GAME 21 MARYLAND: Malfeasance

[bac2therac]

This was one of the most utterly disappointing performances by both coaches and players that I have seen from a Rutgers team in a big spot since 2004 when RU laid an egg in a big spot in Blacksburg vs Virginia Tech with a NCAA bid on the line vs a team they beat by 50 earlier in the year. And listen we are at the point in the season where we should have expectations as fans. I nor anyone in the game thread has been that harsh on this team. This kind of play from this team is getting real old. We saw it during the 5 game losing streak. We saw glimpses of it against weaker competition but we gutted wins out, credit for that but today was inexcusable. The mindset of this team was completely lacking any sense of urgency or any sense of hunger or want. A win today vs Maryland would have wrapped up a NCAA tournament bid. That the team did not appear to grasp that is stunning. That the coaching staff was woefully unprepared and continues to be rudderless with substitutions and continuing to allow the same mistakes to be made each game.

Give Maryland credit. When RU played them early, RU was riding fools gold shooting and MD was young and not developed. While RU seemingly has got worse, Maryland has quitely improved game by game and now they are a dangerous NCAA tourney threat. Meanwhile RU is gasping for air hoping to get a win or two to keep their NCAA tourney bid from slipping away. Maryland played solid D today and didnt crumble. That RU allowed them to just come and be comfortable says it all about what a wrong mindset this team has. It does not help RU that Pikiell has just been brutal of late in pushing buttons and putting the right players out there, The continued pulling of players who are playing well in exchange for the same sub patterns and those same subs play us out of the lead and make the same mistakes.

But beyond the malfeasance of the coaching staff the players also deserve criticism. To just treat this game with absolutely no passion is disturbing. Geo, Ron and Myles all came up very small today. I dont want to hear anything about Myles being an elite center, because he isnt. All too many times he simply disappears. RU went away from gettitng him touches but Myles came back in and was a non factor the rest of the game. Geo made lazy passes, bricked open shots and showed no leadership. Ron cannot make a bunny to save his life. Team is lacking any kind of leadership and that is stunning right now....absolutely stunning...you have a whole bunch of players with experience and no leaders. Some may say I am being harsh...well lemme say...this team shot its mouth about how good they were going to be and if you do that you gotta back it up...and clearly they are not. Also some players just need to put their phones down and stop worrying about twitter. Too many times this season, the focus looks like on other issues. Hey look thats fine but be ready for the criticism if you are not stepping up on the court.

The big picture is losing to Maryland a team headed to the NCAA tourney isnt a bad loss. No one can take away the wins on the NCAA resume...Illinois, at Indiana, Purdue, at Maryland, Minnesota, Syracuse. There are no bad losses. RU still has a strong profile. I still believe a win against Indiana a NCAA type team should be enough to get RU in the tournament, although yes I want to avoid a loss at Nebby which would be a bad loss. After this loss, I put Rutgers on the 8 seed line along with Maryland

I fully expect this team to bounce back and beat Indiana. If we do not we are in serious trouble. Pikiell needs to reflect on what is going on. This is why he is paid the big bucks. This time of year, a tourney team steps up and wins. RU did not compete like a tourney team today.

 

[RUsojo]

We need offense. Get offensive oriented players more minutes. Pike today said we don’t want to shoot threes we want to get to the basket. Well, play the guys who can get to the basket.

No surprise today the team played the same they’ve played for 8 games or so. Just getting exposed against quality opponents.

 

[RU Mike73]

There’s the “Word of the Day” again.

 

[bac2therac]

RU started out well and then started hoisting 3s for some reason....not our game

 

[Sweet Pea's Corner]

This. last home game of the year. How do they do Senior night?

 

[RW90]

Until this team has more players stepping up than just JY we are one and done both tourneys.

 

[bethlehemfan]

If we don’t beat Indiana we are definitely in the danger zone.

 

[Mr. Magoo1]

Good analysis. I was hoping we’d be on the good side of the dreaded 8-9 game, but now I believe we are solidly on the wrong side of it. Maybe we’ll spring one of the annual 12-5 upsets.

 

[bac2therac]

one more thing to add. I picked RU to win this game but my feeling in my head is that we would probably split these two. Sometimes things can work out for the better. We shall see. Can this team pull themselves up by their bootstraps and win a big game in a pressure situation. Could have a bigger impact for down the line...just trying to find a positive.

