Dean's role

[Scangg]

Said this in the presser thread but we obviously need another Dean thread

Pike says Dean is fine in the presser. Either he is being intentionally misleading and Dean is working back from injury still or Dean is way lower in the pecking order than many expected. I guess a third option could be he didn't want to show Dean at the 4?

But with Caleb out.... there were 30+ extra minutes to go around. Hyatt played a ton at the 3 which opened up potential minutes at the 4

Carino prediction of starting seems to be wayyyy off

Is there a chance Pike doesn't plan to play Dean at the 4 much AND Woolfolk takes Cliff's backup minutes at the 5? Remember Pike is defense first and Dean was not a strong post defender. Woolfolk's defense did look very good...

If so, Dean will be the biggest stock down compared to preseason projections. Someone is likely to be left out....

Rotation locked in major minutes after today...

Paul Cam Caleb Mag Cliff at the starting 5. Simpson the 1st guard off the bench at the 1 or 2. Hyatt first forward. Woolfolk backing up Cliff?

Even if Dean gets Cliff's backup minutes, if he doesn't play any 4, his role will be smaller than expected...

Dean's role an interesting story line and big question now heading into the season

 

[ouchmyknee]

I heard he was only going to play a few minutes today as he’s still working his way back.

 

[SBP]

Today is an outlier because for his injury, I feel. A chance to see others a bit more. No need to play him if he’s still not 100%

 

[BigEastPhil]

I think his minutes were severely limited due to his injury....just my opinion....but I think Pike really likes Dean

 

[Scangg]

How long was Dean out for and how long has been back?

 

[SirScarlet]

Dean is going to be a big part of this team this year.

 

[-RUFAN4LIFE-]

Today is an outlier because for his injury, I feel. A chance to see others a bit more. No need to play him if he’s still not 100%

He was out a week and has been practicing with the team for over 2 weeks now.

Carino misled people with his post about Dean.

 

[Scangg]

He was out a week and has been practicing with the team for over 2 weeks now.

Carino misled people with his post about Dean.

Yeaaa it's hard to believe that someone who was only out a week or two and has been back for a couple weeks could only manage to play 3 minutes bc he's working his way back still... doesn't seem to add up. Serious injury with extended time missed? Sure. Pike said he was fine.

Just seems odd especially when the starters all played 30+ minutes so this wasn't a "rest the starters" game. Dean gets a couple minutes. Give up a couple offensive boards and Pike grabs Cliff and sends him to the scorers table and we don't see Dean again.

Maybe he reaggrevated his injury a tad? Maybe he was sore? Maybe Pike was just being extra cautious? Maybe Pike was sending a message to light a fire under Dean about the rebounding?

Those scenarios could be true and Dean is in for a major role. It could also be that Dean is headed for a much more limited bench role than many were expecting, especially post Carino he's the starter report.

I really don't see a Dean 20+ min / starter type role happening barring injuries. Sub 10 min is possible, maybe even likely. I think the likelihood of his role being sub 10 mpg is definitely higher than 20 mpg

 

[SBP]

He was out a week and has been practicing with the team for over 2 weeks now.

Carino misled people with his post about Dean.

Maybe… we will see

 

[4theknights]

This was really puzzling and Scangg you made excellent points. Pike kind of cut Jerry off when he was inquiring about Dean's status and Pike said he was fine and Jerry tried to say he only played three minutes. If he is really healthy, Pike must be sending him a message. Frankly, the way Mag Hyatt and Woolfolk played, Reiber could find it difficult being part of the rotation. Also, strong was playing the vets (30+ min) with little time for Miller and no time for Oskar. I guess its only a exhibition but just thought it was all a little odd.

 

[Scangg]

This was really puzzling and Scangg you made excellent points. Pike kind of cut Jerry off when he was inquiring about Dean's status and Pike said he was fine and Jerry tried to say he only played three minutes. If he is really healthy, Pike must be sending him a message. Frankly, the way Mag Hyatt and Woolfolk played, Reiber could find it difficult being part of the rotation. Also, strong was playing the vets (30+ min) with little time for Miller and no time for Oskar. I guess its only a exhibition but just thought it was all a little odd.

