Few reflections

[Ru-baby]

- the basketball IQ differential between RU and almost every opponent is staggering.
- please no more with Buchanan should be coming back. He belongs in the a10 or similar League where he can bully smaller or less quick players. It doesn’t work at this level and his basketball document is really lacking. On a key possession, he tried to force a pass to Nwulu. That and his grab of the Washington big man jersey while we were having a little defensive run, speaks at all.
-Lino MARK Should have a spot next year’s team and could be very effective if used correctly
- jmike has gotten too much harshness directed to him. He’s not a starter, but he’s a legitimate player.
-really dont miss somervilles pouty countenance

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

- the basketball IQ differential between RU and almost every opponent is staggering.
- please no more with Buchanan should be coming back. He belongs in the a10 or similar League where he can bully smaller or less quick players. It doesn’t work at this level and his basketball document is really lacking. On a key possession, he tried to force a pass to Nwulu. That and his grab of the Washington big man jersey while we were having a little defensive run, speaks at all.
-Lino MARK Should have a spot next year’s team and could be very effective if used correctly
- jmike has gotten too much harshness directed to him. He’s not a starter, but he’s a legitimate player.
-really dont miss somervilles pouty countenance

Buchanan dropps 17 points on 62% shooting and this is the game your concluding he stinks?

We have to bring back either Buchanan or Grant because we can only afford to buy one forward in the portal. Grant looked awful and would probably cost us 300K+ more than Buchanan to keep. He is also capable of playing more positions than Grant.

 

[Shelby65]

Buchanan dropps 17 points on 62% shooting and this is the game your concluding he stinks?

We have to bring back either Buchanan or Grant because we can only afford to buy one forward in the portal. Grant looked awful and would probably cost us 300K+ more than Buchanan to keep. He is also capable of playing more positions than Grant.

Buchanan is a stale croissant on a luxury cruise ship with a 200 foot gaping hole under the waterline and also on fire.

He’s one of the few not in the overcrowded Stinks column.

 

[Mholinko]

Buchanan dropps 17 points on 62% shooting and this is the game your concluding he stinks?

We have to bring back either Buchanan or Grant because we can only afford to buy one forward in the portal. Grant looked awful and would probably cost us 300K+ more than Buchanan to keep. He is also capable of playing more positions than Grant.

I’m on board with letting grant walk he seems disinterested too often to warrant his asking price you can get his production easily

the production we’re going to have trouble bringing in is production we’re already lacking and that’s in the front court at the 4-5 position along with a TRUE PG

Mark Francis Buchanan Powers are all keepers

Zrno and Davis for right price

everyone else can go including all our bigs

the bipolar nature of this message boards is exhausting and why it makes diagnosing the future of the program during the season impossible because each individual game changes people’s tunes like the wind blows

I’ve been pretty steady since before conference play started this team would win 12-13 games and that’s looking like it will hold true

ask yourself as a fan if it’s reasonable and not complete insanity to feel okay with running it back with mostly the same roster and same staff after having your worst season under a coach in year 10

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

I’m on board with letting grant walk he seems disinterested too often to warrant his asking price you can get his production easily

the production we’re going to have trouble bringing in is production we’re already lacking and that’s in the front court at the 4-5 position along with a TRUE PG

Mark Francis Buchanan Powers are all keepers

Zrno and Davis for right price

everyone else can go including all our bigs

the bipolar nature of this message boards is exhausting and why it makes diagnosing the future of the program during the season impossible because each individual game changes people’s tunes like the wind blows

I’ve been pretty steady since before conference play started this team would win 12-13 games and that’s looking like it will hold true

ask yourself as a fan if it’s reasonable and not complete insanity to feel okay with running it back with mostly the same roster and same staff after having your worst season under a coach in year 10

We have no choice on the staff so there’s no point in discussing it.

A few tweaks on a roster combined with year over year development can make a big difference. Take 2018-19 for example. Team won 14 games. We added 2 major pieces (JY played 21 mpg and Yeboah played 23). We also lost Eugene (29 mpg and our lead scorer). 2019-20 was a tournament team.

I’m not saying we can replicate this, but it did happen once. Geo was the only double digit returning scorer from our 2018-19 team.

 

[Mholinko]

We have no choice on the staff so there’s no point in discussing it.

A few tweaks on a roster combined with year over year development can make a big difference. Take 2018-19 for example. Team won 14 games. We added 2 major pieces (JY played 21 mpg and Yeboah played 23). We also lost Eugene (29 mpg and our lead scorer). 2019-20 was a tournament team.

I’m not saying we can replicate this, but it did happen once. Geo was the only double digit returning scorer from our 2018-19 team.