 

[RUDead]

Not sure why you are calling out Geo. Aside from Jacob, who was clearly the best player today Geo played ok.

5/10 from field, 2/4 from 3, 2 steals, 1 TO. If everyone played that well we win that game easy.

Myles lack of production was mostly on the guards who don't get him the ball enough, but i did notice he wasn't fighting hard enough for position. Posting up way too far out. Needs to establish position much closer to the basket.

 

[bac2therac]

If we don’t beat Indiana we are definitely in the danger zone.

we would need to win at Nebby and then either win at Minny or Big 10 tourney game which would be against a quality opponent...2 gets us in

 

[bac2therac]

Not sure why you are calling out Geo. Aside from Jacob, who was clearly the best player today Geo played ok.

5/10 from field, 2/4 from 3, 2 steals, 1 TO. If everyone played that well we win that game easy.

Myles lack of production was mostly on the guards who don't get him the ball enough, but i did notice he wasn't fighting hard enough for position. Posting up way too far out. Needs to establish position much closer to the basket.

no leadership, lazy passes, and poor defense

Geo is the supposed leader so when the team looks rudderless he is going to take the blame. I think Pike needed to be playing him 40 minutes this game

thats true with Myles but he looked soft today

and yes Geo with 8 tied Myles as our leading rebounder

 

[King of S]

This was one of the most utterly disappointing performances by both coaches and players that I have seen from a Rutgers team in a big spot since 2004 when RU laid an egg in a big spot in Blacksburg vs Virginia Tech with a NCAA bid on the line vs a team they beat by 50 earlier in the year. And listen we are at the point in the season where we should have expectations as fans. I nor anyone in the game thread has been that harsh on this team. This kind of play from this team is getting real old. We saw it during the 5 game losing streak. We saw glimpses of it against weaker competition but we gutted wins out, credit for that but today was inexcusable. The mindset of this team was completely lacking any sense of urgency or any sense of hunger or want. A win today vs Maryland would have wrapped up a NCAA tournament bid. That the team did not appear to grasp that is stunning. That the coaching staff was woefully unprepared and continues to be rudderless with substitutions and continuing to allow the same mistakes to be made each game.

Give Maryland credit. When RU played them early, RU was riding fools gold shooting and MD was young and not developed. While RU seemingly has got worse, Maryland has quitely improved game by game and now they are a dangerous NCAA tourney threat. Meanwhile RU is gasping for air hoping to get a win or two to keep their NCAA tourney bid from slipping away. Maryland played solid D today and didnt crumble. That RU allowed them to just come and be comfortable says it all about what a wrong mindset this team has. It does not help RU that Pikiell has just been brutal of late in pushing buttons and putting the right players out there, The continued pulling of players who are playing well in exchange for the same sub patterns and those same subs play us out of the lead and make the same mistakes.

But beyond the malfeasance of the coaching staff the players also deserve criticism. To just treat this game with absolutely no passion is disturbing. Geo, Ron and Myles all came up very small today. I dont want to hear anything about Myles being an elite center, because he isnt. All too many times he simply disappears. RU went away from gettitng him touches but Myles came back in and was a non factor the rest of the game. Geo made lazy passes, bricked open shots and showed no leadership. Ron cannot make a bunny to save his life. Team is lacking any kind of leadership and that is stunning right now....absolutely stunning...you have a whole bunch of players with experience and no leaders. Some may say I am being harsh...well lemme say...this team shot its mouth about how good they were going to be and if you do that you gotta back it up...and clearly they are not. Also some players just need to put their phones down and stop worrying about twitter. Too many times this season, the focus looks like on other issues. Hey look thats fine but be ready for the criticism if you are not stepping up on the court.

The big picture is losing to Maryland a team headed to the NCAA tourney isnt a bad loss. No one can take away the wins on the NCAA resume...Illinois, at Indiana, Purdue, at Maryland, Minnesota, Syracuse. There are no bad losses. RU still has a strong profile. I still believe a win against Indiana a NCAA type team should be enough to get RU in the tournament, although yes I want to avoid a loss at Nebby which would be a bad loss. After this loss, I put Rutgers on the 8 seed line along with Maryland

I fully expect this team to bounce back and beat Indiana. If we do not we are in serious trouble. Pikiell needs to reflect on what is going on. This is why he is paid the big bucks. This time of year, a tourney team steps up and wins. RU did not compete like a tourney team today.

