GAME 14 Nebraska: Elevating

[bac2therac]

I really thought RU was going to come and win today at Nebby because we are simply better. Not having Geo gave me a little pause but good teams step up and we can officially say it now,RU is a good team. Not having Geo is a huge loss but wow could anyone have predicted how much EVERYONE stepped up tonight. Tonight was a defining moment in the program's ascent. Listen Nebraska is pretty bad, they do not have the depth nor the will to defend on most possessions. They somehow got up and challenged Indiana and knocked off a banged up and disinterested Purdue, upsets happen but its clear they are headed for the bottom 2 of the league. Its not about Nebraska. Tonight was about Rutgers. Tonight was about seeing some of the most fluid and crisp moments we have seen in almost 30 years. Tonight was about youth stepping into roles. Tonight was teamwork. Tonight was about confidence. Tonight was about playing in control. Tonight was about dominance.

No one ever wants an injury. Its always a setback. The program is going to need Geo against better competition. However I think RU took a leap forward in growth in a way that they just couldnt if Geo was on the court. It forced some players into roles that they were not used to being in this season. Remember last year when Eugene went down....RU looked terrible at Minnesota and got punked as the freshmen were thrust into scoring roles. Remember vs Northwestern how anemic RU was on offense. Players were not ready. Obviously as last year progressed, those players like Ron, Montez, Myles and Caleb became more comfortable game by game but they were not replacing Geo who is still the go to and still the team leader. This season the one thing RU has is depth at guard. Level of play varying from player to player. Of course the biggest question this year was the mind dumbing play of Jacob Young who seemed to often make ill advised decisions and trying to make plays that just were not there. The Caldwell game gave us a hint of what Jacob could do as he got more time as Geo had less. One could chalk up that performance to the competition but wow Jacob took that performance and then some tonight. Jacob Young was in control all night. He was pretty much impossible for Nebby to defend and with him as a threat as a passer and as a scorer squirting to the hoop his impact was huge tonight. Jacob had 16 tonight on 6-12 shooting, 4-5 at the line, 5 boards and only 1 turnover. Not only did he fix his bugaboos at the line but draining all 3 of his attempts on his fouled 3 pointer but the restraint he showed in running the floor. I think only one time I saw him go back to Old Jacob mode. What an impressive turnaround and step up for Jacob. Alot of us were losing patience with him as the bad performances and repeat mistakes were turning into a trend. I can not guarantee there will not be times when Jacob will frustrate us but I have no doubt his confidence level and his basketball iq has taken an enormous leap forward and as you saw from some beautiful passes tonight thats going to make RU so hard to defend.

Now on to Caleb. Caleb has been somewhat quiet this year. Its not that he has been bad, its just at times he has got squeezed out by other players for minutes. Well a true gamer when he is called upon delivers and Caleb was called up tonight and was feeling it. A perfect night...8-8 shooting for 20 points, 2 treys, 5 assists, 5 boards. So smooth with his shot and when he wasnt shooting what was impressive tonight was that extra pass finding Harper for all of his 3 and Myles for that sweet dunk for the exclamation point in the final minute. His number was called and it was answered. Caleb will be called upon for a repeat peformance for Penn State. He doesnt have to be perfect or score 20 every night and he will not put those numbers up but you just know this guy is going to give Pikiell what he needs

Myles...wow what can we say about him. So Myles showed some growth last year but the amount of growth he has show since game 1 this year has turned him into a legit dominant force on offense and defense. The guy in the Big 10 studio says he is putting up all Big 10 team performances right now and its not exaggeration. Everytime Myles came into the game RU built back up the lead. Yet another monster stat line...18 points, 14 boards on 9-13 shooting and 2 blocks. His presence goes beyond him scoring and his rebounding, he alters the defense of the opponent as RU now has 4-5 legit weapons on the court at the same time. Just two fouls tonight and foul trouble has been his bugaboo and yes this wasnt the most physical game but its clear that Myles has increased his court vision across the board and is now playing within his strengths so confidently There was one Myles series in the 2nd half that just screams workhorse and that was a delight to watch. Myles finally finished after about 4 rebounds and putback misses/taps ins. Totally stayed with it with such strength and confidence and he was rewarded.

