James Kratch on the Roster

RutgHoops

Heisman
Aug 14, 2008
9,239
12,411
102
So Iowa will seamlessly replace Keegan Murray's scoring, Illinois will easily replace Kofi's scoring, Wisconsin has no issue replacing Jonny Davis' scoring, Purdue has 16ppg available to replace Jaden Ivey, Maryland will have no trouble replacing their top 2 scorers, Northwestern will easily replace Pete Nance's production, same with Nebraska and Bryce McGowens, but Rutgers has the biggest problem because we lost RHj? Is that the theory?
 

Greene Rice FIG

Heisman
Dec 30, 2005
40,437
23,613
0
So Iowa will seamlessly replace Keegan Murray's scoring, Illinois will easily replace Kofi's scoring, Wisconsin has no issue replacing Jonny Davis' scoring, Purdue has 16ppg available to replace Jaden Ivey, Maryland will have no trouble replacing their top 2 scorers, Northwestern will easily replace Pete Nance's production, same with Nebraska and Bryce McGowens, but Rutgers has the biggest problem because we lost RHj? Is that the theory?
Where have you been? I was worried.
 

JudgeSmails56

All-American
Dec 1, 2019
4,667
6,800
113
So Iowa will seamlessly replace Keegan Murray's scoring, Illinois will easily replace Kofi's scoring, Wisconsin has no issue replacing Jonny Davis' scoring, Purdue has 16ppg available to replace Jaden Ivey, Maryland will have no trouble replacing their top 2 scorers, Northwestern will easily replace Pete Nance's production, same with Nebraska and Bryce McGowens, but Rutgers has the biggest problem because we lost RHj? Is that the theory?


I don’t know every other schools roster but I know we lost a lot of scoring and only brought in one transfer from a low level conference and no big recruits. That’s my point.
 

Scangg

Heisman
Mar 19, 2016
25,448
49,369
113
Current roster we’ll be lucky to win more than 7-8 conference games. We never bothered to replace Harper with another transfer.
Bc we have Hyatt and Mag who have been developing and ready to step up along with Oskar as a depth / different type of 4 option.

Not every player that leaves needs to be replaced by a transfer

I know everyone is concerned with the 4, but I am confident in Mag and Hyatt making the position at least solid with upside of being pretty good
 

RutgHoops

Heisman
Aug 14, 2008
9,239
12,411
102
I don’t know every other schools roster but I know we lost a lot of scoring and only brought in one transfer from a low level conference and no big recruits. That’s my point.

I posted to help.

I also missed Ohio State lost EJ Liddel's scoring (19.4ppg), Michigan State lost their top 2 scorers, and Minnesota lost their 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th leading scorers.

Happens every year. I believe Rutgers is the only B1G team returning 3 players who made All B1G (Cliff, Paul and Caleb all made Honorable Mention B1G). I'd be surprised if we aren't solid again and find ourselves competing for a 4th year in a row for an NCAAT berth. I see Andy Katz is super high on us (has us #20 in the country preseason). May be a tad bit optimistic, but wouldn't surprise me one bit.

Whether it was Eugene or Myles Johnson or (last year) Dean Reiber we have year after year seen kids develop in this program. Will it be Dean again? Hyatt? Mag or Palmquist? Miller? No idea. But I'd wager someone on this roster is going to make a "jump". And with Paul, Caleb and Cliff as a core having another kid make a jump makes Rutgers, once again, pretty dangerous (imo).
 
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Eagleton95.99

All-American
Jul 25, 2001
7,559
6,482
113
Shouldn't you also see what happens instead of being pessimistic? You should try it some time. You might actually enjoy life more.
I have heard that watching the games is a good barometer for the quality of a team and coach. That's just a rumor though. Everyone knows that the tried and true method is to evaluate recruiting rankings and make your judgements in the off season.
 
