What Penn State fans are saying about the game

[cubuffsdoug]

tjbThe thrill of victory and the agony of reading about it on PennStateHoops.com
17h
Important game.

Less than 500 tickets left 4, according to Rutgers’ Facebook page.

Issues:

• Quick turnaround after a physically and emotionally draining game
• Rutgers likes to beat Penn State
• Rutgers is playing well and will likely have a full house in a band box gymnasium

Possible pluses:

• It’s the second game after losing a critical piece, and the first-game-after adrenaline might be gone
• Mike hasn’t had two sub-par games in a row this season, I don’t think, and he remained engaged even though he wasn’t getting it done yesterday.

Etc.

]

If I recall correctly, PSU played in a bandbox too. It would still meet their needs as the new arena is way too big for them. 0__0

csense
2
1h
Rutgers best not be fooled by their Nebraska result. The Geo Baker loss is a significant 2-3 pt hit for them. Key injuries can take a game or two to trickle into the results. Baker had the highest court time for them and as other player’s minutes and usage ticks up so will inefficiency. A high-volume/low eFG chucker named Jacob Young will be getting the biggest minutes up-tick from this and if I’m Pat I challenge him to beat me. Mike has another tough matchup with Myles Johnson, he’s been very, very good but he’s no Garza.

I suspect Rutgers will be slight favorite, should be closer to a pick 'em with Baker out IMO. That being said, this is easily their best team in the past 45 years, they will be bringing it.

I think a lack of knowledge of the opposing team is evident here. The same goes for us at times when judging opponents. :Surprised:

 

[rufeelinit]

They played in Rec Hall before moving to BJC. I think there is a swim facility connected to the gym. I believe the wrestling team regularly sells out Rec Hall for its matches and holds their biggest matches in BJC.

 

[Local Shill]

The "best team in 45 years" is clearly a smart-ass, ignorant dig but so what with the other stuff?

Beating them will be the best way to shut the cult up.

 

[NewJerseyHawk]

I wouldn't worry about this stuff....if they have BTN in Pennsylvania, it will be spun that the positive RU comments will be an extension of this phantom theory that the B1G is out to get them.

It's been at least 15 years this notion has been started that the refs are in cahoots with the B1G commish to make calls against PSU. While a couple of calls were legitimately Bush league in football, if you start seeing comments about it from the Cult, it will be about that.

 

[RUHouston]

The "best team in 45 years" is clearly a smart-ass, ignorant dig but so what with the other stuff?

Beating them will be the best way to shut the cult up.

I feel like getting banned on their site....because I'm going to post the '89 A-10 Championship game there!

EDIT....I posted it under "NotWhoYouThink" ...They actually make you check a box that you attended/graduated from there....that was painful to check :WideSmile:

 

[tjb]

They actually make you check a box that you attended/graduated from there....that was painful to check :WideSmile:

Welcome aboard. It’s my site, I’m a former UX designer and yet I didn’t realize that that question would be thought of as a “gate” - I was just interested in the answers! You can go back and check “no”. All are welcome.

The "best team in 45 years" is clearly a smart-ass, ignorant dig but so what with the other stuff?

Perspective is interesting. The poster is bit of a classic central PA “philosopher” (or “Jamoke”, in the local vernacular), but I would think saying Rutgers had its best team in 45 years was a compliment to the current Rutgers team!

Looking forward to the game.

 

[cubuffsdoug]

Welcome aboard. It’s my site, I’m a former UX designer and yet I didn’t realize that that question would be thought of as a “gate” - I was just interested in the answers! You can go back and check “no”. All are welcome.




Perspective is interesting. The poster is bit of a classic central PA “philosopher” (or “Jamoke”, in the local vernacular), but I would think saying Rutgers had its best team in 45 years was a compliment to the current Rutgers team!

Looking forward to the game.

The comment makes it seem as if Rutgers has been sh*t in between those years. How dare PSU look down on Rutgers basketball. It's a classic case of pot meets kettle.

