This team is clearly improving.

[RUich]

I am as impatient as the next guy to see us become relevant in basketball. But when you consider the patchwork quilt that this new coach has been able to stitch together so quickly, I find it really incredible that they are doing as well as they are right now.
With all of their warts, this is a team!
The future sue looks pretty darn bright for us going forward.

 

[seels2662]

What's really neat is that if you are listening to any of the basketball and or B1G shows we are starting to gain a reputation of being a good defensive team. To me that's a big deal it starts to get into the minds of the opponent and we'll win games down the stretch as a result.

 

[patk89]

Some very positive things this season. Would love to see us playing our best ball at the end of the season. That would bode well for next season. Realize it is a long process, but important to value the incremental improvements. Like what I'm seeing.

 

[ScarletLongIsland]

I'm am the first one against awarding participation trophies and moral victories, but there is a dramatic difference between last year's 50 point drubbings and this year. Just need to get a few more talented pieces here. Baker and Doucoure are a start.

 

[higgins3]

Just watched a part of Rutgers Basketball story.


We are so lucky to have Pikiell,co, and team here.

Holy smokes.

 

[higgins3]

Corey sanders "Pikiell is one of the best coaches I have ever had"

 

[willisneverrana43]

. . .
The future sue looks pretty darn bright for us going forward . . .

He sure looks like he can coach. The big issue will be recruiting, which could take some time.

 

[njcanesfan]

It's been a pleasure to watch this team... minus the turnovers. I get the bad free throw shooting... this coming from a lifelong poor free throw shooter. But the freaking turnovers....... Still enjoying this season more than the last few though..

 

[winfield102]

They are playing harder, which is great. Are they playing smarter or better?

I see a lot of unforced errors that result in wasted possessions. For a team that can't make 3's or foul shots, it's tough to beat anyone with a pulse when you throw away possesions.

If the team can cut down on the stupid TO's and improve the shot selection (this is harder when the other team knows you can't shoot), we'll start getting some wins.

 

[mikefla]

We are just FINE on D & its a PLEASURE to watch them
We need just ONE bench guy to find himself & blossom on O

I will always credit coach P and this team as the year RU turned it around
we ARE earning major respect

 

[Russ Wood]

Corey sanders "Pikiell is one of the best coaches I have ever had"

That is high praise.
He has had more head coaches than most college sophomores

 

[RU-Choppin-Ohio]

That is high praise.
He has had more head coaches than most college sophomores

@Russ Wood Sounds like you are taking a shot at our man Corey Sanders.....lol

 

[Russ Wood]

@Russ Wood Sounds like you are taking a shot at our man Corey Sanders.....lol

Nope, just being honest.

I think Rutgers is the first school Sanders has been at for two consecutive school years since middle school

 

[ruready4somefootball]

No doubt this program is on the rise, and will be in the NIT sooner than later. The NCAA's might take 3 years, but there is light at the end of the tunnel, finally!!!! Coach Pikell, is getting us back to the Waters level, and that is a good starting point for recruiting.

 

[NickKnight 1]

Nope, just being honest.

I think Rutgers is the first school Sanders has been at for two consecutive school years since middle school

And tried to leave, but had nobody interested, so he had to come back.
Hopefully, Pikiell can get him to stay another year or so.

 

[ScarletLongIsland]

Nope, just being honest.

I think Rutgers is the first school Sanders has been at for two consecutive school years since middle school

And tried to leave, but had nobody interested, so he had to come back.
Hopefully, Pikiell can get him to stay another year or so.

You mean no nba teams had interest because transferring was an option

 

[jtung230]

Rebounding and D has improved but that was expected with the return of all the front court plus CJ. I'm disappointed at the pace of players development. Basketball IQ has not improved. I'm hoping for no TOs by our bigs trying to handoff at the top of the key tonight. THAT would be an improvement.

 

[RUChoppin]

What's really neat is that if you are listening to any of the basketball and or B1G shows we are starting to gain a reputation of being a good defensive team. To me that's a big deal it starts to get into the minds of the opponent and we'll win games down the stretch as a result.

This is important... hopefully it starts sinking into the minds of officials, too.

We know there are unconscious biases in officiating. If officials believe we're a strong defensive team, maybe that'll mean one or two fewer whistles on steals, or block/charge calls going our way a touch more often.

