Could Be A Tough Matchup Thursday Night

[mildone_rivals]

Looking at the upcoming game, it could prove to be a tough game to win. Minnesota has been a bit of a split-personality this season (as have we).

MN has the following wins against decent or good teams:

• Boston College 85-80
• Iowa 102-95
• MSU 81-56
• OSU 77-60
• UM 75-57

But also has the following losses:

• Illinois 65-92
• Wisconsin 59-71
• Michigan 57-82
• Iowa 71-86
• MD 49-63
• Purdue 62-81 (in the last game)

The transitive property rule doesn't apply well in basketball. Teams match better with some teams, worse with others, despite current season records or whom each team has beaten or lost to in the current season.

Wins against Michigan, Iowa, and OSU show potential for MN to win games against really good opponents. But losses to Purdue and MD reveal inconsistent play.

We have yet to beat a really good team this season, although we've lost to a couple teams that aren't very good (PSU, MSU). We beat Purdue and only lost to Iowa by 2 points. But that's not as resume-boosting as them beating Michigan or OSU (although I think, had we avoided injury and some truly awful calls on Myles, we would've won the OSU game).

If we play with the intensity and focus of the first 10 minutes of the prior game, we can win. If we play the way we played the remaining first half and entire second half, we're likely to get beat badly.

 

[kcg88]

We have yet to beat a really good team this season

Illinois is #7 at KenPom

 

[mildone_rivals]

Illinois is #7 at KenPom

Right, I forgot about that game. That was a good win. Makes me wonder what might've happened if we didn't experience the injuries and foul troubles in the OSU game, where we were dominating early. Would we have had the 5 game losing streak, lots of which appeared more psychological (team confidence and chemistry).

Bardo, I think it was, mentioned, in the prior game, that we might've been believing our media and ranking hype and so the loss to OSU was more devastating than it should've been. I think that's probably at least somewhat true.

 

[RUKen]

Minnesota has demonstrated as of today they are incapable of winning on the road. For that matter play in a competitive manner

 

[ClassOf02v.2]

Minnesota is a very big game for us and our postseason hopes. Last night (not to mention the 5 game losing streak) should be all the evidence Pike & crew need to keep this team focused on a full 40 minute effort.

 

[Local Shill]

BC is terrible. That’s not really a quality win. Beating them avoided a bad loss.


Purdue is a good win for Rutgers. Their NET is 24.

 

[shields]

Johnson can't get 2 fouls in first 5 minutes playing their big guy.

 

[Local Shill]

We have to “show up” but we should win. They’re 0-5 on the road with all the losses by double figures. They’re the worst 3-point shooting team and the worst rebounding team in the Big Ten.
No excuses.

 

[RURM85]

All Big Ten games are tough. That being said, Minnesota is 0-5 on the road at Big Ten venues for what that's worth and none of the road games were close. - all lopsided double digit losses. Liam Robbins is good, competes hard on the boards and has a sweet 3 point shot for a big guy.

 

[Dpgru]

“Could”. Prove to be tough? Every BIG game is tough. Last night turned out to be a tough game. One at a time. Need high energy and high effort from here on out.

 

[richthedentist]

Minnesota is a very big game for us and our postseason hopes. Last night (not to mention the 5 game losing streak) should be all the evidence Pike & crew need to keep this team focused on a full 40 minute effort.

Every game is a big game for us!!

 

[CranfordKnight]

According to ESPN's BPI, we have a 71% chance of winning, making this the easiest Big Ten game to date. Not saying we are guaranteed a win, but maybe let's not overreact to every opponent. We have a good team that went through a bad stretch.

 

[Degaz-RU]

@ Illinois, lost 92-65
@ Wisconsin, lost 71-59
@ Michigan, lost 82-57
@ Iowa, lost 86-71
@ Purdue, lost 81-62

They lost to the top 4 teams in the B1G on the road, plus Purdue who’s probably the 6th best team, so it’s hard to say if they are a bad road team or just bad against top teams on the road.

But, being 0-5 on the road, and knowing how good we are at home, will probably get in their heads.

Make no mistake, this is a must win for us. Need to take care of business at home against a middle of the pack team.

 

[Scarlet Shack]

This is a must win for us

we must win the last four at the RAC!

 

[Yeah Baby]

Has anyone watched them? Looking at the scores it seems they either shoot well or they don’t. Do they live and die by the 3’s?

I haven’t watched them much at all and don’t know if they have any new players or what.I remember a couple of their players from the last 2 years. Solid players.

 

[Westcoast]

Has anyone watched them? Looking at the scores it seems they either shoot well or they don’t. Do they live and die by the 3’s?