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jerzeyguy

All-Conference
May 18, 2008
3,517
2,600
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So Iowa will seamlessly replace Keegan Murray's scoring, Illinois will easily replace Kofi's scoring, Wisconsin has no issue replacing Jonny Davis' scoring, Purdue has 16ppg available to replace Jaden Ivey, Maryland will have no trouble replacing their top 2 scorers, Northwestern will easily replace Pete Nance's production, same with Nebraska and Bryce McGowens, but Rutgers has the biggest problem because we lost RHj? Is that the theory?
Lol take Illinois out of this post. They have multiple shot makers and that's not including Coleman - who is big breakout candidate
 

RutgHoops

Heisman
Aug 14, 2008
9,239
12,411
102
Lol take Illinois out of this post. They have multiple shot makers and that's not including Coleman - who is big breakout candidate

They got Meyer and Shannon from Baylor and Texas Tech respectively. Both look like really good players. And I like their recruiting class as well. I would not be shocked if Illinois again contends for a B1G title. But, the fact is they lost the Nat'l POY in Kofi who averaged 20.9/10.6 per game plus Trent Frazier (11.9ppg), Alfonso Plummer (14.6ppg) Jacob Grandison (9.6ppg) and Andre Curbelo. That's their entire starting five from a season ago (you could argue Hawkins was a starter and not Curbelo I guess).

Not to take this thread in another direction, but being I am not as high on Indiana as everyone else I view the B1G as wide open this season. There are probably 7 teams (Rutgers being one) that it wouldn't shock me if they wound up winning the league. Illinois, like Iowa, Wisconsin, MSU, Purdue, Rutgers, and Ohio State lost their best player. Only Indiana and Michigan of the group who I view as contenders can claim they return their best player (TJD and Dickinson respectively).
 
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jerzeyguy

All-Conference
May 18, 2008
3,517
2,600
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They got Meyer and Shannon from Baylor and Texas Tech respectively. Both look like really good players. And I like their recruiting class as well. I would not be shocked if Illinois again contends for a B1G title. But, the fact is they lost the Nat'l POY in Kofi who averaged 20.9/10.6 per game plus Trent Frazier (11.9ppg), Alfonso Plummer (14.6ppg) Jacob Grandison (9.6ppg) and Andre Curbelo. That's their entire starting five from a season ago (you could argue Curbelo I guess).

Not to take this thread in another direction, but being I am not as high on Indiana as everyone else I view the B1G as wide open this season. There are probably 7 teams (Rutgers being one) that it wouldn't shock me if they wound up winning the league. Illinois, like Iowa, Wisconsin, MSU, Purdue, Rutgers, and Ohio State lost their best players. Only Indiana and Michigan of the group who I view as contenders can claim they return their best player (TJD and Dickinson respectively).
Illinois loss Kofi but upgraded at all the other spots. Shannon, Mayer, Skyy Clark, and Coleman are all upgrades. Ohio st has the best recruiting class in the B10 and get Justice Sueing back. League definitely seems wide open - but Illinois should probably be the favorite imo
 
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Zak57

Heisman
Jul 5, 2011
11,154
11,258
113
Watch out for Melendez next year for Illinois. He has a pretty well rounded game and looked the part when he played us. I expect him to be a major contributor for them.
 

Scangg

Heisman
Mar 19, 2016
25,448
49,369
113
They got Meyer and Shannon from Baylor and Texas Tech respectively. Both look like really good players. And I like their recruiting class as well. I would not be shocked if Illinois again contends for a B1G title. But, the fact is they lost the Nat'l POY in Kofi who averaged 20.9/10.6 per game plus Trent Frazier (11.9ppg), Alfonso Plummer (14.6ppg) Jacob Grandison (9.6ppg) and Andre Curbelo. That's their entire starting five from a season ago (you could argue Hawkins was a starter and not Curbelo I guess).

