There is nothing else to discern from our play. Players have regressed - RHJ, MM, GEO have too many weaknesses. No player has the "it" factor. None have the "wow" factor. Defense is suspect, free throw shooting is abysmal, and our coach refuses to play offense through the 5. Myles goes off to a great start on the offensive end and then nothing more is run for him. Bad passing, bad angles, passing to people 30 feet away. Discipline is poor. How the coaches have not been able to get everyone on the same page is a major concern. Bottom line we need much better players who are fundamentally sound, can shoot, and want to play defense. Still don't understand at all why MM is part of rotation. Maybe RHJ needs to come off the bench. Can't Cliff and Myles exist on the court together. I don't know. I just don't know. Maybe Pike has hit his ceiling.
Team is Just Not That Good
- Thread starter ImBadRU
- Start date
Team might not be as good as most, including me, thought it was.
But the program has improved enough under Pike, that instead of hoping the team
will have a winning record , we expect a top 25 like program.
In his 5 years at the helm Pikiel has made the team into one we complain about how it
is not living up to the type of play we believe it should be capable of and looking at the players
as not playing the way we expect them to.
The frustration of rooting for a team that seems incapable of having winning seasons, has been replaced by being frustrated that RU MBB isn't playing like a top 25 program and being ranked as one.
Might be frustrating watching the team not live up to the standards expected, but at least we have standards now.
That said, this team needs to get it together because they could make us proud by playing above the level they are playing now.
Could be the chemistry of team has changed and Pike needs to get the team back in sync bring back the team chemistry and discipline that made them look like they were going somewhere in the early part of season.
But the program has improved enough under Pike, that instead of hoping the team
will have a winning record , we expect a top 25 like program.
In his 5 years at the helm Pikiel has made the team into one we complain about how it
is not living up to the type of play we believe it should be capable of and looking at the players
as not playing the way we expect them to.
The frustration of rooting for a team that seems incapable of having winning seasons, has been replaced by being frustrated that RU MBB isn't playing like a top 25 program and being ranked as one.
Might be frustrating watching the team not live up to the standards expected, but at least we have standards now.
That said, this team needs to get it together because they could make us proud by playing above the level they are playing now.
Could be the chemistry of team has changed and Pike needs to get the team back in sync bring back the team chemistry and discipline that made them look like they were going somewhere in the early part of season.
Can't really argue with anything the OP said
I will add i do not see the hunger or work ethic we saw in the previous 2 seasons
I will add i do not see the hunger or work ethic we saw in the previous 2 seasons
The season is, to date, a disappointment. The preseason polls had us at #5 or 6 in the B1G, and even our players were talking about making a deep NCAA tournament run. We had REASONABLE expectations of going 12-8 in league.
But now, barring a sudden change of fortunes, we're going to end up probably 9-11, maybe 10-10, and fighting for 7th or 8th place, while suffering several horrible losses. This is after going 11-9 last year and tying for 5th place, with our worst loss being 12 points on the road to MSU.
Were Carter and Yeboah THAT IMPORTANT to the team? Or has something happened behind the scenes?
It's really perplexing what happened to the Mojo on this team.
But now, barring a sudden change of fortunes, we're going to end up probably 9-11, maybe 10-10, and fighting for 7th or 8th place, while suffering several horrible losses. This is after going 11-9 last year and tying for 5th place, with our worst loss being 12 points on the road to MSU.
Were Carter and Yeboah THAT IMPORTANT to the team? Or has something happened behind the scenes?
It's really perplexing what happened to the Mojo on this team.
You are totally wrong. Big Ten 2% points tougher than any league in history (2004 ACC in second) .... literally all time .. and we are basically .500 in the top half of it!! After having no NCAA for 30 years! Seriously watch any other league including ACC, Big East, besides the top-2 teams in any league we can compete with anyone. Get a clue
We're not worse than last year. The league is better.
Good post. But I think this year's B1G is slightly better than last year's believe it or not.
And yes the two guys you mentioned were really that important, especially Yeboah. In my view he's missed the most because you could always count on him making an important shot or grabbing an important rebound when it mattered. We don't have that this year.
