This Team Will Never Lose Again

[Scangg]

Let's get the hype train going while we still can. There will be plenty of time to be miserable if we follow this win up with a bunch of losses

1. Dylan Harper is among the best players in college basketball. He is only going to get healthier and better. Can do it all. The healthier he gets the more we will see him finishing at the rim and drawing fouls. Announcers said he lost 12 pounds not the 9 we heard before

2. Ace Bailey is showing a lot of growth. It can be up and down at times and Ace can be streaky. His shot selection last night was the best so far. Ace's defense and rebounding has come a long way over the course of the year. There are still many massive scoring nights from Ace coming this season

3. Role players had nowhere to go but up. It was soo sooo bad that regression to the mean says these players will improve. We just need a couple players to step up each game to compliment Ace and Dylan

4. Lathan showing intensity and effort on defense and rebounding. He looks much more locked in focused and determined to play D and rebound. Would like to see him get a few more post touches especially if the matchup is favorable since he can score and draw fouls. Need a little inside out game occasionally

5. Grant brings length athleticism hustle and activity. A ton of characteristics the team was missing. Lathan/EO, Grant, Ace... that helps with the defense and rebounding

6. Jwill, Acuff, Jmike... pick your spots and play in your lane. All 3 didn't force it as much. Let the game come to you. Acuff shoot the 3, jMike play D and pass, JWill drive and dish or finish at the rim but only when there is a lane

7. Ogbole has shown flashes. Randomly some nice catches and traffic drop step finish. Big offense board for a dunk. He may feel more comfortable off the bench. Sets massive screens that lead to buckets at times that go unnoticed. EO and Lathan can combine for 10 and 10

8. Martini maybe gains some confidence in limited minutes. Played better D. Hit a 3.... at some point maybe he gets hot in a couple games where he knocks down a few 3's

9. Pike takes too long to figure his teams out and clearly should have went to Grant sooner, but he may have found it with Grant and Acuff playing more, Martini less, Derkack and Hayes to the end of the bench

10. RU fans deserve a miracle, we truly do

 

[seansherm]

I don't see the get Lathan more post touches thing I see many requesting. He's too desperate to score. He's actually not great in the post, better when facing the basket. I agree with the rest, but don't believe the OP title will occur!

 

[FAT MOON]

Hell yes. Two days of irrational optimism and then we try and shock Nebraska at home.

 

[billgumpper]

Let's get the hype train going while we still can. There will be plenty of time to be miserable if we follow this win up with a bunch of losses

1. Dylan Harper is among the best players in college basketball. He is only going to get healthier and better. Can do it all. The healthier he gets the more we will see him finishing at the rim and drawing fouls. Announcers said he lost 12 pounds not the 9 we heard before

2. Ace Bailey is showing a lot of growth. It can be up and down at times and Ace can be streaky. His shot selection last night was the best so far. Ace's defense and rebounding has come a long way over the course of the year. There are still many massive scoring nights from Ace coming this season

3. Role players had nowhere to go but up. It was soo sooo bad that regression to the mean says these players will improve. We just need a couple players to step up each game to compliment Ace and Dylan

4. Lathan showing intensity and effort on defense and rebounding. He looks much more locked in focused and determined to play D and rebound. Would like to see him get a few more post touches especially if the matchup is favorable since he can score and draw fouls. Need a little inside out game occasionally

5. Grant brings length athleticism hustle and activity. A ton of characteristics the team was missing. Lathan/EO, Grant, Ace... that helps with the defense and rebounding

6. Jwill, Acuff, Jmike... pick your spots and play in your lane. All 3 didn't force it as much. Let the game come to you. Acuff shoot the 3, jMike play D and pass, JWill drive and dish or finish at the rim but only when there is a lane

7. Ogbole has shown flashes. Randomly some nice catches and traffic drop step finish. Big offense board for a dunk. He may feel more comfortable off the bench. Sets massive screens that lead to buckets at times that go unnoticed. EO and Lathan can combine for 10 and 10

8. Martini maybe gains some confidence in limited minutes. Played better D. Hit a 3.... at some point maybe he gets hot in a couple games where he knocks down a few 3's

9. Pike takes too long to figure his teams out and clearly should have went to Grant sooner, but he may have found it with Grant and Acuff playing more, Martini less, Derkack and Hayes to the end of the bench

10. RU fans deserve a miracle, we truly do

Grant should've been playing from the beginning

 

[PiscatawayMike]

Grant should've been playing from the beginning

Grant wasn't ready from the beginning. If he was, he would have been playing.