 

[Local Shill]

Welcome aboard. It’s my site, I’m a former UX designer and yet I didn’t realize that that question would be thought of as a “gate” - I was just interested in the answers! You can go back and check “no”. All are welcome.




Perspective is interesting. The poster is bit of a classic central PA “philosopher” (or “Jamoke”, in the local vernacular), but I would think saying Rutgers had its best team in 45 years was a compliment to the current Rutgers team!

Looking forward to the game.

I don't expect the guy to research the history of Rutgers basketball but I still found it to be a troll like comment. Not unexpected though.

 

[RUHouston]

Welcome aboard. It’s my site, I’m a former UX designer and yet I didn’t realize that that question would be thought of as a “gate” - I was just interested in the answers! You can go back and check “no”. All are welcome.

Thanks for being a good sport!

 

[MrsScrew]

FPS

 

[Degaz-RU]

If I recall correctly, PSU played in a bandbox too. It would still meet their needs as the new arena is way too big for them. 0__0



I think a lack of knowledge of the opposing team is evident here. The same goes for us at times when judging opponents. :Surprised:

The 45-year comment was definitely a dig, but I actually agree with the comment about the "lag" that often occurs when a key player is injured. I also agree that Baker's absence will be felt more against PSU than an awful Nebraska team that couldn't shoot the ball in the ocean from the beach.

This was already going to be a difficult game, but the absence of Baker takes away a key player for us. Can we expect McConnell, Young, and Mulcahy to maintain their level of play? I don't know, but Harper needs to bring it for more than half of the game, and Mathis needs to wake up from his slump. Both need to score, as PSU averages 81 ppg and we need guys scoring all over the roster.

 

[goru7]

The 45-year comment was definitely a dig, but I actually agree with the comment about the "lag" that often occurs when a key player is injured. I also agree that Baker's absence will be felt more against PSU than an awful Nebraska team that couldn't shoot the ball in the ocean from the beach.

This was already going to be a difficult game, but the absence of Baker takes away a key player for us. Can we expect McConnell, Young, and Mulcahy to maintain their level of play? I don't know, but Harper needs to bring it for more than half of the game, and Mathis needs to wake up from his slump. Both need to score, as PSU averages 81 ppg and we need guys scoring all over the roster.

One key to winning is our “Lock down “ defense . We cannot give up close to 81 and need to keep them to about 65-70. Agreed Caleb is not going to be shooting 100% again , but think Geo’s absence will be felt bringing the ball up when we get ball pressure, as we can always use another ball handler. Until last year’s home game where he went 1-10 against Penn State in that nail biter at the end, he has played well and scored well against them especially on the road . With that said , I really like what Caleb , Jacob, and Paul are doing the last few games, especially Jacob settling down and at least partially looking to pass first instead of shoot first . Let’s hope that continues. We stay out of foul trouble , we have a good chance to protect our home court RAC advantage.

 

[yellowlot]

Myles out of foul trouble....huge.

 

[Degaz-RU]

One key to winning is our “Lock down “ defense . We cannot give up close to 81 and need to keep them to about 65-70. Agreed Caleb is not going to be shooting 100% again , but think Geo’s absence will be felt bringing the ball up when we get ball pressure, as we can always use another ball handler. Until last year’s home game where he went 1-10 against Penn State in that nail biter at the end, he has played well and scored well against them especially on the road . With that said , I really like what Caleb , Jacob, and Paul are doing the last few games, especially Jacob settling down and at least partially looking to pass first instead of shoot first . Let’s hope that continues. We stay out of foul trouble , we have a good chance to protect our home court RAC advantage.

I agree about our defense. This game is really going to show whether our highly-rated (by KenPom) defense is for real, or just a function of a poor schedule. We're only currently giving up 59 ppg, while PSU is scoring 81 ppg. That's strength against strength, so it should be an interesting matchup.

 

[RU516]

RU opens -1.5, total 140.5

 

[Russ Wood]

They actually make you check a box that you attended/graduated from there....that was painful to check :WideSmile:

More proof that their fanbase is a friggin cult with people so mentally soft that they cannot engage with people who haven't drank their special kool-aid.

