Caleb And His Old School Throwback Midrange Game...

[DirtyRU]

... and to a lesser extent, his old school runners in the paint, but really, his sweet midrange stroke, is so enjoyable to watch. So pure and old school. He's not much of a dunker, and he doesn't take a sh#t ton of threes, nor does he wow anyone with insane ball-handling. He is everything that college and NBA basketball is NOT right now. And it's fun to watch when he hits those 15-18 footers. Or a runner in the paint. Just not a common thing anymore in all levels of basketball. Love it.

 

[MLBash93]

Like his game, but he needs to move back to the bench for Geo. I am not saying this because Geo had 25 last night. But his size complements youngs quickness. When Geo and Young are both off the bench we dont have a guard that can penetrate in the starting lineup

 

[RUSCFORMERLYRULOU]

Young Caleb and Carter need to come off the bench right now...Mulcahy can spot here and there but we need to shorten our rotations from here on out.

 

[RU-ROCS]

... and to a lesser extent, his old school runners in the paint, but really, his sweet midrange stroke, is so enjoyable to watch. So pure and old school. He's not much of a dunker, and he doesn't take a sh#t ton of threes, nor does he wow anyone with insane ball-handling. He is everything that college and NBA basketball is NOT right now. And it's fun to watch when he hits those 15-18 footers. Or a runner in the paint. Just not a common thing anymore in all levels of basketball. Love it.

I agree. Caleb is fun to watch. He is very smooth with his shot. He also is a great rebounder. The part of his game he needs to improve the most to reach the next level is his ball-handling. But, that has gotten better over time, so it should continue to improve.

 

[JMORC2003]

Really like his game as well, but that type of game doesn’t get a lot of fan fare. Love his hustle, he always seems to be in the middle of the play. He almost grabbed his own rebound on a free throw, fun stuff

 

[MV9000]

Calebs mid range game is a thing of beauty. He has to be shooting insane % from 10-15 ft. So fluid and hes bigger than most.

Caleb + Geo on the floor at the same time is uber productive. I think we do need to shorten Pauls leash, his passing is great but his defense as of late has been poor and he is unwilling to shoot in most cases.

 

[RUSCFORMERLYRULOU]

Calebs mid range game is a thing of beauty. He has to be shooting insane % from 10-15 ft. So fluid and hes bigger than most.

Caleb + Geo on the floor at the same time is uber productive. I think we do need to shorten Pauls leash, his passing is great but his defense as of late has been poor and he is unwilling to shoot in most cases.

I know Paul will be great for us. But he’s hit a wall. Geo hit one too his first year. Rather him work his tAil off in practice and see if he can help us in the Big Ten tournament or the dance.

 

[MV9000]

I know Paul will be great for us. But he’s hit a wall. Geo hit one too his first year. Rather him work his tAil off in practice and see if he can help us in the Big Ten tournament or the dance.

Agreed. I think its a match up by match up basis for paul. Some teams he is very effective against and i love his minutes. But some games you can see hes lost on D and there is no O generating from him. Pull him in then. Not the case every game but has to be done at times.

 

[toby83]

the problem is he never gets to the line with his game

as a whole, no bueno being the #3 team in the country with % pts scored coming from 2 pointers and near last in 3 and free throw scoring %.

Point Distribution (% of total points)
3-Pointers: 22.3 339
2-Pointers: 60.6 3
Free Throws: 17.1 265

 

[ChrisNalwasky]

I always thought McConnell and Mathis are the most undervalued members of the team.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

5 OREB and a huge "volume" shot late in the game.

I think (I don't know) Caleb has the ability to take his offensive game to a higher level. I definitely think he has confidence issues holding him back. At times I wish he thinks he was Steph Curry and take more shots.

 

[Eagleton95.99]

He's only a sophomore. The time will come when Pike is calling late game plays for a clear-out for Mac to post up a smaller guard for that jumper.

 

[RW90]

Would love to see Mathis and Caleb getting more of Paul's minutes. While Paul has a bright future for us, we really need more on the offensive side to close this season out on a great note.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

He's only a sophomore. The time will come when Pike is calling late game plays for a clear-out for Mac to post up a smaller guard for that jumper.

I am talking minutes 1 thru 35. I think we would have close to a unanimous view on this board that Caleb is our best pure shooter.

