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As season is winding down , there are positives in this losing season

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goru7

All-American
Dec 12, 2005
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First off, the season has been very disappointing. However , there are positives that one can hope translate to next year.
The freshmen are growing up . They played their smartest game of the year and all have grown. Powers is becoming a real good passer on pick and roll . He is becoming very decisive in attacking the rim. He takes less wild shots . He sets himself before shooting much better and his defense has improved but still not there. Plus most importantly he can knock down a 3 or more than 1 per game.
Lino is a blur and clearly the fastest guard we have had even faster than Jacob Young. And his finishing around the rim is almost night and day than earlier in the year. . He attacks the rim and getting to the line as a result and a good foul shooter . His defense is more than solid and he sparks the team. Believe it or not he is shooting 50% from 3 (7-14) since he started 0-17. From USC to now about 10 games he has really blossomed.
Not a freshman but Francis had his best game of the year scoring 25 points not forcing 1 shot , 5 rebounds and 5 assists , a steal and no turnovers.
Zrno is hot and cold but his ability to hit the 3 is valuable going forward. His defense has improved and still needs work. He is trying hard.
Pike will now have the $ so he has to retain the freshman Mark, Powers and Zrno , along with Francis and Buchanan .He has to go get a power forward who can rebound and get you a low post basket but more importantly rebound and he needs a center , rim protector that has some low post game. Nwuili, Grant and Davis and Dorsch might not be here next year and only brought back at a discount.
As an aside , Manny for 2-3 minutes scoring 9 points and rebounding on both ends was his best play at Rutgers and he did more in that stint than he has in 3 years combined. It would be nice to see that for the last few games of this year.
 
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DHajekRC1984

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Jul 20, 2025
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goru7 said:
First off, the season has been very disappointing. However , there are positives that one can hope translate to next year.
The freshmen are growing up . They played their smartest game of the year and all have grown. Powers is becoming a real good passer on pick and roll . He is becoming very decisive in attacking the rim. He takes less wild shots . He sets himself before shooting much better and his defense has improved but still not there. Plus most importantly he can knock down a 3 or more than 1 per game.
Lino is a blur and clearly the fastest guard we have had even faster than Jacob Young. And his finishing around the rim is almost night and day than earlier in the year. . He attacks the rim and getting to the line as a result and a good foul shooter . His defense is more than solid and he sparks the team. Believe it or not he is shooting 50% from 3 (7-14) since he started 0-17. From USC to now about 10 games he has really blossomed.
Not a freshman but Francis had his best game of the year scoring 25 points not forcing 1 shot , 5 rebounds and 5 assists , a steal and no turnovers.
Zrno is hot and cold but his ability to hit the 3 is valuable going forward. His defense has improved and still needs work. He is trying hard.
Pike will now have the $ so he has to retain the freshman Mark, Powers and Zrno , along with Francis and Buchanan .He has to go get a power forward who can rebound and get you a low post basket but more importantly rebound and he needs a center , rim protector that has some low post game. Nwuili, Grant and Davis and Dorsch might not be here next year and only brought back at a discount.
As an aside , Manny for 2-3 minutes scoring 9 points and rebounding on both ends was his best play at Rutgers and he did more in that stint than he has in 3 years combined. It would be nice to see that for the last few games of this year.
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There's that "Hope " word again describing the next season.... OK. I'm with your assessment. I cannot fathom Davis not being back given Pike's loyalty. That's ok. Grant and Dortch can both go. (not cause I don't like Dortch I just don't see the game) Nwuili I don't know. I liked his play last night though. When a guy plays hard, attacks both D and O AND makes his foul shots...I'm a fan.

As for Manny...maybe last night was because they finally lifted their heads and got him the ball when open and posting vs. late. I would love to see more of that too. Somebody has got to teach him how to stop pushing with those big arms and hands though.
 
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Sweet Pea's Corner

Sweet Pea's Corner

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I don't look at the future with players no more. They can leave as they please so I don't analysis teams until the roster is set.
 
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G

goru7

All-American
Dec 12, 2005
6,415
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Degaz-RU said:
Yeah, the shame of it is that all of the "positives" could be playing for other schools next year.
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It could be a shame or Pike can step up with $ and a vision and recruit hard to keep them. He has given Mark the starting role and expanded playing time. He has given Powers a starting role and playing time. They are not necessarily going to get the same playing time or starting or the same freedom and role somewhere else. Pike has to sell that as the head coach. It could make all the difference between a successful team next year or starting from scratch.
 
