Winning in bunches

[bac2therac]

Remember in the Rice years and early Pike years we used to play great games and lose. Heartbreakers where we had leads in the 2nd half, played ranked teams toe to toe and rank out of gas in the last 5 minutes. Thrilling to watch but painful to endure. Teams didnt know how to win or how to play with a lead. We progressed to beating teams we were suppose to and then we progressed to eeking wins over better programs by a few points usually at home. Then came expecting to win your games at home. Then came winning on the road. Now, isnt it refreshing to not play your best and still collect wins. I think as fans we have to get used to winning. Most of the time you wont look perfect or even good. Winning in bunches, that is what this team is now doing. It was perhaps the last hurdle that they had to climb over. Not all will be beauties. Our expecations have risen so much that a game like today we are freaking out about the level of play but the team WON the game in the last 5 minutes by making all the right plays.

 

[Scarlet Shack]

I’ve been saying for a long time how hard it is to learn how to win For the first time ...when you have a group of guys that don’t have the benefit of learning from upperclassman above them ....

Think we are getting close to get Over that hump....

 

[BillyC80]

This is why I will always appreciate Pikiell. He may have his flaws — like every coach, every player, and every fan of RU sports. But in the end, he has made winners of us all.

 

[Scarlet Blind_rivals]

We have a 4 game conference win streak for the first time ever in the B1G, 2 home (MSU,Minn), 2 road(Indiana,NW), last time Rutgers won 4 straight conference games was 2003-04 in the Big East(20-13,7-9), 3 home 1 road, SJU, @Nova, ND, Miami. 1998-99, Rutgers(19-13,9-9) won 4 straight 3/1, You have to go back to 1990-91, Rutgers(18-10,A10-14-4) won 6 in a row, 5 conference in a row with an independent @ND mixed in, 3 home 2 road wins. 1988-89, Rutgers(18-13,13-5) won 8 straight A10 games, 5 to end the season, 3 winning the A10 tournament, 3 home 4 Road, and 1 Neutral.

Rutgers have had 8 full conference seasons with less than 4 total conference wins out of the last 16 seasons between 2004-2020(*2-14,7-9,*3-13,*3-15,*2-16,5-13,5-13,6-12,5-13,5-13,*2-16,*1-17,*3-15,*3-15,7-13,11-9).

 

[Anon1751594821]

Remember in the Rice years and early Pike years we used to play great games and lose. Heartbreakers where we had leads in the 2nd half, played ranked teams toe to toe and rank out of gas in the last 5 minutes. Thrilling to watch but painful to endure. Teams didnt know how to win or how to play with a lead. We progressed to beating teams we were suppose to and then we progressed to eeking wins over better programs by a few points usually at home. Then came expecting to win your games at home. Then came winning on the road. Now, isnt it refreshing to not play your best and still collect wins. I think as fans we have to get used to winning. Most of the time you wont look perfect or even good. Winning in bunches, that is what this team is now doing. It was perhaps the last hurdle that they had to climb over. Not all will be beauties. Our expecations have risen so much that a game like today we are freaking out about the level of play but the team WON the game in the last 5 minutes by making all the right plays.

Bac, You said it perfectly.

The problem with our fan base is that it has always waited for the bad things to happen and the "shoe to drop". It is refreshing to have teams now that are capable of winning every game.

Best of Luck,
Groz

 

[Roy_Faulker]

Everybody needs to enjoy this year with all they’ve got.

We may lose some key team members next years and there may be some rebuilding. Will need new players to step into big shoes to sustain this team’s success. I anticipate a drop off as RU doesn’t reload like the blue bloods.

 

[rubjk]

Couldn’t agree more. We have 7 players who’s performances were key to at least 1 win. Also each of these 7 have also had games not so great where we’ve won. As long as it’s not 4 or 5 bad performances we can win any night.

Now that the team knows how to win when everything goes perfectly fans need to learn to be happy with all wins.

This is how good teams win a lot of games.

 

[RutgersLarry]

Everybody needs to enjoy this year with all they’ve got.

We may lose some key team members next years and there may be some rebuilding. Will need new players to step into big shoes to sustain this team’s success. I anticipate a drop off as RU doesn’t reload like the blue bloods.

With the extra year of eligibility it will be very interesting if any of the seniors choose to stay...

 

[rubaseball78_rivals]

With the extra year of eligibility it will be very interesting if any of the seniors choose to stay...

