Why Wisconsin Game is so important....

[BigEastPhil]

Having seen Wisconsin play several times this year, I feel we are better than Wisconsin and should win this game. Myles Johnson and RHJ are the keys as Wisconsin has no inside game and Myles and RHJ need to be the key guys inside for us and dominate inside.

Now why this game is so important:

1. Progress means winning the games we are expected to win. This is a game that fits this criteria and for confidence purposes heading into B1G 10 play and for the Seton Hall game, this game is a Must!

2. The game on Saturday vs Seton Hall will be bedlam but to have a win behind us against Wisconsin, there will extra "umph" with our kids feeling confident and our crowd going nuts rather than there being some doubt and/or lack of confidence.

We have to take of business on Wednesday vs Wisconsin and we will!

 

[Russ Wood]

3. It is the next game Rutgers plays.

 

[NewJerseyHawk]

The moment this game ends it will be forgotten in either direction based on the Seton Hall game.

If RU wins and doesn't follow up with another W, fans will complain more. If they lose and they beat Seton Hall, fans will find another reason to complain about lost opportunities before that game.

My guess is the 1st 9 games of 2020 will carry the most weight of the season.

@Nebraska
Penn State
@ Illinois
Indiana
Minnesota
@Iowa
Nebraska
Purdue
Michigan (MSG)

I don't know if any of these games will be considered as important by the fans, but it's the teeth of the B1G schedule and we leave the tri State area for 3 of the 9 games. RU fans can impact all 6 games and make the difference between a winning and impactful year, or an ordinary one.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

This game is VERY important. Computers say games are independent of each other. I disagree. I don't want to see a snowball. We dont want more people to lose confidence or think they need to do too much.

If we can't beat a bottom half team at home I can't see finishing above 5-15 would have that high of a probability.

Thank goodness for NW, Min and Neb.

 

[knights1212]

We need to win as we don't want to start 0-2 in conference and we certainly can use a positive before the Seton Hall game. We must defend our home court.

 

[Proud NJ Sports Fan]

It's vital for the team and fan base's perception of the program

HUGE game for Rutgers.

 

[Local Shill]

The moment this game ends it will be forgotten in either direction based on the Seton Hall game.

If RU wins and doesn't follow up with another W, fans will complain more. If they lose and they beat Seton Hall, fans will find another reason to complain about lost opportunities before that game.

My guess is the 1st 9 games of 2020 will carry the most weight of the season.

@Nebraska
Penn State
@ Illinois
Indiana
Minnesota
@Iowa
Nebraska
Purdue
Michigan (MSG)

I don't know if any of these games will be considered as important by the fans, but it's the teeth of the B1G schedule and we leave the tri State area for 3 of the 9 games. RU fans can impact all 6 games and make the difference between a winning and impactful year, or an ordinary one.

Being a contrarian for the sake of being a contrarian. We've already lost the only two "toss-up" games we've had. It'll be a very ominous sign to lose a third. No matter how many words you write trying to dismiss it, Wednesday's game is absolutely massive.

 

[RocktheRac]

I was at the Hillsborough Deli this morning and overheard Doreen talking to Claire about massive and cheese. Must have read your post Shill. I am thinking they were referring to Wisconsin but who knows. Anyway try the nut roll over there. None better.

 

[kcg88]

Very worried about Myles having to guard Reuvers on the perimeter and getting in more foul trouble.

 

[bac2therac]

Must win period

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

Very worried about Myles having to guard Reuvers on the perimeter and getting in more foul trouble.

Harper or Yeboah

 

[Proud NJ Sports Fan]

Wisky plays smart ball

 

[RUTrack94]

Need to win the home games in the B1G

 

[Local Shill]

Must win period

Especially against a team projected to finish in the mid to bottom tier of the conference.

 

[ScarletKid2008]

Pivotal game for the momentum of the season! Very excited for it and a win here will get everyone much more jacked up for the SHU game, which is important because we'll need the team and fans to be juiced up to pull that one off.

Time to man up boys, come out with your "A" games, and get the result we need ---W !

 

[MCKnight2004]

Huge Swing game here. Win and momentum could carry us into a big upset win over SHU and two more winnable games to close out December so a possible record of 10-3 heading into January with winnable B1G games to start the new year.... all would be right with the fan base jumping on board in our quest for a winning season and post season birth

Lose and it’s more doom and gloom heading into SHU and worrying about Pike and the teams future

 

[NewJerseyHawk]

This game is VERY important. Computers say games are independent of each other. I disagree. I don't want to see a snowball. We dont want more people to lose confidence or think they need to do too much.

If we can't beat a bottom half team at home I can't see finishing above 5-15 would have that high of a probability.

Thank goodness for NW, Min and Neb.

Since when is Wisconsin a bottom half B1G team....??

 

[NewJerseyHawk]

Especially against a team projected to finish in the mid to bottom tier of the conference.

I don't know what the team order will ultimately be, I can see reasons why Wisconsin will be in the NCAAS for the 19th year out of the last 20 years and I can also see real reasons why people don't think Wisconsin is an NCAA team.

I think the "middle" of the B1G is separated by a very small margin this season.

Michigan State, Maryland, Ohio State, Michigan and Purdue are clearly in the Top 5 of the league....I could see someone pushing for Indiana early as being the 6th team, I'm not there yet on Indiana.

Penn State, Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana and Rutgers (to me) make up the middle of the groupings from 6th to 11th.

Minnesota Nebraska and Northwestern are all capable of winning at home against anyone in the middle group, but I can't see them winning more than 2 road games against the middle group.

The question isn't whether RU is in the middle group, it's what will it take to stay ahead of Minnesota NW and Nebraska, while closing the gaps on Iowa, Penn State and perhaps Wisconsin/Illinois.

