We will never get another blue chip recruit

[RUGiddy777]

Ace and Dylan are not Rutgers related NIL. I can’t believe that every one does not k ow that. We got no one worth a damn from the portal because of the lack of NIL. Why does this swept under the rug when discussing the basketball team?

Think it’s not just NIL. Kids are also looking for minutes. Weren’t a ton of minutes behind JWill, Ace and Dylan at the 1, 2 or 3. At the 5, what player is going to make us better. To borrow from Pike, it’s not fantasy sports where you can just grab a starter and stick him on the bench. We’re a quarter through the season, we’re not in catastrophe territory but we need to find some defense ASAP.

Think a competitive game at the RAC with a crowd that gets fired up for defense will go a long way towards righting the ship - and we’ve got one coming in 2 days.

 

[fluoxetine]

Ace and Dylan are not Rutgers related NIL. I can’t believe that every one does not k ow that. We got no one worth a damn from the portal because of the lack of NIL. Why does this swept under the rug when discussing the basketball team?

You keep repeating it but since you are basically just a guy who spent half his posts here attacking bac2therac no one really knows if you are reliable? It is common knowledge that Dylan and Ace got outside NIL but that doesn’t mean they did not also get Rutgers NIL.

Personally I find it odd that we can find enough NIL to maintain a competitive football team with like 85 people on the roster but couldn’t find any to surround two lottery picks for what could be a one shot kind of deal.

 

[biazza38]

Ummmmm to get BIG TEN caliber players you need money for NIL. Again why is this conveniently not discussed or talked about? It’s well known that Pike had zero money for transfers. NIL money comes from the alums and fans. Our roster is lacking the BIG caliber player but it’s not all on Pike.

It doesn’t have to be someone who averages 10 ppg, just players who are athletic enough to belong on the court as our opponents. You’re acting as if I’m asking for first team all big ten players. Look at what Schiano did in the portal. You think everyone he gets in the portal is getting a ton of NIL money?

 

[RUsojo]

If we’re being realistic this not a crazy take when you consider the biggest reasons why we had a chance with these two to begin with. Not a hot take to say an outlier will remain and outlier.

 

[365Poster24Seven]

You keep repeating it but since you are basically just a guy who spent half his posts here attacking bac2therac no one really knows if you are reliable? It is common knowledge that Dylan and Ace got outside NIL but that doesn’t mean they did not also get Rutgers NIL.

Personally I find it odd that we can find enough NIL to maintain a competitive football team with like 85 people on the roster but couldn’t find any to surround two lottery picks for what could be a one shot kind of deal.

Attack? I make fun of him for wasting his life on this website. Back to NIl pike had zero to work with. It’s why he could not even get a transfer Center that he wanted so bad. Most fans are clueless as they analyze the tr and its players but fail to give NIL its very important place in it all.

 

[rufan4ever]

Attack? I make fun of him for wasting his life on this website. Back to NIl pike had zero to work with. It’s why he could not even get a transfer Center that he wanted so bad. Most fans are clueless as they analyze the tr and its players but fail to give NIL its very important place in it all.

Long time season ticket holders at Rutgers are as loyal as they come in my opinion. It's not exactly a great product with one NCAA tournament win in 4 decades. We have sat through decades with a few sniffs at being a part of the Big Dance. As season ticket holders we pay additional seat fees and many of us continue to make significant yearly donations to the RFund. So, is it really the responsibility of the loyal fanbase to contribute more on top of what they already spend to pay the players? I don't really think it will amount to much when players like Cliff were offered $1 million to transfer. Rutgers needs to figure out a strategy to raise NIL funds if they want to compete in this new landscape. To those that donate to the NIL collective, that's great. But it won't make a dent as witnessed by this season's inability to attract a supporting cast. These are no longer student athletes. They are paid as professionals and if Rutgers wants to play at this level they need to find a way to fund it. Asking the fans to pony up isn't going to work.

 

[fluoxetine]

Attack? I make fun of him for wasting his life on this website. Back to NIl pike had zero to work with. It’s why he could not even get a transfer Center that he wanted so bad. Most fans are clueless as they analyze the tr and its players but fail to give NIL its very important place in it all.

Why is it that we have enough NIL to be reasonably competitive in a sport with 85 man rosters but can’t find enough to get a few basketball players for one year?