8th seed - that might be pushing it.

 

[Mr. Magoo1]

one more thing to add. I picked RU to win this game but my feeling in my head is that we would probably split these two. Sometimes things can work out for the better. We shall see. Can this team pull themselves up by their bootstraps and win a big game in a pressure situation. Could have a bigger impact for down the line...just trying to find a positive.

This team seems to bounce back when it has to but I just don’t ever have confidence when we are playing a team a second time after winning the first. We pulled it off against a weak NW team, but somehow I think a hungry Indiana team coached by Miller and whom we have beaten on their court is more dangerous than us comIng off a loss.

 

[Joey Bacala]

I know Mulcahy got some points late but he's on my last nerve as well. He is drunk with making the thrilling assist and dribbles to nowhere when the shot clock is running down. He slows this team down.

 

[bac2therac]

8th seed - that might be pushing it.

um hello...today wasnt a bad loss per metrics. RU has better numbers than just about all bubble schools...we have 5 quality wins

 

[kcg88]

The freedom the players feel to shoot bad shots is the biggest indictment on Pikiell. Whether the ball goes in or out can't really be coached, but the quality of the shot attempt sure can.

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

one more thing to add. I picked RU to win this game but my feeling in my head is that we would probably split these two. Sometimes things can work out for the better. We shall see. Can this team pull themselves up by their bootstraps and win a big game in a pressure situation. Could have a bigger impact for down the line...just trying to find a positive.

There’s no positive obviously and losing the next one would be major danger zone time for us. But yeah, if going 1-1 was a foregone conclusion - this was the better one to lose.

 

[RUJMM78]

One thing fans have learned is that there are no sure wins at the RAC this season.When the offense is so inept ,its difficult for this team to go on a prolonged spurt without the crowd urging them on.Of course,more talented teams have shown the ability to play at a high level without fans in the arena.

 

[BossNJ]

This was one of the most utterly disappointing performances by both coaches and players that I have seen from a Rutgers team in a big spot since 2004 when RU laid an egg in a big spot in Blacksburg vs Virginia Tech with a NCAA bid on the line vs a team they beat by 50 earlier in the year. And listen we are at the point in the season where we should have expectations as fans. I nor anyone in the game thread has been that harsh on this team. This kind of play from this team is getting real old. We saw it during the 5 game losing streak. We saw glimpses of it against weaker competition but we gutted wins out, credit for that but today was inexcusable. The mindset of this team was completely lacking any sense of urgency or any sense of hunger or want. A win today vs Maryland would have wrapped up a NCAA tournament bid. That the team did not appear to grasp that is stunning. That the coaching staff was woefully unprepared and continues to be rudderless with substitutions and continuing to allow the same mistakes to be made each game.

Give Maryland credit. When RU played them early, RU was riding fools gold shooting and MD was young and not developed. While RU seemingly has got worse, Maryland has quitely improved game by game and now they are a dangerous NCAA tourney threat. Meanwhile RU is gasping for air hoping to get a win or two to keep their NCAA tourney bid from slipping away. Maryland played solid D today and didnt crumble. That RU allowed them to just come and be comfortable says it all about what a wrong mindset this team has. It does not help RU that Pikiell has just been brutal of late in pushing buttons and putting the right players out there, The continued pulling of players who are playing well in exchange for the same sub patterns and those same subs play us out of the lead and make the same mistakes.

But beyond the malfeasance of the coaching staff the players also deserve criticism. To just treat this game with absolutely no passion is disturbing. Geo, Ron and Myles all came up very small today. I dont want to hear anything about Myles being an elite center, because he isnt. All too many times he simply disappears. RU went away from gettitng him touches but Myles came back in and was a non factor the rest of the game. Geo made lazy passes, bricked open shots and showed no leadership. Ron cannot make a bunny to save his life. Team is lacking any kind of leadership and that is stunning right now....absolutely stunning...you have a whole bunch of players with experience and no leaders. Some may say I am being harsh...well lemme say...this team shot its mouth about how good they were going to be and if you do that you gotta back it up...and clearly they are not. Also some players just need to put their phones down and stop worrying about twitter. Too many times this season, the focus looks like on other issues. Hey look thats fine but be ready for the criticism if you are not stepping up on the court.