Not to take this thread in another direction, but being I am not as high on Indiana as everyone else I view the B1G as wide open this season. There are probably 7 teams (Rutgers being one) that it wouldn't shock me if they wound up winning the league. Illinois, like Iowa, Wisconsin, MSU, Purdue, Rutgers, and Ohio State lost their best player. Only Indiana and Michigan of the group who I view as contenders can claim they return their best player (TJD and Dickinson respectively).
Pretty crazy Illinois loses their starting 5 but still might win the B1G
 

satnom

All-American
Jun 28, 2002
7,015
8,662
88
I think Hyatt is going to surprise a bunch of people. Kid can get buckets slashing to the basket, make short range jumpers, offensive rb putbacks, occasional threes and shots at the foul line. Hyatt has a fire inside and it will come out this season as he now has a year under his belt and there are minutes to be had.

Think he averages 10-12 pts/game. My vote for most improved player.

GO RU
 

MiloTalon13

All-American
Jun 3, 2022
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I haven't seen any talk of this but how much does this change if Griffiths reclasses to 2022?
 

knight82

All-American
Nov 4, 2002
8,511
9,131
113
Theres also this thing called player development. I expect at least one player to make a drastic improvement. Remember how bad Eugene O was as a freshman?
 

njxchange

All-Conference
Aug 27, 2007
1,029
1,177
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Why cant people recognize, almost all college players gets better every year. Some people will flourish with the new minutes they receive.

We saw McConnell go from player who didn't even make all big ten defense team to becoming DPOY.
He will once again be favorite to win DPOY but also will add more pts to his resume with his mid jumpers. All Big Ten 2nd Team... watch!!!
I think Cliff will give McConnell run for his money as DPOY this year.
Cliff will be stronger and smarter. He is going to dominate... All Big Ten 1st team... watch!
Paul being main ball handler now, there's no reason why he cant duplicate what he did the few games against top 25 teams, through out this whole up coming season. All Big Ten 2nd team... watch!


C - Cliff - 15pts
F - Hyatt - 7pts
F - McConnell - 11pts
G - Paul - 13pts
G - Spencer - 10pts

G/F - Mag 7pts
C/F - Reiber 7pts
G - Simpson 4pts
G - Miller - 3pts
F - Oskar - 4pts
 

Scangg

Heisman
Mar 19, 2016
25,448
49,369
113
I haven't seen any talk of this but how much does this change if Griffiths reclasses to 2022?
I've been asking about this but heard this isn't in the plans

Theres also this thing called player development. I expect at least one player to make a drastic improvement. Remember how bad Eugene O was as a freshman?
Mag didn't get as many minutes to really develop in games but there are some similarities there with athleticism and raw skill. The Mag breakout may be coming this season in an expanded role
 

Nycrusupporter

All-American
Jun 8, 2021
5,029
7,606
73
Why cant people recognize, almost all college players gets better every year. Some people will flourish with the new minutes they receive.

We saw McConnell go from player who didn't even make all big ten defense team to becoming DPOY.
He will once again be favorite to win DPOY but also will add more pts to his resume with his mid jumpers. All Big Ten 2nd Team... watch!!!
I think Cliff will give McConnell run for his money as DPOY this year.
Cliff will be stronger and smarter. He is going to dominate... All Big Ten 1st team... watch!
Paul being main ball handler now, there's no reason why he cant duplicate what he did the few games against top 25 teams, through out this whole up coming season. All Big Ten 2nd team... watch!


C - Cliff - 15pts
F - Hyatt - 7pts
F - McConnell - 11pts
G - Paul - 13pts
G - Spencer - 10pts

G/F - Mag 7pts
C/F - Reiber 7pts
G - Simpson 4pts
G - Miller - 3pts
F - Oskar - 4pts
I think the team will be fine next year, but under your proposed scenario Rutgers will be increasing its points per game from 68.5 last year to 81 points a game this year. There is no way that is happening.
 

IL Lusciato

Heisman
Oct 31, 2011
10,680
13,292
0
Kid has balls the size of King Kong. Comes in cold off the bench at Indiana with the tourney on the line, laughs at the chuckleheads in the crowd and nails 2 free throws after a foul with seconds to go.

Don't get the hate for this kid. He showed flashes and also showed some bad bounces at the rim, like most the team. I think Hyatt steps up this year.
 

