Who's getting excited for this season?

[seels2662]

Really started to look forward for this season. I stepped back from the football crap last night and realized that we HAVE the big name basketball coach we have been wanting forever and are looking for in football. I guess it was because of the Rice debacle and then concentrating my energy on football the last couple years, I never really looked at it that way. I think there's enough here to really have us turn a corner. 5 of the last 6 games are very winnable and if we just keep even remotely close to .500 we can make a run at at least the NIT.

 

[BKIn118]

Right there with you!

 

[RUPete]

We have to do well with the out of conference schedule. We have had too many wtf losses there for too many years. These losses can really torpedo a season before it gets going. I just want to see this team defend hard to start and impose its will on the other team. Even if our shots don't fall, I want to see RU's hands in the other guy's face at all times. No three fests like we saw vs. St. Peter's last year.

 

[Local Shill]

The award generally goes to the coach of a very highly ranked team, but if Eddie gets this group from 2-16 to the NIT, he should be a lock for national coach of the year.

 

[RutgersRaRa]

I always look forward to the new season. It's a chance to root for my team and hang out with the fellas a couple times per week. It's like pizza--when it's good, it's really good; when it's bad, it's still pretty good.

 

[njcanesfan]

I'm always excited! Especially since RU joined the B1G and get more TV Time. I think for obvious reasons.. (incoming class) I'm even more excited.

 

[RU-Choppin-Ohio]

I'm excited for the start of the real "Year 1" of the Jordan era. All but one are his players and the roster is almost full. I'm looking forward to lots of progress this year and our breakout next year.

I am also excited that the Jordan bashers are gone and I hope they stay gone.

 

[njcanesfan]

I'm excited for the start of the real "Year 1" of the Jordan era. All but one are his players and the roster is almost full. I'm looking forward to lots of progress this year and our breakout next year.

I am also excited that the Jordan bashers are gone and I hope they stay gone.

They're only gone cause it's the offseason. First loss of the year and it will be just like the football board.

 

[higgins3]

Looking forward to seeing a lot of players do better for themselves this year. Players like Foreman, Mike Williams, well heck, everyone. I just want to see the players win for themselves, their families, and the program. I hope they can experience a lot of winning and be proud to wear an R.

Players have great chemistry off the court. I think Foreman will draw a lot of doubles, so I am interested in seeing what he does when he gets to that point.

 

[RU-Choppin-Ohio]

They're only gone cause it's the offseason. First loss of the year and it will be just like the football board.

damn, So bac will be bac with the same MO....lol

 

[ruman]

Jordan skeptic here - have not been happy with the hire - but truly the past two season do not matter at this point.

Pretty clear Eddie is very safe this year - the goal needs to be better play this year (if not results) and .500 next year - these are reasonable expectations. I hope the team is more watchable - let's hope Sanders does that. The program needs to show a pulse this year - that's the goal.

And why no bashers? - you don't lose to St Peters in September or October

 

[higgins3]

Jordan skeptic here - have not been happy with the hire - but truly the past two season do not matter at this point.

Pretty clear Eddie is very safe this year - the goal needs to be better play this year (if not results) and .500 next year - these are reasonable expectations. I hope the team is more watchable - let's hope Sanders does that. The program needs to show a pulse this year - that's the goal.

And why no bashers? - you don't lose to St Peters in September or October

Very reasonable. I think next year with our guard play .500 has to be the goal.

 

[Plum Street]

Next year I will be excited . By March 2018 I think we will have a team we can be proud of . This season I think will be a stink fest . But they get to play the games and we will see .

 

[RU-Choppin-Ohio]

Very reasonable. I think next year with our guard play .500 has to be the goal.

I'm more of an optimist. At or approach .500 this year, that's only about 5 more wins. The key will be to pack the RAC and win at home with a loud crowd. With a few exceptions at the top, there is no reason we can not knock off some B1G teams at home. I think that's doable. Breakout year next year.

Home: Indiana, Nebraska, Purdue, Iowa, Illinois, OSU, PSU, MSU and Minnesota.