 

[Eagleton95.99]

I always thought McConnell and Mathis are the most undervalued members of the team.

I've was shocked at how much a large chunk of this fanbase ran down Mathis in the off season, anointing Young sight unseen, and then on him again every time he struggles this season. He's been a key ingredient for this team and will win us many more games.

 

[RUJMM78]

I've was shocked at how much a large chunk of this fanbase ran down Mathis in the off season, anointing Young sight unseen, and then on him again every time he struggles this season. He's been a key ingredient for this team and will win us many more games.

Mathis isn't getting minutes at the end of games which I'm sure he isn't happy about.

 

[Eagleton95.99]

Mathis isn't getting minutes at the end of games which I'm sure he isn't happy about.

Thanks for helping to prove my point. He had 16 minutes vs. NW. But he had 30 against MD and 33 against Michigan. People seem to fixate on the flaws and not see the whole in a balanced light with Mathis.

 

[GoodOl'Rutgers]

I know Paul will be great for us. But he’s hit a wall. Geo hit one too his first year. Rather him work his tAil off in practice and see if he can help us in the Big Ten tournament or the dance.

While I dislike some of the attacks on PM I do see evidence to support this "wall" idea and it is something people talk about with freshmen. It would be interesting if this is something that could be measured in a performance center testing.

 

[MadRU]

He uses being a 6’7” guard to his advantage. Going up over smaller guards to get his shot. Would love to see us post him up more often.

 

[AshCatchEm]

Mathis isn't getting minutes at the end of games which I'm sure he isn't happy about.

Why? We won

 

[GoodOl'Rutgers]

Thanks for helping to prove my point. He 16 minutes vs. NW. But he had 30 against MD and 33 against Michigan. People seem to fixate on the flaws and not see the whole in a balance light with Mathis.

Early season Young was a bit of a ball hog, forcing shots and turning it over... Mathis has a couple of those this game... but Young has become more useful as the season progressed, imo. I like em both.

 

[Eagleton95.99]

Early season Young was a bit of a ball hog, forcing shots and turning it over... Mathis has a couple of those this game... but Young has become more useful as the season progressed, imo. I like em both.

Young has good games and bad games. Like Mathis does. Like Baker, McConnell, Harper, Johnson do. Pike is good at riding the hot hand. So if you don't see much of a player for a few games in a row, often that's all that's happening.

 

[KevH]

... and to a lesser extent, his old school runners in the paint, but really, his sweet midrange stroke, is so enjoyable to watch. So pure and old school. He's not much of a dunker, and he doesn't take a sh#t ton of threes, nor does he wow anyone with insane ball-handling. He is everything that college and NBA basketball is NOT right now. And it's fun to watch when he hits those 15-18 footers. Or a runner in the paint. Just not a common thing anymore in all levels of basketball. Love it.

I don't know if you've ever read "David and Goliath" by Malcolm Gladwell, but that's kinda the premise of that book. In order to slay the giant, go against the grain. Look at what everybody else is doing and do something different. It's what will be least expected and the opposition won't be ready for it.

 

[Scangg]

I've was shocked at how much a large chunk of this fanbase ran down Mathis in the off season, anointing Young sight unseen, and then on him again every time he struggles this season. He's been a key ingredient for this team and will win us many more games.

A large chunk of this fan base ran down Mathis in the off season? Lol huh? What? If you want to say Mathis wasn't as hyped as others I agree. Everyone knew we get tough D and physical play from Mathis. It's not as sexy to talk about or hype up. There was no large chunk of the fan base here that "ran down Mathis" whatever that means

 

[Eagleton95.99]

A large chunk of this fan base ran down Mathis in the off season? Lol huh? What? If you want to say Mathis wasn't as hyped as others I agree. Everyone knew we get tough D and physical play from Mathis. It's not as sexy to talk about or hype up. There was no large chunk of the fan base here that "ran down Mathis" whatever that means

I don't have stats. But that was my impression and I stand by it.

 

[RUSONIC]

Coach Pike has gotten us to this point by rotating guys he feels are going to get the job done. I have to laugh at all the coaches on this thread deciding who should start and who needs less and more time. I think I will let coach decide who plays and who doesn't and for how long. You know the guy who watches every practice and all the tape. Who scouted the other team and understands match ups.