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Pdabs

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Sweet Pea's Corner said:
I don't look at the future with players no more. They can leave as they please so I don't analysis teams until the roster is set.
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I agree. Sucks you can’t get excited for a freshman who can end up being a stud. I like Lino I like Powers and Francis. But the season hasn’t even ended and I’m reading Lino wants out. Francis is gone if there is a coaching move. I have to treated it as what it is, 40 first dates, every new season is a new day and new team. Until nil gets sorted it out, there won’t be any one who stays more than a year. Maybe 2.

and if that’s the case. Go after grown men, what Indiana did in football.
 
N

NickRU714

Heisman
Aug 18, 2009
14,006
12,811
113
goru7 said:
It could be a shame or Pike can step up with $ and a vision and recruit hard to keep them. He has given Mark the starting role and expanded playing time. He has given Powers a starting role and playing time. They are not necessarily going to get the same playing time or starting or the same freedom and role somewhere else. Pike has to sell that as the head coach. It could make all the difference between a successful team next year or starting from scratch.
Click to expand...

Are you suggesting Mark and Powers should be starters next year???

Considering the expected increase in available money that would likely be a disaster and terribly overpaying them.

I think its more likely they leave (along with others) because next year they will have a reduced role than right now and potentially less money.
 
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LeapinLou

LeapinLou

All-American
Jul 24, 2001
13,137
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It sounds like you agree with Coach Izzo that Rutgers will get good if they don't get tampered with. But I think we all know we're going to get tampered with.

As for positives, I predicted a 12 win season with 5 conference wins. So winning this weekend would result in my expectations being exceeded. That's a positive. And sweeping Maryland and Penn State? Huge positive if they can pull it off.
 
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G

goru7

All-American
Dec 12, 2005
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NickRU714 said:
Are you suggesting Mark and Powers should be starters next year???

Considering the expected increase in available money that would likely be a disaster and terribly overpaying them.

I think its more likely they leave (along with others) because next year they will have a reduced role than right now and potentially less money.
Click to expand...
They definitely will be starters next year . Lino has unseated JMike. Francis can play along side Powers or even Zrno. Who do you envision having a bigger role ? You need a 4 power forward and a 5 rim protector to play with them so you can play 2 small guys together at times. The amount any player is getting is ridiculous but you would not be overpaying if others are poaching them and offering more. Pike has to fight for them. They have upside and they have showed it the last half of this year where Lino and Powers and Zrno hardly played.
 
LotusAggressor_rivals

LotusAggressor_rivals

All-American
Oct 11, 2003
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Degaz-RU said:
Yeah, the shame of it is that all of the "positives" could be playing for other schools next year.
Click to expand...
It would be a bigger shame if they were all important contributors to NCAA Tournament teams while displaying skills that were never shown here.
 
bac2therac

bac2therac

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goru7 said:
They definitely will be starters next year . Lino has unseated JMike. Francis can play along side Powers or even Zrno. Who do you envision having a bigger role ? You need a 4 power forward and a 5 rim protector to play with them so you can play 2 small guys together at times. The amount any player is getting is ridiculous but you would not be overpaying if others are poaching them and offering more. Pike has to fight for them. They have upside and they have showed it the last half of this year where Lino and Powers and Zrno hardly played.
Click to expand...
goru7 said:
They definitely will be starters next year . Lino has unseated JMike. Francis can play along side Powers or even Zrno. Who do you envision having a bigger role ? You need a 4 power forward and a 5 rim protector to play with them so you can play 2 small guys together at times. The amount any player is getting is ridiculous but you would not be overpaying if others are poaching them and offering more. Pike has to fight for them. They have upside and they have showed it the last half of this year where Lino and Powers and Zrno hardly played.
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if they are all starters next year then we are overpaying and this team will be a 500 team and Pike will get fired....we have the money to go out and get at least 2 legit starters and 2 players better than mark powers or buchanhan
 
M

mugrat86

Heisman
Dec 11, 2014
8,096
10,613
82
bac2therac said:
if they are all starters next year then we are overpaying and this team will be a 500 team and Pike will get fired....we have the money to go out and get at least 2 legit starters and 2 players better than mark powers or buchanhan
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Not sure why you don't think Lino is a keeper. The guy could be next Jacob Young
 
N

NewHondo77

Freshman
Jul 8, 2025
70
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bac2therac said:
if they are all starters next year then we are overpaying and this team will be a 500 team and Pike will get fired....we have the money to go out and get at least 2 legit starters and 2 players better than mark powers or buchanhan
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There isn’t a single player on this team that couldn’t be replaced with someone just as good or even better even with a meager NIL.
 
