GAME 21 Northwestern: If only....

[bac2therac]

Regret is the word for this season....if only. Must win yet the team followed the same template they have been following all year. Paul Mulcahy had a game of his life and clearly as many had said there was a passing of the torch moment. 31 points, on 10-13 shooting, 9-11 at the line, 7 boards, 7 assists, 4 steals. He along with Cliff single handedly brought RU down from 24. Inexplicably Paul didnt get the touch on the last possession and he should have given he was unstoppable. Not recognizing the moment is not this teams strong suit. Rutgers stars came up small when it mattered mostly talking Geo here and that last turnover is inexcusable on any level. I really have no words. The comeback was great and would have been in the history books but it did not happen. It becomes meaningless because this team had NO MARGIN for error coming in. It HAD to win this game. This is not game 4, its game 12 in league on a resume filled with losses to mediocre to bad competition. This team is going to regret playing with no energy or intensity getting its door blown off in the first 24 minutes. There is not a learning lesson. This is a veteran team. It is what it is. If only they did this, if only they did that, if only the stars showed up, if only they did not lose to Lafayette, if only they did not seize the moment. There are no warm fuzzies tonight it is too late for that and too late for this team. I feel bad for Paul and Cliff and also Dean because its really apparent who really cares and who have checked themselves out already.

Excuse me if I do not post paragraphs tonight. I have a bad taste in my mouth

 

[kcg88]

Geo Baker is going to leave behind one of the most complicated legacies I can remember. I'm a huge fan and he's done so much and at times he's taken a lot of undeserved crap IMO... but when he no-shows he REALLY no-shows. It's completely baffling.

 

[Scarlet Blind_rivals]

If only... Pikiell knew when to bench Geo in the game like he did Caleb, WE WIN THIS GAME PERIOD. That is all that needs to be said of this game recap.

 

[RUsojo]

It will be interesting to see if after Kratch/sarge/Politi publicly declared Geo above haters reproach, calling out message board criticism of him (LOL), after 1 good game sandwiched between multiple duds if they call him out by name after tonight seels what has been an awful (yet consistent) Geo after 20 games. But maybe if he gets healthy…
Looks like Freshman Geo this year…

My key takeaway was that tonight 2H proved once again Geo Paul and McConnell cannot play together. McConnell sat the whole half basically and the offense functioned much better. I don’t necessarily think it has to be McConnell that’s the odd man out but we are a better team with each combo of two than the combo of all 3.

Other obvious takeaways

Paul played great
Cliff is a monster
Collins worst coached half I’ve ever seen

 

[Randal7]

Geo Baker is going to leave behind one of the most complicated legacies I can remember. I'm a huge fan and he's done so much and at times he's taken a lot of undeserved crap IMO... but when he no-shows he REALLY no-shows. It's completely baffling.

agree with this. He was absolutely stellar in 2019-2020, especially late game. That was when he became “big shot maker”. Since then? He’s been pedestrian at best.

 

[bac2therac]

Geo Baker is going to leave behind one of the most complicated legacies I can remember. I'm a huge fan and he's done so much and at times he's taken a lot of undeserved crap IMO... but when he no-shows he REALLY no-shows. It's completely baffling.

this was beyond a no show, this was a non entity and compounded by a turnover that will compared to Ron Hodgson dribbling off his leg vs SHU

we had so so much time there to work a good shot there, incredible mistake

 

[bac2therac]

It will be interesting to see if after Kratch/sarge/Politi publicly declared Geo above haters reproach, calling out message board criticism of him (LOL), after 1 good game sandwiched between multiple duds if they call him out by name after tonight seels what has been an awful (yet consistent) Geo after 20 games. But maybe if he gets healthy…
Looks like Freshman Geo this year…

My key takeaway was that tonight 2H proved once again Geo Paul and McConnell cannot play together. McConnell say the whole half basically and the offense functioned much better. I don’t necessarily think it has to be McConnell that’s the odd man out but we are a better team with each combo of two than the combo of all 3.