I also am not sure Penn State remains in that middle group once Stevens and Watkins graduate, so they could be back in the bottom 4 next year.

I just don't think any problems are automatically solved by winning 1 game....the larger issue to me is getting to a point where the RAC becomes a true pit....and where we can start chalking up 6 B1G wins at home because of the crowd being a factor in these swing games like Wisconsin, Penn State, Illinois, Indiana at home. Do I think RU gets every swing game at home as a win??....Unlikely but tomorrow is a big start towards that happening.

 

[YoucancallmeRay]

This is the one game in this four game stretch that I predicted a win. However, if we lose it isn't cause to go off the deep end. I think the team is still a work in progress and it may take a few more games until Pike and the team know their roles and they start jelling. I'm confident that'll happen. For some perspective, last year after 9 games we were 5-4 and 0-2 in the B10, and still had a good year in most people's estimation. Important game because it's home, but it's not a make or break for the entire season.

 

[Proud NJ Sports Fan]

What's the point spread?

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

Since when is Wisconsin a bottom half B1G team....??

It's a good debate and maybe I am premature. I think i agree with you when putting it on paper. Let's change that to CURRENT mid tier.

5 Givens

Ohio State
Purdue
Maryland
Michigan
Michigan State

4 Peers

Iowa
Illinois
Penn State
Indiana

4 Below
Rutgers
Minny
Nebby
NW

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

What's the point spread?

Rutgers -2

 

[LeapinLou]

Agree with those that say this is massive, critical, key, must, etc. RU has to hold serve at home against teams not in the top half of the league. The St. Bonnie and Pitt losses have put a monkey wrench in our plans to finish at or above .500. Need this game to maintain any semblance of hope.

 

[NewJerseyHawk]

Agree with those that say this is massive, critical, key, must, etc. RU has to hold serve at home against teams not in the top half of the league. The St. Bonnie and Pitt losses have put a monkey wrench in our plans to finish at or above .500. Need this game to maintain any semblance of hope.

I would rather have this game vs the other 2 losses if given a choice. While the winning season item is very real, winning a league game against a perennial NCAA program, goes much further.

 

[BigEastPhil]

Since when is Wisconsin a bottom half B1G team....??

They are this year. No Happ. No inside game. No lights out shooters. Can only play slow. No exceptional athlete. Haven’t yet proven they can win away from home.

There is no Frank Kaminsky, Sam Decker, Nigel Hayes, Brandon Koenig or Ethan Happ on this squad.

They’re a bottom half team with no shot at the dance.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

They are this year. No Happ. No inside game. No lights out shooters. Can only play slow. No exceptional athlete. Haven’t yet proven they can win away from home.

There is no Frank Kaminsky, Sam Decker, Nigel Hayes, Brandon Koenig or Ethan Happ on this squad.

They’re a bottom half team with no shot at the dance.

way way way way way too early.

50/50 they dance.

they have shot it bad, but last year full season says they are a better than average shooting teaM

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

Last year from 3
35.9% (95th ) for 31.5% (34th) against

This year from 3
30.7% (247th) for 36.0% (282nd) against

Either the entire year last year was a fluke OR Wisconsin is way below what they normally are.

Get them to 17-14 11-9 and they will be square on the bubble.

It is VERY possible tomorrow's game could ultimately dictate their NCAA fate.

Nebraska (2) Minnesota (2) Northwetsrn (1) Rutgers (2)....6-1 IN THOSE 7 and it will be tough not to get to 11 since they already put a beat down on Indiana

 

[BigEastPhil]

way way way way way too early.

50/50 they dance.

they have shot it bad, but last year full season says they are a better than average shooting teaM

Do you agree with me now? Lol. Just busting on ya. Lol. Wisconsin is not good. See my post below and several above.

 

[BigEastPhil]

I don't know what the team order will ultimately be, I can see reasons why Wisconsin will be in the NCAAS for the 19th year out of the last 20 years and I can also see real reasons why people don't think Wisconsin is an NCAA team.

I think the "middle" of the B1G is separated by a very small margin this season.

Michigan State, Maryland, Ohio State, Michigan and Purdue are clearly in the Top 5 of the league....I could see someone pushing for Indiana early as being the 6th team, I'm not there yet on Indiana.

Penn State, Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana and Rutgers (to me) make up the middle of the groupings from 6th to 11th.

Minnesota Nebraska and Northwestern are all capable of winning at home against anyone in the middle group, but I can't see them winning more than 2 road games against the middle group.

The question isn't whether RU is in the middle group, it's what will it take to stay ahead of Minnesota NW and Nebraska, while closing the gaps on Iowa, Penn State and perhaps Wisconsin/Illinois.

I also am not sure Penn State remains in that middle group once Stevens and Watkins graduate, so they could be back in the bottom 4 next year.

I just don't think any problems are automatically solved by winning 1 game....the larger issue to me is getting to a point where the RAC becomes a true pit....and where we can start chalking up 6 B1G wins at home because of the crowd being a factor in these swing games like Wisconsin, Penn State, Illinois, Indiana at home. Do I think RU gets every swing game at home as a win??....Unlikely but tomorrow is a big start towards that happening.

Wisconsin is nowhere near an ncaa team. Bottom tier team in big 10. No inside game. No leader. Can’t win away from home.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

Do you agree with me now? Lol. Just busting on ya. Lol. Wisconsin is not good. See my post below and several above.

use the S word tonight.

My eyeballs did not see a good team. Quite frankly we brought our B game, not B+, straight B

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

Wisconsin had 3 offensive rebounds....CREDIT RUTGERS, but..........

that is pathetic