Fat-Tony

Fat-Tony

Senior
Jul 2, 2004
385
496
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I think continuity of team is a concept that is seemingly lost in the NIL era. Just because there may be more talented players who are in the portal doesn't mean that it would be beneficial Rutgers to secure those players in lieu of the players currently on the team. The history of mid-majors having success in the Tournament because their team plays together is something that cannot be overstated. As was demonstrated last year, merely having the best players does not guaranty having the best results. The current team is significantly better now than it was in November. This is, in part, a function of the players learning how to play together and their roles on the team. Starting over in the portal would throw away that progress and likely just be starting over again (albeit with potentially better talent).
 
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S

S_Janowski

Heisman
May 24, 2009
13,902
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NickRU714 said:
Are you suggesting Mark and Powers should be starters next year???

Considering the expected increase in available money that would likely be a disaster and terribly overpaying them.

I think it’s more likely they leave (along with others) because next year they will have a reduced role than right now and potentially less money.
Click to expand...

Mark has developed well and I could see him being a starter for a much improved team next year (assuming we bring in 2 other starters).

If I were Pikiell I would be aggressive in trying to change his mind (pay him decent but nothing crazy and sell him on playing time).

I’m not totally sold on Powers yet, especially as a potential starter. I want him back but hope we’re not being stupid burining too much $ retaining players and reducing the pool available for new bodies.
 
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NickRU714

Heisman
Aug 18, 2009
14,006
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goru7 said:
They definitely will be starters next year . Lino has unseated JMike. Francis can play along side Powers or even Zrno. Who do you envision having a bigger role ? You need a 4 power forward and a 5 rim protector to play with them so you can play 2 small guys together at times. The amount any player is getting is ridiculous but you would not be overpaying if others are poaching them and offering more. Pike has to fight for them. They have upside and they have showed it the last half of this year where Lino and Powers and Zrno hardly played.
Click to expand...

Oh I dont think Mark or Powers are getting poached for a significant amount of money.
I think most of them leave because we are offering them less minutes and less money next year.

If we have $8m(+?) then I'm spending at least a $1m each for every starter.
I would assume we could get much more established players for that than Mark, Powers or Zrno.
 
D

dark_check

All-Conference
Mar 7, 2022
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I like Mark and he’s fast but I don’t think he’s faster than JY. Man I can still remember him jamming it down Purdues throat. I don’t think I’d call freshman growing up a positive, aren’t they supposed to? What I will say are positives is that a few of these players exceeded or even greatly exceeded my expectations. Now I want to retain more guys than I did mid way. One thing that worries me is while I want Mark back, I feel we can’t start two 6’ guards. Our GM is very important this off season. I hope Pike keeps an open mind and listens to what he has to say. Pike has the final say but the GM knows $s and Metrics.
 
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Pils86

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Sep 21, 2008
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We need some help but I do like keeping continuity, players get to know each other, and it doesn't take Pike almost a season to figure it out. I would spend $1.5 and 1.2 for new centers, one of which is comfortable at the 4 for stretches, and 1.5 for scoring 4. After that keep the best of the rest. I like our guards and the frosh should be better next year, Francis I think will find it tougher next year as he will be a known quantity and defenses not play as tight to avoid his contact but keeping their hands up to force him to shoot over. Lino reminded me of Simpson early on, quick with nice moves to the basket but the ball just didn't go in the hole, but now he has found the hole and his potential looks good. I am liking J Mike's toughness and drive, like Powers overall game to improve. If all four can be had for $3 or a little more I think we would be good. Save money at the 3, keeping the best of what we have but know they are not scoring options but defense and rebounding first.

I probably stand alone on this thought but I would like to keep Badalau, he has length and some skills but was mishandled by Pike, putting him in a starters role while he need acclimation, then to DNP's even when we are getting mauled on the boards, I kind of feel he has been scapegoated. If the well is not poisoned with the DNP's and he comes cheap I think muscling up and more experience in the American game will lead to confidence and him being a decent bench player.
 
albanyknight

albanyknight

All-American
Feb 3, 2004
16,413
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Before this season started, I felt if we ended up with 15 wins, it would be a successful season. We will probably wind up with 13 wins and played Michigan State twice tough and down to the wire.

The team has not quit on Pike and has improved as the season has gone on. A lot of things can happen for the good between now and November.
 