The big picture is losing to Maryland a team headed to the NCAA tourney isnt a bad loss. No one can take away the wins on the NCAA resume...Illinois, at Indiana, Purdue, at Maryland, Minnesota, Syracuse. There are no bad losses. RU still has a strong profile. I still believe a win against Indiana a NCAA type team should be enough to get RU in the tournament, although yes I want to avoid a loss at Nebby which would be a bad loss. After this loss, I put Rutgers on the 8 seed line along with Maryland

I fully expect this team to bounce back and beat Indiana. If we do not we are in serious trouble. Pikiell needs to reflect on what is going on. This is why he is paid the big bucks. This time of year, a tourney team steps up and wins. RU did not compete like a tourney team today.

Good summary, not much to argue with.

 

[RW90]

no leadership, lazy passes, and poor defense

Geo is the supposed leader so when the team looks rudderless he is going to take the blame. I think Pike needed to be playing him 40 minutes this game

thats true with Myles but he looked soft today

and yes Geo with 8 tied Myles as our leading rebounder

About the quietest 12 point game I can recall. Seems Geo stopped demanding the ball to end our droughts.

 

[BossNJ]

Bottom line, when Geo and Ron are MIA, we’re an average to below average team.

And we’re gonna lose Jacob after this year and no one else is close to having his skill set on offense or defense.

 

[BossNJ]

We’re like an Iowa without the shooters, LoL.

They can’t take anyone off the dribble either but they knock down their shots. We don’t even make the chippies.

 

[cm_13]

um hello...today wasnt a bad loss per metrics. RU has better numbers than just about all bubble schools...we have 5 quality wins

Right, 5 quality wins and zero losses against Q3 and Q4. Today was one they should have won but absolutely not a loss that’s going to weaken their resume.

 

[PiscatawayMike]

The last time we felt this bad about the team we beat Indiana. The Hoosiers need to be our elixir once again.

 

[bac2therac]

Penn State with nothing to play for winning at Iowa..sigh

 

[kcg88]

Rutgers 3 point percentage in the last seven games:

Vs. MSU: 26.3%
At Northwestern: 22.7%
Vs. Minnesota: 40.0%
At Iowa: 21.4%
Vs. Northwestern: 21.1%
At Michigan: 25.0%
Vs. Maryland: 22.7%

It's a damn miracle they've managed to go 4-3 in this stretch, but MSU/NW are *that* bad.

 

[Scarlet Shack]

Wednesday is going to be a game of two desperate teams

one team will depart the RAC Wednesday night with the season in major major jeopardy

 

[RUsojo]

We’re like an Iowa without the shooters, LoL.

They can’t take anyone off the dribble either but they knock down their shots. We don’t even make the chippies.

Rutgers is nothing like Iowa shooters or not

 

[Shell21]

Rutgers 3 point percentage in the last seven games:

Vs. MSU: 26.3%
At Northwestern: 22.7%
Vs. Minnesota: 40.0%
At Iowa: 21.4%
Vs. Northwestern: 21.1%
At Michigan: 25.0%
Vs. Maryland: 22.7%

It's a damn miracle they've managed to go 4-3 in this stretch, but MSU/NW are *that* bad.

Pathetic . Truly

 

[Mr. Magoo1]

The freedom the players feel to shoot bad shots is the biggest indictment on Pikiell. Whether the ball goes in or out can't really be coached, but the quality of the shot attempt sure can.

there is almost never repercussions for bad shots/turnovers. That stage was set with DeShawn Freeman dribbling the length of the court and throwing up Mathis shots at will.

 

[bethlehemfan]

At some point players need to take responsibility and stop being wussies. Make an fing basket. Make the extra dribble. Execute.

 

[NewJerseyHawk]

I don't know what it takes but the leash for Mulcahy is the longest leash I have ever seen for any player in probably 30+ years of basketball.