The 45-year comment was definitely a dig, but I actually agree with the comment about the "lag" that often occurs when a key player is injured. I also agree that Baker's absence will be felt more against PSU than an awful Nebraska team that couldn't shoot the ball in the ocean from the beach.

This was already going to be a difficult game, but the absence of Baker takes away a key player for us. Can we expect McConnell, Young, and Mulcahy to maintain their level of play? I don't know, but Harper needs to bring it for more than half of the game, and Mathis needs to wake up from his slump. Both need to score, as PSU averages 81 ppg and we need guys scoring all over the roster.

So, best team in how many years? 14?

 

[Erial_Lion]

More proof that their fanbase is a friggin cult with people so mentally soft that they cannot engage with people who haven't drank their special kool-aid.

https://rutgers.forums.rivals.com/t...re-saying-about-the-game.185681/#post-4295742

 

[Russ Wood]

https://rutgers.forums.rivals.com/t...re-saying-about-the-game.185681/#post-4295742

Fan base is still a cult with racist fans who do things like write to a kid about not liking his dreads and asking him to change his hairstyle.

Those night white out football games look like a Klan rally in the mountains. JoePa knew children...CHILDREN...were being raped in his stadium and did the absolute bare minimum to try and stop it yet they worship the man.

 

[toby83]

 

[MV9000]

Big Russ fan, but an even bigger Russ fan now.

 

[RU MAN]

I feel like getting banned on their site....because I'm going to post the '89 A-10 Championship game there!

EDIT....I posted it under "NotWhoYouThink" ...They actually make you check a box that you attended/graduated from there....that was painful to check :WideSmile:

What a great memory. Bob Wenzel was in his first year. The year before we were 7-22 and then we go dancing the next year beating PSU in the A-10 final. Sweet.

 

[Erial_Lion]

Fan base is still a cult with racist fans who do things like write to a kid about not liking his dreads and asking him to change his hairstyle.

Those night white out football games look like a Klan rally in the mountains.

Surprised that someone that works for Rivals would be posting that kind of crap.

As I posted on a PSU forum last week...

I’ll also say the same thing about meeting visiting players, coaches, and fans. They are mostly just like us, they simply wear different colors and go to/went to/play for a different school.

https://bwi.forums.rivals.com/threa...rom-attending-bowl-games.257062/#post-4585570

Tim even explained why he asked for someone's tie to PSU when they signed up on his forum. Though I've never talked to him or met him, Tim seems like a pretty stand-up guy.

But it probably doesn't matter, since I assume that you'll keep believing that Rutgers fans (or players, or coaches) are that much different than PSU fans/coaches/players.

 

[tjb]

I don't expect the guy to research the history of Rutgers basketball but I still found it to be a troll like comment. Not unexpected though.

Trust me, this jamoke is not subtle or sophisticated enough to be trolling. He's kind of an unapologetic jerk.

People who accuse him of being a troll (and it happens a lot on the site you are quoting from) overestimate his social skills.

He fancies himself a numbers guru who runs some kind of ersatz gambling-tip-service that is based on his own proprietary analytics system.

He was just trying to make the point that this is not what a typical Penn State basketball fan (read: completely clueless) might think about when they think about a Rutgers team, while also touting his own superlative (in his mind) analytic system.

Believe me, people who follow Penn State basketball are as expert in being disrespected in the rare years when the team is good as any power 5 school's fan base can be.

I'd say we invented being overlooked, but I'm afraid that might be misinterpreted as some sort of slam on your own fan base and its own claim to that innovation! :)

 

[tjb]

Not to stir anything up more, but I want to be sure to show that my intent is not disrespect either.

It's possible that a team that is very competitive in the '19-20 Big Ten is *not* better than a late 80's A10 champion, but someone that disagrees might be expressing more a difference of opinion than dissing the program.

I can tell you that when Penn State fans are discussing whether it has its best team in forever, the 1991 A10 champs do not come up in the conversation. A beloved team but just seen as a different animal.

