Can we PLEASE press the hell out of Minny

RU MAN

Heisman
Oct 29, 2001
23,607
10,192
113
they are so thin. We can't let them get into 1/2 court offense and get their 3s. They are not going to shoot like they did against us the other day but thats still their game. make them TIRED
Very good point, Patrick. We also get a day to "solve" or at least understand their zone D. But I agree, press the you-know-what out of them and get them in foul trouble as well.
 
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G- RUnit

All-American
Sep 13, 2004
14,371
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Agree we could get burnt but get them in foul trouble and foul shooting is now a strength. We are driving to the rim so much better than the beginning of the season.
 
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richthedentist

All-American
Aug 2, 2001
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Very good point, Patrick. We also get a day to "solve" or at least understand their zone D. But I agree, press the you-know-what out of them and get them in foul trouble as well.
I like putting Powers or Buchanan in the middle of the zone at the key they can either hit the 15 foot shot or draw people and kick out for the 3 of course we have to hit the 3 but we should at least get open looks
 

Knight Shift

Heisman
May 19, 2011
88,565
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they are so thin. We can't let them get into 1/2 court offense and get their 3s. They are not going to shoot like they did against us the other day but thats still their game. make them TIRED

Press Minny?

Mickey Mouse Love GIF
 
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jOmega

Sophomore
Nov 1, 2001
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I like putting Powers or Buchanan in the middle of the zone at the key they can either hit the 15 foot shot or draw people and kick out for the 3 of course we have to hit the 3 but we should at least get open looks
Agree but sometimes I wonder if the coaching staff actually spends any time in practice going over how to attack a zone. We always look lost when we face a zone defense.
 
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BillyC80

Heisman
Oct 23, 2006
17,057
15,441
72
I like putting Powers or Buchanan in the middle of the zone at the key they can either hit the 15 foot shot or draw people and kick out for the 3 of course we have to hit the 3 but we should at least get open looks
Yes, and I believe even Nwuli could perform well in that role. He showed today he can take and make that shot, and he’s capable of putting it on the floor and taking it to the hole if they try to close out and block his shot.
 
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RUgal

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Oct 15, 2025
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Agree but sometimes I wonder if the coaching staff actually spends any time in practice going over how to attach a zone. We always look lost when we face a zone defense.
I’m sure they practice but they really do struggle.
 

Simce91

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Dec 2, 2024
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Yes, and I believe even Nwuli could perform well in that role. He showed today he can take and make that shot, and he’s capable of putting it on the floor and taking it to the hole if they try close out and block his shot.
Exactly what I was thinking

He's at least 6'6", can hit the jumper and showed today he can make the layup.

Nwuli is raw, but the talent is there, plus he's got an "edge" to him and does not back down.

He needs at least 15 lbs of muscle on him, (the PSU center was throwing him around like a rag doll) but he kept sticking his nose in there.

I hope he's back next year.
 
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RAC93

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Aug 11, 2023
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Absolutely we should press them. It’s the only thing that this team does even remotely well defensively as we have seen an effective press against USC, Mich State and some against Maryland. Minnesota played 6 guys in their last game with two players playing all 40 minutes. We have to at least try and wear them down, which we didn’t do at all in the first matchup with them as Medved coached circles around Pike as he schemed one wide open three after another. My concern with this matchup is Medved crushing Pike again.
 
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satnom

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Jun 28, 2002
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Exactly what I was thinking

He's at least 6'6", can hit the jumper and showed today he can make the layup.

Nwuli is raw, but the talent is there, plus he's got an "edge" to him and does not back down.

He needs at least 15 lbs of muscle on him, (the PSU center was throwing him around like a rag doll) but he kept sticking his nose in there.

I hope he's back next year.
Careful. Wanting Nwuili, Mark and Powers back might confuse the RU fans that complain Pike can’t recruit quality players.

GO RU
 
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BigRnj

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Nov 20, 2012
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Yes PRESS early and often. Create points via transition as much as possible to minimize the time our offense looks ineffective attacking a zone. Push the pace and be the team with energy and fresh legs down the stretch.
 