 

[RUGiddy777]

Long time season ticket holders at Rutgers are as loyal as they come in my opinion. It's not exactly a great product with one NCAA tournament win in 4 decades. We have sat through decades with a few sniffs at being a part of the Big Dance. As season ticket holders we pay additional seat fees and many of us continue to make significant yearly donations to the RFund. So, is it really the responsibility of the loyal fanbase to contribute more on top of what they already spend to pay the players? I don't really think it will amount to much when players like Cliff were offered $1 million to transfer. Rutgers needs to figure out a strategy to raise NIL funds if they want to compete in this new landscape. To those that donate to the NIL collective, that's great. But it won't make a dent as witnessed by this season's inability to attract a supporting cast. These are no longer student athletes. They are paid as professionals and if Rutgers wants to play at this level they need to find a way to fund it. Asking the fans to pony up isn't going to work.

Also, it’s not like many of us are sitting on disposable millions that we can just throw at a high school student to come play for a year.

 

[Saint Puppy]

Ace and Dylan are not Rutgers related NIL. I can’t believe that every one does not k ow that. We got no one worth a damn from the portal because of the lack of NIL. Why does this swept under the rug when discussing the basketball team?

Do you have proof that they turned down RU NIL money? It seems to make zero sense that 1 year rentals like them would not try to get as much bag as they could. I don't see them caring so much that they will leave RU NIL alone so Rutgers could get better players, like a star QB in the NFL taking a lesser contract to do so. As I said before this is a money game 1st, 2nd and 3rd. They certainly command all the money they are getting, so if they didn't get RU NIL money I would be curious as to know why because on the surface it seems to make little sense.

If you are right, and Dylan and Ace didn't get RU NIL money then my question is where did it all go??? Did we pay through the nose for players who are simply not producing??? Sad state of affairs for our future if we broke the bank for this team and didn't even pay out of pocket at all for Dylan or Ace....which I'm a little skeptical of.

 

[biazza38]

Do you have proof that they turned down RU NIL money? It seems to make zero sense that 1 year rentals like them would not try to get as much bag as they could. I don't see them caring so much that they will leave RU NIL alone so Rutgers could get better players, like a star QB in the NFL taking a lesser contract to do so. As I said before this is a money game 1st, 2nd and 3rd. They certainly command all the money they are getting, so if they didn't get RU NIL money I would be curious as to know why because on the surface it seems to make little sense.

If you are right, and Dylan and Ace didn't get RU NIL money then my question is where did it all go??? Did we pay through the nose for players who are simply not producing??? Sad state of affairs for our future if we broke the bank for this team and didn't even pay out of pocket at all for Dylan or Ace....which I'm a little skeptical of.

I’m pretty sure it’s been discussed that it was outside forces paying Ace and Dylan. I find it hard to believe we’d be able to afford them. Reality is, we f’ed up in the portal

 

[RUGiddy777]

I’m pretty sure it’s been discussed that it was outside forces paying Ace and Dylan. I find it hard to believe we’d be able to afford them. Reality is, we f’ed up in the portal

Think it was both.

 

[RAC93]

My belief is the same as it’s always been with Pike.

I think it’s much less on the players than people think. Personally, I don’t believe he does a great job putting players in a position to make offensive plays.

With that said, I do think he could have done better in the portal, but I have issue with two things:

1. He grabbed a bunch of guys who are not very athletic, and paired them with a couple of NBA studs who very clearly need to play in space on the run.

2. He seemingly wants to play a half court game (IMO because he’s a defense guy), but doesn’t run offensive sets to support that.

Say what you want about Hayes, but the kid has a fast release and is pretty damn smooth. I understand he’s not a big athletic kid (who is on this roster?), but why aren’t we running action between Harper, Hayes, and Ace? Allow Harper and Ace to be the threat with Hayes being the pop option that gets open?

I’m not a supreme Xs and Os guy, but every single shot in the half court is contested. It’s been that way for years. Ace went on that run to start the 2nd half and every take was insanely difficult, he’s just crazy talented and sinks them.

I’ve always beaten the drum of not caring if a shot goes in or not. I just want quality looks.

With all of that said, as much as the above has been a consistent issue for Pike, a consistent plus for him has been whenever you felt the team was done, they always go on a tear.

9 games in, I’ll hold off on judgement.

