Basketball Rutgers Basketball falls to Villanova 77-75 in its first scrimmage
- Thread starter Tango Two
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We are an interesting team and much different than other pike teams
This team has guys who can get buckets …Francis , mark, smith, Gerdack , jones and I think Snydor (need eyes to confirm that)….can get buckets on the bounce . Even Buchannan and peers can get a bucket depending on match up
it’s been a while since we had that
how this team feels like it will go will depend on how they defend and rebound . Both a huge Problem last year
the potential to thread the needle this season is there is we board and defend Enough
re next week...not sure why they think people are interested in paying that much money to see an exhibition game at msg
I think this team will be able to be competitive in every game they play. Defense and rebounding are about effort - and I liked the effort to make it a game with 2 mins remaining. Down 11 in a scrimmage, they could have just let the game go. Kicked, clawed and scratched their way back into it and almost got it done.
Brandin passed his first test in my book. He called a good game (nothing wrong with the final play call) and the team looked prepared to compete despite missing several important pieces for the game.
Is it a charity game? Game will probably draw Manhattan alum of so, and maybe some families will bring their kids as a chance to go to the Garden.
not sure how this post got in this thread, i guess they deleted the podcast thread...richie said something about them having trouble getting people to buy tix
Really like this postgame interview, in a way almost more than a usual Pike presser. Defends his guys but also acknowledges things to improve. He coached a good game today, thought rotations made sense.
Fun watch, feels like the talent floor is raised from last season. A few thoughts:
— I was worried about Smith’s potential athletic deficits preventing him from creating his own shot, but his frame and savvy allowed him to generate plenty of off-dribble looks against a P4 team.
— Gurdak is everything we haven’t had at center in mostly good (but a few bad) ways. Great touch, confident and creative finishing and he’s got a nose for the offensive glass. If he can hit that ~8ft push shot at around 50-55%, that would really open up the floor in an efficient way. I expect a real downgrade in terms of interior defense from what we’ve had under Pike though — we are unlikely to see many players at 7’3 like the Nova center.
— Mixed bag from Mark, i think he was able to show off his passing chops a bit more with a center that can like catch the ball.
— We have to shoot more 3s. Plus 3-point shooters like Jones and Smith can’t be hunting contested 2s.
— Powers looked bad/not ready to me. Particularly concerned with his defense; he completely lost shooters a few times today.
— Buchanan looked better/more impactful defensively to me being able to guard small forwards/wings.
— I was worried about Smith’s potential athletic deficits preventing him from creating his own shot, but his frame and savvy allowed him to generate plenty of off-dribble looks against a P4 team.
— Gurdak is everything we haven’t had at center in mostly good (but a few bad) ways. Great touch, confident and creative finishing and he’s got a nose for the offensive glass. If he can hit that ~8ft push shot at around 50-55%, that would really open up the floor in an efficient way. I expect a real downgrade in terms of interior defense from what we’ve had under Pike though — we are unlikely to see many players at 7’3 like the Nova center.
— Mixed bag from Mark, i think he was able to show off his passing chops a bit more with a center that can like catch the ball.
— We have to shoot more 3s. Plus 3-point shooters like Jones and Smith can’t be hunting contested 2s.
— Powers looked bad/not ready to me. Particularly concerned with his defense; he completely lost shooters a few times today.
— Buchanan looked better/more impactful defensively to me being able to guard small forwards/wings.
Yeah makes sense. It seems more like something that would be more of a last minute decision to do. I mean - $45 to commit in advance for the nose bleeds seems like a tough sell unless your a die hard. But last minute for charity may be different for locals. Even casual fans looking for something to do. Everything in Manhattan costs that or more after all.
As someone brought up earlier - it is insane we still can't get players who can knock down the 3 and spread out the other team's D. It is baffling how this keeps getting ignored. They are definitely out there - we play Cupcake U's who constantly have them. I guess this is just the plight of being an RU fan.
JMike is not a player at this level! Offers zero to the team. Should not play
Was very impressed with Gercak.
Also liked Smith who looks just like Steven Smith
Looking forward to seeing Sydnor play
Concerned about Defensive rebounding and erraticness of JMike and Mark etc.
Also liked Smith who looks just like Steven Smith
Looking forward to seeing Sydnor play
Concerned about Defensive rebounding and erraticness of JMike and Mark etc.
Ace Bait’s lack of talent and development shouldn’t surprise anyone.
Getting rejected on countless layups are turnovers, just not the kind tallied in the box score.
I was happy with how we looked on the glass. Gave up some long rebounds off misses but for the most part, contained the second chance bunny put backs that killed us last year. If we can improve significantly with “just this” we’ll be better IMO.
I left the RAC hopeful.
Many of the guys who got only a few minutes on, no comment except none exuded "help me, I don't belong here."
In terms of the known quantities:
Darren played like Darren, and that's not a bad thing. With scorers around him "workmnlike" and "gargage man" is what he's got to be.