I haven’t watched them much at all and don’t know if they have any new players or what.I remember a couple of their players from the last 2 years. Solid players.

We can't let them get off to s good start and build a lead. They did that in some of their road games.

 

[bac2therac]

Minnesota is a terrible road team , all 5 of their road losses have been by double digits

but they have the ability to jump up and beat any team in this league, already have

 

[GoodOl'Rutgers]

If we play with the intensity and focus of the first 10 minutes of the prior game, we can win. If we play the way we played the remaining first half and entire second half, we're likely to get beat badly.

Watching our recent game I commented on that.. the clapping.. the cheering.. the spirit shown. I think the losing streak was what made that possible. It was almost "too easy" early on. Then, in the losses, some strange officiating preventing any kind of rally.. broke our spirit, I think. The spirit is back. But that string of travel calls against us.. especially the one on Paul... so bogus.. that had the same signs of rising frustration.. then the Myles foul calls... but at least this time the refs made PROPER travel calls the other way in the second half.

I just wonder how long the coaches and bench and players can keep up the cheerleading. At some point they will likely feel... well.. like they are "acting".. that's a guess and I hope I am wrong.

What they need to do, imho, is to set an unthinkable goal.. no more losses.. PERIOD. Then cheer toward that goal. That's the reason to cheer.. to show spirit.

 

[Usbcbowler]

Looking at the upcoming game, it could prove to be a tough game to win. Minnesota has been a bit of a split-personality this season (as have we).

MN has the following wins against decent or good teams:

• Boston College 85-80
• Iowa 102-95
• MSU 81-56
• OSU 77-60
• UM 75-57

But also has the following losses:

• Illinois 65-92
• Wisconsin 59-71
• Michigan 57-82
• Iowa 71-86
• MD 49-63
• Purdue 62-81 (in the last game)

The transitive property rule doesn't apply well in basketball. Teams match better with some teams, worse with others, despite current season records or whom each team has beaten or lost to in the current season.

Wins against Michigan, Iowa, and OSU show potential for MN to win games against really good opponents. But losses to Purdue and MD reveal inconsistent play.

We have yet to beat a really good team this season, although we've lost to a couple teams that aren't very good (PSU, MSU). We beat Purdue and only lost to Iowa by 2 points. But that's not as resume-boosting as them beating Michigan or OSU (although I think, had we avoided injury and some truly awful calls on Myles, we would've won the OSU game).

If we play with the intensity and focus of the first 10 minutes of the prior game, we can win. If we play the way we played the remaining first half and entire second half, we're likely to get beat badly.

We played well first part of 2nd half but I get what your saying. Last few games we have come out of the gate strong. That needs to continue

 

[dconifer0]

Off topic, but I'm pretty happy for you guys. I haven't been around much (surely not noticed) because we are having a tough season in Terrapinland, not really enjoying basketball talk...

 

[Colbert17!]

I just wonder how long the coaches and bench and players can keep up the cheerleading. At some point they will likely feel... well.. like they are "acting".. that's a guess and I hope I am wrong.

I use to tell my teams that the only thing worse then no enthusiasm was fake enthusiasm.

 

[RUich]

They’re the worst 3-point shooting team and the worst rebounding team in the Big Ten.

Huge stat! Plus terrible on the road. If we play like we have the last few games, this one should be a W.

 

[RU_Travesty]

Im guessing it opens at RU -5

 

[RUJMM78]

Looking at the upcoming game, it could prove to be a tough game to win. Minnesota has been a bit of a split-personality this season (as have we).

MN has the following wins against decent or good teams:

• Boston College 85-80
• Iowa 102-95
• MSU 81-56
• OSU 77-60
• UM 75-57

But also has the following losses:

• Illinois 65-92
• Wisconsin 59-71
• Michigan 57-82
• Iowa 71-86
• MD 49-63
• Purdue 62-81 (in the last game)

The transitive property rule doesn't apply well in basketball. Teams match better with some teams, worse with others, despite current season records or whom each team has beaten or lost to in the current season.

Wins against Michigan, Iowa, and OSU show potential for MN to win games against really good opponents. But losses to Purdue and MD reveal inconsistent play.

We have yet to beat a really good team this season, although we've lost to a couple teams that aren't very good (PSU, MSU). We beat Purdue and only lost to Iowa by 2 points. But that's not as resume-boosting as them beating Michigan or OSU (although I think, had we avoided injury and some truly awful calls on Myles, we would've won the OSU game).

If we play with the intensity and focus of the first 10 minutes of the prior game, we can win. If we play the way we played the remaining first half and entire second half, we're likely to get beat badly.

I think defeating Illinois was a very good win .

