Wow, Rutgers to 5-9 and all alone in 10th place in the standings deep into the season and notching just its 3rd road win ever in league and to a team other than Penn State. You know I felt that this two game road trip was important for perception growth. We had to go 1-1. Tonight was a must win to me because with 4 straight road games and alot of tough games to come, this team needed to be rewarded for playing so well even in this 4 game skid. RU needed to continue the good feels that they were getting and losing twice to Northwestern sort of derails that. RU now has a chance for more meaningful games as they jockey themselves in the standings and a can set the goal of staying out of the first round of the Big 10 tourney. But perhaps most importantly this game was just another leap forward because it gave the team another challenge and another litmus test on progression. This game was incredibly ugly and all of us in the game thread and probably all of you watching at home are so relieved to get this win. It was draining to watch but the thing is, it has to be that way. With so much youth learning to play and learning to execute and learning to make the plays to close out game, its not suppose to be pretty, we are not at that stage yet where we are developed enough to walk into a gym and win mistake free. Everything RU did tonight was hard fought and hard earned. This is another program building win.
The box score tells alot tonight. I thought RU played some outstanding defense until maybe a few desperate NW possession where they hit three treys. 44-30 on the board and 12-5 on the offensive boards...very very few NW 2nd chance points. RU defense got its mojo back tonight. I believe Pardon did not score in the 2nd half and may have only take one shot. Our bigs totally shut him down and I think its a key factor tonight, we even saw some unexpected double team. If someone was going to beat RU it was going to be from the outside and while Law and I think Turner got some late, it was a great decision by Pike and ultimately won the game given RU's struggles to build the lead. But lets go back to that 44-30...wow amazing...RU is so consistent at outboarding their opponents and its such an equalizer given the poor shooting and turnovers. The rebounding numbers show that everyone was involved...Eugene 7, Mathis 7, McConnell, 6, Geo 5, Doorson 5, Myles 4...TEAM EFFORT.
Also when you look at the offensive numbers...again TEAM EFFORT....RU had 8 players contributed in their own way today and each seemed very important at the time
Eugene...2 points, first half, had 9 in the second all in the last 8 minutes and hit the game sealing free throws with ice in his veins to put RU up 3. Gene also hit a monster 3 to give RU a 49-41 lead and that needed breathing space of seperation. Not generally a fan of him shooting those but golly who is to argue with that. I think it was the turning point of the game. Gene was struggling early, alot of turnovers and his shot just wasnt falling but his D was outstanding and he delivered like a leader should in crunch time
Geo....5-11..solid game, 5 assists, I like how Geo pushed the ball at times and took it to the rim. Should be doing it more. He hit a major shot to put RU 51-43 and lets not forget that pass for the Doorson dunk to put RU up 46-41. I have no complaints of Geo tonight and nor should anyone else.
Harper Jr....big part of the win tonight because he got aggressive at the right time. 7 points...needs to make more of those foul shots but he got that critical rebound of a Law miss, might have been better served to take the ball out instead of going to hoop but thats a teaching moment there. I thought Harper was solid overall tonight playing with 4 fouls and is not forcing things, guy is confident
Mathis really kept RU in the game early and then later in the 2nd half provide need offense. I like that Mathis wasnt the one shooting in the crucial possessions. He has a tendency to force things and like that we put the ball in others hands. I really think that Mathis and Geo being able to drive into the line paid off down the line for some shots that went into the paint for Geo/Shaq/Myles. Plus his defense continues to be strong
Myles...wow what a big shot. Big time for him to delivering...just 3 shots tonight made them all. Myles doesnt have to wow, he just has to answer when called. I love it that Pike trusts him in that position. He didnt hit the foul shot and was 0-3 but we can overlook that til later.
Caleb....another strong performance and playing through sickness...6 boards and drained a big time 3 during a flurry where RU took the lead at 39-38. Obviously limited in minutes by not being 100% still Caleb does not have to be the man everynight. For now its okay for him to fulfill a role that isnt going to be as big in some games as other games. He continues to deliver game after game and he grabbed that last rebound of the game as well.
Kiss...gave solid minutes but I wll say this, his beat play was the double technical on he and Law, it put Law on the bench with 3 and even though RU didnt take advantage of that the rest of the half, I believe Law sat in the first few minutes of the 2nd half. Kiss played his role tonight, cannot ask for more
Shaq Doorson...his made baskets thunderous. and the one from Geo to put RU 46-41 gave RU its biggest lead. Again Doorson is answering when being called on, giving his best. Strong defense in the paint on Pardon as well.