LeapinLou

All-American
Jul 24, 2001
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For the life of me, I don't understand why we didn't press the heck out of them the first time. My only guess is that, as @bac2therac says, they are super well-coached and know how to break a press. But we have to give it a shot.
 
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scarletrat99

Sophomore
Oct 3, 2025
111
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agree, we need to push the pace like RU did vs PSU in first half...

RU always gives up uncontested 3s...have to limit them.

this is our SB this season
 

richthedentist

All-American
Aug 2, 2001
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Agree but sometimes I wonder if the coaching staff actually spends any time in practice going over how to attach a zone. We always look lost when we face a zone defense.
I wonder if we ever spend anytime practicing an offense
 

goru7

All-American
Dec 12, 2005
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I wonder if we ever spend anytime practicing an offense
If you noticed from the first time we played Minnesota and struggled to the end of the year we have had Buchanan or Powers at the foul line and attacked it well. So there has been improvement there and obviously practiced. Plus Mark will be given a screen and will penetrate it a lot Wednesday night so expecting a much better attack
 

G- RUnit

All-American
Sep 13, 2004
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Can’t let Minny walk the ball up court in half court sets, conserve energy and slice and dice us with threes. Last game they killed us with corner threes.

Have to make them expend energy and roll the dice.
 
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Degaz-RU

Heisman
Dec 19, 2002
22,298
26,510
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Doesn't even have to be full court press. Three-quarter court press on every possession -- with the occasional full court trap -- will wear down their ball handlers over the course of the game.
 

DHajekRC1984

Senior
Jul 20, 2025
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Careful. Wanting Nwuili, Mark and Powers back might confuse the RU fans that complain Pike can’t recruit quality players.

GO RU
I don't think it is his recruiting of frosh but more so the portal. I think both our FB and BBall have a good eye and when you find 3 or 4 of 7 you're chances are better. Now he has to keep them.
 
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DHajekRC1984

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Doesn't even have to be full court press. Three-quarter court press on every possession -- with the occasional full court trap -- will wear down their ball handlers over the course of the game.
he has the players to do it and mix things up. Let the brilliant coach from Minny prove his worth. IF it doesn't work...go back to the base.
Run Rutgers Run!! (some folks will get that).
 

MadRU

Heisman
Jul 26, 2001
38,142
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Wednesday’s game against Minnesota is a measuring stick game for me. We will see if this stretch is meaningful or just beating teams below us. If we beat Minnesota then it will show me something.

Seems like Michigan State is a decent matchup for us to keep games close.
 

rucoe89

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Jul 31, 2001
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they are so thin. We can't let them get into 1/2 court offense and get their 3s. They are not going to shoot like they did against us the other day but thats still their game. make them TIRED
I'm with you. The 1/2 court game we played against them was a disaster. The key against Minny is to wear them out. Even is they get a few 3s they may start clanking them earlier if they are tired.
 
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goru7

All-American
Dec 12, 2005
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Wednesday’s game against Minnesota is a measuring stick game for me. We will see if this stretch is meaningful or just beating teams below us. If we beat Minnesota then it will show me something.

Seems like Michigan State is a decent matchup for us to keep games close.
UCLA would be next up
 

PSAL_Hoops

Heisman
Feb 18, 2008
13,073
12,417
78
Listen - Rutgers D stinks, so we won’t be preventing them from getting open perimeter looks. If Minny is shooting lights out from the outside like last match up we’ll be taking another pounding.

Fortunately, though, this metric is in large part a crap shoot. On a different day earlier in the season, for example, Minn shot 7 for 28 from 3 against the currently 340th ranked Chicago State defense. I think we all realize the disparity had nothing to do, in reality, with either defense. If Minn has a shooting day like that RU will have a great chance of winning. If it’s somewhere in between, RU will have to play very well to win.
 
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bac2therac

Hall of Famer
Jul 30, 2001
247,182
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Francis only played 26 minutes last time and I think may not have started and he had a rough shooting night. It was Linos breakout game even as the game was over by halftime