We have 2 terrific players in Sanders and Laurent.....

[BigEastPhil]

EJ has taken a lot of heat but all things considered - his incoming class this year is very solid.

Sanders has been very impressive (furthermore considering he's a freshman) and Laurent has certainly exceeded expectations as he has jump; has nifty moves around the rim and plays composed.

Shame Freeman is hurt - because he was / is our go to guy.

Hopefully for next year:

- Sanders and Laurent continue to develop

- Freeman; Shaq and Diallo all come back healthy

- Williams and Foreman continue to improve

- And we get minimally 3 new players who can contribute...

And should the above occurs - we can be competitive......that's all I want to see short term.....coming to a Big 10 home game ..and knowing we have a shot to win......

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

Don't let the last 2 games fool you. How have they played in the 6 games against legitimate opponents?

 

[knights1212]

Phil, It is exciting for us to have two outstanding freshmen. They both seem to be getting better all the time. Hopefully we can be healthy next year. We seem to have more injuries in one season than most teams have in 3-5 years. We need relief from these injuries. Hopefully Nigel Johnson will help next year and that Freeman can be injury free. We need a center who can score and at least two more guys who can hit from outside.

 

[RUonBrain]

Don't let the last 2 games fool you. How have they played in the 6 games against legitimate opponents?

Let's readdress Wed night
Who did we beat tonight, a high school team?

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

Let's readdress Wed night
Who did we beat tonight, a high school team?

They had the size and athleticism of a HS team.

 

[TruJerz]

Corey Sanders is gonna be a pro. He's already a much better shooter than I thought he would be at this point. He's been able to step in and fill in the role Myles Mack played while only being a freshman. That is quite impressive. Rutgers gotta hope they can keep this kid

I might take a lot of flack for this but if keeping Eddie Jordan here means Sanders stays at RU I think they'd have to considering keeping Eddie here a bit longer and hope that some decent commits/transfers come their way

Laurent has been playing good as well. Will be forced to play a lot of minutes with all the injury problems which in the long run will be good for him and the program.

Big 10 play will be a real challenge for these 2 however. Let's see how they play vs real strong competition but gotta like what you see from these 2, especially Sanders

 

[RU-Choppin-Ohio]

At this point with Doorson, Freeman and Diallo out, the team should use this time to develop....Sanders, Laurent, Williams and Foreman must use the playing time to get better.

It is really unfortunate about Doorson because he may have been the most impressive low post player last year. He flashed at times last year. At this point, I think Freeman should sit out along with the others. Wait for Johnson and the spring signees....we are still in play for guys like Thiam, Levitch and athletic JUCO SG Stevenson.....all 3 are 100% crystal ball to Rutgers according to 247Sports.

 

[mikefla]

I dont think EJ is going anywhere>>>.with the purse strings opening for football i think BBall is on hold.......
ther IS talent on this team......but EJ need to recruit more pieces to the puzzle.......2 more Sanders caliber players would do it.....a BIG and a power forward

 

[Section114]

I dont think EJ is going anywhere>>>.with the purse strings opening for football i think BBall is on hold.......
ther IS talent on this team......but EJ need to recruit more pieces to the puzzle.......2 more Sanders caliber players would do it.....a BIG and a power forward

I agree. EJ is not going anywhere. And I do think the team has talent. The issue I have had is I do not think EJ has done a good job maximizing. With DF, SD and ID all on the shelf, that makes it even tougher.

FWIW, Umass Lowell beat BC and lost at Uconn by 9. I thought they were well coached and could shoot the 3.

 

[RUtrumpet92]

I checked the line of last night's game and we were listed as 6 point favorites, so clearlywe exceeded expectations last night. I don't think we can expect that many 3s to fall on a regular basis. Here's hoping we give Indiana a game tomorrow.

 

[jtung230]

I agree. EJ is not going anywhere. And I do think the team has talent. The issue I have had is I do not think EJ has done a good job maximizing. With DF, SD and ID all on the shelf, that makes it even tougher.

FWIW, Umass Lowell beat BC and lost at Uconn by 9. I thought they were well coached and could shoot the 3.