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

Someone can shake me - I’m sure I’m just being silly superstitious but I hate that this is a nightcap. We looked like absolute garbage in both 9PM starts. Granted they were on the road.

 

[LeapinLou]

I'm starting to subscribe to the theory that since these games are being played in front of virtually no fans, that they should just play the games in the afternoon and then go ahead and broadcast them at 7 PM, 9 PM or whatever works for TV on tape delay. These guys are supposed to be students first and having college athletes play games at 9 PM local time on a "school night" is asinine.

 

[mildone_rivals]

I'm starting to subscribe to the theory that since these games are being played in front of virtually no fans, that they should just play the games in the afternoon and then go ahead and broadcast them at 7 PM, 9 PM or whatever works for TV on tape delay. These guys are supposed to be students first and having college athletes play games at 9 PM local time on a "school night" is asinine.

College kids don't even start drinking until after midnight. And they sleep until after noon. 9pm isn't late for them, school night or otherwise.

Well... maybe it was late for Myles 'cause E majors are different that way. They actually wake up before noon sometimes.

 

[LeapinLou]

College kids don't even start drinking until after midnight. And they sleep until after noon. 9pm isn't late for them, school night or otherwise.

Well... maybe it was late for Myles 'cause E majors are different that way. They actually wake up before noon sometimes.

That's a fair point. But shouldn't the people in charge of this stuff set a better example than that?

 

[DirtyRU]

So I watched some Minnesota and also checked out their roster. Some observations:

1. Jamal Mashburn's son, Mash, Jr. is on the team and plays a lot of minutes as a frosh. Loved his Dad at UK, fun player to watch.
2. Martice Mitchell is a frosh on the team. Does not play much yet, but if you follow RU Hoops recruiting, you know we were high on him, offered him, etc.
3. As discussed earlier this season, their junior FWD Jarvis Omersa decided to opt out the season due to COVID. Although not a huge threat, he has done some good things against us here and there the past couple of seasons and losing him was def. a blow to their length/height.
4. Kalscheur, their sharpshooter, has really been struggling. Can't let him get hot. As we've seen in the past, dude can flatout SHOOT the three.
5. Myles needs to really watch the fouls against Robbins, who often steps out for three. He doesn't then put the ball on the deck much so that's good, but still... he's an inside outside threat and also the leading shot blocker in the B1G.
6. Carr is so hot and cold. We've done a nice job on him in the past, let's keep that up because when he's on, he's easily one of the best guards in the conference.
7. Last but certainly not least, I really like this kid Johnson they have. 6'8" PF transfer from Western Michigan. Good-looking player. Build/height and even hair reminds me a lot of Deshawn Freeman. He's athletic, can be a scoring threat, etc. He could give Ron problems simply because of his length.
8. One last thing, head coach Richard "Little Richie" Pitino... does he shave yet? Not sure.

 

[mildone_rivals]

That's a fair point. But shouldn't the people in charge of this stuff set a better example than that?

Probably. I just hope we do better with this late start than the past few late starts.

 

[Kbee3]

So I watched some Minnesota and also checked out their roster. Some observations:

1. Jamal Mashburn's son, Mash, Jr. is on the team and plays a lot of minutes as a frosh. Loved his Dad at UK, fun player to watch.
2. Martice Mitchell is a frosh on the team. Does not play much yet, but if you follow RU Hoops recruiting, you know we were high on him, offered him, etc.
3. As discussed earlier this season, their junior FWD Jarvis Omersa decided to opt out the season due to COVID. Although not a huge threat, he has done some good things against us here and there the past couple of seasons and losing him was def. a blow to their length/height.
4. Kalscheur, their sharpshooter, has really been struggling. Can't let him get hot. As we've seen in the past, dude can flatout SHOOT the three.
5. Myles needs to really watch the fouls against Robbins, who often steps out for three. He doesn't then put the ball on the deck much so that's good, but still... he's an inside outside threat and also the leading shot blocker in the B1G.
6. Carr is so hot and cold. We've done a nice job on him in the past, let's keep that up because when he's on, he's easily one of the best guards in the conference.
7. Last but certainly not least, I really like this kid Johnson they have. 6'8" PF transfer from Western Michigan. Good-looking player. Build/height and even hair reminds me a lot of Deshawn Freeman. He's athletic, can be a scoring threat, etc. He could give Ron problems simply because of his length.
8. One last thing, head coach Richard "Little Richie" Pitino... does he shave yet? Not sure.

Just a head's up, but Jamal Mashburn sr. is 6' 8"....jr. is 6'2".