 

[RUJMM78]

Improvement in defense and rebounding are important .The far harder improvement requires better recruiting on offense which hasn't happened recently and is the major reason for a decade of losing seasons. Recruiting and winning are intertwined.

 

[Russ Wood]

And tried to leave, but had nobody interested, so he had to come back.
Hopefully, Pikiell can get him to stay another year or so.

Would love for Sanders to stay four years and get a Rutgers degree.

 

[higgins3]

Rebounding and D has improved but that was expected with the return of all the front court plus CJ. I'm disappointed at the pace of players development. Basketball IQ has not improved. I'm hoping for no TOs by our bigs trying to handoff at the top of the key tonight. THAT would be an improvement.

Exactly. Never give any credit where it is due. Never.

 

[jtung230]

Exactly. Never give any credit where it is due. Never.

don't think Pike wants the credit for this one.

 

[bac2therac]

don't think Pike wants the credit for this one.

here is where I agree with you. I think the development of players like Eugene, Sa, Thiam, Diallo, Doorson and Laurent are very concerning at this time because these are the players who have the most potential to get better and thus make the programs outlook better. With all of these guys basically floundering all season long its starting to be an issue with me

 

[jtung230]

I'm more worried about Freeman. His primary defensive move tonight was the reach around poke. That's BS schoolyard move. WTF was up with all the isolation 1-on-1 BS. It's tough to be a RU fan.

 

[winfield102]

OP might want to rethink the title to this thread. I've seen smarter play from 8th graders. Wtf were our 1st 3 possesions tonight? Did the team and staff smoke some weed before the game?

Who do the players think they are? How does the coach let this stupid play continue to happen?

 

[willisneverrana43]

All it takes is one game and the guy's no longer a good coach.

 

[jtung230]

All it takes is one game and the guy's no longer a good coach.

He only has 1 win in the B1G and the B1G is not good this year. He was being credited for having good loses. So, when you don't have wins and lose ugly, your not a good coach.

 

[bac2therac]

its not fair because he has no talent other than Corey

if we could only dig up all those posters lauding how great Nigel Johnson was going to be, funny how most of those posters are either posting very little this year or disappeared totally. The rest of Jordans recruits really are just Big 10 role players at best or spot minute guys

judge Pike more on next year when at least he can own more of the lineup

 

[jtung230]

Goes both ways bac. I'm just tired of hearing how great Pike is. I'm not saying he is not a good coach. but think the jury is still out.

 

[dollarbill]

Many of the Iowa players could hit an outside shot. We have no one who can. That's the story. $$$$

 

[winfield102]

Go look at the shots we took. I'm not talking about makes and misses. I'm talking about the quality. The announcer touched on our difficult shots.

What I'm looking for is whether pike can get the team to play well fundamentally. If we lose due to missing quality looks, it's a talent issue. That would be encouraging. I thought tonight's team was coached by my 9 year old daughter.

 

[bac2therac]

Goes both ways bac. I'm just tired of hearing how great Pike is. I'm not saying he is not a good coach. but think the jury is still out.

I can see your point, yes I think the Pike lovefest sometimes is a bit overboard, I personally like him, like his style and can coach but until he gets recruits none of this stuff matters in terms of making a real impact wins and loss wise

 

[Kbee3]

Many of the Iowa players could hit an outside shot. We have no one who can. That's the story. $$$$

And weren't lots of the Iowa guys freshmen ?
How are we supposed to close that gap next year or the year after or the year after ?

 

[willisneverrana43]

He only has 1 win in the B1G and the B1G is not good this year. He was being credited for having good loses. So, when you don't have wins and lose ugly, your not a good coach.

No doubt, you're on record as to your conclusions on Pikiell.

 

[bac2therac]

And weren't lots of the Iowa guys freshmen ?
How are we supposed to close that gap next year or the year after or the year after ?

and this is a great point that many RU fans forget, RU can improve but how are they improving compared to their peers. This is a down year for the Big 10, a down year for Iowa yet RU was spanked on its home court by them and by Penn State. Its very tough to move up in this league. Half of this team seems to have a cap on their ability so how much better is next year. And the guys who have more potential seemed to really have crapped out since conference play began.

 

[RUJMM78]

Many of the Iowa players could hit an outside shot. We have no one who can. That's the story. $$$$

This problem of lack of shooters has been going on for far too long and is the reason the program has no relevance in college basketball. Winning matters and that requires scoring more than 60 points a game.