We could easily be 8-5 right now. This is a very young team. It's a shame with the injuries. I thought this team could make some noise once they gel a bit. Let's see how they look on Wednesday.

 

[jtung230]

I checked the line of last night's game and we were listed as 6 point favorites, so clearlywe exceeded expectations last night. I don't think we can expect that many 3s to fall on a regular basis. Here's hoping we give Indiana a game tomorrow.

What impressed me was that the 3s we took were open looks and not forced. The spacing was so much better. Not sure if that's the result of us hitting our 3s to stretch out the D or just better spacing. I'm sure the bad D from UMASS-L helped too.

 

[RUskoolie]

There is a lot of good young talent on this team. It's a shame that a lynch mob wants to hang Jordan after every loss while ignoring the bigger picture. As if any coach in America could win games with 1 guy on the bench over 6'9 and a roster full of underclassmen/first year players at RU.

Sanders
Williams
Laurent
Foreman

All freshman/sophomores that look good to me for their experience level. Then you have Freeman who looked good before he got hurt and apparently Nigel Johnson is better than all of them. Regardless of what happens this year, Eddie needs to get a 4th year to see what he can do with guys he's had for a while.

 

[ruman]

There is a lot of good young talent on this team. It's a shame that a lynch mob wants to hang Jordan after every loss while ignoring the bigger picture. As if any coach in America could win games with 1 guy on the bench over 6'9 and a roster full of underclassmen/first year players at RU.

Sanders
Williams
Laurent
Foreman

All freshman/sophomores that look good to me for their experience level. Then you have Freeman who looked good before he got hurt and apparently Nigel Johnson is better than all of them. Regardless of what happens this year, Eddie needs to get a 4th year to see what he can do with guys he's had for a while.

People get hurt every year and we were a bad team with a full squad. And we have no recruiting class.

The next two months are going to be rough.

 

[ruman]

We could easily be 8-5 right now. This is a very young team. It's a shame with the injuries. I thought this team could make some noise once they gel a bit. Let's see how they look on Wednesday.

But we aren't. We could have lost to Central Ark too.

 

[shields]

Some people on here just want to be negative. Greene I think Wake is pretty good and we lost by one. Agree with Big East, and Wenzel likes Laurent a lot. Foreman has to start making foul shots.

 

[ScarletLongIsland]

Let's readdress Wed night
Who did we beat tonight, a high school team?

That high school team beat Boston College and took UCONN down to the wire.

It's fun watching Sanders and Laurent develop.

Did we get an answer on whether Freeman is eligible to redshirt?

 

[RU-Choppin-Ohio]

Even when the team wins big.......we have the same posters adding some negative comments....like clockwork. When you insist on posting something negative, even after a 23 point win how can anyone view your criticisms as credible?

 

[RUonBrain]

Even when the team wins big.......we have the same posters adding some negative comments....like clockwork. When you insist on posting something negative, even after a 23 point win how can anyone view your criticisms as credible?

Commenting on the fact we beat a no name team is not negative - it is a fact.

If we play well vs Indiana, then people's perceptions might change.

But they won't change after 1 win against a cup cake.

I would be glad if Eddie and the team turn it around this season.
If they play like a real team, and get any kind of decent spring recruiting class, I would be okay with 1 more year to see how things go.

But if we see bad basketball fundamentals vs the B1G schedule and get slaughtered...

No point in debating too much right now.
We shall see!

 

[RU-Choppin-Ohio]

Commenting on the fact we beat a no name team is not negative - it is a fact.

If we play well vs Indiana, then people's perceptions might change.

But they won't change after 1 win against a cup cake.

I would be glad if Eddie and the team turn it around this season.
If they play like a real team, and get any kind of decent spring recruiting class, I would be okay with 1 more year to see how things go.

But if we see bad basketball fundamentals vs the B1G schedule and get slaughtered...

No point in debating too much right now.
We shall see!

The negative part was the reference to them being a High School team.....even with a victory, you seek to devalue what the team accomplished. I'm curious why you did not retract the statement when told that Umass Lowell beat a Jim Christian coached Boston College and took UCONN to the wire before losing by 9.