I think Baker, Young and Doucoure move on, and Harper returns. No inside info, just my gut feel.

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

The Rant podcast discussed Baker returning and correlated it with his comments on the NCAA. Their take was maybe it’s a hint he’s fed up. The thought I had after listening was that maybe Baker wants to return but the money of playing oversees is tough to pass up. He’s a bright kid and will probably have a good future coaching or in media of some fo but he’s not locked in for off ball career the way MJ is. The money surely matters and maybe he’s hoping changes will be announced before the declare deadline. If he could market himself and make some money advertising in an RU jersey I think he’d come back. Just my opinion. No inside scoop at all.

 

[Knights 1212]

Harper is only a junior not a senior. If the guys realize they are only college players and students for a while one or two just might return. Most overseas players don't make a fortune. They just might just decide to return with the hope of adding to this season's success and be able to have fans at the game cheering for them and to have a senior year and a senior night. Many I think who have left college resent later that they could have stayed. It is probably a difficult decision for a guy to leave their family and friends to play far from home when they could possibly make more money at home. I loved my college years and would have loved to have another season to run cross country.

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

Harper definitely doesn’t need money. I think he will return if he’s not a round 1 pick. I don’t know Geo’s situation but 150k is a lot for a kid to make out of school and he could probably get that in Europe all expenses paid. That said - I think he’ll have a future in something related to hoops whether as a trainer or assistant coach at some point. A graduate degree in sports management or something related has some value. If he could make some money showcasing his name I don’t think it would be a question unless he goes off in the tourney and ends up being a round 1 draft pick (not likely).

 

[Night Man]

Thinking about that kind of close loss in the past reminds me: RU was playing Pitt, Pitt was in the top 10. I think they were ranked higher than 1982 WV so it would've been the highest ranked team RU had ever beaten. It was NYE or something so I was at work during the day game. I said "if they're winning at halftime I have to go, I don't want to miss this." So I left work and drove 45 min up to the RAC, got there with about 12 min left in the game and watched them lose.

 

[Plum Street]

Everybody needs to enjoy this year with all they’ve got.

We may lose some key team members next years and there may be some rebuilding. Will need new players to step into big shoes to sustain this team’s success. I anticipate a drop off as RU doesn’t reload like the blue bloods.

Yes agree . We are going to lose lot of guys . Probably young and maybe Myles . I thought geo would return , but he’s obviously a goner now. Let’s enjoy this year and ncaa tournament

 

[Plum Street]

Thinking about that kind of close loss in the past reminds me: RU was playing Pitt, Pitt was in the top 10. I think they were ranked higher than 1982 WV so it would've been the highest ranked team RU had ever beaten. It was NYE or something so I was at work during the day game. I said "if they're winning at halftime I have to go, I don't want to miss this." So I left work and drove 45 min up to the RAC, got there with about 12 min left in the game and watched them lose.

That was about 10 years ago ?

 

[Night Man]

That was about 10 years ago ?

without looking it up I'd say it was 12/31/08 or 12/31/09.

 

[Plum Street]

without looking it up I'd say it was 12/31/08 or 12/31/09.

Yes . I think it was one of the greatest moments of the Fred hill era

 

[bac2therac]

Fred beat a top 15 Georgetown at the RAC in a game where Gtown had over a 1/3 of the fans

 

[Plum Street]

Fred beat a top 15 Georgetown at the RAC in a game where Gtown had over a 1/3 of the fans

He was awful . Bad move by waters and mulchahy . Then bad move by pernetti letting him continue to be awful

 

[Night Man]

Fred beat a top 15 Georgetown at the RAC in a game where Gtown had over a 1/3 of the fans

That was a weird one. I was away coaching for the weekend and they were so bad that year that I didn't even bother keeping track of the game. I think Gtown may have been just inside the top 10. Those good JT3 teams once they lost Green and Hibbert were ripe for the picking.

 

[Scarlet Shack]

I have ZERO idea on why anyone is assuming any of our current roster is leaving. I’m not naive to think that it’s a guarantee that our entire roster returns year...and I could why there might be some turnover ....but, i expect most of the roster to return for next year....

 

[Plum Street]

I have ZERO idea on why anyone is assuming any of our current roster is leaving. I’m not naive to think that it’s a guarantee that our entire roster returns year...and I could why there might be some turnover ....but, i expect most of the roster to return for next year....