I can watch possession after possession where the ball or sets are run and the ball hits Mulcahy and there's an ocean and beach full of space in front of him in the paint....his hesitating stops the ball and movement....he is too tentative and is costing RU at least a dozen possessions today.

I wish it was more complicated but it really isnt....he had 3 turnovers and the reality is it should have been at least 6. The turned down shots are absolutely killing whatever offense is there.

If you are going to go down 28-20 @ halftime and you're playing your 7th or 8th best player over your 2nd or 3rd best in Young, there's a disconnect on things. Paul is making it very VERY difficult on the team by not taking what's presented to him.....Maryland has no shot blocking whatever, just drive and take the floater, everything Jacob Young gets in the paint is there for Paul.

Mulcahy should be averaging 8 to 9 floaters a game, he should be fouled another 3 to 4 times if he just attacks the paint and trusts himself to score......the entire planet is defending you and expecting you to pass.

Outside of not getting what the defense gives you, it's starting (in my opinion) to wear on the players playing 4 on 5.....it is virtually impossible at this level of basketball to have a non threat who refuses to try and score.

The overly dramatic recaps are not necessary....not ready to play, the cliche jargon is silly....I think the Mulcahy experiment is over as a starter, he doesn't bring enough to the table for the amount of minutes he plays.

Pike has 2 choices....

A) start Young, who is not going to turn down floaters in the lane.

B) Start Mathis who even with limitations, and confidence waning, still has the stones to press the issue and attack the basket to put pressure on a smaller defense.

We get to find out what the stat line or how long this leash actually is......It is the easiest fix that any coach in the staff could have for a player, tell that player to look to score......how complicated can that actually be as a conversation to a D1 player....?? 3 turnovers and prior to garbage time in the last minutes, 3 shot attempts.....how does that make any sense??

Mulcahy has played in all 21 games and has 90 shot attempts for the season....and 34 turnovers countered by 41 made baskets (34 baskets if I remove the 7 for 7 in the opener vs Sacred Heart.

I don't see any path to carry an offensive player with just, with 34 made baskets in 20 games, offset by 34 turnovers for 29 minutes a game.....we are reverting back to numbers where Issa Thiam was the wing starting and playing 27 to 28 minutes and was virtually no threat on the floor to score.

If you are struggling to score, I don't see a path on that improving with burning almost 30 minutes a game, getting only 4 shot attempts out of Mulcahy and he's now turning the ball over because of overpassing.

The faster we reduce his minutes, the more we will ultimately score. Anyone playing 29 minutes with only 4 shot attempts a game, can't help your offense.

 

[RUsojo]

I don't know what it takes but the leash for Mulcahy is the longest leash I have ever seen for any player in probably 30+ years of basketball.

I can watch possession after possession where the ball or sets are run and the ball hits Mulcahy and there's an ocean and beach full of space in front of him in the paint....his hesitating stops the ball and movement....he is too tentative and is costing RU at least a dozen possessions today.

I wish it was more complicated but it really isnt....he had 3 turnovers and the reality is it should have been at least 6. The turned down shots are absolutely killing whatever offense is there.

If you are going to go down 28-20 @ halftime and you're playing your 7th or 8th best player over your 2nd or 3rd best in Young, there's a disconnect on things. Paul is making it very VERY difficult on the team by not taking what's presented to him.....Maryland has no shot blocking whatever, just drive and take the floater, everything Jacob Young gets in the paint is there for Paul.

Mulcahy should be averaging 8 to 9 floaters a game, he should be fouled another 3 to 4 times if he just attacks the paint and trusts himself to score......the entire planet is defending you and expecting you to pass.

Outside of not getting what the defense gives you, it's starting (in my opinion) to wear on the players playing 4 on 5.....it is virtually impossible at this level of basketball to have a non threat who refuses to try and score.

The overly dramatic recaps are not necessary....not ready to play, the cliche jargon is silly....I think the Mulcahy experiment is over as a starter, he doesn't bring enough to the table for the amount of minutes he plays.

Pike has 2 choices....

A) start Young, who is not going to turn down floaters in the lane.

B) Start Mathis who even with limitations, and confidence waning, still has the stones to press the issue and attack the basket to put pressure on a smaller defense.

