Centers and forwards from mid majors should be the focus

[goru7]

As I mentioned in a prior post , there are centers and forwards from the Sun belt, MAC , MVc , Horizon that can all play and won’t break the bank
Well Calipari just got the Furman center 6’11 who averaged a mediocre 13.9 and 5.9 rebounds and is going to Arkansas. Pike and his staff if they fail to secure these affordable players , then it is a total failure. No excuse to not get 4-5 of these guys. quiet on who is being targeted but these guys must be a priority

 

[needmorecowbell]

As I mentioned in a prior post , there are centers and forwards from the Sun belt, MAC , MVc , Horizon that can all play and won’t break the bank
Well Calipari just got the Furman center 6’11 who averaged a mediocre 13.9 and 5.9 rebounds and is going to Arkansas. Pike and his staff if they fail to secure these affordable players , then it is a total failure. No excuse to not get 4-5 of these guys. quiet on who is being targeted but these guys must be a priority

Any good center will cost close to $3m and up. Mid major or low major, doesn’t matter.

 

[MCKnight]

Amazing that RU works in top secret with zero leaks, when we hear every other power 5 program setting zooms and visits. Or we are really getting zero interest given our history, which could turn out to be true.

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

Any good center will cost close to $3m and up. Mid major or low major, doesn’t matter.

Somehow DePaul managed to pay Fresno State’s center. I have no idea how good he is, but clearly we could afford a mid major player.

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

As I mentioned in a prior post , there are centers and forwards from the Sun belt, MAC , MVc , Horizon that can all play and won’t break the bank
Well Calipari just got the Furman center 6’11 who averaged a mediocre 13.9 and 5.9 rebounds and is going to Arkansas. Pike and his staff if they fail to secure these affordable players , then it is a total failure. No excuse to not get 4-5 of these guys. quiet on who is being targeted but these guys must be a priority

4-5 of them? Probably out of budget. But if we can’t afford anyone proven at the higher level, at least 2 should be targeted. I’ll say it again - no unknown guys from Europe. That represents the fat lady singing in my opinion. Pike needs REAL film. He couldn’t even tell that Denis wasn’t good enough watching him scrimmage against our horrendous second team defense.

 

[seansherm]

4-5 of them? Probably out of budget. But if we can’t afford anyone proven at the higher level, at least 2 should be targeted. I’ll say it again - no unknown guys from Europe. That represents the fat lady singing in my opinion.

Seems we thought we could get 4 or 5 of them since it sounds we only offer half of market value to them

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

Seems we thought we could get 4 or 5 of them since it sounds we only offer half of market value to them

We may have “thought” that. But the OP suggested this is what we should do now. We can’t afford 4-5 established mid major players. Actually - our contrarian RIP - who rarely visits the boards now was right again (as he often is) - for the back end of the roster we should have been quietly researching physical low major guys who give good effort on D in filler minutes / 15 mpg types with modest stats to fill the back end of the roster. Those types are the ones that have the best chance to provide the most value possible AFTER 10 spots are filled. Not adding DR unknowns as our first pick up! Ugh

We need to start by going after the best 2 players we can afford to start in the frontcourt though. We can’t do what we’ve done in the past and hedge our bets with a bunch of guys that don’t break the bank hoping someone sticks. Not that we should’ve done that in the past either, but this time it’d be even more risky. There’s no floor in terms of how bad it could turn out whereas last year at least we knew what we were getting in Ogbole, Grant and even Dortch. Pike hoped Fall, Ware, Denis, Nwuli, would be able to beat those guys out, of course, but that’s not the point. In this case, we’re starting with nothing.

 

[needmorecowbell]

Somehow DePaul managed to pay Fresno State’s center. I have no idea how good he is, but clearly we could afford a mid major player.

Yes, I agree they can afford a mid major center. Some people think we are going to get a bargain if we go lower. That’s not happening. Every center is at a premium.

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

Yes, I agree they can afford a mid major center. Some people think we are going to get a bargain if we go lower. That’s not happening. Every center is at a premium.

Yet somehow most of our fan base thought we’d have no problem buying 5 brand new starters in the open market. For starters, we were never going to be in the position to afford to pay the “Rutgers tax” on a starter 5 times. Guys projected to start for a high major team all get 7 figures. Are we really thinking that RU can sign whoever they want by offering even $200k more than market to any one guy. Meaning - is a PG with a collection of $1.2M offers from up and coming schools jumping to take $1.4M from us? My guess is probably not but now imagine trying to succeed at this 5 times - it means $1M probably wouldn’t even be close enough of an allocation for the RU tax on buying 5 starters. It was never remotely realistic.