Your point about the athleticism is so true unfortunately. There are times when we put guys on the floor and they look stuck in concrete boots, (Martini when his man is outside, Hayes, and Acuff come to mind, Derkack at times also although he’s more athletic than the others). We have very little athleticism from the wings, there is Ace of course, but teams typically have 2-3 athletic guys to play on the wing. We needed players who could shoot and were athletic enough to defend. Instead, we have players who look like they are always a step slow on defense out on the wing and then there is no help defense when their man inevitably beats them.

 

[Saint Puppy]

I’m pretty sure it’s been discussed that it was outside forces paying Ace and Dylan. I find it hard to believe we’d be able to afford them. Reality is, we f’ed up in the portal

Think it was both.

I'm aware that they got $ from outside forces - but would be surprised if we did not sweeten the pot. It would make sense to me that it would be both too. Can't think of a reason they would both not try to maximize the money they got.

 

[biazza38]

I'm aware that they got $ from outside forces - but would be surprised if we did not sweeten the pot. It would make sense to me that it would be both too. Can't think of a reason they would both not try to maximize the money they got.

still no reason to not be able to put together a team around them.

 

[RUGiddy777]

still no reason to not be able to put together a team around them.

People need to go a bit deeper than just saying he should have put together a better team. Who could/should Pike have gotten? Who was affordable? Who would have accepted fewer minutes?

 

[NickRU714]

People need to go a bit deeper than just saying he should have put together a better team. Who could/should Pike have gotten? Who was affordable? Who would have accepted fewer minutes?

Transfer target Jones (3pt shooter) reportedly turn us down in part about questions about his role.

As you point out, I think that played a role.
I would assume HC Pike went into the portal telling transfers "Ace, Dylan and JWill are our starters and playing nearly 30mpg. JMike as the prime backup to JWill/Dylan. You be competing for the leftover minutes."

That likely limited options regardless of NIL.
I said at the time this was a mistake and JWill should not have been locked into a starting spot. Dylan is the PG and we need a wing shooter as a started instead of another "ball handler".
Instead tell transfers "I want you to lead the Big Ten 3pt shots. You'll be taking 6-7 mostly open 3s standing next to Ace Ace/Dylan all game."

 

[RUGiddy777]

Transfer target Jones (3pt shooter) reportedly turn us down in part about questions about his role.

As you point out, I think that played a role.
I would assume HC Pike went into the portal telling transfers "Ace, Dylan and JWill are our starters and playing nearly 30mpg. JMike as the prime backup to JWill/Dylan. You be competing for the leftover minutes."

That likely limited options regardless of NIL.
I said at the time this was a mistake and JWill should not have been locked into a starting spot. Dylan is the PG and we need a wing shooter as a started instead of another "ball handler".
Instead tell transfers "I want you to lead the Big Ten 3pt shots. You'll be taking 6-7 mostly open 3s standing next to Ace Ace/Dylan all game."

I doubt he sold it that pessimistically lol. These kids and their agents/handlers/etc. can look at the roster and figure out if they’ll get the minutes they’re looking for. We pulled in a Duke level class - but we’re not Duke, yet, where putting on a Scerlet jersey confers that you’re an elite player, regardless of minutes.

I’m sure Pike could have done a better job, but I’m also sure he busted his ass. He wants to win championships same as us. I’m still optimistic on the season. Sky isn’t falling, but we need to get moving for sure.

 

[biazza38]

People need to go a bit deeper than just saying he should have put together a better team. Who could/should Pike have gotten? Who was affordable? Who would have accepted fewer minutes?

There were over a thousand guys in the portal? You want me to run through the list of names and figure it out? That’s not my job. While I’m well aware schools such as Louisville and Michigan can flip a team in a year. There is zero reason why we should be assembling a team of guys who are flat out not athletic enough to even play defense at this level. Why is that so difficult to understand? I’m not asking for an all B1G scorer.
But what I watched on Saturday is not acceptable. To get crushed on the interior like that against a team that’s missing their starting center. Our captain can barely see the floor. We brought in some shooters but can’t get them open and they’re too slow on the defensive end. We should just fold the basketball team then if we can’t afford anything better than what we got. This isn’t an NIL problem. This is a player evaluation problem. Not being able to afford Cliff is an NIL problem. That I get, but the roster we have right now is not acceptable

Schiano goes into the portal every year and finds players who can contribute. While we don’t have money for the $500K starting offensive linemen, he finds guys who are able to start and play at a B1G level

 

[seansherm]

People need to go a bit deeper than just saying he should have put together a better team. Who could/should Pike have gotten? Who was affordable? Who would have accepted fewer minutes?