I see what you’re trying to say that was a different type of team and the next year we only had 2 guys averaging double digits… the team was top 3 defensively in the country

you also could SEE the growth and potential in a large number of young players

you knew after that season you had something with Harper, Johnson, Mathis

and you had Significant front court depth with Carter and Doorson

there’s nobody on this roster you could compare tape to with any of those guys and say yeah he’s better than this guy was

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

I see what you’re trying to say that was a different type of team and the next year we only had 2 guys averaging double digits… the team was top 3 defensively in the country

you also could SEE the growth and potential in a large number of young players

you knew after that season you had something with Harper, Johnson, Mathis

and you had Significant front court depth with Carter and Doorson

there’s nobody on this roster you could compare tape to with any of those guys and say yeah he’s better than this guy was

To be fair - not really. RHJ stunk the last 2 games in 2018-19. Just saying…. And Tez was out of control and not necessarily the biggest catalyst for anything. MJ could barely stay on the floor due to foul trouble. Fans have a poor memory of what reality was back then. Nobody expected better than an 500 record in 2019-20. And we lost early to St Bonnies. Team developed. We added a piece in JY that helped fix a major issue even though he only played 21 minutes. That team really struggled with scoring drouts. JY fixed that.

Our current team has that guy in Tariq who can go out and get a basket when we need it. We don’t have anyone else who fits that bill and buying someone proven in the market is not in the cards. We’re not outbidding for a big time high major scorer. There won’t be more than like 30 or so of them in the portal if that. That’s why we need to keep TF. We cant add additional holes to need to fill in open market

 

[Mholinko]

To be fair - not really. RHJ stunk the last 2 games in 2018-19. Just saying…. And Tez was out of control and not necessarily the biggest catalyst for anything. MJ could barely stay on the floor due to foul trouble. Fans have a poor memory of what reality was back then. Nobody expected better than an 500 record in 2019-20. And we lost early to St Bonnies. Team developed. We added a piece in JY that helped fix a major issue even though he only played 21 minutes. That team really struggled with scoring drouts. JY fixed that.

Our current team has that guy in Tariq who can go out and get a basket when we need it. We don’t have anyone else who fits that bill and buying someone proven in the market is not in the cards. We’re not outbidding for a big time high major scorer. There won’t be more than like 30 or so of them in the portal if that. That’s why we need to keep TF. We cant add additional holes to need to fill in open market

That was pikes 4th season if he had indeed finished only 500 he would’ve been cooked back then

and stat for stat sure you can say RHJ and Johnson and Mathis are equals from a numbers standpoint but you watched the game and watched their physical tools and saw a lot more than you are seeing from say Dortch, Grant and Powers as a trio

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

That was pikes 4th season if he had indeed finished only 500 he would’ve been cooked back then

and stat for stat sure you can say RHJ and Johnson and Mathis are equals from a numbers standpoint but you watched the game and watched their physical tools and saw a lot more than you are seeing from say Dortch, Grant and Powers as a trio

Why are you comparing to those 3 players? I don’t see us keeping Grant and Dortch would be a deep utility player if he returns.

it’s been acknowledged that we don’t have what we need in frontcourt and must target pick ups there. The Shaq’s weren’t anything special. Ogbole and Dortch wouldn’t be much of a drop off from them in back up duty. We clearly don’t have an MJ so I’m not sure why you would compare him of all players. It’s been acknowledged to death that we must pick up a starting center. That goes with out saying. We also need a forward so no, we don’t have a RHJ. It should be noted that 2019-20 sophomore version of Ron wasn’t what he became by his senior year. Buchanan might not give us 12 and 5 but he could give us 10 and 4 on similar efficiency.

 

[RUInsanityToo]

I’m on board with letting grant walk he seems disinterested too often to warrant his asking price you can get his production easily

the production we’re going to have trouble bringing in is production we’re already lacking and that’s in the front court at the 4-5 position along with a TRUE PG

Mark Francis Buchanan Powers are all keepers

Zrno and Davis for right price

everyone else can go including all our bigs

I'm on board with this. My only contention is that in this era of basketball you don't necessarily need a true PG. Many teams operate with a lead guard. Also - potentially keep Dortch as a backup (if he stays for no NIL).

 

[Mholinko]

Why are you comparing to those 3 players? I don’t see us keeping Grant and Dortch would be a deep utility player if he returns.

it’s been acknowledged that we don’t have what we need in frontcourt and must target pick ups there. The Shaq’s weren’t anything special. Ogbole and Dortch wouldn’t be much of a drop off from them in back up duty. We clearly don’t have an MJ so I’m not sure why you would compare him of all players. It’s been acknowledged to death that we must pick up a starting center. That goes with out saying. We also need a forward so no, we don’t have a RHJ. It should be noted that 2019-20 sophomore version of Ron wasn’t what he became by his senior year. Buchanan might not give us 12 and 5 but he could give us 10 and 4 on similar efficiency.

Why those 3? 3 prominent ubderclassmen on a mediocre team?

you pointed to the leap from 2018 to 2019

which 3 should I compare them to? If we’re going to make a jump those are the 3 they need to become

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

Why those 3? 3 prominent ubderclassmen on a mediocre team?

you pointed to the leap from 2018 to 2019

which 3 should I compare them to? If we’re going to make a jump those are the 3 they need to become

My point was that frosh that stay in a program do sometimes get better and I don’t think it’s accurate to say anyone back then expected these guys to be stars. Hindsight is different from what reality was back then following a 14 win season where our top player in Eugene walked out the door.