 

[biazza38]

I’m drunk on optimism

 

[Degaz-RU]

Let's get the hype train going while we still can. There will be plenty of time to be miserable if we follow this win up with a bunch of losses

1. Dylan Harper is among the best players in college basketball. He is only going to get healthier and better. Can do it all. The healthier he gets the more we will see him finishing at the rim and drawing fouls. Announcers said he lost 12 pounds not the 9 we heard before

2. Ace Bailey is showing a lot of growth. It can be up and down at times and Ace can be streaky. His shot selection last night was the best so far. Ace's defense and rebounding has come a long way over the course of the year. There are still many massive scoring nights from Ace coming this season

3. Role players had nowhere to go but up. It was soo sooo bad that regression to the mean says these players will improve. We just need a couple players to step up each game to compliment Ace and Dylan

4. Lathan showing intensity and effort on defense and rebounding. He looks much more locked in focused and determined to play D and rebound. Would like to see him get a few more post touches especially if the matchup is favorable since he can score and draw fouls. Need a little inside out game occasionally

5. Grant brings length athleticism hustle and activity. A ton of characteristics the team was missing. Lathan/EO, Grant, Ace... that helps with the defense and rebounding

6. Jwill, Acuff, Jmike... pick your spots and play in your lane. All 3 didn't force it as much. Let the game come to you. Acuff shoot the 3, jMike play D and pass, JWill drive and dish or finish at the rim but only when there is a lane

7. Ogbole has shown flashes. Randomly some nice catches and traffic drop step finish. Big offense board for a dunk. He may feel more comfortable off the bench. Sets massive screens that lead to buckets at times that go unnoticed. EO and Lathan can combine for 10 and 10

8. Martini maybe gains some confidence in limited minutes. Played better D. Hit a 3.... at some point maybe he gets hot in a couple games where he knocks down a few 3's

9. Pike takes too long to figure his teams out and clearly should have went to Grant sooner, but he may have found it with Grant and Acuff playing more, Martini less, Derkack and Hayes to the end of the bench

10. RU fans deserve a miracle, we truly do

All in, let's goooooooo!!!!!

 

[SBP]

Let's get the hype train going while we still can. There will be plenty of time to be miserable if we follow this win up with a bunch of losses

1. Dylan Harper is among the best players in college basketball. He is only going to get healthier and better. Can do it all. The healthier he gets the more we will see him finishing at the rim and drawing fouls. Announcers said he lost 12 pounds not the 9 we heard before

2. Ace Bailey is showing a lot of growth. It can be up and down at times and Ace can be streaky. His shot selection last night was the best so far. Ace's defense and rebounding has come a long way over the course of the year. There are still many massive scoring nights from Ace coming this season

3. Role players had nowhere to go but up. It was soo sooo bad that regression to the mean says these players will improve. We just need a couple players to step up each game to compliment Ace and Dylan

4. Lathan showing intensity and effort on defense and rebounding. He looks much more locked in focused and determined to play D and rebound. Would like to see him get a few more post touches especially if the matchup is favorable since he can score and draw fouls. Need a little inside out game occasionally

5. Grant brings length athleticism hustle and activity. A ton of characteristics the team was missing. Lathan/EO, Grant, Ace... that helps with the defense and rebounding

6. Jwill, Acuff, Jmike... pick your spots and play in your lane. All 3 didn't force it as much. Let the game come to you. Acuff shoot the 3, jMike play D and pass, JWill drive and dish or finish at the rim but only when there is a lane

7. Ogbole has shown flashes. Randomly some nice catches and traffic drop step finish. Big offense board for a dunk. He may feel more comfortable off the bench. Sets massive screens that lead to buckets at times that go unnoticed. EO and Lathan can combine for 10 and 10

8. Martini maybe gains some confidence in limited minutes. Played better D. Hit a 3.... at some point maybe he gets hot in a couple games where he knocks down a few 3's

9. Pike takes too long to figure his teams out and clearly should have went to Grant sooner, but he may have found it with Grant and Acuff playing more, Martini less, Derkack and Hayes to the end of the bench

10. RU fans deserve a miracle, we truly do

Atta boy!

 

[RUSCFORMERLYRULOU]

Grant wasn't ready from the beginning. If he was, he would have been playing.

Wrong, because of Pike’s stupid loyalty to people who don’t deserve it.

 

[Good-Knight]

I’m drunk on optimism

Things not to say during a DWI stop.