 

[Local Shill]

Trust me, this jamoke is not subtle or sophisticated enough to be trolling. He's kind of an unapologetic jerk.

People who accuse him of being a troll (and it happens a lot on the site you are quoting from) overestimate his social skills.

He fancies himself a numbers guru who runs some kind of ersatz gambling-tip-service that is based on his own proprietary analytics system.

He was just trying to make the point that this is not what a typical Penn State basketball fan (read: completely clueless) might think about when they think about a Rutgers team, while also touting his own superlative (in his mind) analytic system.

Believe me, people who follow Penn State basketball are as expert in being disrespected in the rare years when the team is good as any power 5 school's fan base can be.

I'd say we invented being overlooked, but I'm afraid that might be misinterpreted as some sort of slam on your own fan base and its own claim to that innovation! :)

Fair enough. This years team has a long way until it should be considered better than the 79, 83 or 91 teams. Not a hell of a lot to choose from since 76, I know.

 

[Russ Wood]

Surprised that someone that works for Rivals would be posting that kind of crap.

As I posted on a PSU forum last week...

I’ll also say the same thing about meeting visiting players, coaches, and fans. They are mostly just like us, they simply wear different colors and go to/went to/play for a different school.

https://bwi.forums.rivals.com/threa...rom-attending-bowl-games.257062/#post-4585570

Tim even explained why he asked for someone's tie to PSU when they signed up on his forum. Though I've never talked to him or met him, Tim seems like a pretty stand-up guy.

But it probably doesn't matter, since I assume that you'll keep believing that Rutgers fans (or players, or coaches) are that much different than PSU fans/coaches/players.

Why? Am I not entitled to my own opinion?

Do you disagree that the Penn State fan base has racist fans who do things like write to a kid about not liking his dreads and asking him to change his hairstyle? Because, that actually happened.

You and I might disagree that the fan base is cult-like but that is what is great about America. We can agree to disagree. However, I know of Penn State sites that will perma-ban you if you dare to speak the truth of what Sandusky did and how little JoePa did to stop it.

Yes, those night white out football games do look like a Klan rally in the mountains to me. All the fans need is to wear hoods.

If Rutgers fans, or any school's fans for that matter (or players, or coaches or administrators) turn a blind eye to the sexual abuse of children over a 15-year period I will be right there to say that those fans/players/coaches/administrators are the same as the PSU fans/players/coaches/administrators. After all, that would be accurate would it not?

 

[RUtrumpet92]

I've been a fan long enough to not look far ahead this season. Great start with some very impressive wins that won't mean much if we don't continue to pick up wins. But it is nice to have confidence in our program's future for the first time since... I don't even know when!

I think we can win at least five of the next seven if we keep bringing it on defense and play team ball on offense. That includes tomorrow night, even without Geo.

 

[Erial_Lion]

Why? Am I not entitled to my own opinion?

Do you disagree that the Penn State fan base has racist fans who do things like write to a kid about not liking his dreads and asking him to change his hairstyle? Because, that actually happened.

You and I might disagree that the fan base is cult-like but that is what is great about America. We can agree to disagree. However, I know of Penn State sites that will perma-ban you if you dare to speak the truth of what Sandusky did and how little JoePa did to stop it.

Yes, those night white out football games do look like a Klan rally in the mountains to me. All the fans need is to wear hoods.

Of course Penn State has racist fans...all fanbases have racist fans. And the one racist fan that wrote a ridiculous letter this fall to Jonathan Sutherland this fall was rightly ridiculed for it from fans, players, and coach Franklin. To somehow insinuate that Penn State is a cult because of this one fan's insulting letter is ridiculous.

Just like calling the whiteout a "Klan rally"...what about the whiteout makes it a Klan rally? Is it the color white itself? Do you automatically associate a white shirt with racism? Is it due to a lack of diversity in the crowd (or in central Pennsylvania), and assuming that this lack of diversity is somehow tied to racism?