I think Nebraska, PSU and Minnesota are wins at home and we steal a few more.

 

[4theknights]

The third game @ St John's will be a great test for the young team. If we can just be on the bubble for a NIT berth ....that would make me really excited!! That would be progress and program making strides.

 

[PatrickRU92]

I just want to see progress--whether it translates into an appreciable improvement in w/l record or not.

 

[ruman]

Jordan skeptic here - have not been happy with the hire - but truly the past two season do not matter at this point.

Pretty clear Eddie is very safe this year - the goal needs to be better play this year (if not results) and .500 next year - these are reasonable expectations. I hope the team is more watchable - let's hope Sanders does that. The program needs to show a pulse this year - that's the goal.

I'm thinking 10-11 wins but I really want to reserve judgment until I see them against some decent competition since there are a lot of new parts. I wish they were opening against a real team.

We opened against a real time (GW) last year and it was a mess.
I'm fine with an easy start to the season - we have plenty of real teams to play all year

 

[scarletmaniac828]

I'm beyond exited for the season to start as I am every year!! Lets get it going!!!!!

 

[knights1212]

I'm very excited for the season to start. The team should be better. I am hoping we can surprise some teams and make a .500 record or better. That would be a nice improvement. we must work hard in the OOC and not have any losses that are shockers. We've seen too many of those in the past.

 

[WGLTAUD]

I cannnnnnot wait for this season to start.

 

[SirScarlet]

Really started to look forward for this season. I stepped back from the football crap last night and realized that we HAVE the big name basketball coach we have been wanting forever and are looking for in football. I guess it was because of the Rice debacle and then concentrating my energy on football the last couple years, I never really looked at it that way. I think there's enough here to really have us turn a corner. 5 of the last 6 games are very winnable and if we just keep even remotely close to .500 we can make a run at at least the NIT.

Who's looking forward to this season?? Me me me!!!

 

[RU-Choppin-Ohio]

Jordan skeptic here - have not been happy with the hire - but truly the past two season do not matter at this point.

Pretty clear Eddie is very safe this year - the goal needs to be better play this year (if not results) and .500 next year - these are reasonable expectations. I hope the team is more watchable - let's hope Sanders does that. The program needs to show a pulse this year - that's the goal.

We opened against a real time (GW) last year and it was a mess.
I'm fine with an easy start to the season - we have plenty of real teams to play all year

Agree.....let the new guys get their feet wet against a few stiffs.

 

[Good-Knight]

Can't wait to see what Sanders can do. One player can make a huge difference. I'm also expecting big things from Diallo. I'd really like to see 5 B1G wins.

 

[higgins3]

I'm more of an optimist. At or approach .500 this year, that's only about 5 more wins. The key will be to pack the RAC and win at home with a loud crowd. With a few exceptions at the top, there is no reason we can not knock off some B1G teams at home. I think that's doable. Breakout year next year.

Home: Indiana, Nebraska, Purdue, Iowa, Illinois, OSU, PSU, MSU and Minnesota.

I think Nebraska, PSU and Minnesota are wins at home and we steal a few more.

I agree, the number 9-14 spots are toss up games if we can play well. .500 this year would be awesome. Our shooting has got to step up.

 

[MGSA99]

We all know Newark was brought in so that we can officially break the losing streak.

Big risk here is that if we lose? Holy smokes the meltdown would be monumental.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

If we have guys going under screens and being allowed to stay on the court

We all know Newark was brought in so that we can officially break the losing streak.

Big risk here is that if we lose? Holy smokes the meltdown would be monumental.

Maybe on the message board, but not in the real world. It isn't about wins and losses.....YET

 

[Scarlet Shack]

I'm in

I think we will have a bumpy year with a lot of youth but will have some fun moments....

Hunch is we will be a better team in February and march than in mid November...and next year we finally see a major step up in the record and a NIT team

 

[Mr Magoo]

I am familiar with the Rutgers-Newark program. No knock against them, but there is a huge difference between D3 and D1 ball. I think there is almost zero chance we lose, but I certainly will have given up on Jordan if we do so.