 

[RuSnp]

Let's get the hype train going while we still can. There will be plenty of time to be miserable if we follow this win up with a bunch of losses

1. Dylan Harper is among the best players in college basketball. He is only going to get healthier and better. Can do it all. The healthier he gets the more we will see him finishing at the rim and drawing fouls. Announcers said he lost 12 pounds not the 9 we heard before

2. Ace Bailey is showing a lot of growth. It can be up and down at times and Ace can be streaky. His shot selection last night was the best so far. Ace's defense and rebounding has come a long way over the course of the year. There are still many massive scoring nights from Ace coming this season

3. Role players had nowhere to go but up. It was soo sooo bad that regression to the mean says these players will improve. We just need a couple players to step up each game to compliment Ace and Dylan

4. Lathan showing intensity and effort on defense and rebounding. He looks much more locked in focused and determined to play D and rebound. Would like to see him get a few more post touches especially if the matchup is favorable since he can score and draw fouls. Need a little inside out game occasionally

5. Grant brings length athleticism hustle and activity. A ton of characteristics the team was missing. Lathan/EO, Grant, Ace... that helps with the defense and rebounding

6. Jwill, Acuff, Jmike... pick your spots and play in your lane. All 3 didn't force it as much. Let the game come to you. Acuff shoot the 3, jMike play D and pass, JWill drive and dish or finish at the rim but only when there is a lane

7. Ogbole has shown flashes. Randomly some nice catches and traffic drop step finish. Big offense board for a dunk. He may feel more comfortable off the bench. Sets massive screens that lead to buckets at times that go unnoticed. EO and Lathan can combine for 10 and 10

8. Martini maybe gains some confidence in limited minutes. Played better D. Hit a 3.... at some point maybe he gets hot in a couple games where he knocks down a few 3's

9. Pike takes too long to figure his teams out and clearly should have went to Grant sooner, but he may have found it with Grant and Acuff playing more, Martini less, Derkack and Hayes to the end of the bench

10. RU fans deserve a miracle, we truly do

Unfortunately we are going to lose in the National final.

 

[fluoxetine]

Let's get the hype train going while we still can. There will be plenty of time to be miserable if we follow this win up with a bunch of losses

1. Dylan Harper is among the best players in college basketball. He is only going to get healthier and better. Can do it all. The healthier he gets the more we will see him finishing at the rim and drawing fouls. Announcers said he lost 12 pounds not the 9 we heard before

2. Ace Bailey is showing a lot of growth. It can be up and down at times and Ace can be streaky. His shot selection last night was the best so far. Ace's defense and rebounding has come a long way over the course of the year. There are still many massive scoring nights from Ace coming this season

3. Role players had nowhere to go but up. It was soo sooo bad that regression to the mean says these players will improve. We just need a couple players to step up each game to compliment Ace and Dylan

4. Lathan showing intensity and effort on defense and rebounding. He looks much more locked in focused and determined to play D and rebound. Would like to see him get a few more post touches especially if the matchup is favorable since he can score and draw fouls. Need a little inside out game occasionally

5. Grant brings length athleticism hustle and activity. A ton of characteristics the team was missing. Lathan/EO, Grant, Ace... that helps with the defense and rebounding

6. Jwill, Acuff, Jmike... pick your spots and play in your lane. All 3 didn't force it as much. Let the game come to you. Acuff shoot the 3, jMike play D and pass, JWill drive and dish or finish at the rim but only when there is a lane

7. Ogbole has shown flashes. Randomly some nice catches and traffic drop step finish. Big offense board for a dunk. He may feel more comfortable off the bench. Sets massive screens that lead to buckets at times that go unnoticed. EO and Lathan can combine for 10 and 10

8. Martini maybe gains some confidence in limited minutes. Played better D. Hit a 3.... at some point maybe he gets hot in a couple games where he knocks down a few 3's

9. Pike takes too long to figure his teams out and clearly should have went to Grant sooner, but he may have found it with Grant and Acuff playing more, Martini less, Derkack and Hayes to the end of the bench

10. RU fans deserve a miracle, we truly do

What are you doing man? Everyone knows Pike teams play best after RU FORMERLY [LIST ALL PREVIOUS STATES I'VE LIVED IN FOR SOME REASON] GUY posts that we will never win again. Optimistic posts bring nothing but pain.

 

[RutgersChow]

Wrong, because of Pike’s stupid loyalty to people who don’t deserve it.

