What are your matchups versus Seton Hall? Looking forward.

[higgins3]

HI all,

Bad loss yesterday. They do happen, and you hope they don't happen often.

Looking forward to Seton Hall, I am interested in hearing what you folks have for the matchups? Seton Hall had a decent win yesterday against what I believe to be an overrated UK team.

For matchups, I like:

Baker on McKnight. Similar foot speed. Baker is the better player, but McKnight is very good.

Thiam on Powell. I consistently think Thiam gives the most effort and hustle every night. Is he the most talented? Debatable. But he will always give you 100%. I like this match up because Thiam wingspan will affect Powell. Also, Powell is going to be a mis-match versus anyone on the RU roster.With that being the case, why not try Thiam for the first four minutes of the game against him? Powell is the best offensive player in the state right now. I like Thiam on him because Thiam is disciplined offensively, and Powell knows how to draw fouls. I like this match up to start, and then be replaced by someone like a Montez Mathis. Montez Mathis is not offensively ready to start right now, and although has shown to have a nice game off the bounce, he is having problems converting. Thiam is still ahead their offensively. One thing about Mathis I have noticed is that he is fine side to side on defense and when in stance, but will put leg over leg when he gets beat. He also struggles going diagonally and is a bit off balance when trying to regain positioning on offensive playerStill very confident in his potential here on the Banks. Stay with it, Mathis!

Cale versus Kiss. Pretty evenly matched.

Mamu versus Omoruyi. I like Omoruyi playing on the perimeter this game as Mamu is their best rebounder. Pulling him out of the paint would negate that slightly.

Nzei versus Shaq Carter. I like this match up versus Doorson because Doorson will be effected by the foot speed of Nzei while being 70 pounds heavier. I also think Carter is a more physical player than Doorson, and has some pretty good hands. Physically, Carter should be targeted offensively over Nzei here. The mental aspect will be big, and I hope Carter can show him he is the force in the paint. This is an interesting match up as Nzei is only 205.

Do we try to match up with their small ball(although Mamu and Nzei are not perimeter shooters), or try to take advantage of Rutgers size and physicality? So far the trend has been relying on Baker and Omoruyi. I think they have to start working the game inside more and have more balance.

What do you guys want?

 

[batts]

Interesting thread and good analysis. Question: Is Thiam quick enough to guard Powell? I really don’t think so. McNight vs Baker is a great matchup. Both players can both do everything well. Baker has more talent but McNight is very solid and will have more help. Your bigs pose a challenge to our bigs just like the Kentucky’s bigs. SHU needs T Thompson to play well, which might be a key to the game. Expect Pike to use your bigs to get Mamukalashvili in foul trouble. Cale is better overall player than Kiss, particularly on defense. I think Cale will guard Baker. Kiss obviously is a much better shooter than Cale. Yesterday was a WTF game for you. Pike will have them ready, particularly on defense. I’m. Looking forward to next week.

 

[higgins3]

Interesting thread and good analysis. Question: Is Thiam quick enough to guard Powell? I really don’t think so. McNight vs Baker is a great matchup. Both players can both do everything well. Baker has more talent but McNight is very solid and will have more help. Your bigs pose a challenge to our bigs just like the Kentucky’s bigs. SHU needs T Thompson to play well, which might be a key to the game. Expect Pike to use your bigs to get Mamukalashvili in foul trouble. Cale is better overall player than Kiss, particularly on defense. I think Cale will guard Baker. Kiss obviously is a much better shooter than Cale. Yesterday was a WTF game for you. Pike will have them ready, particularly on defense. I’m. Looking forward to next week.

Batts, thanks for your post.

Thiam may not be quick enough, but he does not foul often and MP makes a living at the free throw line. He also has a wing span to get in the way of MP shots.

McKnight is indeed very solid. You guys matched up very well with Kentucky's bigs and when you went small, that was an advantage for you. Can TT be consistent? He is such a funny player to watch as he is goofy. I would agree about Cale. Cale guarding Baker would be a smart move. How about the rest of the matchups?