Sadly, I saw no improvement from Lino or Davis. This could be a problem. Going headlong into the lane at 6'1" isn't a good idea. I like Kaden's overall under-control game but he simply has to start making shots.
Gurdak is a decent center, even at B1G level, I think. At the very least, he can't be ignored. Defenses have to guard him. He got pushed around a bit, but the V big seemed huge.
Game ball goes to D. Smith. An all-around fine offensive game. A natural scorer. Let's hope he works his *** off on D and is ong enough to help on the glass.
(Again, no comments on other players, but all hustled and none seemed loss. Maybe one will be a breakthrough.)
OTHERS
I think it's fair to expect more of the same from Tyreke with a slight tick upwards. Smith will score. Gurdak and Buchanan (if not natural scorers) are capadle scorers. My understanding is that Syngor is one or the others. Wish I saw a lights out shooter,
Don't think much is expected of Buca except for him t play big. If he's got game, all the better.
I think Syndor if a big question mark. Even he can carry his scoring into the B1G, we can present other teans real problems.
We could be pretty solid.
Many of the guys who got only a few minutes on, no comment except none exuded "help me, I don't belong here."
In terms of the known quantities:
Darren played like Darren, and that's not a bad thing. With scorers around him "workmnlike" and "gargage man" is what he's got to be.
Sadly, I saw no improvement from Lino or Davis. This could be a problem. Going headlong into the lane at 6'1" isn't a good idea. I like Kaden's overall under-control game but he simply has to start making shots.
Gurdak is a decent center, even at B1G level, I think. At the very least, he can't be ignored. Defenses have to guard him. He got pushed around a bit, but the V big seemed huge.
Game ball goes to D. Smith. An all-around fine offensive game. A natural scorer. Let's hope he works his *** off on D and is ong enough to help on the glass.
(Again, no comments on other players, but all hustled and none seemed loss. Maybe one will be a breakthrough.)
OTHERS
I think it's fair to expect more of the same from Tyreke with a slight tick upwards. Smith will score. Gurdak and Buchanan (if not natural scorers) are capadle scorers. My understanding is that Syngor is one or the others. Wish I saw a lights out shooter,
Don't think much is expected of Buca except for him t play big. If he's got game, all the better.
I think Syndor if a big question mark. Even he can carry his scoring into the B1G, we can present other teans real problems.
We could be pretty solid.
Agree with all of this but considering Sydnor didn’t play I walked away from scrimmage one feeling better about every aspect of our front court than I did entering the game. Gurdak is good, and Ware looked solid enough to give minutes without killing us. Buca is another 7 footer we haven’t seen yet (for the moment Miteo looks like a deep bench piece to me - but he did just arrive so we’ll see). Regardless - we’re in a much better place at center.
At PF, we haven’t seen Sydnor yet, but Smith Jr not being unplayable on D changes the potential for this team considerably for me. Off the bat, he’s not worse than Grant on D and he’s significantly better on offense.
Agree with you on Diego - he looked lost. I liked what I saw from Jones. Im quietly excited about him - didn’t look like he wants or expects to play a ball dominant role and was a big part of the defensive stops we were able to get when we locked in. There’s a reason he was on the floor at the end. He actually has more length than I expected and nice vertical leap on rebounds. Think he’s going to help us.
Disagree with some of this. Lino looked like someone trying too hard to come out and be a star after shining all summer. He needs to calm down. He threw some beautiful passes to Gurdak which should not be ignored. Playing JMike and Lino together isn’t a good combo (both like to dribble too much). Doubt we’ll see them together much when Tariq is back and Jones role becomes more defined.
Leads me to Jones. You left him out in your description. He’s going to help us. His defense is a significant upgrade over any option we had last year at the 2-3. Kaden may not turn it over, but his D did not look improved. Still loses his man routinely. There’s a reason he was parked on the bench at the end of the scrimmage.
Finally - In the brief run Chris got - he looks like he plays solid D too and has good speed. I wouldn’t put him in the category with the Euros who looked unimpressive. He looked like a frosh being worked in and reserve role TBD.
I didn’t mention Smith. Don’t disagree with anything you said about him.
Was Jones #7? Thought he looked good but had trouble keeping track of who was who.
I don't remember it being obnoxious tbh but maybe football has already made me deaf.
For a young guy, Fonseca sure comes off as a grumpy old man at times
Yes - number 7. I walked away from watching the game quietly excited about the addition. Really liked his defense in the game - gave us a boost on that end every time he checked into the game. Even when he got beat at the end of the game I liked how rather than committing an and 1 reaching foul he raced down low to get back in front of his guy to contest the shot (even though he jumped and was called for the foul contesting the shot).
He was on the floor 21 minutes and only attempted 2 shots which tells me he’s bought in to not playing the ball dominant role he played at CC (considering Tariq wasn’t even playing). If he’s content with being a defensive glue guy for us he could be an important piece.
I don't watch their podcasts, but I did see a clip of one, and he made Politi seem downright cheery.
I think there's plenty to be hopeful about. What do you expect from Syndor? Very different game from Smith?