Do you have some insight that we don't have into Grant's practice performance? I don't think its all about loyalty. He seems loyal to Martini and he hardly plays. He seemed pretty loyal to Derkack and he didn't play at all last game, although maybe he was sick.

 

[MrsScrew]

Hell yes. Two days of irrational optimism and then we try and shock Nebraska at home.

they have a 20 game home winning streak going. I'd love to shock them!

 

[BossNJ]

Let's get the hype train going while we still can. There will be plenty of time to be miserable if we follow this win up with a bunch of losses

1. Dylan Harper is among the best players in college basketball. He is only going to get healthier and better. Can do it all. The healthier he gets the more we will see him finishing at the rim and drawing fouls. Announcers said he lost 12 pounds not the 9 we heard before

2. Ace Bailey is showing a lot of growth. It can be up and down at times and Ace can be streaky. His shot selection last night was the best so far. Ace's defense and rebounding has come a long way over the course of the year. There are still many massive scoring nights from Ace coming this season

3. Role players had nowhere to go but up. It was soo sooo bad that regression to the mean says these players will improve. We just need a couple players to step up each game to compliment Ace and Dylan

4. Lathan showing intensity and effort on defense and rebounding. He looks much more locked in focused and determined to play D and rebound. Would like to see him get a few more post touches especially if the matchup is favorable since he can score and draw fouls. Need a little inside out game occasionally

5. Grant brings length athleticism hustle and activity. A ton of characteristics the team was missing. Lathan/EO, Grant, Ace... that helps with the defense and rebounding

6. Jwill, Acuff, Jmike... pick your spots and play in your lane. All 3 didn't force it as much. Let the game come to you. Acuff shoot the 3, jMike play D and pass, JWill drive and dish or finish at the rim but only when there is a lane

7. Ogbole has shown flashes. Randomly some nice catches and traffic drop step finish. Big offense board for a dunk. He may feel more comfortable off the bench. Sets massive screens that lead to buckets at times that go unnoticed. EO and Lathan can combine for 10 and 10

8. Martini maybe gains some confidence in limited minutes. Played better D. Hit a 3.... at some point maybe he gets hot in a couple games where he knocks down a few 3's

9. Pike takes too long to figure his teams out and clearly should have went to Grant sooner, but he may have found it with Grant and Acuff playing more, Martini less, Derkack and Hayes to the end of the bench

10. RU fans deserve a miracle, we truly do

Nice summary.

As I said in another thread, last night Ace played with toughness that I haven’t seen all year. Very encouraging.

Dylan is just great. Can do it all. Create for himself and others. Agree the best is yet to come from him.

Also agree the supporting cast was so bad it can only get better. Everyone stepped up in some small way last night.

As has been said in the past, Pike takes far too long to identify his lineups and rotations. I would argue that he sacrifices wins early in the season by taking too long. This has the potential to put us in a hole every year from a tournament resume standpoint which puts too much unnecessary pressure on the team to be perfect and thread the needle.

 

[cRURah]

solid arguments for all the points in the OP, except for #3. that one is just hilarious!

 

[zappaa]

Scangg-
Does Nebby use full court pressure at home?
If so, JMike is going to play an important roll, he’s our best press breaker by far.

 

[goru7]

Scangg-
Does Nebby use full court pressure at home?
If so, JMike is going to play an important roll, he’s our best press breaker by far.

Not Scangg but they do not . Brice Williams or when Hoiberg is in the game might apply token pressure bringing the ball up.

I don't see the get Lathan more post touches thing I see many requesting. He's too desperate to score. He's actually not great in the post, better when facing the basket. I agree with the rest, but don't believe the OP title will occur!

Seriously ? Lathan doesn’t get the ball enough in the post.

 

[RocktheRac]

Let's get the hype train going while we still can. There will be plenty of time to be miserable if we follow this win up with a bunch of losses

1. Dylan Harper is among the best players in college basketball. He is only going to get healthier and better. Can do it all. The healthier he gets the more we will see him finishing at the rim and drawing fouls. Announcers said he lost 12 pounds not the 9 we heard before

2. Ace Bailey is showing a lot of growth. It can be up and down at times and Ace can be streaky. His shot selection last night was the best so far. Ace's defense and rebounding has come a long way over the course of the year. There are still many massive scoring nights from Ace coming this season

3. Role players had nowhere to go but up. It was soo sooo bad that regression to the mean says these players will improve. We just need a couple players to step up each game to compliment Ace and Dylan