Paul Mulcahy had another game where he looked comfortable. Its not about him scoring, its about him giving minutes and making the smart pass. Another positive step forward tonight. He will learn from that technical he got called for but RU readjusted after the momentum slip and just built the lead back up by halftime. 3 assists and 1 turnover, The biggest thing Mulcahy needs work on going forward will be his defense and becoming more physical without fouling.

Ron Harper knocked down some early 3s and was quiet after that for the most part but defensively he was a big plus.....10 boards tonight and he did hit 3 total so its good to see that shot going down more. To get a double double at 11/10 and not even be one of the top 3 performers of the night really speaks to how RU is now really becoming the epitome of team. So many options so many weapons, RU ran like a smooth cylinder tonight and anytime there was a bit of lull in play they quickly responded and kept moving that gerbil wheel forward.

I thought Carter gave some good minutes and had some nice shots. He will have to make those vs tougher defenses thought. Disappointed Doucoure isnt giving us much. Yeboah struggled again tonight, not sure whats going on what that but keep an eye on it. Still I think he came up with a big putback that put up RU 56-38 that I said thats it this game is pretty much over. Montez Mathis did not have a good game, he seemed to jack up 3s for some reason. Again he seems to be having an issue in finding his role, needs to clean that up, when up big, you dont have to jack up 3s back to back possessions early in the shot clock. We will need Montez on both sides of the floor vs Penn State because his speed to the hoop when under control is tough for any opponent to defend

And finally kudos to Coach Pikiell who took some heat at the beginning of the year and was struggling to find the right buttons to push and the right substitution patterns. Pike has instilled a winning attitude and such confidence in the players..its almost a restrained confidence...and they have been so successful ever since they came back from the Michigan State game. Pikiell knows he cannot let this team get big heads. Remember last year the Penn State game hyped up, RU was so jacked up they went down 20 points before a furious 2nd half rally. Perhaps a lesson learned....and perhaps something that Geo now on the bench but still a team leader will try to remind them.

Tonight was a big hurdle for this program. First road win of the season, first time facing adversity with an injury and first time dealing with being the hunted in league play. The Big 10 slate is not forgiving. You cannot celebrate victories more than the plane ride home. Its back to work tomorrow and another opportunity to practice those dancing skills.

 

[cubuffsdoug_rivals]

You're a little hard on Mathis with the threes. He only shot 2 threes. His problem now is making simple 2 point shots.

There was no need to play Doucoure in this game because Nebraska doesn't have size.

I think we as Rutgers fans have undervalued the team, and only now are we starting to believe in them.

 

[ScarletDave]

Ron Harper stat is amazing. Double Double for RHJ and yes he wasn’t even hardly talked about. That’s the kind of team we have become then watch out

 

[bac2therac]

You're a little hard on Mathis with the threes. He only shot 2 threes. His problem now is making simple 2 point shots.

There was no need to play Doucoure in this game because Nebraska doesn't have size.

I think we as Rutgers fans have undervalued the team, and only now are we starting to believe in them.

I would like to see Doucoure get shots in a blowout. Unfortunately just not going to happen with him this season as a contributor more than a spot minute or two

 

[BigEastPhil]

I believe in this team big time. We need Geo however. I want to remain optimistic until news becomes official that his injury is short term and not season ending or long term.

His leadership, ball handling ability and offensive skills are critical when playing better skilled teams or in closing minutes of closed games.

Kudos to all tonight picking up the slack especially to Jacob, Caleb and Myles.

 

[CHR2022]

You're a little hard on Mathis with the threes. He only shot 2 threes. His problem now is making simple 2 point shots.

There was no need to play Doucoure in this game because Nebraska doesn't have size.

I think we as Rutgers fans have undervalued the team, and only now are we starting to believe in them.

Yeah i believe one of them was a very late shot clock too, Montez missed a few 2s but wasn't called upon much this game. Emphatic dunk, a few nice assists, he'll be fine.

 

[BOCA93]

Also, thought it was great how into the game the bench was. They were on their feet going nuts with every point, like it was a tourney game.

