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So, who’s here for next season (running list):

P

PSAL_Hoops

Heisman
Feb 18, 2008
13,488
12,794
78
RAC’emUp said:
The starting PG is already on the team: Pike is going to let Lino push the ball. We will be a running, pressing team, led by Lino.
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This. I trust that the staff did their homework in this regard. General articles on NIL “value” based on position don’t tell the whole story. We were never getting a starting caliber high major PG to transfer into Rutgers for under 2M (and it may be higher than that - probably more than the cost of retaining Lino, Tariq and J Mike combined). We just don’t have enough to sell right now to land those types of players and once you start shopping PGs who were back ups on high majors or low major PGs your not even guaranteed to get better than what we already have in the backcourt.

We’ve made some progress in filling out the biggest holes on the roster. We now need some defensive stopper types to fill out the roster. That’s the one remaining hole it seems to me.
 
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P

PSAL_Hoops

Heisman
Feb 18, 2008
13,488
12,794
78
RUDivision said:
Kids not ready and are center is not a run and gun press player.

PG coming
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I say there’s no way a PG’s coming, but hey, the insiders like Richie keep saying it and they sure have more access to the insider scoop than I do.

I have no information whatsoever, I just can’t imagine any circumstance where a kid like Lino Mark would choose to come back with an expectation of playing behind an established PG and competing with captain J Mike for even those minutes. Beyond that, we added a lengthy wing with point forward experience who provides an option to play Tariq as the lone smaller guard. It just wouldn’t make sense.
 
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B

BillyC80

Heisman
Oct 23, 2006
17,130
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With Kaden officially back, here’s where we stand:

Who’s here for next season (so far):
Francis
Davis
Powers
Mark
Buchanan
Ware
Wooten
Duarte
Smith
Gurdak
Sydnor
 
J

Jerseylegends

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Mar 15, 2023
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PSAL_Hoops said:
I say there’s no way a PG’s coming, but hey, the insiders like Richie keep saying it and they sure have more access to the insider scoop than I do.

I have no information whatsoever, I just can’t imagine any circumstance where a kid like Lino Mark would choose to come back with an expectation of playing behind an established PG and competing with captain J Mike for even those minutes. Beyond that, we added a lengthy wing with point forward experience who provides an option to play Tariq as the lone smaller guard. It just wouldn’t make sense.
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If I were the coach and I was on the hot seat, I'd want a taller veteran pg to run the show. So if I think that way it makes sense, but if I think realistically for Rutgers, what you're saying is more likely...maybe it's not the same old Rutgers this year?
 
S

seansherm

Heisman
Feb 20, 2009
14,577
15,469
113
PSAL_Hoops said:
I say there’s no way a PG’s coming, but hey, the insiders like Richie keep saying it and they sure have more access to the insider scoop than I do.

I have no information whatsoever, I just can’t imagine any circumstance where a kid like Lino Mark would choose to come back with an expectation of playing behind an established PG and competing with captain J Mike for even those minutes. Beyond that, we added a lengthy wing with point forward experience who provides an option to play Tariq as the lone smaller guard. It just wouldn’t make sense.
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Could be why they are waiting on the portal closure before looking to fill that spot?
 
R

RAC’emUp

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RUDivision said:
Kids not ready and are center is not a run and gun press player.

PG coming
Click to expand...
We already have what, 6 guards? I don’t see the logic of spending on another. The 2 things we do have that differ in a good way from other teams is a blazing fast guard (Lino) and a unique kind of scorer (Tariq). If I’m Pike my first attempt at offense is to build it around getting down the floor to take advantage of these guys. The new center will have to get himself in shape. He doesn’t have to be a flyer.
 
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goru7

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Dec 12, 2005
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We do not need another point guard . Lino will be starting and JMike will be backing him up. Doubt we have 1.75-2.25 million for an established point guard and likely they are going to the top 10 teams in the country. Lino will improve his distribution now that he has options in all 3 new front court players. Passing to Ogbole or Dorsch will not be the same as passing to the new guys. Plus you cannot teach speed and Lino might be the faster player in the league. He finished at the rim much much better in the last 10 games than the first 20 games which is what you want to see out of your freshmen . We can play both ways now uptempo and in the half court. . Expect his assist rate will increase sharply and his steals are underated aspect of his game . Get a backup center , rim protector for 15 minutes a night and we are good to go.
 