 

[Rutgers83]

Fair enough. This years team has a long way until it should be considered better than the 79, 83 or 91 teams. Not a hell of a lot to choose from since 76, I know.

Going to game, was thinking just today that Myles Johnson could be our next Roy Hinson. Rebound and shot blocking machine.

 

[tjb]

I like to check out the campuses when I get to a Big 10 game there ... what's the best way to do that near the RAC?

I confess to being a bit confused about the three (?) campuses that are identified in the vicinity.

Is there one that is considered the main part, "the quad", etc., and that is walkable from the RAC parking areas?

I've been to a football game but by necessity it was in and out, and I didn't really get any bearings for Rutgers.

 

[Russ Wood]

Of course Penn State has racist fans...all fanbases have racist fans. And the one racist fan that wrote a ridiculous letter this fall to Jonathan Sutherland this fall was rightly ridiculed for it from fans, players, and coach Franklin. To somehow insinuate that Penn State is a cult because of this one fan's insulting letter is ridiculous.

Just like calling the whiteout a "Klan rally"...what about the whiteout makes it a Klan rally? Is it the color white itself? Do you automatically associate a white shirt with racism? Is it due to a lack of diversity in the crowd (or in central Pennsylvania), and assuming that this lack of diversity is somehow tied to racism?

The one racist fan that we know of thanks to that player going public on social media. But that is just one instance and not why I refer to the fanbase as a cult.

I used to live in Central Pennsylvania (Selinsgrove) never met a nice PSU fan. Wait, there was that one fan who told me that he'd always had bad experiences with negros, yes he used that word in 1980, but he quickly added the he thought I was "one of the good ones."

I didn't call the whiteout a Klan rally. What I said was that the night white out football games do look like a Klan rally in the mountains to me.

I know it's not a Klan rally, the people aren't wearing hoods, but the very first time I saw it my immediate thought was 'Wtf, that looks like a Klan rally." It still kinda looks like that to me but I realize that it's just PSU being PSU.

I don't know much about the diversity in the crowd at PSU games Other than the 1979 Sugar Bowl I've never watched a PSU game for more than a play or two. Obviously that wasn't played in the PSU stadium but I had money on Alabama so I had to watch.

I do not automatically associate a white shirt with racism. One of my most comfortable shirts is white.

I've never spoken with a PSU fan about Sandusky who owned what happened, said they were disgusted or ashamed. They either deflect by saying things like "other schools...," blame Louis Freeh, or just avoid the discussion altogether.

 

[czxqa]

Perspective is interesting. The poster is bit of a classic central PA “philosopher” (or “Jamoke”, in the local vernacular), but I would think saying Rutgers had its best team in 45 years was a compliment to the current Rutgers team!

Looking forward to the game.

That's the way I took it as well, but I know I'm in the minority. We're a hardened, cynical bunch. We're from New Jersey.

 

[Eagleton96]

I like to check out the campuses when I get to a Big 10 game there ... what's the best way to do that near the RAC?

I confess to being a bit confused about the three (?) campuses that are identified in the vicinity.

Is there one that is considered the main part, "the quad", etc., and that is walkable from the RAC parking areas?

I've been to a football game but by necessity it was in and out, and I didn't really get any bearings for Rutgers.

Think of the 4 New Brunswick campuses as 4 adjacent neighborhoods. One is the city center and the old school and quad (college Ave) two are suburban where the RAC and stadium are, and one sorta rural Cook). All the good stuff is on College Ave campus in New Brunswick and it’s a hopping small city. It’s a few miles walk from the RAC. Your best bet is to drive after the game downtown to New Brunswick. Park in the deck on Paterson st and walk up and down George street right around the deck. Or go to Easton ave which is more student divey. Old Queens and the main campus start at the corner of Easton ave and College ave.

 

[BigEastPhil]

Penn State is like your typical SEC school not named Kentucky. Fan base hardly cares about basketball. It’s all about football.

 

[czxqa]

I like to check out the campuses when I get to a Big 10 game there ... what's the best way to do that near the RAC?