Tariq should’ve been our first resigning because if we’re looking to attract mid-majors he’s our one shot at flipping the narrative. The poster child for the vision we’d want to sell - “come to RU and you can become a star”. No mid-major kid with options was coming here to be the next Dercack, Acuff, Martini, PJ, Austin Williams, or Noah F. It had been eons since Rutgers had a kid make a successful jump from a low major. Tariq changed our stars and should be the centerpiece of what we’re promoting to recruit mid-major kids regardless of what anyone thinks of his game.

 

[Mholinko]

Yet somehow most of our fan base thought we’d have no problem buying 5 brand new starters in the open market. For starters, we were never going to be in the position to afford to pay the “Rutgers tax” on a starter 5 times. Guys projected to start for a high major team all get 7 figures. Are we really thinking that RU can sign whoever they want by offering even $200k more than market to any one guy. Meaning - is a PG with a collection of $1.2M offers from up and coming schools jumping to take $1.4M from us? My guess is probably not but now imagine trying to succeed at this 5 times - it means $1M probably wouldn’t even be close enough of an allocation for the RU tax on buying 5 starters. It was never remotely realistic.

Tariq should’ve been our first resigning because if we’re looking to attract mid-majors he’s our one shot at flipping the narrative. The poster child for the vision we’d want to sell - “come to RU and you can become a star”. No mid-major kid with options was coming here to be the next Dercack, Acuff, Martini, PJ, Austin Williams, or Noah F. It had been eons since Rutgers had a kid make a successful jump from a low major. Tariq changed our stars and should be the centerpiece of what we’re promoting to recruit mid-major kids regardless of what anyone thinks of his game.

Eons? Cam Spencer?

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

Eons? Cam Spencer?

Fair enough I guess but that was still 4 seasons ago and after him we had 7 other low major guys transfer in and fail to make the jump. He’d been long forgotten. Tariq is the here and now.

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

Amazing that RU works in top secret with zero leaks, when we hear every other power 5 program setting zooms and visits. Or we are really getting zero interest given our history, which could turn out to be true.

No it can’t. You can’t tell me DePaul’s history is more attractive.

Somehow they landed a guard from an ASU tournament team who won the starting job by the end of the season, the starting center from Fresno State and a guard from a 19 win Wofford team who averaged an efficient 19.1 ppg.

We’re either lurking in the background about to make some noise or played our hand extremely poorly once again.

 

[Fat Koko]

I pitched Oswin E from Providence. Richie said Rutgers couldn't afford Oswin.

So I pitched Oswin's backup, Anton Bonke, who transferred from Providence to Charlotte. I even made an Anton Bonke profile to help Pike and his GM.

 

[MCKnight]

Funny you mention Bonke as I just saw on X he is visiting Kansas and Michigan St. and has interest from Arkansas, TCU, Gonzaga and USC among others, no mention of RU, of course. We are out of our league. Guess our staff really is Mining Europe, Africa, and waiting for leftover scraps

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

Funny you mention Bonke as I just saw on X he is visiting Kansas and Michigan St. and has interest from Arkansas, TCU, Gonzaga and USC among others, no mention of RU, of course. We are out of our league. Guess our staff really is Mining Europe, Africa, and waiting for leftover scraps

If things turn out this way, someone needs to be held accountable. He can’t assess talent level of frontcourt players by scouting low tier Euro leagues. Don’t get a center then and just grab 2 Max Frasier type forwards. We’ll be undersized and have huge question marks but guess what, he can use whatever crumbles of money he has left at the end to grab a random body Euro nobody knows about.

Pike like recruiting guys he’s played against so go shop CC.

 

[Mholinko]

If it turns out like this I hope he doesn’t spend all the money and saves it for the next coach

What’s the excuse from the pike supporters this time if that’s how it turns out? He had money and still mismanaged the market?

 

[Scarlet Blind_rivals]

Add one more to the pile.

 

[goru7]

4-5 of them? Probably out of budget. But if we can’t afford anyone proven at the higher level, at least 2 should be targeted. I’ll say it again - no unknown guys from Europe. That represents the fat lady singing in my opinion. Pike needs REAL film. He couldn’t even tell that Denis wasn’t good enough watching him scrimmage against our horrendous second team defense.

Retention of JMike , Tarik Lino, Kaden an Buchanan probably cost between 3-4 million . Ware costs $200,000 tops. That leaves about 6 million for our frontline. We are not getting a top line center that is going for 3-5 million but we can get a bunch of 1.5 million centers and a couple of power forwards for 2 million. They play at a mid major and would be getting a serious price increase to come to Rutgers. We can get 4 front court players just have to be pro active , identify and pursue. Not happy about Calipari getting the Furman center who has modest stats . Not him but the type of player Pike has to get. Without a frontline we are toast next year no matter how well your guards play.