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BillyC80

Heisman
Oct 23, 2006
17,130
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Based on likely positions/roles:

Likely Starters (so far) :
Mark
Francis
Smith
Sydnor
Gurdak

Bench:
Davis
Powers
Wooten
Buchanan
Ware

Duarte
 
D

Degaz-RU

Heisman
Dec 19, 2002
22,422
26,830
88
BillyC80 said:
Based on likely positions/roles:

Likely Starters (so far) :
Mark
Francis
Smith
Sydnor
Gurdak

Bench:
Davis
Powers
Wooten
Buchanan
Ware

Duarte
Click to expand...
Not sure if you were putting the bench guys “in order.” I would see it this way for bench guys:

- First G off the bench - JMike
- First F off the bench - Buchanan
- Next guys off the bench - the backup portal Center; Powers as a shooting guard; Duarte as a defensive wing.
- Deep reserves - Wooten, Ware

Of course, all of this changes if and when we land a “starting caliber guard,” which is what the staff seems to be targeting in addition to the backup C.
 
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B

BillyC80

Heisman
Oct 23, 2006
17,130
15,584
72
Degaz-RU said:
Not sure if you were putting the bench guys “in order.” I would see it this way for bench guys:

- First G off the bench - JMike
- First F off the bench - Buchanan
- Next guys off the bench - the backup portal Center; Powers as a shooting guard; Duarte as a defensive wing.
- Deep reserves - Wooten, Ware

Of course, all of this changes if and when we land a “starting caliber guard,” which is what the staff seems to be targeting in addition to the backup C.
Click to expand...
Yeah, I see it pretty much that way too. My bench order was listed by position, 1 through 5, versus who comes off the bench first.

I’m curious to see who earns more PT between Wooten and Duarte. My guess is it will be Duarte initially and then Wooten as the season progresses, but who knows. Those are the only two guys without any college playing experience.
 
P

PSAL_Hoops

Heisman
Feb 18, 2008
13,488
12,794
78
goru7 said:
We do not need another point guard . Lino will be starting and JMike will be backing him up. Doubt we have 1.75-2.25 million for an established point guard and likely they are going to the top 10 teams in the country. Lino will improve his distribution now that he has options in all 3 new front court players. Passing to Ogbole or Dorsch will not be the same as passing to the new guys. Plus you cannot teach speed and Lino might be the faster player in the league. He finished at the rim much much better in the last 10 games than the first 20 games which is what you want to see out of your freshmen . We can play both ways now uptempo and in the half court. . Expect his assist rate will increase sharply and his steals are underated aspect of his game . Get a backup center , rim protector for 15 minutes a night and we are good to go.
Click to expand...

Yeah - there’s simply no way Lino would want to be here as a utility PG and move backwards. Just can’t see it. And Pike wouldn’t have lied to him about are plans. The fact that we brought in a wing with strong ball handling skills was the cherry on top. There’s no new PG coming in to absorb 27 starter mpg.
Degaz-RU said:
Not sure if you were putting the bench guys “in order.” I would see it this way for bench guys:

- First G off the bench - JMike
- First F off the bench - Buchanan
- Next guys off the bench - the backup portal Center; Powers as a shooting guard; Duarte as a defensive wing.
- Deep reserves - Wooten, Ware

Of course, all of this changes if and when we land a “starting caliber guard,” which is what the staff seems to be targeting in addition to the backup C.
Click to expand...
is Duarte a defensive player? Didn’t get that sense from the film.
 
D

Degaz-RU

Heisman
Dec 19, 2002
22,422
26,830
88
PSAL_Hoops said:
is Duarte a defensive player? Didn’t get that sense from the film.
Click to expand...
It's more of a guess on my part, based on his height and body type. Plus, what are the odds Pike and Steve Hayn found some offensive gem in the DR who nobody else knew about?
 