RHJ and Tez were frosh in 2018 and MJ was a redshirt sophomore - all first year players. Caleb too. The point is Zrno, Powers, Lino, Nwuli might improve a lot next year. That team really only returned one veteran in Geo while we would be returning Tariq.

Of course - Knight and Tariq head over to Pitt Pike better pick a coordinator who is bringing a go to scorer with him or we might average 40 ppg.

 

[shields]

Buchanan was also guarding kid who was 6 inches bigger than him.

 

[RIP2025]

To be fair - not really. RHJ stunk the last 2 games in 2018-19. Just saying…. And Tez was out of control and not necessarily the biggest catalyst for anything. MJ could barely stay on the floor due to foul trouble. Fans have a poor memory of what reality was back then. Nobody expected better than an 500 record in 2019-20. And we lost early to St Bonnies. Team developed. We added a piece in JY that helped fix a major issue even though he only played 21 minutes. That team really struggled with scoring drouts. JY fixed that.

Our current team has that guy in Tariq who can go out and get a basket when we need it. We don’t have anyone else who fits that bill and buying someone proven in the market is not in the cards. We’re not outbidding for a big time high major scorer. There won’t be more than like 30 or so of them in the portal if that. That’s why we need to keep TF. We cant add additional holes to need to fill in open market

Can he go out and get a stop when we need it?

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

Can he go out and get a stop when we need it?

If you put him on a team with the defensive pieces we’re missing? Yeah - sure. He’s not a Jaden Jones type of defensive road play. He’s nothing special on D but far from the problem with the D on our current team.

Our front court D is simply horrendous. To the point where we sometimes play poor Buchanan at the 5. His natural position is 3. Our press is basically only effective when we play the 3 small guards together but then huge mismatches are created in the halfcourt sets. Zrno or Powers at the 3 are still small but we have no choice. I don’t think it’s all that fair to the guards or Buchanan to blame the defensive issues on them when they are playing out of their natural position so often.

 

[RUskoolie]

Darren is one of the few tough guys on the team. I didn't like him but I do now. He bullies people any chance he gets. Meanwhile Grant occasionally jumps for a rebound and seems to cringe while doing so. Darren was covering the NBA pick from Germany last night.

 

[Ru-baby]

Yes re Buchanon. He may be the most athletically gifted player on the roster.

BUT he plays a game that is ripe for 10-15 mins as a sub at best. An energy player who sometimes can give a spark.

He guarded someone 6 inches bigger--yes because we dont have any athletic strong players really. Its not what a successful B10 team would do.

His bullying drives to the hoop would be good in a10 or similar conference. The trees in the b10 which every team has snuff that. His bball skills and bball knowledge make him a bad fit for any reliance, and thats what we are taking about, building and relying on players. Did the pass in crunch time to...Nwuli!! which got stuffed but was an absurd choice but emblamatic...and his jersey grab of their big man when we were making a run and playing d and had time to defend the shot clock...not make you pull out your hair?? Buchannon would need another year or two as a bit player to learn bball and team concepts to be effective and dont see that time exists. But yes he can make an occasional impressive drive or body a bigger defender. But building around his baked in limitations will only produce more bad results. He can score double digits and be a force at a lower level. He would need to learn and revamp his game to have success at this level and dont see it happening. See more wow followed by 3 oh no events as what would happen going forward.

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

Yes re Buchanon. He may be the most athletically gifted player on the roster.

BUT he plays a game that is ripe for 10-15 mins as a sub at best. An energy player who sometimes can give a spark.

He guarded someone 6 inches bigger--yes because we dont have any athletic strong players really. Its not what a successful B10 team would do.

His bullying drives to the hoop would be good in a10 or similar conference. The trees in the b10 which every team has snuff that. His bball skills and bball knowledge make him a bad fit for any reliance, and thats what we are taking about, building and relying on players. Did the pass in crunch time to...Nwuli!! which got stuffed but was an absurd choice but emblamatic...and his jersey grab of their big man when we were making a run and playing d and had time to defend the shot clock...not make you pull out your hair?? Buchannon would need another year or two as a bit player to learn bball and team concepts to be effective and dont see that time exists. But yes he can make an occasional impressive drive or body a bigger defender. But building around his baked in limitations will only produce more bad results. He can score double digits and be a force at a lower level. He would need to learn and revamp his game to have success at this level and dont see it happening. See more wow followed by 3 oh no events as what would happen going forward.

I don’t entirely disagree. I find him frustrating in a Hyatt sort of way. I see as a player would could be useful for 18-20 mpg on a decent team and then marginal utility from there for the reasons you describe. Eerily similar to Hyatt…

 

[Ru-baby]

Yep the frustration of Hyatt is an apt description. Do think Hyatt was far more polished, but not as strong