For guys like young and Myles I am not sure if it makes sense for them to return to college basketball unless they just love it . Geo said it’s slavery so how the hell can he come back ? Harper might test the nba waters . Maybe someone wants to transfer . Lots can happen .

 

[Night Man]

For guys like young and Myles I am not sure if it makes sense for them to return to college basketball unless they just love it . Geo said it’s slavery so how the hell can he come back ? Harper might test the nba waters . Maybe someone wants to transfer . Lots can happen .

I've seen a few posts lately about Myles taking off after this year. I don't understand it. This is Myles' 3rd year of eligibility and he gets this one back. He can stay for 2 more if he loves it. Can you think of any key contributors to a decent college team that leave after 3 years on the court/field other than those who declare for the draft?

 

[Plum Street]

I've seen a few posts lately about Myles taking off after this year. I don't understand it. This is Myles' 3rd year of eligibility and he gets this one back. He can stay for 2 more if he loves it. Can you think of any key contributors to a decent college team that leave after 3 years on the court/field other than those who declare for the draft?

If he loves it , sure . He’s been here 4 years . Should have his degree soon and it may come down to if he wants his masters somehere else . Say he leaves here on good terms after this year with his bachelors , he can go play somewhere else, get an advanced degree there and really expand his professional network that will last the rest of his life . In this world , it’s not what you know ...

 

[Night Man]

If he loves it , sure . He’s been here 4 years . Should have his degree soon and it may come down to if he wants his masters somehere else . Say he leaves here on good terms after this year with his bachelors , he can go play somewhere else, get an advanced degree there and really expand his professional network that will last the rest of his life . In this world , it’s not what you know ...

Grad transfer isn't a crazy possibility. Probably our only risk here other than something unforeseen. Grad transfers are up quite a bit but I expect a slight dip off the upward trend next year as kids who have now missed a year of social life on campus are less eager to move on from their current environment.

 

[REDRICH65]

Next year the fans will be back at the RAC. No better place to play . Get a masters for your future. Keep the team together. Plenty of life left at age 22 - 24 to do something else

 

[SirScarlet]

Great OP

 

[Night Man]

Next year the fans will be back at the RAC. No better place to play . Get a masters for your future. Keep the team together. Plenty of life left at age 22 - 24 to do something else

Yes I forgot to mention that we're talking about kids who missed their chance at the NCAAs last year and have played this whole year without fans. A lot of unfinished business around the country.

 

[Joey Bags]

Fred beat a top 15 Georgetown at the RAC in a game where Gtown had over a 1/3 of the fans

how TF are there that many GTown fans in CNJ? smh

 

[bac2therac]

I think there was a snowstorm or something like that that day and RU fans stayed home

 

[RAC’emUp]

There are a lot of overseas basketball slots that pay about as well as rookie league baseball, i.e. next to nothing. So I don’t know what Geo’s prospects are in Europe or elsewhere but it shouldn’t be assumed good money would be coming his way. As for Myles, I could see him going to Stanford, Cal or UCLA for grad school.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

There are a lot of overseas basketball slots that pay about as well as rookie league baseball, i.e. next to nothing. So I don’t know what Geo’s prospects are in Europe or elsewhere but it shouldn’t be assumed good money would be coming his way. As for Myles, I could see him going to Stanford, Cal or UCLA for grad school.

Myles is a free agent and he can go to whatever school he wants. I think he stays, but that doesn't mean I am not nervous. We will be very good next year as long as Myles is back. I think he is that important.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

I think there was a snowstorm or something like that that day and RU fans stayed home

Speaking of snow.....I was at the Marquette game. Anyone else?

 

[RU_DIO]

There are a lot of overseas basketball slots that pay about as well as rookie league baseball, i.e. next to nothing. So I don’t know what Geo’s prospects are in Europe or elsewhere but it shouldn’t be assumed good money would be coming his way. As for Myles, I could see him going to Stanford, Cal or UCLA for grad school.

I agree.. I've had a friend make peanuts in Portugal and another friend make up to 150k in the Euro league and then 40-60k in the Italian League. All tax free with an apartment and car. I'm thinking Geo should stay another year and praying Myles stays. Thinking Young is gone as he would be a 6th year senior.

 

[NightKnight]

There is a half-inch that separates winning and losing, but for the loser that half-inch looks a mile long.