 

[bac2therac]

I believe in this team big time. We need Geo however. I want to remain optimistic until news becomes official that his injury is short term and not season ending or long term.

His leadership, ball handling ability and offensive skills are critical when playing better skilled teams or in closing minutes of closed games.

Kudos to all tonight picking up the slack especially to Jacob, Caleb and Myles.

Its the tight games where we need Geo and we are going to have a ton of those going forward

 

[Scangg]

The difference is Myles and depth. We can have Yeboah and Mathis not giving us points and still dominate. We can afford to have a couple players off and still be good. In the past we relied on a couple players and would have one or maybe two players have a good game on a given night. Now it's 5 or so a night

 

[NewJerseyHawk]

I think there's an advantage to having an injury to a starter and obviously a disadvantage as well.

A lot of advance scouting and gameplans are taught to try and take away what a team wants to do in a handful of possessions. With Geo, it was a lot of the end of shot clocks where he created his own shot.

Teams that have been preparing for that, now have to "wait and see" what we will do AND who will actually be on the court now. I dont see Mulcahy in that role, Young could be that one on one option too.

Or we just run the offense and ensure Harper gets a touch and allow him to create offense from the wing.

Overall, I am confident there are enough players that can score to offset Geo and the injury. It now comes down to allowing the offense to just run it's course and making the right basketball play.

One other item kinda lost in the shuffle of Lafayette and Caldwell and now Nebraska. The bench has come in with energy and defense and the rotations are set, even if they're not proven or battle tested. If these core players remain intact and grow in sync, it becomes much more of a system program, vs an individual program that relies of players to make a play every single possession.

Geo being out forces the roster and staff to become more trusting and makes each player more aware that they have to trust the other teammates to make the right play.

I think Mulcahy is rubbing off on Young and Young and his aggressive attacking offense is now rubbing off on Mulcahy. If we can get Young to stay where he is and Mulcahy to get more active looking to score vs pass, a lot of gameplans and trends will be shattered. Watching a real live experiment take place, during the teeth of the schedule is going to be very difficult to prepare for.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

Tonight was about Nebraska and Rutgers. Nebraska defensive effort was disturbing. Help defense is not taught at Nebraska.

Who shots an arrow after making a 3 down 18?

My favorite...towards end of the game a Nebraska player becomes a tough guy agaiknst Caleb. How about being a tough guy before the whistle on the defensive glass or help stopping a penetrator!

Another game where Rutgers out worked an opponent and wanted it way more than the opponent. This team has a bunch of heart. We played our B game and had a blowout win on the road.

Maybe Lucy isn't going to be an a$$ this time.

 

[read option]

Remember when we had guys like Joel Salvi and Rashod Kent as 6’6” - 6’8” PF/C? Not anymore! We are BIG. Even our G’s are tall.

We also have a core. Baker, Harper, McConnell, Johnson. These are the guys we can count on. Take Harper, McConnell, Johnson, and add in Mulcahy - the next 2 seasons even beyond this one can be special.

A dominant 40 min. performance where there was little doubt that we would win. That’s what powerful teams do.

 

[rufeelinit]

Lots of positives to discuss and you captured them well. We were able to get easy shots inside the paint and converted many of them. Better teams will not allow this. They will make you pay more of a price for such trips down the lane.

We played 8 last night and that will be the core until Geo returns. Last night I thought the guards welcomed the increased PT as an opportunity to demonstrate that they can carry the load. They accounted for themselves well on both ends of the floor.

The key for us is to be able to hit a few 3's to keep the defense honest from sagging around Myles. I expect teams to focus more on stopping him inside even if it means allowing open threes on kick outs from the post. I also expect teams who have some big man depth to foul him more in close games down the stretch and make him hit foul shots.

The defense needs to be there every night. I didn't like our intensity early and we seemed slow transitioning back after a bad cross court bounce pass TO by Myles. Pike called a quick TO and it got better afterwards. I know we want to mix it up with a little zone, but I do find that we seem to be more susceptible to giving up offensive rebounds when not responsible for checking an specific individual as you are when playing man.