 

[Caliknight]

There should be no prescribed minutes moving forward. Our guards all offer different things which is a huge advantage. Each game is all about match ups.

I would have Geo starting now though. It's time to ride him.

 

[Degaz-RU]

Every time Caleb has hit a mid-range jumper over the past month, me and my 14-year old son turn to each other and say "Mid-Range!!!"

You can check the NW game thread, but I dubbed him as Caleb "Mid-Range" McConnell.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

While I dislike some of the attacks on PM I do see evidence to support this "wall" idea and it is something people talk about with freshmen. It would be interesting if this is something that could be measured in a performance center testing.

I think it would be pretty easy. My garmin watch could give useful feedback and it is just a retail watch.

 

[GoodOl'Rutgers]

I think it would be pretty easy. My garmin watch could give useful feedback and it is just a retail watch.

What I am suggesting is that they should be evaluating players regularly. That thing next door is supposed to be a "performance center".. so how about applying some science? Could be as simple as you say.. just heart rate and blood pressure during some standard test as the year wears one. Should tell if anyone is wearing down... with performance measures during the test.

 

[JavaDunk18]

A lot of those mid-range jumpers come at a time when Rutgers O is struggling. Gets things back on track..a very valuable glue player that should play lots of minutes whether as starter or off the bench..

 

[RutgersChow]

I know Paul will be great for us. But he’s hit a wall. Geo hit one too his first year. Rather him work his tAil off in practice and see if he can help us in the Big Ten tournament or the dance.

There are no walls for 18 year olds who play16 minutes a game, and the only wall that Geo hit was the wall of players that began to focus on him.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

There are no walls for 18 year olds who play16 minutes a game, and the only wall that Geo hit was the wall of players that began to focus on him.

Disagree with this.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

The physical component is only part of the equation.

Last year at this time Paul was playing in local gyms for GSB without much to prove. In practice he didn't need to go 100% because he already had full respect of his fellow players and coaches.

Fast forward to today. He is flying and going to college classes. he is playing under a microscope. He is trying to impress his teammates in practice. He went from living at home to living on his own.

 

[MLBash93]

The physical component is only part of the equation.

Last year at this time Paul was playing in local gyms for GSB without much to prove. In practice he didn't need to go 100% because he already had full respect of his fellow players and coaches.

Fast forward to today. He is flying and going to college classes. he is playing under a microscope. He is trying to impress his teammates in practice. He went from living at home to living on his own.

This is an awful take. You can say this about every freshman in america, yes he is a freshman but this take is awful

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

This is an awful take. You can say this about every freshman in america, yes he is a freshman but this take is awful

I can say 100% it is a thing. I have witnessed this firsthand. It happens all over the country too.

 

[BillyC80]

The physical component is only part of the equation.

Last year at this time Paul was playing in local gyms for GSB without much to prove. In practice he didn't need to go 100% because he already had full respect of his fellow players and coaches.

Fast forward to today. He is flying and going to college classes. he is playing under a microscope. He is trying to impress his teammates in practice. He went from living at home to living on his own.

This encapsulates how we will continue to show exponential development of our guys each year. Pike has assembled a team that is talented and willing to give their all in practice and in games.

 

[Westcoast]

Thanks for helping to prove my point. He 16 minutes vs. NW. But he had 30 against MD and 33 against Michigan. People seem to fixate on the flaws and not see the whole in a balance light with Mathis.

I think Mathis will struggle as long as teams are clogging the lane. He can hit the three but its not his game. He wants to ( and should) go to the rim. When teams don't pack the paint Mathis can thrive.

Having some shooters will loosen things upm

 

[MadRU]

I think Mathis will struggle as long as teams are clogging the lane. He can hit the three but its not his game. He wants to ( and should) go to the rim. When teams don't pack the paint Mathis can thrive.

Having some shooters will loosen things upm

Montez just has to get better at identifying a good shot. He has gotten better but still has room for improvement. Like his 1 on 2 fast break resulting in an offensive foul. Like I said he has been better, and I do expect continued improvement in his decision making.

 

[Westcoast]

Disagree with this.

I can see a mental wall. But fatigue for a guy barely playing, with multiple days in between games. No, I don't see fatigue even entering the equation.