Other obvious takeaways

Paul played great
Cliff is a monster
Collins worst coached half I’ve ever seen

Caleb was brutal, give credit to Pike, he is sitting him alot, he is recognizing a problem

 

[GORU2014]

Geo Baker is going to leave behind one of the most complicated legacies I can remember. I'm a huge fan and he's done so much and at times he's taken a lot of undeserved crap IMO... but when he no-shows he REALLY no-shows. It's completely baffling.

I don’t think it’ll be that complicated. He’s a good player with flaws who came here when the program was at its low and served as a leader during the first tournament run in 30 years. In all likelihood his number will be retired (or at least he’ll be honored in some way) and he’ll be remembered fondly generally speaking. That can all be true while acknowledging this was an all-time bad game, though.

 

[RUsojo]

I don’t think it’ll be that complicated. He’s a good player with flaws who came here when the program was at its low and served as a leader during the first tournament run in 30 years. In all likelihood his number will be retired (or at least he’ll be honored in some way) and he’ll be remembered fondly generally speaking. That can all be true while acknowledging this was an all-time bad game, though.

No way in hell his number should or will be retired

 

[Mr. Magoo1]

Geo Baker is going to leave behind one of the most complicated legacies I can remember. I'm a huge fan and he's done so much and at times he's taken a lot of undeserved crap IMO... but when he no-shows he REALLY no-shows. It's completely baffling.

He lost me last year the game before the tournament. I continue to root for him because I always want Rutgers to win but I’m ready to move on.

 

[kcg88]

The fact of the matter is that if you keep playing close games you're going to win some (Purdue, Iowa, Nebraska) and you're going to lose some (Northwestern, Minnesota, LafaChussetts). You can't be mad that you don't win all of them.

That's what this team is. They're not good enough to play half a game and win.

 

[bac2therac]

and the Northwestern meltdown was one for the ages, its exactly how these comebacks happen, they did everything wrong, problem is RU made one or two mistakes too many...there was a few open 3s given up and not being able to tip in a ball or secure a rebound was costly

 

[RutgersNo1]

I don’t give a damn about what NJ.com says. Geo Baker is overrated. I’m not going to miss him or RHJ after this pathetic season.

 

[jordkap]

and the Northwestern meltdown was one for the ages, its exactly how these comebacks happen, they did everything wrong, problem is RU made one or two mistakes too many...there was a few open 3s given up and not being able to tip in a ball or secure a rebound was costly

Ron’s missed 3 in regulation and 2 in OT were 2 daggers he shanked.

Why Paul didn’t touch the ball on the last possession, who knows.

 

[RW90]

I don't know what the answer is to our slow starts, but dammit the coaching staff needs to figure this out yesterday.

 

[hinson32]

I don’t think it’ll be that complicated. He’s a good player with flaws who came here when the program was at its low and served as a leader during the first tournament run in 30 years. In all likelihood his number will be retired (or at least he’ll be honored in some way) and he’ll be remembered fondly generally speaking. That can all be true while acknowledging this was an all-time bad game, though.

Rutgers only retires the numbers of 1st team All Americans.

 

[kcg88]

I don’t give a damn about what NJ.com says. Geo Baker is overrated. I’m not going to miss him or RHJ after this pathetic season.

What does overrated mean in regards to Geo? Nobody thinks he's our best player or a star in the conference.

 

[G- RUnit]

All this Geo bashing and not a word about Ron Harper? Come on. Just as bad and he is pushed as All American and All B1G. Just as responsible. Crucial misses end of game and last minute. Bad fouls. First basket in first half at 3:35. Equally responsible and no special treatment.

Wasted amazing efforts by Cliff and Paul.

 

[RUsojo]

Credit to Paul who had the ball at the end of the game one time this year and made the most of It. You could tell down 10 or 8 Paul knew they could win the game he was pushing everyone one.

Now there’s only 1 or 2, maybeeee 3 teams in the conference where Paul can bully some really lesser talented guard play but credit to him he knows how, when, and where to get his and that’s a vastly underrated basketball trait IMO. That and knowing how, when, and where your teammates like getting theirs.