4. Lathan showing intensity and effort on defense and rebounding. He looks much more locked in focused and determined to play D and rebound. Would like to see him get a few more post touches especially if the matchup is favorable since he can score and draw fouls. Need a little inside out game occasionally

5. Grant brings length athleticism hustle and activity. A ton of characteristics the team was missing. Lathan/EO, Grant, Ace... that helps with the defense and rebounding

6. Jwill, Acuff, Jmike... pick your spots and play in your lane. All 3 didn't force it as much. Let the game come to you. Acuff shoot the 3, jMike play D and pass, JWill drive and dish or finish at the rim but only when there is a lane

7. Ogbole has shown flashes. Randomly some nice catches and traffic drop step finish. Big offense board for a dunk. He may feel more comfortable off the bench. Sets massive screens that lead to buckets at times that go unnoticed. EO and Lathan can combine for 10 and 10

8. Martini maybe gains some confidence in limited minutes. Played better D. Hit a 3.... at some point maybe he gets hot in a couple games where he knocks down a few 3's

9. Pike takes too long to figure his teams out and clearly should have went to Grant sooner, but he may have found it with Grant and Acuff playing more, Martini less, Derkack and Hayes to the end of the bench

10. RU fans deserve a miracle, we truly do

So it is written, so it shall be.

 

[Scarlet Shack]

Let's get the hype train going while we still can. There will be plenty of time to be miserable if we follow this win up with a bunch of losses

1. Dylan Harper is among the best players in college basketball. He is only going to get healthier and better. Can do it all. The healthier he gets the more we will see him finishing at the rim and drawing fouls. Announcers said he lost 12 pounds not the 9 we heard before

2. Ace Bailey is showing a lot of growth. It can be up and down at times and Ace can be streaky. His shot selection last night was the best so far. Ace's defense and rebounding has come a long way over the course of the year. There are still many massive scoring nights from Ace coming this season

3. Role players had nowhere to go but up. It was soo sooo bad that regression to the mean says these players will improve. We just need a couple players to step up each game to compliment Ace and Dylan

4. Lathan showing intensity and effort on defense and rebounding. He looks much more locked in focused and determined to play D and rebound. Would like to see him get a few more post touches especially if the matchup is favorable since he can score and draw fouls. Need a little inside out game occasionally

5. Grant brings length athleticism hustle and activity. A ton of characteristics the team was missing. Lathan/EO, Grant, Ace... that helps with the defense and rebounding

6. Jwill, Acuff, Jmike... pick your spots and play in your lane. All 3 didn't force it as much. Let the game come to you. Acuff shoot the 3, jMike play D and pass, JWill drive and dish or finish at the rim but only when there is a lane

7. Ogbole has shown flashes. Randomly some nice catches and traffic drop step finish. Big offense board for a dunk. He may feel more comfortable off the bench. Sets massive screens that lead to buckets at times that go unnoticed. EO and Lathan can combine for 10 and 10

8. Martini maybe gains some confidence in limited minutes. Played better D. Hit a 3.... at some point maybe he gets hot in a couple games where he knocks down a few 3's

9. Pike takes too long to figure his teams out and clearly should have went to Grant sooner, but he may have found it with Grant and Acuff playing more, Martini less, Derkack and Hayes to the end of the bench

10. RU fans deserve a miracle, we truly do

That’s right ….and the 2 seed in the east awaits

 

[S_Janowski]

I’m convinced if Dylan didn’t get sick and was 100% we win one, probably two against Indiana, Wisconsin or Purdue (prob Indiana and Wisconsin).

May the basketball gods be with us and let’s string a few games together heading into MSG and have some fun.

 

[seansherm]

Not Scangg but they do not . Brice Williams or when Hoiberg is in the game might apply token pressure bringing the ball up.

Seriously ? Lathan doesn’t get the ball enough in the post.

Seriously. I'm fine w Lathan's current 4-6 shots a night.

 

[zappaa]

Amazing what a single win does for this self loathing, negative, miserable fanbase.🤣

Is there anyone not excited about beating Nebraska on the road?😊

 

[RUtrumpet92]

Paging Mr. Katz! Come back!

 

[RAC93]

Scangg-
Does Nebby use full court pressure at home?
If so, JMike is going to play an important roll, he’s our best press breaker by far.

Agreed, JMike is way better against a press than Acuff. Not sure if they press much though. Also liked that Davis didn’t look to shoot much, played under control. JWill was also more under control against UCLA.