Yea the way Pike seemed to quickly answer and cut him off like he didn't want to talk about it made it seem more coaching decision than injury.

The easy answer if it was injury related is just to say "Dean missed a little time recently and we wanted to ease him back in". It would have been a simple obvious answer that people would have accepted and moved on. Instead he just said he's fine and didn't elaborate at all

 

[RUBOB72]

Reiber still has an injury. This team is looking to be pretty good….maybe better overall if that is possible. Going to miss Geo and Ron but most here would never think that could actually be true and happen.

 

[Scangg]

Reiber still has an injury. This team is looking to be pretty good….maybe better overall if that is possible. Going to miss Geo and Ron but most here would never think that could actually be true and happen.

How do you know Dean still has an injury?

It's been reported he has been back practicing for weeks now. Do you have inside info or is that just your gut feeling?

 

[RUBOB72]

He still is injured and it’s only because the injury Dean had takes weeks to fully heal . Ankles and feet can be a long term thing if not watched and babied . At this time we can afford to give Woolfolk , Hyatt Mags and Chol plenty of extra practice time. Caleb is really who I’m more concerned about. He fought through injuries before but he holds a major key component to our continued upswing. in the MBB world . Pike is making good use of those precious practice minutes.

 

[Scarlet Shack]

As I see it …..Deans role is going to be determined on how well he rebounds and plays his size on defense

if he can’t …I saw enough sample from wolfolk that he can defend and board to back up cliff for 8 minutes a game

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

I watched closely to see if there was a reason why he came out of the game (performance?). I didn’t see any. Definitely odd.

Of I had to wager I’d say Pike wasn’t being 100% with the Dean explanation. What is odd is why would he lie or misled about Dean and an injury?

maybe he is hanging out with Schiano

 

[Yeah Baby]

Wow some of you need a hobby. That includes me but this is hypercritical of a guy who was injured very recently.

 

[-RUFAN4LIFE-]

I watched closely to see if there was a reason why he came out of the game (performance?). I didn’t see any. Definitely odd.

Of I had to wager I’d say Pike wasn’t being 100% with the Dean explanation. What is odd is why would he lie or misled about Dean and an injury?

maybe he is hanging out with Schiano

We are not hearing anything that Dean is still limited from the injury on the pay side. He's been practicing for 2.5 weeks after missing a week. And the staff here can watch and report on anything unlike in football.

 

[RUBOB72]

That is why predicting is a crap shoot with who is starting , who is at the 4-5 , who is still recovering and yes Reiber has practiced some and the injury to an ankle or foot is tricky. Just ask Sam Brown and Greg Schiano. The guy has to run , jump , pivot and turn , stop and go . We will finally have plenty of pieces and with Gavin and hopefully Harper next season we can be a final 16 or final 8 team. It is not impossible . Not that I would expect Cliff and Mulcahy to return but you never know.

 

[Scangg]

I watched closely to see if there was a reason why he came out of the game (performance?). I didn’t see any. Definitely odd.

Of I had to wager I’d say Pike wasn’t being 100% with the Dean explanation. What is odd is why would he lie or misled about Dean and an injury?

maybe he is hanging out with Schiano

Pretty sure back to back offensive rebounds and after the second one Pike immediately grabs Cliff and sends him to the scorers table

Chol had position and couldn't grab a board. Pike immediately took him out

Pike has said he wasn't happy with rebounding last year. I think he is sending a message. Focus on rebounding or sit

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

I feel like Pike was being cautious with both Dean and Miller working their way back from injuries. Even from a conditioning perspective, there was no need to force the issue.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

Pretty sure back to back offensive rebounds and after the second one Pike immediately grabs Cliff and sends him to the scorers table

Chol had position and couldn't grab a board. Pike immediately took him out

Pike has said he wasn't happy with rebounding last year. I think he is sending a message. Focus on rebounding or sit

One thing worth watching is Mag vs. Hyatt vs. ? when it comes to rebounding.

Last year admitedly the sample size wasnt that large, but enough to form initial conclusions.

Hyatt is way ahead of Mag on the defensive glass. Caleb rebounds almost like a power forward.

