa - Junior, now better and more confident
Geo - Sophomore, better w/lots of experience
Kiss - Junior with Sophomore eligibility
Johnson - Sophomore w/freshman eligibility
Harper - Freshman that plays like a Soph

Plus all of the guys mentioned, other than Harper, have been in the program for at least one year before this season.

These guys are ready and able to win now.

 

[RU82]

I like the optimism but we need to take this season one game at a time. The team needs to find its identity and gel defensively. They’ll be a work in progress for at least half of the season.

 

[Local Shill]

Sooner than we think. Yes it’s only one game but a lot was thought by many on this board (incl. me) that this team was too young with too many newcomers to win more than 12-14 games.

That may not be the case. To wit:
Doorson - Senior in the best shape of his career
Eugene - Junior, better and now with 3-pt range
Issa - Junior, now better and more confident
Geo - Sophomore, better w/lots of experience
Kiss - Junior with Sophomore eligibility
Johnson - Sophomore w/freshman eligibility
Harper - Freshman that plays like a Soph

Plus all of the guys mentioned, other than Harper, have been in the program for at least one year before this season.

These guys are ready and able to win now.

On our best day that’s average talent for the B1G. And that’s probably being too optimistic . I know we’re all pumped up after last night but you have to look at the big picture. We still have a ways to go.

 

[BillyC80]

All good comments. My point is we may not be as young, inexperienced, and “not ready yet” as many of us may have believed.

 

[Scangg]

On our best day that’s average talent for the B1G. And that’s probably being too optimistic . I know we’re all pumped up after last night but you have to look at the big picture. We still have a ways to go.

Well we have played one game and went 12-20 from 3 to lead the nation in 3 point percentage. That is nowhere near average. We almost beat Mich St and Purdue last season with worse talent. On our best day we can beat anyone in the conference

 

[RutgHoops]

We are pretty raw, but there was more “talent” in white jerseys than I’ve seen in a long while. I like the OP.

 

[Scangg]

3 things people are vastly underestimating. The team chemistry ball movement and 3 point shooting. Too much focus on someone being a sophomore not a junior as if that matters more than if a kid can play

 

[zebnatto]

On two plays Ron showed ability too many of our players have not in the past: on transition pass from Geo taking extra dribble to finish strong for the And-1, then being ready to catch Geo’s no llook pass. Shooting percentages will vary, knowing how to play won’t.

Also nice vision by Myles on bounce-down pass to Ron who finished strong for And-1.

 

[Dpgru]

We have more depth, better shooting, more athleticism than we have had in many years. It doesn't mean we are an elite team or a top team in the conference. But, IMHO, it means on any day we have a legitimate chance to beat almost anyone. We could also lose To almost anyone for many of the reasons various people in different threads have indicated. I think we will be very competitive in every game. Whether that rranslates to wins is another story. I would not be surprised is we are 12-18, nor would I be surprised if we are 18-12. I will be surprised if we are not a competitive challenging team all year.

 

[knight82]

This is the best team we have had in a while. What that translates to in terms of competitiveness in the Big Ten remains to be seen

 

[jonS]

This is the best overall team in many years as far as offense is concerned with seemingly many players able to contribute especially from 3pt range. Players that stood out were Kiss and Myles Johnson as well as Eugene's outside shooting from 3... That being said the defense was mediocre at best and Rutgers not boxing out enough along the boards. Ironically Rutgers may miss Corey Sanders more on defense than on offense.

 

[RUJMM78]

Rutgers should be judged like any other team at the end of the season by the won/loss record.More importantly Rutgers needs to break the cycle of losing seasons and being in last place in the B1G.

 

[RU_DIO]

Team should be pretty good. Having shooters will allow us to steal some games. Concerned with the point guard position if Geo gets hurt. McConnell looked far from ready last night.

 

[Scarlet83]

3 things people are vastly underestimating. The team chemistry ball movement and 3 point shooting. Too much focus on someone being a sophomore not a junior as if that matters more than if a kid can play

Yes, yes and yessssss!!!!

 

[Scarlet83]

Rutgers should be judged like any other team at the end of the season by the won/loss record.More importantly Rutgers needs to break the cycle of losing seasons and being in last place in the B1G.

Oh, thank you so very much for those awesomely unique thoughts. Got it. We need to win and we will assess at the end of the season. OK. Let me write that down. Great. So everyone can stop posting until March. Talk to you in the spring!

 

[hbbsm713]

I like what I saw in the first game. Really liked what I saw from a lot of the newcomers and the improvement from the guys returning, however I don’t have any crazy expectations from just one game against a not so good opponent. I would still 100% sign up for a .500 record and anything better would be amazing.