We get to find out what the stat line or how long this leash actually is......It is the easiest fix that any coach in the staff could have for a player, tell that player to look to score......how complicated can that actually be as a conversation to a D1 player....?? 3 turnovers and prior to garbage time in the last minutes, 3 shot attempts.....how does that make any sense??

Mulcahy has played in all 21 games and has 90 shot attempts for the season....and 34 turnovers countered by 41 made baskets (34 baskets if I remove the 7 for 7 in the opener vs Sacred Heart.

I don't see any path to carry an offensive player with just, with 34 made baskets in 20 games, offset by 34 turnovers for 29 minutes a game.....we are reverting back to numbers where Issa Thiam was the wing starting and playing 27 to 28 minutes and was virtually no threat on the floor to score.

If you are struggling to score, I don't see a path on that improving with burning almost 30 minutes a game, getting only 4 shot attempts out of Mulcahy and he's now turning the ball over because of overpassing.

The faster we reduce his minutes, the more we will ultimately score. Anyone playing 29 minutes with only 4 shot attempts a game, can't help your offense.

Ding ding ding preach it baby

30 minutes 2.3fga c’mon people

 

[bac2therac]

The freedom the players feel to shoot bad shots is the biggest indictment on Pikiell. Whether the ball goes in or out can't really be coached, but the quality of the shot attempt sure can.

its stunning to allow Mathis to continue to do what he has been allowed to do

 

[bethlehemfan]

I don't know what it takes but the leash for Mulcahy is the longest leash I have ever seen for any player in probably 30+ years of basketball.

I can watch possession after possession where the ball or sets are run and the ball hits Mulcahy and there's an ocean and beach full of space in front of him in the paint....his hesitating stops the ball and movement....he is too tentative and is costing RU at least a dozen possessions today.

I wish it was more complicated but it really isnt....he had 3 turnovers and the reality is it should have been at least 6. The turned down shots are absolutely killing whatever offense is there.

If you are going to go down 28-20 @ halftime and you're playing your 7th or 8th best player over your 2nd or 3rd best in Young, there's a disconnect on things. Paul is making it very VERY difficult on the team by not taking what's presented to him.....Maryland has no shot blocking whatever, just drive and take the floater, everything Jacob Young gets in the paint is there for Paul.

Mulcahy should be averaging 8 to 9 floaters a game, he should be fouled another 3 to 4 times if he just attacks the paint and trusts himself to score......the entire planet is defending you and expecting you to pass.

Outside of not getting what the defense gives you, it's starting (in my opinion) to wear on the players playing 4 on 5.....it is virtually impossible at this level of basketball to have a non threat who refuses to try and score.

The overly dramatic recaps are not necessary....not ready to play, the cliche jargon is silly....I think the Mulcahy experiment is over as a starter, he doesn't bring enough to the table for the amount of minutes he plays.

Pike has 2 choices....

A) start Young, who is not going to turn down floaters in the lane.

B) Start Mathis who even with limitations, and confidence waning, still has the stones to press the issue and attack the basket to put pressure on a smaller defense.

We get to find out what the stat line or how long this leash actually is......It is the easiest fix that any coach in the staff could have for a player, tell that player to look to score......how complicated can that actually be as a conversation to a D1 player....?? 3 turnovers and prior to garbage time in the last minutes, 3 shot attempts.....how does that make any sense??

Mulcahy has played in all 21 games and has 90 shot attempts for the season....and 34 turnovers countered by 41 made baskets (34 baskets if I remove the 7 for 7 in the opener vs Sacred Heart.

I don't see any path to carry an offensive player with just, with 34 made baskets in 20 games, offset by 34 turnovers for 29 minutes a game.....we are reverting back to numbers where Issa Thiam was the wing starting and playing 27 to 28 minutes and was virtually no threat on the floor to score.

If you are struggling to score, I don't see a path on that improving with burning almost 30 minutes a game, getting only 4 shot attempts out of Mulcahy and he's now turning the ball over because of overpassing.

The faster we reduce his minutes, the more we will ultimately score. Anyone playing 29 minutes with only 4 shot attempts a game, can't help your offense.

Still think Michigan isn’t so great? How about Harper makes a shot once in a while. Or McConnell? Or maybe Myles doesn’t **** the bed and disappear Or maybe tez doesn’t brick another or fly into the lane with no clue. Or perhaps JY doesn’t have a total wtf turnover when we are on the verge of turning things? There is plenty of blame to go around.