Victories will be tough, but with Freeman, Doorson and Diallo out, this is about development and playing time for Williams, Sanders, Foreman, Laurent and Goode. Williams and Foreman get another year against B1G comp and Sanders and Laurent get their first taste. Goode needs to learn the type of court movement required to get looks and shots.

 

[NewJerseyHawk]

I think if you play in 20% or more of your teams games you are not guaranteed an automatic redshirt and would have to petition to do so (please don't run with the 20% item, it may be 15%)....Freeman is right around that timeframe if you count the games we would potentially play in the Big Ten tournament....You can always request a hardship waiver for a situation like this with the NCAA, which in most cases they would likely grant one for a Freeman....if this injury was in January and half the schedule was played, you probably have no chance of getting a medical redshirt waiver passed.

It's essentially a redshirt season, since all kids get 5 years to play 4 with NCAA rules....it's when a player is looking for that 6th season of eligible status, that you have to get the NCAA involved. I don't think it's that dire a situation with Freeman, but I haven't heard anything about a return anytime in the next 3 to 4 weeks. That puts his status well into late January or early February. It may take more rest to get him closer to 100%. Perhaps that means limited workouts and practice time once the season ends and into the spring/summer.

 

[RUskoolie]

People get hurt every year and we were a bad team with a full squad. And we have no recruiting class.

The next two months are going to be rough.

Teams with paper thin depth like us lose 3 of their 4 biggest players on the roster a handful of games into the year?

Also, how many of these recruits that we've landed in the past have been in the late signing period?

 

[DHajekRC84]

I am just thrilled we were making shots! Played together and under control. Found space and shared the ball. Hopefully they are learning a bit. Even end game when Williams was on the bench he was going nuts on every made shot.

Good to see.

 

[higgins3]

What impressed me was that the 3s we took were open looks and not forced. The spacing was so much better. Not sure if that's the result of us hitting our 3s to stretch out the D or just better spacing. I'm sure the bad D from UMASS-L helped too.

great point. Spacing was very good last night.

 

[higgins3]

I am just thrilled we were making shots! Played together and under control. Found space and shared the ball. Hopefully they are learning a bit. Even end game when Williams was on the bench he was going nuts on every made shot.

Good to see.

One of the best post on here. Ball was shared, Daniels and Sanders played under control well. Williams being happy is a good sign for the team.

 

[higgins3]

Commenting on the fact we beat a no name team is not negative - it is a fact.

If we play well vs Indiana, then people's perceptions might change.

But they won't change after 1 win against a cup cake.

I would be glad if Eddie and the team turn it around this season.
If they play like a real team, and get any kind of decent spring recruiting class, I would be okay with 1 more year to see how things go.

But if we see bad basketball fundamentals vs the B1G schedule and get slaughtered...

No point in debating too much right now.
We shall see!

Just curious- Are you more happy when we win or when we lose? Just be happy with a win. Unless you are more happy with a loss.

Spacing,passing,effort, decent defense was there tonight. Spacing and quick passes are paramount to any workable offense.

 

[DHajekRC84]

Williams is working his A$$ off on the court. Did you here the stat about him being TOP 5 in the country power schools for rebounds for anybody under 6'2" (or 6'5" or something like that).

he made some nice baskets yesterday even on a few drives. If he can be rested, stay fresh his shots will fall. That is good for us and the team.

 

[higgins3]

Williams is working his A$$ off on the court. Did you here the stat about him being TOP 5 in the country power schools for rebounds for anybody under 6'2" (or 6'5" or something like that).

he made some nice baskets yesterday even on a few drives. If he can be rested, stay fresh his shots will fall. That is good for us and the team.

I believe it. You make a great point with him getting his rest. I like our guards. I think we can win a couple games. The fact that this team is playing hard without their best player shows a lot of character. GORU

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

Even when the team wins big.......we have the same posters adding some negative comments....like clockwork. When you insist on posting something negative, even after a 23 point win how can anyone view your criticisms as credible?

With me it has never been about the end result. If/when we lose by 16 and B1G play and shoot 3-16 from 3 and play relatively hard I will defend the team's play.

I thought UMASS L got good looks all night and I didn't think we competed hard on the defensive end. Do you disagree?