You would think the coaching staff would figure out a way to improve our offense right now and or run it through someone different a la Myles or Jacob. It’s been too long that’s it’s been been pathetic and you can’t just keep doing the same thing with the same results and hope it changes . I know it’s late in the year but it’s time to do something different offensively , it can’t be any worse
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While the defense is worse than last year it isn't as much worse as it seems:
Last season 90.2 adj defense, ranked #6
This season 90.8, ranked #14
We've given up more points largely because the strength of our schedule is concentrated in good offensive teams. We have played an average offense of 113.8, up from 107.4 last year.
Last season 90.2 adj defense, ranked #6
This season 90.8, ranked #14
We've given up more points largely because the strength of our schedule is concentrated in good offensive teams. We have played an average offense of 113.8, up from 107.4 last year.
We don't talk about it much but I think the lack of fans (either home or away) has to have an impact on the focus of the players and, especially at home, gave us that extra boost that could've allowed us to overcome some of these flat home performances. I think our home court advantage was much greater than our away disadvantage and when you remove that factor we lose something.
Two thoughts I have.
One is they are not as good as I, and I’m sure most of us, thought we were, which is certainly disappointing.
Two is somewhat of a silver lining. Rutgers has played the third toughest schedule in all of college basketball according to KenPom. The other teams that make up the top 5 are 1-Northwestern, 2-Penn State, 4-Nebraska, 5-Kentucky. Out of those five teams, we are the only one that is going to be dancing come March. Granted Rutgers has certainly done everything in their power to make it about as difficult as possible on top of the already incredibly difficult schedule they were handed, but to be in the position they’re in with the schedule they faced is at least something.
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Spot on. There was no team anywhere near as good last year
as this Michigan team is this year. It won't be a shock to see
them win it all
Five of our nine losses are to the 3 teams at the top of the
league. That's the point
Especially this team. They are very much an energy driven team, they were last year too, and I think that was something they could count on to give them a boost when something was off on a given night. There were times last year where they came out pretty flat at home (Northwestern and Nebraska immediately come to mind). If those games were played under this year’s circumstances, does that team still win those games?
This team is 21-19 over the past 2 years against power conferences. That is what we are.
After some games we feel like Nebraska
After some games we feel like Michigan
After some games we feel like Nebraska
After some games we feel like Michigan
Yes, the B1G is very difficult and we can compete with anyone outside the top 2 teams in every other conference. One major problem, we can also lay a total egg at any point, which we have done on way too many occasions. First MSU game, the Wisco game, second OSU game, PSU game, second Iowa game, last night's game. All duds. Even throw in the the first NWU game. Started off hot and then 25 minutes of meh. That's the problem. our players have the upside to be a top 5 team in the B1G, but far too many times we play like a 11-14 team. That's an issue. Despite how difficult our schedule was towards the end of last season, I was confident we'd pull out the wins. I have no clue what we're going to get the next three games.
We need better players. Players focused on winning and a love of the university and playing basketball. Not prima donnas looking to get paid.
You can live with the other stuff...if you have better players who can win. It's still not ideal, and you won't win big, but at least it's watchable.
This current team isn't fun to watch or easy to root for.
I don't like to compare teams, but watch the lacrosse team play. Like night and day. you can see those kids care about the game and each other, and it translates onto the field. They have leaders. Even one of the new guys talks about the amount of love they have for the school being a driving a force. They aren't asking what the school can do for them. Now lax doesn't generate hoops money but still. It's quite refreshing just to see athletes being athletes and focusing on what matters while enjoying the opportunities they have in front of them.
The basketball team could learn a lot.
You can live with the other stuff...if you have better players who can win. It's still not ideal, and you won't win big, but at least it's watchable.
This current team isn't fun to watch or easy to root for.
I don't like to compare teams, but watch the lacrosse team play. Like night and day. you can see those kids care about the game and each other, and it translates onto the field. They have leaders. Even one of the new guys talks about the amount of love they have for the school being a driving a force. They aren't asking what the school can do for them. Now lax doesn't generate hoops money but still. It's quite refreshing just to see athletes being athletes and focusing on what matters while enjoying the opportunities they have in front of them.