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satnom

All-American
Jun 28, 2002
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Pils86 said:
I probably stand alone on this thought but I would like to keep Badalau, he has length and some skills but was mishandled by Pike, putting him in a starters role while he need acclimation, then to DNP's even when we are getting mauled on the boards, I kind of feel he has been scapegoated. If the well is not poisoned with the DNP's and he comes cheap I think muscling up and more experience in the American game will lead to confidence and him being a decent bench player.
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Agree with this. Badalau was not a starter coming in. He needed to adjust to culture, speed of play and physicality of P4 play. If he comes back on schollie with minimal funds I believe he has a higher ceiling than Zrno.

Kid lost all confidence after losing start spot.

GO RU
 
R

RAC93

All-Conference
Aug 11, 2023
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Pils86 said:
We need some help but I do like keeping continuity, players get to know each other, and it doesn't take Pike almost a season to figure it out. I would spend $1.5 and 1.2 for new centers, one of which is comfortable at the 4 for stretches, and 1.5 for scoring 4. After that keep the best of the rest. I like our guards and the frosh should be better next year, Francis I think will find it tougher next year as he will be a known quantity and defenses not play as tight to avoid his contact but keeping their hands up to force him to shoot over. Lino reminded me of Simpson early on, quick with nice moves to the basket but the ball just didn't go in the hole, but now he has found the hole and his potential looks good. I am liking J Mike's toughness and drive, like Powers overall game to improve. If all four can be had for $3 or a little more I think we would be good. Save money at the 3, keeping the best of what we have but know they are not scoring options but defense and rebounding first.

I probably stand alone on this thought but I would like to keep Badalau, he has length and some skills but was mishandled by Pike, putting him in a starters role while he need acclimation, then to DNP's even when we are getting mauled on the boards, I kind of feel he has been scapegoated. If the well is not poisoned with the DNP's and he comes cheap I think muscling up and more experience in the American game will lead to confidence and him being a decent bench player.
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BAD-alau has been just plain bad. Let him go.
 
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dark_check

All-Conference
Mar 7, 2022
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Pils86 said:
We need some help but I do like keeping continuity, players get to know each other, and it doesn't take Pike almost a season to figure it out. I would spend $1.5 and 1.2 for new centers, one of which is comfortable at the 4 for stretches, and 1.5 for scoring 4. After that keep the best of the rest. I like our guards and the frosh should be better next year, Francis I think will find it tougher next year as he will be a known quantity and defenses not play as tight to avoid his contact but keeping their hands up to force him to shoot over. Lino reminded me of Simpson early on, quick with nice moves to the basket but the ball just didn't go in the hole, but now he has found the hole and his potential looks good. I am liking J Mike's toughness and drive, like Powers overall game to improve. If all four can be had for $3 or a little more I think we would be good. Save money at the 3, keeping the best of what we have but know they are not scoring options but defense and rebounding first.

I probably stand alone on this thought but I would like to keep Badalau, he has length and some skills but was mishandled by Pike, putting him in a starters role while he need acclimation, then to DNP's even when we are getting mauled on the boards, I kind of feel he has been scapegoated. If the well is not poisoned with the DNP's and he comes cheap I think muscling up and more experience in the American game will lead to confidence and him being a decent bench player.
Click to expand...
You need to up your budget about 1.3mm for a starting C
 
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G

goru7

All-American
Dec 12, 2005
6,415
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bac2therac said:
if they are all starters next year then we are overpaying and this team will be a 500 team and Pike will get fired....we have the money to go out and get at least 2 legit starters and 2 players better than mark powers or buchanhan
Click to expand...
If you going to pay 4-5 million to get a 4 and a 5 , and we get 2-3 guards forwards better than Mark. Powers and Buchanan that will cost another 4-5 million, that leaves you almost nothing for Francis or even retaining the other players. So what you say is out there is not realistic .
 
N

NickRU714

Heisman
Aug 18, 2009
14,006
12,811
113
goru7 said:
If you going to pay 4-5 million to get a 4 and a 5 , and we get 2-3 guards forwards better than Mark. Powers and Buchanan that will cost another 4-5 million, that leaves you almost nothing for Francis or even retaining the other players. So what you say is out there is not realistic .
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The point is if we can get 2/3 better guards to pair for Francis - Mark and Powers and Davis arent retained.

Unless they accept minimal money as the 8th/9th and below roster spots.

We cant retain everyone and also upgrade talent. The money isn't there.

Want to keep Powers and Mark and Davis and Buchannon and Zrno? Fine.
But then they are going to be 2 or 3 parts of the starting lineup and first guys off the bench again.

We aren't going to be able to afford 3 transfers and retain all them.
What's the season projection look like then?

The alternative is cut their money/role - let them decide if they want to accept it.
And transition the money into the starting lineup and more talented transfers.
Less depth but more talent.
 
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