 

[RUonBrain]

With me it has never been about the end result. If/when we lose by 16 and B1G play and shoot 3-16 from 3 and play relatively hard I will defend the team's play.

I thought UMASS L got good looks all night and I didn't think we competed hard on the defensive end. Do you disagree?

Uh-oh.
NEGATOID alert!

jk -
All is wonderful again in RUTGERSland
(Has anyone even heard of the team we just beat?)

This doesn't erase the garbage we have seen most of this season.
At least they didn't lose.

And who cares if that team beat BC
Are they any kind of measuring stick?
Where are they projected to finish in the ACC?

 

[cyrock3]

Uh-oh.
NEGATOID alert!

jk -
All is wonderful again in RUTGERSland
(Has anyone even heard of the team we just beat?)

This doesn't erase the garbage we have seen most of this season.
At least they didn't lose.

And who cares if that team beat BC
Are they any kind of measuring stick?
Where are they projected to finish in the ACC?

For a young developing team like ours in Year One of the new regime, this is a good outcome. We're starting from the bottom.

 

[RUonBrain]

For a young developing team like ours in Year One of the new regime, this is a good outcome. We're starting from the bottom.

Hey, I am glad we won.
Hopefully the team builds on it and plays well versus real opponents.

It is nice to see they haven't quit.
If the team keeps fighting, that will say something.

But I am worried about the comments from FIG
Doesn't sound we have cleaned anything up in the rebounding and effort department.
The whole has to be better than the sum of the parts.
And that is what has me concerned with this coaching staff.

 

[ruman]

But we aren't

Even when the team wins big.......we have the same posters adding some negative comments....like clockwork. When you insist on posting something negative, even after a 23 point win how can anyone view your criticisms as credible?

no complaints about last night, but one win against #315 in kenpom doesn't change things

And the same people who love Eddie throw him flowers after a 40 point loss

 

[higgins3]

Sanders,Grier and Laurent played solid defense. They stood out to me. We didn't have an answer for their ball rotations. Seemed like we sagged a little bit too much and helped out too much.

Not always a fan of help defense. Especially against great shooting teams.

 

[TruJerz]

At this point with Doorson, Freeman and Diallo out, the team should use this time to develop....Sanders, Laurent, Williams and Foreman must use the playing time to get better.

It is really unfortunate about Doorson because he may have been the most impressive low post player last year. He flashed at times last year. At this point, I think Freeman should sit out along with the others. Wait for Johnson and the spring signees....we are still in play for guys like Thiam, Levitch and athletic JUCO SG Stevenson.....all 3 are 100% crystal ball to Rutgers according to 247Sports.

I really hope they can get Jax Levitch and Issa Thiam. Rutgers can use some more wing players and these guys have height..something Rutgers desperately needs on the perimeter

Anyone here familiar with Matt Bullock of RC? He holds an offer from Rutgers and also from Monmouth and St. Peters. He doesn't have much upside but he's a big strong 6'4 220 lb SG who comes from a winning program and can finish and knock down some shots. Wouldn't mind having him here. Weird 247Sports doesn't have him listed. He's only a 2 star recruit but he's a D1 prospect

Anyway, really hoping RU can land Levitch, Thiam and Bullock who all could be solid additions this late in the game

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

no complaints about last night, but one win against #315 in kenpom doesn't change things

And the same people who love Eddie throw him flowers after a 40 point loss

We did move to #250 with the win.....and that means something. We improved to #300 offensively!

 

[shields]

I saw the score vs UCONN and I was afraid we would lose. But some of you are never happy.

 

[RUonBrain]

I saw the score vs UCONN and I was afraid we would lose. But some of you are never happy.

Yeah!!!
We are so happy!
We beat the #315 team in the country!!
The Bells must ring!

When FIG is happy, I'll be happy.
He knows basketball, and he watches most of the games.

 

[shields]

The point is if we won by 5 people would not be happy and we blew them out and people complain.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

I'll give you positives......
1. team chemistry looks pretty good
2. team has gotten in to offensive sets on just about all possessions (credit Jordan and Sanders)
3. Laurent, unlike most college players, has a left and right hand....
4. Daniels, offensively, has mostly played "in the flow"
5. Sanders is a VERY good teammate..also quick to blame himself for a TO