P

PSAL_Hoops

Heisman
Feb 18, 2008
13,488
12,794
78
Degaz-RU said:
It's more of a guess on my part, based on his height and body type. Plus, what are the odds Pike and Steve Hayn found some offensive gem in the DR who nobody else knew about?
Click to expand...

Pike recruited him before he committed to NMSU. That was the connection. I hate to be negative (sure backfired on my expectations with Tariq) but I can’t recall disliking a kid’s highlight film more than Duarte’s. So many long midrange shots in that video. I get we have guys who take those but I don’t think I’ve ever seen that featured so much in highlight footage before with anyone.
 
B

Bob Chaewsky_rivals

All-Conference
Dec 31, 2008
7,566
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PSAL_Hoops said:
Pike recruited him before he committed to NMSU. That was the connection. I hate to be negative (sure backfired on my expectations with Tariq) but I can’t recall disliking a kid’s highlight film more than Duarte’s. So many long midrange shots in that video. I get we have guys who take those but I don’t think I’ve ever seen that featured so much in highlight footage before with anyone.
Click to expand...
Pretty harsh considering there is almost no film out there on him.
 
B

BillyC80

Heisman
Oct 23, 2006
17,130
15,584
72
Well, it took a couple weeks but we can now update for the addition of Dorin “Sam” Buca:

Who’s here for next season (so far):
Francis
Davis
Powers
Mark
Buchanan
Ware
Wooten
Duarte
Smith
Gurdak
Sydnor
Buca
 
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R

RAC93

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Aug 11, 2023
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BillyC80 said:
Well, it took a couple weeks but we can now update for the addition of Dorin “Sam” Buca:

Who’s here for next season (so far):
Francis
Davis
Powers
Mark
Buchanan
Ware
Wooten
Duarte
Smith
Gurdak
Sydnor
Buca
Click to expand...
Hopefully a PG and another forward get added. We have 12 now, I see 9 for sure that will be in a rotation, not sure if Duarte makes it 10 in the rotation, don’t think we’ll see much from Ware and Wooten. But knowing Pike he’ll put Duarte and Wooten in the rotation and play 11 guys on the regular (once again that’s too many). If we add a starting PG/combo guard that puts us at 10 players right there.
 
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BillyC80

Heisman
Oct 23, 2006
17,130
15,584
72
Last year we came into the season with too many unknowns — 7 freshmen and Fall who barely played — so 8 guys with virtually no college hoops experience.

So far of the 12 guys on the roster only 3 are unproven in college — Ware, Wooten, and Duarte.

As a result, hopefully we get off to a great start and have the rotation solidified much sooner next season.
 
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P

PSAL_Hoops

Heisman
Feb 18, 2008
13,488
12,794
78
BillyC80 said:
Last year we came into the season with too many unknowns — 7 freshmen and Fall who barely played — so 8 guys with virtually no college hoops experience.

So far of the 12 guys on the roster only 3 are unproven in college — Ware, Wooten, and Duarte.

As a result, hopefully we get off to a great start and have the rotation solidified much sooner next season.
Click to expand...

If we still have money in the tank to round off the roster with reserve players in the portal from pretty good teams:

1) someone with Paul’s 2019-20 profile and

2) someone with Mag’s 2021-22 profile

They get an A+. At that point, you could say that at least on paper, the issues were well addressed. The grade goes down if we use our remaining budget to add a 6-1 PG from one of the Patriot league teams we played or comparable (I don’t care how many points they averaged). That’s simply not what we need.

This isn’t about money because that version of Mag was a deep reserve player who averaged on 11.7 mpg. Let’s hope our staff has been following film to add pieces who can be called on to give a defensive boost. Paul wasn’t a defense first guy but he did some good things with his length on that end and was a gritty rebounder with length - but the key was he could play 1-4. The 2019-20 version of him wouldn’t have cost that much.
 
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