 

[rutger80]

Looking forward to some improvement. Saw flashes last year at the Clemson game, but efforts like that were few and far between. I'd like to see an offense that has an idea of what it's strengths are and a defense that makes the opponent earn every basket, especially 3's. Youth will hurt this year, but the experience will be invaluable.

 

[ruman]

If we have guys going under screens and being allowed to stay on the court


Maybe on the message board, but not in the real world. It isn't about wins and losses.....YET

If you ever lose to Rutgers Newark - its about wins and losses. You've stated many times that the 60 point loss to Louisville hurt EJ a lot - I agree. Crazy results do matter. Run of the mill losses maybe not as much.

 

[rutgersron]

Can't wait to start. I believe we will be competitive which at least gives you an opportunity to win. Can't have any head scratching losses especially OOC. Plus I think we will be playing a fun style of basketball. A lot of athleticism on this team.

 

[seels2662]

This thread proves that there is added excitement this year I am glad I started this. There are a bunch of posters that I have never seen on the basketball boards before that posted. Welcome by the way :)

 

[RU-Choppin-Ohio]

[QUOTE="Greene Rice FIG, post: 852437, member: 2248"]If we have guys going under screens and being allowed to stay on the court


Maybe on the message board, but not in the real world. It isn't about wins and losses.....YET[/QUOTE]

FIG, I know you like seeing tough defense, but, I don't think there is only one way to play against a screen. Here's one of the best explanations I have seen.

Going over/under a screen refers to how a defender moves around the person setting the screen. 'Over' means that they move between the screener and the offensive player that has the ball. 'Under' means having the defender between the screener and the person with the ball. Typically you go 'under' a screen when the person with the ball is not a good jump shooter but a good driver & conversely for 'over' a screen.

A team like Rutgers last year probably went "under the screen" for a few reasons.

** The lack of a inside rim defender.

** The lack of depth on the front court. Going "under the screen" prevents drives towards your limited front court guys. Hopefully, we'll have 3 Centers to rotate in Lewis, Shaq and Diallo this year. 15 fouls to give.

This looks like what Rutgers did last year.

Hedge: The screener's defender stays attached or within arms length of his man. That man (usually a big) jumps out on the ball handler just long enough to slow him down, while the original on-ball defender slides under the screen and attempts to meet the ball handler before he can turn the corner into the key.

This site has about 9 ways to defend the Pick and Roll

http://www.sbnation.com/2014/4/18/5601402/nba-pick-and-roll-defense-playoffs-2014

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

it wasnt by design

 

[RUKeystone]

Just as I said last year, I think an overachieving successful season would be in the neighborhood of 14-15 wins. Anything better than that would be welcomed and surprising. This team is YOUNG and more often that not it just doesn't magically click within a few games. I am looking more towards next season as .500 or better year. *hopefully*

I can't help be excited however about the Sanders/Freeman combo. Seems like they are going to get plenty of minutes, could be something special for next year.

 

[knights1212]

13 days until the opener.

 

[bac2therac]

its all about improvement on the court from day 1 to the end of the season. The last decade including the last two has not seen that.

Record wise anything more than 12 wins and 4 Big 10 conference wins is a big achievement. Its going to be tough to win league games. RU is on a 16 game losing streak. The thoughts of finishing higher than 12th in this league are way too optimistic. Talent level is still behind every other school right now and RU is probably the youngest in the league as well. The only school with a downward trend right now is Nebraska so RU will have to cut the gap with the Penn States, Minnesotas, and Northwesterns

 

[TheRacRU]

Very excited. Wins would be nice, but I want to see effort, the young guns develop, and some excitement back at the RAC.

 

[RU-Choppin-Ohio]

it wasnt by design

So what was it?

Going under is an acceptable way to defend the pick and roll. There are about 8 other ways used by coaches at the highest level. If the defender going under did not work hard enough to close the gap that's a hustle issue.

 

[Scarlet_Scourge]

I can't wait!

I am hoping we can make some type of post season. NIT or another tournament.