The basketball team could learn a lot.
If we'd gone 2-2 in the other four, I don't think people would be as down on this team. We should have won a few more games.
My random thoughts:
We're not as good as people think. Expectations were too high with the expectation that continued improvement would occur and not regression.
However that being said, some random thoughts that I have
- We don't have a very creative offense and thus teams have scouted us much better thereby neutralizing our strengths. Its on Pike and Staff to be more creative with the offense.
- I know this isn't popular nor is it known for sure but I think there is a strong possibility that there are locker room / chemistry issues. You can just see it / sense it in the mannerisms / reactions of Geo / RHJ etc. Geo cannot undergo a 100% negative transformation from being the alpha last year to what he is now without this occurring.
- Has Coach been tuned out by many on the team? For instance, did some not like favoritism per se given to Caleb (out for the year and then he's playing 25 minutes per game and starting)?
- Is coaching a problem? Take Myles yesterday as an example. He's used for initial few plays and then disappears. Are Assistant coaches holding their weight and providing value?
- Why are freshmen not ready? Cliff is overmatched / out of position constantly? There ar emany freshmen thi year on other teams contributing.
- Why are reins not put on Montez and Caleb? Both are support players and not alphas. Thus why are they hoisting 10 shots per game with most extremely ill advised?
- And does RHJ need a reality check? He's not a first round draft choice despite what "experts" were declaring earlier in the season.
I have no idea what the heck is going on with the team but there have been too many questions and too many head scratching moments.
I hope their "team meeting" after the game yesterday has positives that results in a much needed win vs Indiana on Wednesday - because otherwise it's going to be a real rocky ship heading to Nebraska and Minnesota as well as us fans freaking out.
We're not as good as people think. Expectations were too high with the expectation that continued improvement would occur and not regression.
However that being said, some random thoughts that I have
- We don't have a very creative offense and thus teams have scouted us much better thereby neutralizing our strengths. Its on Pike and Staff to be more creative with the offense.
- I know this isn't popular nor is it known for sure but I think there is a strong possibility that there are locker room / chemistry issues. You can just see it / sense it in the mannerisms / reactions of Geo / RHJ etc. Geo cannot undergo a 100% negative transformation from being the alpha last year to what he is now without this occurring.
- Has Coach been tuned out by many on the team? For instance, did some not like favoritism per se given to Caleb (out for the year and then he's playing 25 minutes per game and starting)?
- Is coaching a problem? Take Myles yesterday as an example. He's used for initial few plays and then disappears. Are Assistant coaches holding their weight and providing value?
- Why are freshmen not ready? Cliff is overmatched / out of position constantly? There ar emany freshmen thi year on other teams contributing.
- Why are reins not put on Montez and Caleb? Both are support players and not alphas. Thus why are they hoisting 10 shots per game with most extremely ill advised?
- And does RHJ need a reality check? He's not a first round draft choice despite what "experts" were declaring earlier in the season.
I have no idea what the heck is going on with the team but there have been too many questions and too many head scratching moments.
I hope their "team meeting" after the game yesterday has positives that results in a much needed win vs Indiana on Wednesday - because otherwise it's going to be a real rocky ship heading to Nebraska and Minnesota as well as us fans freaking out.
This year has been terrible. We may not win any more games. We are definitely not making the tournament.
This was the most hyped Rutgers team ever in any sport.
Last year was fun. This year has been a torture.
This was the most hyped Rutgers team ever in any sport.