I confess to being a bit confused about the three (?) campuses that are identified in the vicinity.

Is there one that is considered the main part, "the quad", etc., and that is walkable from the RAC parking areas?

I've been to a football game but by necessity it was in and out, and I didn't really get any bearings for Rutgers.

This post pinned to the Football board links a few threads with many suggestions for visitors. In case it's not there, New Brunswick has a great Lebanese expat community. Evelyn's on Easton Ave is an amazing restaurant with scratch made middle eastern food. I used to live across the street and ate there 3-4 times a week. Their gyros are the best I've ever had anywhere in the US, and the hummus is amazing as well.

https://rutgers.forums.rivals.com/threads/game-day-and-travel-advice-for-visiting-fans.101543/

 

[Westcoast]

For the record, I think this team has way more talent than our '91 team. Recall that in 91 we got swept by freaking Duquesne. And had to go to overtime to beat St Joes and then lost to them (as the #8 seed) in the A-10 tourney.

Hughes, Duncan and Dabbs were solid. Carter was serviceable. Savage flunked out the year before. Mike Jones was not bad. But Carter and Jones were both offensively challenged. Myles is lights years ahead of Dabbs. And we had zero depth in 91. This years team has 7 different guys who can lead in scoring. Our defense and rebounding are on another planet compared to 91. We depended totally on Hughes and Duncan in 91. Now we don't have to depend on anyone any given night.

 

[Agoodnap]

The one racist fan that we know of thanks to that player going public on social media. But that is just one instance and not why I refer to the fanbase as a cult.

I used to live in Central Pennsylvania (Selinsgrove) never met a nice PSU fan. Wait, there was that one fan who told me that he'd always had bad experiences with negros, yes he used that word in 1980, but he quickly added the he thought I was "one of the good ones."

I didn't call the whiteout a Klan rally. What I said was that the night white out football games do look like a Klan rally in the mountains to me.

I know it's not a Klan rally, the people aren't wearing hoods, but the very first time I saw it my immediate thought was 'Wtf, that looks like a Klan rally." It still kinda looks like that to me but I realize that it's just PSU being PSU.

I don't know much about the diversity in the crowd at PSU games Other than the 1979 Sugar Bowl I've never watched a PSU game for more than a play or two. Obviously that wasn't played in the PSU stadium but I had money on Alabama so I had to watch.

I do not automatically associate a white shirt with racism. One of my most comfortable shirts is white.

I've never spoken with a PSU fan about Sandusky who owned what happened, said they were disgusted or ashamed. They either deflect by saying things like "other schools...," blame Louis Freeh, or just avoid the discussion altogether.

You sound like every RACIST I've ever met. Hating on a group and spreading lies. So tell us, why do you hate white people that you've never met?

 

[ImBadRU]

I'm a professor at Penn State. Russ is correct. There are many racist PSU fans. A bunch cannot stand Franklin....because he ain't white.

 

[dkostus]

You sound like every RACIST I've ever met. Hating on a group and spreading lies. So tell us, why do you hate white people that you've never met?

There's always a couple white dudes that pull this sh*t out.

 

[dvb91]

For the record, I think this team has way more talent than our '91 team. Recall that in 91 we got swept by freaking Duquesne. And had to go to overtime to beat St Joes and then lost to them (as the #8 seed) in the A-10 tourney.

Hughes, Duncan and Dabbs were solid. Carter was serviceable. Savage flunked out the year before. Mike Jones was not bad. But Carter and Jones were both offensively challenged. Myles is lights years ahead of Dabbs. And we had zero depth in 91. This years team has 7 different guys who can lead in scoring. Our defense and rebounding are on another planet compared to 91. We depended totally on Hughes and Duncan in 91. Now we don't have to depend on anyone any given night.

Agree with above. TBH, this year's team plays more together and doesn't rely on it's stars. Interestingly, if I had to choose a starting group between the 2 teams, only Hughes would make it from 91. A bit of a shame that Hughes didn't impose himself in games more, like how Myles is currently doing.