 

[bac2therac]

I don't know what the answer is to our slow starts, but dammit the coaching staff needs to figure this out yesterday.

when they asked Pike he said if he knew he would be doing it, fact is they are doing the same thing every game that is getting out to these bad starts, the inability to switch things up says it all that Pike is stubborn. Mag needs to start vs MSU

 

[RUJMM78]

No way in hell his number should or will be retired

Only players that were All Americans get their number retired,ie,Lloyd,Sellers and Bailey.

 

[RUsojo]

when they asked Pike he said if he knew he would be doing it, fact is they are doing the same thing every game that is getting out to these bad starts, the inability to switch things up says it all that Pike is stubborn. Mag needs to start vs MSU

One part of it the last two games is going to Jalen Miller early off the bench when down early and not being able to score after that.

 

[FIJI'83]

Regret is the word for this season....if only. Must win yet the team followed the same template they have been following all year. Paul Mulcahy had a game of his life and clearly as many had said there was a passing of the torch moment. 31 points, on 10-13 shooting, 9-11 at the line, 7 boards, 7 assists, 4 steals. He along with Cliff single handedly brought RU down from 24. Inexplicably Paul didnt get the touch on the last possession and he should have given he was unstoppable. Not recognizing the moment is not this teams strong suit. Rutgers stars came up small when it mattered mostly talking Geo here and that last turnover is inexcusable on any level. I really have no words. The comeback was great and would have been in the history books but it did not happen. It becomes meaningless because this team had NO MARGIN for error coming in. It HAD to win this game. This is not game 4, its game 12 in league on a resume filled with losses to mediocre to bad competition. This team is going to regret playing with no energy or intensity getting its door blown off in the first 24 minutes. There is not a learning lesson. This is a veteran team. It is what it is. If only they did this, if only they did that, if only the stars showed up, if only they did not lose to Lafayette, if only they did not seize the moment. There are no warm fuzzies tonight it is too late for that and too late for this team. I feel bad for Paul and Cliff and also Dean because its really apparent who really cares and who have checked themselves out already.

Excuse me if I do not post paragraphs tonight. I have a bad taste in my mouth

I feel bad for all the loyal RU fans who have nothing left to look forward to this season.

 

[Corycord1]

If only... Pikiell knew when to bench Geo in the game like he did Caleb, WE WIN THIS GAME PERIOD. That is all that needs to be said of this game recap.

Who plays instead of Geo?

 

[FIJI'83]

All this Geo bashing and not a word about Ron Harper? Come on. Just as bad and he is pushed as All American and All B1G. Just as responsible. Crucial misses end of game and last minute. Bad fouls. First basket in first half at 3:35. Equally responsible and no special treatment.

Wasted amazing efforts by Cliff and Paul.

You mean Superstar Ron the disappearing man.

 

[shields]

John Battle didn't get his number retired no way Geo.

 

[RUsojo]

What does overrated mean in regards to Geo? Nobody thinks he's our best player or a star in the conference.

There were 2 full years in 2019 an 2020 where that was argued very often.

 

[RUsojo]

I like how we rarely posted cliff up, probably only once in 2H and be actually drew a foul, but he is much more effective when not used that way and it showed tonight

 

[bac2therac]

There were 2 full years in 2019 an 2020 where that was argued very often.

except Geo in 2019 and 2020 isnt the same one this year.

 

[bac2therac]

amazingly Pike finally figured out how to draw fouls, its take him until the Nebraska game to figure that out

 

[RUsojo]

except Geo in 2019 and 2020 isnt the same one this year.

Oh boy, wait til I wake up tomorrow and show you that’s not the case and it’s the same Geo (as it’s always been the same Geo).

 

[Scangg]

Geo Baker is having the most disappointing senior season that I can remember

Lots of great memories. A few big shots. A majority of mediocre games

 

[RUsojo]

Geo Baker is having the most disappointing senior season that I can remember

Lots of great memories. A few big shots. A majority of mediocre games

Unfortunately for the program he didn’t develop since his sophomore year and his game stayed tbh same and reliant on a step back jumper

 

[Scangg]

Paul Mulcahy was a hero tonight. His energy passion intensity and playing with a sense of urgency sparked the comeback. He finally was looking to score on drives. The assists will come when teams finally have to worry about him scoring instead of knowing he only wants to pass

Cliff was a monster inside. He also cares.