Player OREB% DREB%
Ron 4.4 15.7
Cliff 8.8 23.0
Paul 4.3 10.7
Dean 5.6 14.4
Hyatt 8.1 17.7
Caleb 4.4 16.5
Mag 8.6 10.0
Jones 7.3 6.0 (couldnt help myself)

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

That is why predicting is a crap shoot with who is starting , who is at the 4-5 , who is still recovering and yes Reiber has practiced some and the injury to an ankle or foot is tricky. Just ask Sam Brown and Greg Schiano. The guy has to run , jump , pivot and turn , stop and go . We will finally have plenty of pieces and with Gavin and hopefully Harper next season we can be a final 16 or final 8 team. It is not impossible . Not that I would expect Cliff and Mulcahy to return but you never know.

If Paul can take graduate courses and get paid why woudn't he come back?

 

[RUBOB72]

If Paul can take graduate courses and get paid why woudn't he come back?

I would love to see that happen but who knows … kind of a nice thought to have a 6th year grad student at 6’8” 225 at the point%

 

[Scarlet Blind_rivals]

Maybe, there was more to the UNC "secret scrimmage" than we realized. They play 6 10 minute periods of 1st and 2nd team rotation ideas to figure things out. Maybe, Pike played one 10 minute period with a Dean and Oskar rotation at the 4 and maybe was one of their worst played 10 minute periods. Now, Pike is figuring out new roles on how best to use either one of them, because Woolfolk has kind of solidified the backup center role. Reiber might be the 3rd center/4th forward behind Caleb, Mag and Hyatt, Oscar 5th.

 

[Scangg]

One thing worth watching is Mag vs. Hyatt vs. ? when it comes to rebounding.

Last year admitedly the sample size wasnt that large, but enough to form initial conclusions.

Hyatt is way ahead of Mag on the defensive glass. Caleb rebounds almost like a power forward.

Player OREB% DREB%
Ron 4.4 15.7
Cliff 8.8 23.0
Paul 4.3 10.7
Dean 5.6 14.4
Hyatt 8.1 17.7
Caleb 4.4 16.5
Mag 8.6 10.0
Jones 7.3 6.0 (couldnt help myself)

Mag just looks like a different player out there. He looks bigger, stronger, and more confident. I'd expect his rebounding numbers to go up.

Mag had 8 boards, only 1 behind Cliff. Hyatt had 4, but was playing the 3 so maybe a little further from the rim.

He also may have been a bit more timid in rebounding last year after getting his teeth knocked out.

 

[Scangg]

Maybe, there was more to the UNC "secret scrimmage" than we realized. They play 6 10 minute periods of 1st and 2nd team rotation ideas to figure things out. Maybe, Pike played one 10 minute period with a Dean and Oskar rotation at the 4 and maybe was one of their worst played 10 minute periods. Now, Pike is figuring out new roles on how best to use either one of them, because Woolfolk has kind of solidified the backup center role. Reiber might be the 3rd center/4th forward behind Caleb, Mag and Hyatt, Oscar 5th.

It would be interesting to hear if Dean played and how much in the secret scrimmage

That's the worst case scenario/ bear case for Dean. It is in the range of outcomes. I think he has a role, and it's matchup/situational dependant. It's just not the starter / 20+ mpg type role some were expecting post Carino declaring him the starter

 

[Local Shill]

I would love to see that happen but who knows … kind of a nice thought to have a 6th year grad student at 6’8” 225 at the point%

23-24 would be Mulcahy's fifth-year. 22-23 is his fourth year. He graduated early,

 

[RUBOB72]

23-24 would be Mulcahy's fifth-year. 22-23 is his fourth year. He graduated early,

He would be a 5th yr. Grad student at 6’8” 225 and 4-5 year starter. When has that possibly occurred at Rutgers? I go back to ‘60’s with RU MBB . Could also have our current portal transfer back for another year. Will lose Cliff and Caleb so still would like another true 5 .

 

[knight82]

I have a feeling that the decision on who backs up Cliff will be game to game. Against certain opponents, Dean would be the choice. Against others, Woolfolk might be the choice.