 

[Night Man]

Someone can shake me - I’m sure I’m just being silly superstitious but I hate that this is a nightcap. We looked like absolute garbage in both 9PM starts. Granted they were on the road.

Syracuse was a 9pm. And wasn't Wisconsin (though that game was no beauty)

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

Syracuse was a 9pm. And wasn't Wisconsin (though that game was no beauty)

Syracuse may have been even later than 9, but I was thinking of conference games. Most notably the first Michigan State game. Which was the worst RU outing in recent memory. The Wisconsin game in the late cap was pretty bad too. Wisconsin played horribly and yet we found a way to lose. Those were the only 2 late caps so far.

 

[[email protected]]

Looking at the upcoming game, it could prove to be a tough game to win. Minnesota has been a bit of a split-personality this season (as have we).

MN has the following wins against decent or good teams:

• Boston College 85-80
• Iowa 102-95
• MSU 81-56
• OSU 77-60
• UM 75-57

But also has the following losses:

• Illinois 65-92
• Wisconsin 59-71
• Michigan 57-82
• Iowa 71-86
• MD 49-63
• Purdue 62-81 (in the last game)

The transitive property rule doesn't apply well in basketball. Teams match better with some teams, worse with others, despite current season records or whom each team has beaten or lost to in the current season.

Wins against Michigan, Iowa, and OSU show potential for MN to win games against really good opponents. But losses to Purdue and MD reveal inconsistent play.

We have yet to beat a really good team this season, although we've lost to a couple teams that aren't very good (PSU, MSU). We beat Purdue and only lost to Iowa by 2 points. But that's not as resume-boosting as them beating Michigan or OSU (although I think, had we avoided injury and some truly awful calls on Myles, we would've won the OSU game).

If we play with the intensity and focus of the first 10 minutes of the prior game, we can win. If we play the way we played the remaining first half and entire second half, we're likely to get beat badly.

Time for RHJ to step up and be the matchup knightmare that is talked about.
Geo ,AY (under control), MM contributing with Myles showing why he is not only the B1G’s big ...but elite nationally.

Mo

 

[mildone_rivals]

Time for RHJ to step up and be the matchup knightmare that is talked about.
Geo ,AY (under control), MM contributing with Myles showing why he is not only the B1G’s big ...but elite nationally.

Mo

Would definitely be a good time to get Harper going again. Best way to do that is to get him the ball down low, let him get a couple easy baskets. Then run some plays to isolate him for a couple outside shots. He has all the same skill he had at the start of the season. He's just thinking too much when taking outside shots.

 

[Ruthinking]

Looking at the upcoming game, it could prove to be a tough game to win. Minnesota has been a bit of a split-personality this season (as have we).

MN has the following wins against decent or good teams:

• Boston College 85-80
• Iowa 102-95
• MSU 81-56
• OSU 77-60
• UM 75-57

But also has the following losses:

• Illinois 65-92
• Wisconsin 59-71
• Michigan 57-82
• Iowa 71-86
• MD 49-63
• Purdue 62-81 (in the last game)

The transitive property rule doesn't apply well in basketball. Teams match better with some teams, worse with others, despite current season records or whom each team has beaten or lost to in the current season.

Wins against Michigan, Iowa, and OSU show potential for MN to win games against really good opponents. But losses to Purdue and MD reveal inconsistent play.

We have yet to beat a really good team this season, although we've lost to a couple teams that aren't very good (PSU, MSU). We beat Purdue and only lost to Iowa by 2 points. But that's not as resume-boosting as them beating Michigan or OSU (although I think, had we avoided injury and some truly awful calls on Myles, we would've won the OSU game).

If we play with the intensity and focus of the first 10 minutes of the prior game, we can win. If we play the way we played the remaining first half and entire second half, we're likely to get beat badly.

Very surprised that the opening line has us minus 6!!!!!

 

[mildone_rivals]

Very surprised that the opening line has us minus 6!!!!!

I expected to be favored. Just wondering which RU team will show up at game time. Last game left me uncertain about where the team is at right now.

Hopefully the team from the first ten minutes of that game shows up for most of the game tomorrow. If it does, we win big.

 

[Plum Street]

I'm starting to subscribe to the theory that since these games are being played in front of virtually no fans, that they should just play the games in the afternoon and then go ahead and broadcast them at 7 PM, 9 PM or whatever works for TV on tape delay. These guys are supposed to be students first and having college athletes play games at 9 PM local time on a "school night" is asinine.

I agree, but colllege basketball is nothing about “college”. Tournament games tip after 10pm

 

[Shell21]

Did anyone see that Michigan most likely play it’s next 2 games and their next game might be us in like 2 weeks ? Crazy and would be a big help for us obviously