Play Mag. Play Mag. PLAY MAG

 

[bac2therac]

Oh boy, wait til I wake up tomorrow and show you that’s not the case and it’s the same Geo (as it’s always been the same Geo).

Indiana last year???

 

[ColonelRutgers]

My feeling now is just sadness. Any faint hopes of a possible NCAA bid were extinguished tonight and it feels like the end of era. The rise of the program that could not have fallen any further under Eddie Jordan truly started with that 3 day run at the Big Ten tournament with Corey playing a leading role and Geo the unafraid wingman. To see it end like this with Geo having just a nightmarish night is tough to swallow. Realistically this point was going to happen at some point this month but now Geo and Ron will be playing out the string of their careers in what will be essentially meaningless games after so many high expectations.

It's also sadness because it's an end of an era with a totally uncertain future of the team going forward. There are no givens in college basketball anywhere anymore but our roster is more in flux than normal now. Cliff has really come on but if he comes back who will be surrounding him? Paul had the game of a lifetime and finally showed that he could be aggressive scoring the ball but Northwestern does not have the athletes that the Big Ten big boys have which have exposed him at times. Caleb could come back if he wanted and for all the hype about his defense he's been a big disappointment offensively and has been benched for long stretches showing that Pike doesn't have much faith in him. Would he want to come back under those circumstances? Beyond that we have guys that have shown some ability, Mag, Reiber, but you need a lot more that that to win in this league. Jones who many of us had high expectations simply hasn't shown anything to justify it. He doesn't seem to have a natural position.

Sigh. It was a good few years although going through COVID, missing a selection Sunday and then being limited to watching a good team play in empty arenas and not being able to experience the joy of attending the games really robbed of us of the true enjoyment that being there in person would have provided. I know the season goes on but there won't be any raised blood pressure watching the games for quite some time.

 

[RUsojo]

Season	School	Conf	G	GS	MP	FG	FGA	FG%	2P	2PA	2P%	3P	3PA	3P%	FT	FTA	FT%	ORB	DRB	TRB	AST	STL	BLK	TOV	PF	PTS		SOS

2019-20	Rutgers	Big Ten	28	19	28.9	4.0	10.1	.399	2.8	5.6	.494	1.3	4.5	.280	1.6	2.0	.772	0.5	2.5	3.0	3.5	1.1	0.6	1.8	2.0	10.9		9.68
2020-21	Rutgers	Big Ten	25	22	31.2	4.0	9.7	.409	2.5	4.8	.517	1.5	4.9	.303	1.0	1.3	.750	0.3	2.8	3.1	3.2	1.2	0.4	1.7	2.2	10.4		12.50
2021-22	Rutgers	Big Ten	16	15	33.1	4.6	11.4	.399	2.6	5.4	.477	2.0	6.1	.330	1.2	1.6	.760	0.5	1.8	2.3	4.1	1.2	0.5	1.4	1.3	12.3		2.64

 

[BigEastPhil]

Devastated by the loss. Haven’t felt this awful since the Iowa Weiskamp loss.
This game was Mulcahy s 100%. He was why we were in overtime and why we made the comeback!
He deserved to win it or lose it for us! Mulcahy would’ve had an open 3 had Harp passed to him at end of game.

On senior leadership - ugh! Baker was MIA and wtf was that pass towards end of game. Harp was not good and Caleb is a role player - 15 minutes max. He’s an impediment on this team

Kudos to Cliff and Dean for strong games!

Don’t know what it is with the holes this team digs for itself in every road game

Mag needs to start over Caleb.

Hyatt remains awful

And how Jones doesn’t play keeps acting out like an Agatha Christie mystery with a bad self made ending

 

[Randal7]

No way in hell his number should or will be retired

Seconded

 

[Knight Ed_rivals]

Geo has choked away more games than anyone in RU history. It's simply a fact. He was also perfectly willing to take most of the credit for the Rutgers Tournament team when. Young and Johnson were very clearly the main reason Rutgers made it. But hey, that's not why they transferred right?
Geo is a-hole for never publicly giving them the credit and basking in the glory as "the guy that led Rutgers". What a joke.