Carter/Thiam:...Carter played well vs NW first time without Eug but saw little time tonight and not his best, Thiam continues as the Invisible Man
Its frustrating for the fans and tough on your stomachs but folks we are watching this program develop right before our eyes. They will struggle mightily at times and then play brilliant but this team has developed a fight, a hunger, a toughness, a desire, all those cliches to win. There are so many mistakes, silly turnovers, missed free throws, hair pulling offensive possessions, bricked shots,wide open 3s given up that drives us all batshit crazy. Yet somehow this team sticks with it led by their brilliant coach and several times this year late has gutted out wins and that is what its about, its not about moral victories, its not about playing close, its not about good effort in losing, its not about Same ole Rutgers, its about winning and for the first time in years RU is not only playing but winning meaningful games in March and they are even doing it on the road.
Iowa up next and yes they are beatable. Hopefully the RAC will finally bring its juice that I think has been lacking somewhat.
The box score tells alot tonight. I thought RU played some outstanding defense until maybe a few desperate NW possession where they hit three treys. 44-30 on the board and 12-5 on the offensive boards...very very few NW 2nd chance points. RU defense got its mojo back tonight. I believe Pardon did not score in the 2nd half and may have only take one shot. Our bigs totally shut him down and I think its a key factor tonight, we even saw some unexpected double team. If someone was going to beat RU it was going to be from the outside and while Law and I think Turner got some late, it was a great decision by Pike and ultimately won the game given RU's struggles to build the lead. But lets go back to that 44-30...wow amazing...RU is so consistent at outboarding their opponents and its such an equalizer given the poor shooting and turnovers. The rebounding numbers show that everyone was involved...Eugene 7, Mathis 7, McConnell, 6, Geo 5, Doorson 5, Myles 4...TEAM EFFORT.
Also when you look at the offensive numbers...again TEAM EFFORT....RU had 8 players contributed in their own way today and each seemed very important at the time
Eugene...2 points, first half, had 9 in the second all in the last 8 minutes and hit the game sealing free throws with ice in his veins to put RU up 3. Gene also hit a monster 3 to give RU a 49-41 lead and that needed breathing space of seperation. Not generally a fan of him shooting those but golly who is to argue with that. I think it was the turning point of the game. Gene was struggling early, alot of turnovers and his shot just wasnt falling but his D was outstanding and he delivered like a leader should in crunch time
Geo....5-11..solid game, 5 assists, I like how Geo pushed the ball at times and took it to the rim. Should be doing it more. He hit a major shot to put RU 51-43 and lets not forget that pass for the Doorson dunk to put RU up 46-41. I have no complaints of Geo tonight and nor should anyone else.
Harper Jr....big part of the win tonight because he got aggressive at the right time. 7 points...needs to make more of those foul shots but he got that critical rebound of a Law miss, might have been better served to take the ball out instead of going to hoop but thats a teaching moment there. I thought Harper was solid overall tonight playing with 4 fouls and is not forcing things, guy is confident
Mathis really kept RU in the game early and then later in the 2nd half provide need offense. I like that Mathis wasnt the one shooting in the crucial possessions. He has a tendency to force things and like that we put the ball in others hands. I really think that Mathis and Geo being able to drive into the line paid off down the line for some shots that went into the paint for Geo/Shaq/Myles. Plus his defense continues to be strong
Myles...wow what a big shot. Big time for him to delivering...just 3 shots tonight made them all. Myles doesnt have to wow, he just has to answer when called. I love it that Pike trusts him in that position. He didnt hit the foul shot and was 0-3 but we can overlook that til later.
Caleb....another strong performance and playing through sickness...6 boards and drained a big time 3 during a flurry where RU took the lead at 39-38. Obviously limited in minutes by not being 100% still Caleb does not have to be the man everynight. For now its okay for him to fulfill a role that isnt going to be as big in some games as other games. He continues to deliver game after game and he grabbed that last rebound of the game as well.
Kiss...gave solid minutes but I wll say this, his beat play was the double technical on he and Law, it put Law on the bench with 3 and even though RU didnt take advantage of that the rest of the half, I believe Law sat in the first few minutes of the 2nd half. Kiss played his role tonight, cannot ask for more
Shaq Doorson...his made baskets thunderous. and the one from Geo to put RU 46-41 gave RU its biggest lead. Again Doorson is answering when being called on, giving his best. Strong defense in the paint on Pardon as well.
Carter/Thiam:...Carter played well vs NW first time without Eug but saw little time tonight and not his best, Thiam continues as the Invisible Man
Its frustrating for the fans and tough on your stomachs but folks we are watching this program develop right before our eyes. They will struggle mightily at times and then play brilliant but this team has developed a fight, a hunger, a toughness, a desire, all those cliches to win. There are so many mistakes, silly turnovers, missed free throws, hair pulling offensive possessions, bricked shots,wide open 3s given up that drives us all batshit crazy. Yet somehow this team sticks with it led by their brilliant coach and several times this year late has gutted out wins and that is what its about, its not about moral victories, its not about playing close, its not about good effort in losing, its not about Same ole Rutgers, its about winning and for the first time in years RU is not only playing but winning meaningful games in March and they are even doing it on the road.
Iowa up next and yes they are beatable. Hopefully the RAC will finally bring its juice that I think has been lacking somewhat.