 

[Mholinko]

Retention of JMike , Tarik Lino, Kaden an Buchanan probably cost between 3-4 million . Ware costs $200,000 tops. That leaves about 6 million for our frontline. We are not getting a top line center that is going for 3-5 million but we can get a bunch of 1.5 million centers and a couple of power forwards for 2 million. They play at a mid major and would be getting a serious price increase to come to Rutgers. We can get 4 front court players just have to be pro active , identify and pursue. Not happy about Calipari getting the Furman center who has modest stats . Not him but the type of player Pike has to get. Without a frontline we are toast next year no matter how well your guards play.

Where was it reported we had 10 million?

 

[RUDivision]

Retention of JMike , Tarik Lino, Kaden an Buchanan probably cost between 3-4 million . Ware costs $200,000 tops. That leaves about 6 million for our frontline. We are not getting a top line center that is going for 3-5 million but we can get a bunch of 1.5 million centers and a couple of power forwards for 2 million. They play at a mid major and would be getting a serious price increase to come to Rutgers. We can get 4 front court players just have to be pro active , identify and pursue. Not happy about Calipari getting the Furman center who has modest stats . Not him but the type of player Pike has to get. Without a frontline we are toast next year no matter how well your guards play.

Should have gotten rid of Mark, Power. JMike and brought in an actual Big ten level PG.

I get continuity and using the majority of the money on the front court.

If those numbers are correct that’s insane spending that kind of money on bench mid major guards.

 

[lion1983]

Retention of JMike , Tarik Lino, Kaden an Buchanan probably cost between 3-4 million . Ware costs $200,000 tops. That leaves about 6 million for our frontline. We are not getting a top line center that is going for 3-5 million but we can get a bunch of 1.5 million centers and a couple of power forwards for 2 million. They play at a mid major and would be getting a serious price increase to come to Rutgers. We can get 4 front court players just have to be pro active , identify and pursue. Not happy about Calipari getting the Furman center who has modest stats . Not him but the type of player Pike has to get. Without a frontline we are toast next year no matter how well your guards play.

If I had to guess - and it is only a guess ... Keeping Francis, Mark, Davis, Buchanan (him not yet announced) and Powers (no news - but apparently expected to say) ... plus Ware and the Dominican player probably cost about $3 million. Ware and the Dominican kid could not have cost more than $200K COMBINED. Francis as North of $1 m, Mark might be $700-$800 K. We don't know Buchanan and Powers yet. Davis had to be under $500 K. So maybe $2,2 M for Francis, Mark, Davis and the 2 back-end guys? Maybe $800K for Buchanna and Powers combined? Maybe a little more?

Under those circumstances, RU might have $7 million availabel for 2 frontcourt starters, plus a WF/2G shooter ...plus back-ups so Ware is the #3 Center, not the #2 C.

Which means RU SHOULD be able to pay as much as $5 million comnbined for 2 frontcourt starters: A Big 10 caliber starting C - can be a middle of the pack starting C - and a Big 10 caliber Stretch 4. That should still leave as much as $2 million for a shooter at WF or 2G - starting caliber or CLOSE to starting, like 6th man level, plus rebounding and defense back-ups in the frontcourt: 1 back-up C and 1 back-up PF.

 

[NewHondo77]

Amazing that RU works in top secret with zero leaks, when we hear every other power 5 program setting zooms and visits. Or we are really getting zero interest given our history, which could turn out to be true.

Maybe it’s because there’s nothing to leak.

 

[RUDivision]

Yet somehow most of our fan base thought we’d have no problem buying 5 brand new starters in the open market. For starters, we were never going to be in the position to afford to pay the “Rutgers tax” on a starter 5 times. Guys projected to start for a high major team all get 7 figures. Are we really thinking that RU can sign whoever they want by offering even $200k more than market to any one guy. Meaning - is a PG with a collection of $1.2M offers from up and coming schools jumping to take $1.4M from us? My guess is probably not but now imagine trying to succeed at this 5 times - it means $1M probably wouldn’t even be close enough of an allocation for the RU tax on buying 5 starters. It was never remotely realistic.

Tariq should’ve been our first resigning because if we’re looking to attract mid-majors he’s our one shot at flipping the narrative. The poster child for the vision we’d want to sell - “come to RU and you can become a star”. No mid-major kid with options was coming here to be the next Dercack, Acuff, Martini, PJ, Austin Williams, or Noah F. It had been eons since Rutgers had a kid make a successful jump from a low major. Tariq changed our stars and should be the centerpiece of what we’re promoting to recruit mid-major kids regardless of what anyone thinks of his game.

It’s the Pike Tax not the Rutgers tax! It’s also the lack of talent tax. Guys want to win and go to the tournament. Our roster and staff instills zero confidence to entice a big time player to join.