Glad I have a couple of tickets for Tuesday night should be fun. I think the last Penn State game I attended we got behind big early and then clawed our way back but fell short at the end. While it will be much harder than last night, if we get a similar combined effort across the board and can keep Myles from picking up fouls while guarding Watkins we should have a good chance of prevailing.

Finally, it is almost 8:30 the morning after I didn't notice one Peter Kiss thread. We are making progress!

 

[cubuffsdoug_rivals]

Lots of positives to discuss and you captured them well. We were able to get easy shots inside the paint and converted many of them. Better teams will not allow this. They will make you pay more of a price for such trips down the lane.

We played 8 last night and that will be the core until Geo returns. Last night I thought the guards welcomed the increased PT as an opportunity to demonstrate that they can carry the load. They accounted for themselves well on both ends of the floor.

The key for us is to be able to hit a few 3's to keep the defense honest from sagging around Myles. I expect teams to focus more on stopping him inside even if it means allowing open threes on kick outs from the post. I also expect teams who have some big man depth to foul him more in close games down the stretch and make him hit foul shots.

The defense needs to be there every night. I didn't like our intensity early and we seemed slow transitioning back after a bad cross court bounce pass TO by Myles. Pike called a quick TO and it got better afterwards. I know we want to mix it up with a little zone, but I do find that we seem to be more susceptible to giving up offensive rebounds when not responsible for checking an specific individual as you are when playing man.

Glad I have a couple of tickets for Tuesday night should be fun. I think the last Penn State game I attended we got behind big early and then clawed our way back but fell short at the end. While it will be much harder than last night, if we get a similar combined effort across the board and can keep Myles from picking up fouls while guarding Watkins we should have a good chance of prevailing.

Finally, it is almost 8:30 the morning after I didn't notice one Peter Kiss thread. We are making progress!

I think Coach Pike played 8 because of matchups. Nebraska lacks size, but going forward against bigger teams in the B1G Doucource will see time. The way the team is structured, Rutgers will likely play 9 to 10 guys because it works in their favor.

The way Rutgers hit threes against Nebraska is what they need. It's wasn't a high volume, but they hit at key times to have a meaningful impact on the game. It screwed Nebraska as they didn't expect that.

 

[anon_0k9zlfz6lz9oy]

The way the ball moved vs nebraska’s zone could be put on a coaching tape, a thing of pure beauty. We always found the right man and just wore down nebby tn. Tuesday is huge, lets pack the rac!!!

 

[RUJMM78]

Great team win with McConnell showing up big time with 20 points which was a difference maker with the Baker injury.Young,Johnson and Harper also scored in double digits.Going forward the competition will be far tougher starting with Penn State.Rutgers can't have a slow start like last year where they couldn't catch up.The importance of Mathis and Yeboah providing some scoring can't be overstated.They are playing extensive minutes and need to show a pulse on offense.

Pikiell has done a terrific job in determining player roles and playing time.Wins will come from a collaborative effort .The team now has 11 wins with seventeen games remaining.There will be no easy games and the RAC home court advantage has to be demonstrated starting with Penn State.

 

[Sweet Pea's Corner]

Also, thought it was great how into the game the bench was. They were on their feet going nuts with every point, like it was a tourney game.

It's about time we see the bench shooting arrows and slamming towels to the floor.

 

[anon_0k9zlfz6lz9oy]

Also let me add, jacob young.... that was a man possessed last night! Watched the game with my buddy who has only seen the SHU game and he was saying “whos 42 that guy is lightning quick off the dribble and gets to the cup with ease”. If he can play like that every night then man oh man

 

[ScarletDave]

Also, thought it was great how into the game the bench was. They were on their feet going nuts with every point, like it was a tourney game.

The Caldwell game was meaningful also in that the deep bench had maybe beat performance at RU since we’ve been in the B1G ... all 3 scored and each amazingly .. Brooks circus shot, Nathan And-1, and Joeys 2 threes second one from downtown Piscataway set the place on fire. That energy is really great for team morale and chemistry. You could see those guys were so happy tonight

 

[G- RUnit]

As much as Mathias had a quit game, when he hit that dunk we were not losing. Always plays unsung D. Caleb shooting was amazing, almost a perfect game. Miles is becoming very good. Still would rather see him parked underneath rather than getting cheap fouls setting picks up top. Harper's pattern of great 1st half/disappearing 2nd half is becoming routine(Ignored by this board who jump on Young in a nano second) but love the rebounding. Thankful that RU fans finally appreciate Young as they should have from day one. He did sit out a year. PSU at home is huge. Last year's last second loss to them after we fell behind so far was painful. Have to bring A game from the start.