 

[bac2therac]

i think last night you saw the potential on how this team could play maybe a year or two down the road on a consistent basis against a Big 10 level team...last night vs a weak FDU team but you could see how the leap forward can happen against better competition. This team will have games where they are on offensively and can take down a better Big 10 school but by and large its still going to be an uphill battle given our youth..work in progress this year but everyone should be encouraged

 

[ruman]

This is what year 3 of a rebuild is suppose to look like

 

[knight82]

Oh, thank you so very much for those awesomely unique thoughts. Got it. We need to win and we will assess at the end of the season. OK. Let me write that down. Great. So everyone can stop posting until March. Talk to you in theo spring!

We can only hope we don't hear from him again until spring

 

[BillyC80]

Bac, I agree with most of what you wrote except “given our youth” as the point of my op is that our youth may have been overstated by many of us.

While only one game I saw enough to feel differently about our new and younger guys. I see a team that will get better very quickly as the year progresses — faster than we improved last year over the season.

 

[bac2therac]

the problem is that other teams have higher recruited guys and are more experienced, moving up in the conference is not easy...RU is just finally catching up to have a shot at the rest of the league, while we have a great coach, there are alot of great coaches in this league

 

[cubuffsdoug]

On our best day that’s average talent for the B1G. And that’s probably being too optimistic . I know we’re all pumped up after last night but you have to look at the big picture. We still have a ways to go.

Don't forget good coaching is just as crucial to winning games as is talent. Rutgers has a nice blend of the two this year. I think if Coach Pike had these players last year in some of the close games, maybe Rutgers wins a few of them.

 

[Scarlet83]

the problem is that other teams have higher recruited guys and are more experienced, moving up in the conference is not easy...RU is just finally catching up to have a shot at the rest of the league, while we have a great coach, there are alot of great coaches in this league

F these other great coaches and f these higher recruited players. This team will win our share. We will piss off some of these B1G basketball elites. Screw em.

 

[BillyC80]

No argument there. Let’s just say I’m optimistic after assessing the talent, depth and poise on this team.

Btw despite a poorly defended first half we won by almost an identical score vs FDU as last year (92-54).

 

[Scarlet83]

No argument there. Let’s just say I’m optimistic after assessing the talent, depth and poise on this team.

Btw despite a poorly defended first half we won by almost an identical score vs FDU as last year (92-54).

Billy - I am just really ready to start upsetting some of these schools that think we are a lay up. There were some Indiana douschebags behind me at MSG who got real quiet as the game ensued. Let’s beat these schools down, just like we took down Indiana at MSG.

 

[BillyC80]

Let’s see what tomorrow brings. With the talent and depth we have the likelihood is that there will always be 3 or 4 guys who will have a good game out of 8 solid players. Last year if any two guys out of Corey, Deshawn, Eugene or Geo had a bad day we were toast.

 

[Scarlet83]

Let’s see what tomorrow brings. With the talent and depth we have the likelihood is that there will always be 3 or 4 guys who will have a good game out of 8 solid players. Last year if any two guys out of Corey, Deshawn, Eugene or Geo had a bad day we were toast.

True dat, brother. Can’t wait til the game tomorrow!

 

[RUJMM78]

Oh, thank you so very much for those awesomely unique thoughts. Got it. We need to win and we will assess at the end of the season. OK. Let me write that down. Great. So everyone can stop posting until March. Talk to you in the spring!

Where have you been the last 12 losing seasons ?i know just making the same lame excuses that are also made for the football program.Winning matters but for a segment of the Rutgers fan base its conveniently ignored.

 

[Scarlet83]

Where have you been the last 12 losing seasons ?i know just making the same lame excuses that are also made for the football program.Winning matters but for a segment of the Rutgers fan base its conveniently ignored.

Yeah, you are absolutely right, this is my first season as a fan. Lol!

 

[zebnatto]

Assist umbers will continue to be high:

--guys with passing mentality;
--guys who can put the ball in the hoop;
--guys who position themselves to be available;
--guys who make the right cuts.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

Let's at least get through St. John's 1st.

Keep in mind we played FDU.

1 game is a small small sample size.

Fools gold is when you make a ton of shots that are outside the statistical norm.

Had we started 4-18 instead of 11-18 from 3 the complexion of the game is COMPLETELY different. FDU plays with confidence and we probably tighten up and the game is close.

Now the good news, I THINK, 4-18 is now outside our statistical norm!

 

[BillyC80]

Our statistical norm for threes is still looking strong!