Last year was fun. This year has been a torture.
all great questions Phil...the disappointing part is that we should not have so many question as we head into tourney time, Running out of time to find answers
Rutgers seems to be a bit better, though the same if you look at rank.
| Big Ten Rank | 2020 Team | 2020 Adj EM | 2020 Kenpom Rank | 2021 Team | 2021 Adj EM | 2021 Kenpom Rank | Diff 2021 - 2020 |
1 | Michigan St | 24.03 | 7 | Michigan | 30.62 | 3 | 6.59 |
2 | Ohio St | 22.23 | 8 | Iowa | 29.86 | 4 | 7.63 |
3 | Maryland | 21.12 | 11 | Illinois | 28.84 | 5 | 7.72 |
4 | Michigan | 20.12 | 16 | Ohio St | 27.35 | 7 | 7.23 |
5 | Wisconsin | 18.95 | 22 | Wisconsin | 23.25 | 13 | 4.3 |
6 | Iowa | 18.65 | 23 | Purdue | 21.42 | 17 | 2.77 |
7 | Purdue | 18.57 | 24 | Rutgers | 19.59 | 28 | 1.02 |
8 | Penn St | 17.91 | 26 | Maryland | 19.05 | 30 | 1.14 |
9 | Minnesota | 17.83 | 27 | Indiana | 18.45 | 33 | 0.62 |
10 | Rutgers | 17.72 | 28 | Penn St | 18.12 | 34 | 0.4 |
11 | Illinois | 17.23 | 30 | Minnesota | 15.83 | 49 | -1.4 |
12 | Indiana | 15.73 | 34 | Michigan St | 13.12 | 65 | -2.61 |
13 | Northwestern | 3.61 | 132 | Northwestern | 11.65 | 74 | 8.04 |
14 | Nebraska | 0.64 | 162 | Nebraska | 5.82 | 116 | 5.18 |
We have four teams way better than the best team last year. The worst teams aren't nearly as bad. It's only the 11 and 12 spots that are worse.
I think you're letting your personal preferences cloud your thoughts a bit here to be honest. I doubt Twitter stuff is a primary reason the team loses.
And there was a change that occurred in January. We were a lot higher than 30.
Rose colored glasses. Last year we went 2-6 and one of our players got a DUI in the month of February. I’m not sure where the “not the same focus as last year” thing comes from.
We peaked at 17 after the LOsS to Iowa. We then spiked to 46 and we are now down to 30.
Excellent post by PHIL. I agree with a lot of what was said, and I especially agree with your observation about locker room/Chemistry issues. Body language is the biggest sign of this. Players can’t hide their true feelings. Too often we see the pouting and sulking from GEO AND RON, and now Mathis. My theory and guess is they do not all get along with Jacob. He came in as a transfer and has taken some a lot of plying time and spotlight off of the original RU commits. He likes to Play at a different speed than the rest of the team. Only a guess, but JY is the only player not pouting or showing bad language or lack of hustle when things don’t go his way. Another sign, Often he plays well when the team does not. Again, just a theory. But transfers in can often stir the pot. I thought our team would be more mentally and emotionally mature To handle some disagreement and Adversity.
You guys are all funny. We have one bad game and the world is falling apart. We are 5-3 over last 8 games. 2 of the 3 losses were on the road to ranked opponents. Not sure what you guys are freaking out about. We lost to Maryland at home. Maryland has been playing well lately and we did not play well. Now we want to re-write the past 5 years. Maybe it is better that Rutgers sucks because you guys don’t know how to handle a little adversity.
Sorry you can’t see it, maybe it’s you that has the rose colored glasses. I won’t point fingers but it’s obvious if you watch. And last year ran thru December.
A few have some of there focus elsewhere. Maybe COVID-19 has something to do with it, but if you read they have other concerns too
I don’t know man I’m pretty sure we missed some layups last season too.
Yea that’s how I know we are 5-3. I don’t understand. You think we should have beaten #3 16-1 Michigan at their place? Or #9 Iowa at their place? What did you expect?
You guys live and die after every game. Thank god you guys don’t have an actual say with the program.
Deep breathes. Let the season play out. Last year you all had us dead to rights until we bet #9 Maryland and purdue to close out the season and send us too the ncaa tournament(we all know we were a lock).
I forgot I can actually look this up..
Last year close 2s: 444/761 - 58.3%
This year close 2s: 283/480 - 59.0%
Yeah all teams do. We miss them at an alarming rate. Way more than last year. You haven’t watched both seasons regularly .