 

[RAC93]

Retention of JMike , Tarik Lino, Kaden an Buchanan probably cost between 3-4 million . Ware costs $200,000 tops. That leaves about 6 million for our frontline. We are not getting a top line center that is going for 3-5 million but we can get a bunch of 1.5 million centers and a couple of power forwards for 2 million. They play at a mid major and would be getting a serious price increase to come to Rutgers. We can get 4 front court players just have to be pro active , identify and pursue. Not happy about Calipari getting the Furman center who has modest stats . Not him but the type of player Pike has to get. Without a frontline we are toast next year no matter how well your guards play.

Agreed, if we don’t get some sort of frontline like you said we are toast. It’s same results as last year without a frontcourt, wash, rinse, and repeat. GM Rob Sullivan needs to be moneyballing the crap out of this budget we have.

 

[seansherm]

Agreed, if we don’t get some sort of frontline like you said we are toast. It’s same results as last year without a frontcourt, wash, rinse, and repeat. GM Rob Sullivan needs to be moneyballing the crap out of this budget we have.

We'll get a Frontline. It may not be a sure thing, but it will be different.

 

[Zebnatto1!]

Is there a site which has portal players with expected dollar ampunts attached?

 

[RAC93]

---

 

[Mr. Magoo1]

But we already have a team full of mid-majors

 

[RAC93]

We'll get a Frontline. It may not be a sure thing, but it will be different.

Different as is in better? Or different as in worse? Or the more things change the more they stay the same? I know we will have different names but starting to wonder if the frontcourt will just be the same quality as last year.

 

[seansherm]

Different as is in better? Or different as in worse? Or the more things change the more they stay the same? I know we will have different names but starting to wonder if the frontcourt will just be the same quality as last year.

I have a hard time thinking this crew can come up w a worse starting 4 and 5 than last year, so its a real low bar. Our 5 was a more valid starter than the 4 and most everyone is happy he's gone.

 

[RAC93]

I have a hard time thinking this crew can come up w a worse starting 4 and 5 than last year, so its a real low bar. Our 5 was a more valid starter than the 4 and most everyone is happy he's gone.

I agree with you, one would have to actively try to do worse than what we had last year. I assume it will be better, but having real doubts on how much better. But considering how bad it was last year, I assumed our first addition from the portal would be a starting center, a starting power forward, maybe even a backup center or backup power forward, but definitely not an unknown Dominican wing.

 

[seansherm]

I agree with you, one would have to actively try to do worse than what we had last year. I assume it will be better, but having real doubts on how much better. But considering how bad it was last year, I assumed our first addition from the portal would be a starting center, a starting power forward, maybe even a backup center or backup power forward, but definitely not an unknown Dominican wing.

I dont even count Duarte, hes like a lotto ticket. Supposed to announce a signing soon, we'll see what everyone thinks and where the player lines up. I'll consider that the first signing. We know we tried the Mercer kid, evidently either valued him much less than others or completely misjudged the market.

 

[Scarlet Blind_rivals]

This is what Pike is dealing with for Centers and Power Forwards.

 

[RUInsanityToo]

Comments in the post say that this is a Satire Account on X.

 

[Bob Chaewsky_rivals]

Where was it reported we had 10 million?

Have you been under a rock?

 

[mjjoyce51]

This is what Pike is dealing with for Centers and Power Forwards.

This is obviously fake

 

[Dowling's Revenge]

it feels hopeless

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

Retention of JMike , Tarik Lino, Kaden an Buchanan probably cost between 3-4 million . Ware costs $200,000 tops. That leaves about 6 million for our frontline. We are not getting a top line center that is going for 3-5 million but we can get a bunch of 1.5 million centers and a couple of power forwards for 2 million. They play at a mid major and would be getting a serious price increase to come to Rutgers. We can get 4 front court players just have to be pro active , identify and pursue. Not happy about Calipari getting the Furman center who has modest stats . Not him but the type of player Pike has to get. Without a frontline we are toast next year no matter how well your guards play.

I don’t think we’re getting any halfway decent center for $1.5M.

 

[Mholinko]

Have you been under a rock?

I heard it was 8-8.5 so I might’ve missed the updated figure? Sorry to annoy you lol

all the more reason this cycle is off to a bad start if it’s 10

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

I have a hard time thinking this crew can come up w a worse starting 4 and 5 than last year, so its a real low bar. Our 5 was a more valid starter than the 4 and most everyone is happy he's gone.

Well the odd thing about it is most of our fans will be looking at the offense. The way I see it, the D that needs sn even bigger upgrade. That’s why I’m not big on hunting the unknown Euro market. The D in those leagues is much softer than in the NCAAs.