Fans can't do that. They don't have detailed lists of everyone in the portal, they don't have contact with guys to see who is interested, who isn't, what they want to come, ect. It's also not the fans job to do that stuff.

 

[RAC93]

There were over a thousand guys in the portal? You want me to run through the list of names and figure it out? That’s not my job. While I’m well aware schools such as Louisville and Michigan can flip a team in a year. There is zero reason why we should be assembling a team of guys who are flat out not athletic enough to even play defense at this level. Why is that so difficult to understand? I’m not asking for an all B1G scorer.
But what I watched on Saturday is not acceptable. To get crushed on the interior like that against a team that’s missing their starting center. Our captain can barely see the floor. We brought in some shooters but can’t get them open and they’re too slow on the defensive end. We should just fold the basketball team then if we can’t afford anything better than what we got. This isn’t an NIL problem. This is a player evaluation problem. Not being able to afford Cliff is an NIL problem. That I get, but the roster we have right now is not acceptable

Schiano goes into the portal every year and finds players who can contribute. While we don’t have money for the $500K starting offensive linemen, he finds guys who are able to start and play at a B1G level

You said it perfectly, Saturday was not acceptable. We got crushed on the interior and with paint points by a SMALL TEAM! Think about that…..it’s not like we played Michigan who has two 7 foot guys. We played a small OSU who just lost their only big player in Aaron Bradshaw. OSU scored near the rim at will against RU, this is truly the definition of unacceptable. We look stunningly unathletic and soft at the moment…..not sure what we can be done about athleticism but we don’t have to look so soft out on the court, that is something Pike and team can control and change.

 

[RUGiddy777]

Fans can't do that. They don't have detailed lists of everyone in the portal, they don't have contact with guys to see who is interested, who isn't, what they want to come, ect. It's also not the fans job to do that stuff.

That was sort of the point. We don’t understand or know all that’s going on behind the scenes, all of the other coaches reaching out, NIL demands, players values/interests/preferences, etc.

 

[bethlehemfan]

Why is it that we have enough NIL to be reasonably competitive in a sport with 85 man rosters but can’t find enough to get a few basketball players for one year?

We are going to lose the transfer bidding wars in bball. It’s already been evidenced to our serious detriment with mulcahy Spencer and Cliff. Not sure basketball and football comparisons are really valid. That said pike needs to figure it out. To those wanting pike gone at this point I would just say be careful what you wish for. We are one coach away from basketball purgatory which existed for almost 40 years. That can most certainly happen again and likely will.

 

[Freddy Stubbs]

We are going to lose the transfer bidding wars in bball. It’s already been evidenced to our serious detriment with mulcahy Spencer and Cliff. Not sure basketball and football comparisons are really valid. That said pike needs to figure it out. To those wanting pike gone at this point I would just say be careful what you wish for. We are one coach away from basketball purgatory which existed for almost 40 years. That can most certainly happen again and likely will.

Seems like we are already in basketball purgatory. Terrible year last year, and not looking great even though we have Dylan and Ace. I think Pike is not capable of building a roster and/or coaching in this new NIL transfer portal era.

 

[bethlehemfan]

Seems like we are already in basketball purgatory. Terrible year last year, and not looking great even though we have Dylan and Ace. I think Pike is not capable of building a roster and/or coaching in this new NIL transfer portal era.

Eh. Programs have ups and downs even good ones. So far we had one bad year. Purgatory is more permanent.

 

[RutgersChow]

We are a developmental program. Unfortunately Pikiellball takes the kind of development time we simply don't have. No way you turn down lottery pick players, but Pike's way seems to be best with players who'll be around more than one year.

How does he get this train wreck fixed in time to make the tournament? As somebody else here said, it's getting late early.

It doesn't take very long to implement help defense, certainly not three months.

 

[RutgersChow]

Eh. Programs have ups and downs even good ones. So far we had one bad year. Purgatory is more permanent.