 

[batts]

To say that TT has been unfocused in all our games save yesterday would be an understatement. There’s no telling how he’ll play next Saturday against you guys. Despite that, he has shown flashes of being unstoppable in the paint when focused. The hope is that maybe he’s finally starting to become focused and do what he does best, which is scoring in the paint. Without him being effective, my fear is That Doorson and Carter will be fed the ball early and often to get Nzei and Mamukelashvili in foul trouble. Nzei and Mamukelashvili rely on their smarts and quickness but can be muscled inside.

 

[higgins3]

To say that TT has been unfocused in all our games save yesterday would be an understatement. There’s no telling how he’ll play next Saturday against you guys. Despite that, he has shown flashes of being unstoppable in the paint when focused. The hope is that maybe he’s finally starting to become focused and do what he does best, which is scoring in the paint. Without him being effective, my fear is That Doorson and Carter will be fed the ball early and often to get Nzei and Mamukelashvili in foul trouble. Nzei and Mamukelashvili rely on their smarts and quickness but can be muscled inside.

I agree. He looks good when he focused on the game. If TT is locked in, he could be the difference maker.

Rutgers is not that good at drawing fouls on critical players. I would like to see Carter and Omoruyi on Nzei and Mamu.

You guys have some fighters and talent. I love to see jersey MP do well. He is a real player. Where do you project him to be in the future?

 

[RUsojo]

I think it’s a fairly good matchup for us and expect a tight game. We can do well to contain Powell.

 

[batts]

Sorry, I forgot about Eugene.

There’s not many shooting guards in the NBA who are less than 6’4. MP is only around 6’2. I see him having a lucrative overseas career like Douby, who you guys stole from us. Lol.

What do you foresee in Geo’s future after RU?

 

[higgins3]

Sorry, I forgot about Eugene.

There’s not many shooting guards in the NBA who are less than 6’4. MP is only around 6’2. I see him having a lucrative overseas career like Douby, who you guys stole from us. Lol.

What do you foresee in Geo’s future after RU?

That's true. He has handled the ball for the hall this year though, right? I do think he will get on a g league squad.I hope he makes his money somewhere, and saves it!

As for Baker, it depends. He has the intangibles and what the NBA wants. At 6 4, he could play PG for an NBA team. That's a prediction I would feel better making at the end of the season. The work ethic is definitely there. Teams know they will get a good kid as well. Right now, I am unsure. Definitely talented.

 

[Potbelly407]

I agree. He looks good when he focused on the game. If TT is locked in, he could be the difference maker.

Rutgers is not that good at drawing fouls on critical players. I would like to see Carter and Omoruyi on Nzei and Mamu.

You guys have some fighters and talent. I love to see jersey MP do well. He is a real player. Where do you project him to be in the future?

I haven’t watched too many RU games, but from what I’ve seen, Mathis and Cale appear to be clones of each other. Neither has performed offensively the way they were rated in hs, but both appear to be very good defensive players. I would have Mathis onPowell a LOT

 

[BigEastPhil]

Shouldn't Montez guard Powell?

 

[Proud NJ Sports Fan]

Shouldn't Montez guard Powell?

Good call.

 

[higgins3]

Shouldn't Montez guard Powell?

Pikiell is in a tough spot because he hasn’t a little of players that are either plus offensively and minus defensively. Vice versa. I would think you still ride Thiam as he is neutral there.

 

[higgins3]

I haven’t watched too many RU games, but from what I’ve seen, Mathis and Cale appear to be clones of each other. Neither has performed offensively the way they were rated in hs, but both appear to be very good defensive players. I would have Mathis onPowell a LOT

Yeah. Well see. Cales fake was a great move there against Kentucky.

 

[RUich]

I'm afraid that this team may begin to look a lot like our football team. Huge loss to Fordham.