 

[cubuffsdoug_rivals]

As much as Mathias had a quit game, when he hit that dunk we were not losing. Always plays unsung D. Caleb shooting was amazing, almost a perfect game. Myles is becoming very good. Still would rather see him parked underneath rather than getting cheap fouls setting picks up top. Harper's pattern of great 1st half/disappearing 2nd half is becoming routine(Ignored by this board who jump on Young in a nano second) but love the rebounding. Thankful that RU fans finally appreciate Young as they should have from day one. He did sit out a year. PSU at home is huge. Last year's last second loss to them after we fell behind so far was painful. Have to bring A game from the start.

I think Myles hasn't had more than 2 fouls in the last few games. A big improvement from last year and the beginning of the season.

 

[ScarletDave]

As much as Mathias had a quit game, when he hit that dunk we were not losing. Always plays unsung D. Caleb shooting was amazing, almost a perfect game. Miles is becoming very good. Still would rather see him parked underneath rather than getting cheap fouls setting picks up top. Harper's pattern of great 1st half/disappearing 2nd half is becoming routine(Ignored by this board who jump on Young in a nano second) but love the rebounding. Thankful that RU fans finally appreciate Young as they should have from day one. He did sit out a year. PSU at home is huge. Last year's last second loss to them after we fell behind so far was painful. Have to bring A game from the start.

I will agree with all you said except that Caleb was “almost” perfect. 20 points and every ball that left his hand went in 8-8 5-5, he was perfect.

And yes that PSU loss where a Myles dunk would have won it at the horn was heart ripping out feeling. Time for redemption

 

[ru66]

where is the customary BUT Nebraska sucks analysis/commentary

 

[satnom]

where is the customary BUT Nebraska sucks analysis/commentary

You just did.

GO RU

 

[RUChoppin]

where is the customary BUT Nebraska sucks analysis/commentary

Nebraska being a bad high major team isn't the same as Caldwell being a D-II team.

 

[Night Man]

Another game where Rutgers out worked an opponent and wanted it way more than the opponent. This team has a bunch of heart. We played our B game and had a blowout win on the road.

I'm with you on this. Didn't think we even played that well. We played OK and were way more talented and... "better coached" implies it's Hoiberg's fault but I would say our guys were way more skilled in the finer points of the team game.

My favorite...towards end of the game a Nebraska player becomes a tough guy agaiknst Caleb. How about being a tough guy before the whistle on the defensive glass or help stopping a penetrator!

This reads like one of those "...but you know what's the most gangsta thing you can do? Stay in school and graduate top of your class!"​

 

[RU-ROCS]

Great recap Bac. I think Carter is a major concern. Sure, he made a couple bunnies last night, but he still has no hands, is way too passive on the boards and not a plus defender- very disappointing for a JUCO senior. The biggest fall-off by far when an RU starter leaves the game is when Carter spells Myles.

 

[shields]

Mathis needs to guard this kid Brockington who is tough.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

I think Miles hasn't had more than 2 fouls in the last few games. A big improvement from last year and the beginning of the season.

1. You jinxed us
2. It is Myles

 

[RUChoppin]

One great thing is that over the last 3 D1 games, Johnson has averaged 27.3 minutes... if he can keep in that 27-28 min range, that will be great for us.

 

[cubuffsdoug_rivals]

1. You jinxed us
2. It is Myles

Auto correct on my phone and jinx is more for baseball than other sports.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

Auto correct on my phone.

Fix it!!!

 

[anon_ivydyf0amkzay]

OP: your summary threads are very enjoyable...I oddly like the fact that you “theme” them

 

[srru86]

Lincoln Journal Star
Rutgers flexes, Nebraska misses as Huskers are routed at home to begin 2020