 

[kcg88]

13th in the Big Ten in defensive rebounding despite having the #1 defensive rebounder in Myles Johnson. The other 11 guys and the coaches should be completely embarrassed by that.

Johnson only playing 24 minutes when there's no foul trouble is a giant mistake.

 

[bac2therac]

I don't know what it takes but the leash for Mulcahy is the longest leash I have ever seen for any player in probably 30+ years of basketball.

I can watch possession after possession where the ball or sets are run and the ball hits Mulcahy and there's an ocean and beach full of space in front of him in the paint....his hesitating stops the ball and movement....he is too tentative and is costing RU at least a dozen possessions today.

I wish it was more complicated but it really isnt....he had 3 turnovers and the reality is it should have been at least 6. The turned down shots are absolutely killing whatever offense is there.

If you are going to go down 28-20 @ halftime and you're playing your 7th or 8th best player over your 2nd or 3rd best in Young, there's a disconnect on things. Paul is making it very VERY difficult on the team by not taking what's presented to him.....Maryland has no shot blocking whatever, just drive and take the floater, everything Jacob Young gets in the paint is there for Paul.

Mulcahy should be averaging 8 to 9 floaters a game, he should be fouled another 3 to 4 times if he just attacks the paint and trusts himself to score......the entire planet is defending you and expecting you to pass.

Outside of not getting what the defense gives you, it's starting (in my opinion) to wear on the players playing 4 on 5.....it is virtually impossible at this level of basketball to have a non threat who refuses to try and score.

The overly dramatic recaps are not necessary....not ready to play, the cliche jargon is silly....I think the Mulcahy experiment is over as a starter, he doesn't bring enough to the table for the amount of minutes he plays.

Pike has 2 choices....

A) start Young, who is not going to turn down floaters in the lane.

B) Start Mathis who even with limitations, and confidence waning, still has the stones to press the issue and attack the basket to put pressure on a smaller defense.

We get to find out what the stat line or how long this leash actually is......It is the easiest fix that any coach in the staff could have for a player, tell that player to look to score......how complicated can that actually be as a conversation to a D1 player....?? 3 turnovers and prior to garbage time in the last minutes, 3 shot attempts.....how does that make any sense??

Mulcahy has played in all 21 games and has 90 shot attempts for the season....and 34 turnovers countered by 41 made baskets (34 baskets if I remove the 7 for 7 in the opener vs Sacred Heart.

I don't see any path to carry an offensive player with just, with 34 made baskets in 20 games, offset by 34 turnovers for 29 minutes a game.....we are reverting back to numbers where Issa Thiam was the wing starting and playing 27 to 28 minutes and was virtually no threat on the floor to score.

If you are struggling to score, I don't see a path on that improving with burning almost 30 minutes a game, getting only 4 shot attempts out of Mulcahy and he's now turning the ball over because of overpassing.

The faster we reduce his minutes, the more we will ultimately score. Anyone playing 29 minutes with only 4 shot attempts a game, can't help your offense.

still blaming Paul when there is so much blame to go around. Paul had some nice plays driving to hoop that apprently guys like Harper or Mathis cannot hit

how about Harper do anything...his play has been criminal and you are laying blame at Pauls feet...and im not saying he should not get his share.

there is so much blame to go around right now, its not even funny, where to even start.,,.,and the coaching staff deserves alot of it as the so called vaunted assistant staff is coming up looking very small of late

Mathis is flat out cancerous to our possessions at times, big swings with same mistakes. Myles a disappearing act today and develops hands of stone
Geo showing no leadershi[

yeah lets blame this on Paul, that is the answer tonight

 

[shields]

Down 8 with the ball and Young forces a pass that gets intercepted. Enough blame to go around. If we score there game is interesting. Myles near the basket commits foul by jumping when all he had to do was stand there when Ayala is 7 inches shorter.

 

[Night Man]

Too harsh on Myles. Today wasn't one of his better games but he was the focal point of the offense early and it was successful. Maryland started doubling him every time he got the ball. That's risky in this day and age but not very risky when Rutgers shoots the 3 like this.

Everyone else except JY... blech