One bad year? I think the last three have been pretty bad, haven't they?

 

[rufan4ever]

We are going to lose the transfer bidding wars in bball. It’s already been evidenced to our serious detriment with mulcahy Spencer and Cliff. Not sure basketball and football comparisons are really valid. That said pike needs to figure it out. To those wanting pike gone at this point I would just say be careful what you wish for. We are one coach away from basketball purgatory which existed for almost 40 years. That can most certainly happen again and likely will.

Ironically, I always thought it would be much easier in basketball as compared to football to compete at a major level in this NIL era.
Seems I got that wrong!

 

[RutgersChow]

People need to go a bit deeper than just saying he should have put together a better team. Who could/should Pike have gotten? Who was affordable? Who would have accepted fewer minutes?

Who was affordable at PSU that they've scored 100 pts. several times and demolished Purdue? Do you think their donors are rushing to provide millions to the basketball program? There have been a lot of successful lower level kids moving up. Outside of Cam Spencer, and he didn't know how to use him, Pike seems to have a questionable read on transfer talent

 

[AshCatchEm]

Eh. Programs have ups and downs even good ones. So far we had one bad year. Purgatory is more permanent.

Have you been asleep? WTF was good about our best team in years getting bounced instantly out of the tournament or how we beefed it against cupcakes to miss the tournament completely?

 

[RUGiddy777]

One bad year? I think the last three have been pretty bad, haven't they?

Last year was bad.

22-23 an injury (and some shit officiating in the BTT) cost us a 4th straight tourney (counting covid year as a bid) after 3 decades of suck.

 

[RUGiddy777]

We are going to lose the transfer bidding wars in bball. It’s already been evidenced to our serious detriment with mulcahy Spencer and Cliff. Not sure basketball and football comparisons are really valid. That said pike needs to figure it out. To those wanting pike gone at this point I would just say be careful what you wish for. We are one coach away from basketball purgatory which existed for almost 40 years. That can most certainly happen again and likely will.

Exactly. Pike needs to figure it out, but I think he’s earned enough grace for people not to be melting down and calling for his head in early December.

 

[RutgersChow]

Ironically, I always thought it would be much easier in basketball as compared to football to compete at a major level in this NIL era.
Seems I got that wrong!

Last year was bad.

22-23 an injury (and some shit officiating in the BTT) cost us a 4th straight tourney (counting covid year as a bid) after 3 decades of suck.

14th, 14th, T-10th, T-5th, T-6th, T-4th, T-9th, T-12th. One tournament win. If's don't win you anything.

 

[fluoxetine]

We are going to lose the transfer bidding wars in bball. … Not sure basketball and football comparisons are really valid.

Maybe there is something I am not understanding (I mean this seriously, I am not being sarcastic).

It seems to me that
(a) we have enough money to sustain football and there are a LOT of players needed to fill out a football roster and
(b) this money should in some ways be fungible

If I were a big money football “donor” or whatever, I would certainly have considered funneling some of that money towards basketball at least for this one year.

 

[RutgersChow]

We are going to lose the transfer bidding wars in bball. It’s already been evidenced to our serious detriment with mulcahy Spencer and Cliff. Not sure basketball and football comparisons are really valid. That said pike needs to figure it out. To those wanting pike gone at this point I would just say be careful what you wish for. We are one coach away from basketball purgatory which existed for almost 40 years. That can most certainly happen again and likely will.

Believe it or not, part of the reason these guys left is because they didn't see playing for Pike benefiting them any longer. Mulcahy and Spencer didn't only leave for money

 

[fluoxetine]

Here’s the thing: you could sell me on getting rid of Pike if we are going to go out and hire a proven major conference winner and get him the necessary budget to put a championship roster together.

If the alternative to Pike is taking a flyer on another up and comer from a small conference who will have the same budget to work with, no thanks.

 

[bethlehemfan]

Maybe there is something I am not understanding (I mean this seriously, I am not being sarcastic).

It seems to me that
(a) we have enough money to sustain football and there are a LOT of players needed to fill out a football roster and
(b) this money should in some ways be fungible

If I were a big money football “donor” or whatever, I would certainly have considered funneling some of that money towards basketball at least for this one year.

Outside of the true blue bloods I don’t think the average college football player is making a lot of nil money. A basketball player that can make a difference is.