My understanding is he’s more of a bruiser type traditional PF? I think Smith Jr will get minutes at the 3 when he’s in the game.
There was one loose, bouncing rebound that Ware plucked out of the air with one hand. I just hope the bball smarts and athleticism match the coordination because he could really help.
Careful what you wish for. Watching Brandin during the game, it seemed to me that our shot selection (lack of 3s) was somewhat intentional and had little to do with the plans for the offense or lack of confidence in shooters (Jones was 37% last season from deep and didn’t even attempt a 3). Brandin looked pissed about the 4 three balls from the bigs (Miteo and Gurdak) three of which led to transition baskets the other end. Our defense off of missed 3s sucked in this game and led to way too easy points on the other end. From the look on Brandin’s face and how we called time outs and yanked shooters for those - I think he knows we need work at this and didn’t want us taking too many 3s for this reason. I could be wrong. We didn’t take very many long shots in the game period - the mid range attempts were from close in at least. Buchanan with his usual longish 2s but not that many overall. Our transition D was solid off the misses rebounded in the paint.
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Like a breath of fresh air! Helping to lessen the stink of football.
It was loud. But it was more that they just plugged and played the JP Mullen playlist. It’s basically the football package from the past 3 years.
Obviously he was inefficient, but I feel fine about Mark’s performance. It’s an incredibly valuable skill for Mark to beat the defense down the floor off the dribble and he needs to keep doing it, just has to make better decisions once he gets around the rim.
Also, I don’t think there are any more 7-foot-3 guys on our schedule, so he should have an easier time finishing at the rim. 5 assists/0 turnovers is promising
Also, I don’t think there are any more 7-foot-3 guys on our schedule, so he should have an easier time finishing at the rim. 5 assists/0 turnovers is promising
Smith is going to have to play a lot bc he may be our best and most reliable 3 point shooter
Mark and Francis Will take them, Powers too but he was total hit or miss last season
not sure we want Gurdak shooting 4 3s in game… they left him wide open and he missed all badly despite good looking form
Mark and Francis Will take them, Powers too but he was total hit or miss last season
not sure we want Gurdak shooting 4 3s in game… they left him wide open and he missed all badly despite good looking form
FWIW Villanova was picked 3rd in the BigEast according to one source I saw (Am 99.9% sure it was not an AI written article).
UConn and St John’s are National Championship contenders at the top of the BigEast predictions.
UConn and St John’s are National Championship contenders at the top of the BigEast predictions.
Have the game on while working, some thoughts, but need to see more and a first exhibition is one to take with a grain of salt.
That's not a great Villanova team at this point, forgot Willard went there. They'll be better when Hodge and Evans back and they all learn to play together. That last part goes for both squads.
Team has some length, hopefully it translates defensively as we move forward. Some awareness weaknesses out there, saw at least 4 different guys lose men with their heads turned.
Smith Jr reminds me of Donyell Marshall physically (not game wise) with a Dalton Knecht mindset. Be interesting to see how handles the speed at the 3 in Big Ten Play.
Gurdak much more aggressive offensively than I expected (espcially 2nd half), with a little more range than he showed LY. That's good. His feet are pretty much stuck to the ground on the defensive end rebounding. Similar to what we saw with Martini, boxes out but can't disengage Don't need the three's he took early, although would have been nice for him to have film making some. Villanova centers were not impressive though. Tariq back, with Smith and Syndor, he probably doesn't get 16 shots very often.
Need a bit more from the guards who didn't do much until Nova was basically looking for a scrimmage to end and RU played hard til the end. JMike was best guard first eight/ten minutes then vanished. Mark thrives when games are chaotic and scrambling. Jones looked smooth on his early jumper, surprised he only got up two shots, can't commit 4 fouls in twenty minutes every time out if he's going to be his best.
That's not a great Villanova team at this point, forgot Willard went there. They'll be better when Hodge and Evans back and they all learn to play together. That last part goes for both squads.
Team has some length, hopefully it translates defensively as we move forward. Some awareness weaknesses out there, saw at least 4 different guys lose men with their heads turned.
Smith Jr reminds me of Donyell Marshall physically (not game wise) with a Dalton Knecht mindset. Be interesting to see how handles the speed at the 3 in Big Ten Play.
Gurdak much more aggressive offensively than I expected (espcially 2nd half), with a little more range than he showed LY. That's good. His feet are pretty much stuck to the ground on the defensive end rebounding. Similar to what we saw with Martini, boxes out but can't disengage Don't need the three's he took early, although would have been nice for him to have film making some. Villanova centers were not impressive though. Tariq back, with Smith and Syndor, he probably doesn't get 16 shots very often.
Need a bit more from the guards who didn't do much until Nova was basically looking for a scrimmage to end and RU played hard til the end. JMike was best guard first eight/ten minutes then vanished. Mark thrives when games are chaotic and scrambling. Jones looked smooth on his early jumper, surprised he only got up two shots, can't commit 4 fouls in twenty minutes every time out if he's going to be his best.
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