 

[AreYouNUTS]

Not freaking out yet but I'm as frustrated as anyone and here are my thoughts:

- it was ALWAYS going to be difficult to get 9 guys, 9 NEW guys, into the rotation feeling comfortable on both O and D and, for the 4 transfers, into different roles. Not an excuse BUT it's definitely showing ESPECIALLY on D (more later)

- we're probably 1 win short of where most expected right now (obviously K State was a disaster)

- I'm 100% certain we were looking ahead to Vegas the entire Merimack game and 1st half of Kennisaw. Team definitely played as if their heads were already there.

- at the Merrimack game I was sitting in Row A. Martini looked completely out of it and different than he had the 1st 3 games (and against SJU). Seemed like more of the same at KSU and then in Vegas. Not sure if he had the flu at some point, or a minor injury, but throwing up airballs, dropping passes, etc etc and just didn't look like the same guy we saw earlier or last year for Princeton

- Ace can't drive to the hole and that is likely not going to change in B1G play. Just doesn't have the muscle, BUT, I think he realizes this which is why he settles for mid-range jumpers a lot (and his form, most of the time, is so smooth....)

- we still struggle on fast breaks and in-bounds plays BOTH WAYS ....I just don't get it

- we still struggle coming out of TO's way too often

- the D. I think - THINK - we need to "strip it down." I think the D we play might be too much for so many new faces. Lots of guys look lost and out of position at times. Just like we did for football during the bye week between SC and Minny. Maybe a 3/4 press, from opening tip, dropping back into a zone BECAUSE WE CAN'T DEFEND THE PAIN and sure as hell are struggling on the boards off our opponent's missed shots. TOO MANY 2nd chance opps and points.

- for the 1st time this year I saw Dylan look, let's say, "mopey" on Saturday. The double-triple teams got to him, no doubt, BUT he's got to see it coming, realize someone - or 2 "someones" - are going to be OPEN and find that person quicker. It'll come and I'm sure they're working on it the last couple of days.

- I think Somerville is afraid to get physical. Afraid to foul. My hope is that as Ogbole's game improves on O - and it is - BOTH will get more physical on D (and hitting the O boards) AS THEY REALIZE they have 10 fouls to commit between the 2 of them. GET TOUGH BOYS IT'S THE BIG TEN!!!

.- the coaching. I'm not ready to bash Pikes just yet, BUT....there was some serious "head scratchers" the other day and have been, with the rotations and sub patters, but he and the staff are ALSO feeling things out here so I'm not gonna freak out just yet, BUT:

1) Ace had 6 consecutive BRUTAL touches in the home stretch of the 1st half and doesn't get pulled....THEN he hits 3 mid-range jumpers in a row, starting the 2nd half, and he pulls him??!!!

2) We cut the lead to 6 (maybe around 11 minutes I forget..). Somerville gets the ball top of the key.- THIS TIME with rooms to get to the basket IIRC - and take a 3???!!! They come right down, Royal hits a layup, gets fouled, completes the 3-point play and they're up 9 again. GAME OVER. Don't think Somerville sits until the 8-minutes TO???

3) we were keeping up with them early, hitting 3's, and 2 of their starters go to the bench with foul trouble for the rest of the half then PIKES starts to slow things down on O....WHY????

....just some head-scratching stuff IMHO.

Anyway...we need to win tomorrow....for a few reasons:

- can't be 5-5 with this schedule to date
- WE MUST GET THE RAC BACK as a HCA...this has NOT been the case, in B1G play, the last 2 seasons. Get a quick start, get the RAC ROCKIN', and keep it that way!!!
- mentally it'll do wonders for this team, they def need it in the worst way
- oh and it's Penn State....**** THEM!!!

 

[AreYouNUTS]

Oh yeah…..REBOUND!!!!

Also - and this isn’t a new problem for this program - but what is it with Ezzi rebounds under the basket going off our hands and out of bounds? My guess is it happens to us 2-3 times for every time it happens to our opponents.

 

[S.W.A.I.N]

That’s one guy we couldn’t get. There were over a thousand players in the portal. Year 8 or 9 as a coach this shouldn’t be difficult

But its easy to get Ace and Dylan and Lathan?

 

[biazza38]

But it’s easy to get Ace and Dylan and Lathan?

that makes everything more confusing and troubling