RU05

All-American
Jun 25, 2015
14,884
9,268
113
I really think we need a big but I also wouldn’t be the least bit surprised if pike knows his guys and palmquist has a bust out season…trust the process

ps no one has been a bigger Oskar hater
He did show a flash or two. Would be nice.
 

Lawboy12007

Senior
Mar 15, 2021
622
837
0
Why cant people recognize, almost all college players gets better every year. Some people will flourish with the new minutes they receive.

We saw McConnell go from player who didn't even make all big ten defense team to becoming DPOY.
He will once again be favorite to win DPOY but also will add more pts to his resume with his mid jumpers. All Big Ten 2nd Team... watch!!!
I think Cliff will give McConnell run for his money as DPOY this year.
Cliff will be stronger and smarter. He is going to dominate... All Big Ten 1st team... watch!
Paul being main ball handler now, there's no reason why he cant duplicate what he did the few games against top 25 teams, through out this whole up coming season. All Big Ten 2nd team... watch!


C - Cliff - 15pts
F - Hyatt - 7pts
F - McConnell - 11pts
G - Paul - 13pts
G - Spencer - 10pts

G/F - Mag 7pts
C/F - Reiber 7pts
G - Simpson 4pts
G - Miller - 3pts
F - Oskar - 4pts
We are not going to average 81ppg. A Pike team has NEVER averaged that many points at RU.
 
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BillyC80

Heisman
Oct 23, 2006
17,131
15,586
72
It's Dean. Doesn't matter what you like. Pike likes him at the 5. He's only going to be bigger stronger and better next year.

You think Dean would do better guarding perimeter players at the 4? Seems like wishful thinking. His advantage is being a quicker more athletic 5 with good cuts to the rim and positioning and being able to stretch the floor and shoot the 3.

Reiber doesn't resemble anyone Pike has wanted to play at the 4. He wants 6'6ish guys with perimeter skills. Ron Hyatt Yeboah Eugene. It's an obvious trend.


We only really need one of Hyatt and Mag to make a big jump at the 4.

Hyatt has more size for defense and rebounding so I think he gets first crack. He was forcing it at times and struggled to get in the flow offensively, but you could see the skill is there to be effective around the rim and mid range game. With Geo and Ron gone, he should have more confidence which seemed to be an issue. If anyone needs a hot start to the season it's Hyatt. I also expect him to step up his 3%

I like Mag more as a perimeter defender with his quickndss and athleticsm, but Caleb will eat those minutes with jom returning. I'm also concerned with his injury history banging more at the 4. But he will be a terror for other 4's to keep up with. I love his game and a breakout is coming.

Off chance the forgotten one, Oskar, can give us some significant minutes at the 4. He did shoot the 3 very well last season and showed the willingness to defend and try to draw charges. Mods say how amazing of an athlete he is.... maybe it finally comes together and he surprises

Dean can play a few minutes at the 4 depending on matchups. Maybe we play some zone with him at the 4. Is Dean at the 4 a sustainable option in today's bball world? The 4 is different now with teams wanting 4 perimeter players and 1 big. Pike has used this formula the entire time he has been here
Call me crazy, but if Simpson or Miller emerge as viable point guards, I can imagine gametime situations where Pike puts Paul at the 4 for a few minutes, especially if we go to a zone. He has the size, he can post up or stretch the floor as a threat from the arc, he rebounds well and never backs down to bigger guys on switches. And we all know he’s a phenomenal passer out of the post. That would give us a nice four-out/one-in lineup of Simpson, Cam, Caleb, Paul and Cliff. Food for thought.
 

RUHouston

All-American
Jul 24, 2009
5,181
5,134
58
Call me crazy, but if Simpson or Miller emerge as viable point guards, I can imagine gametime situations where Pike puts Paul at the 4 for a few minutes, especially if we go to a zone. He has the size, he can post up or stretch the floor as a threat from the arc, he rebounds well and never backs down to bigger guys on switches. And we all know he’s a phenomenal passer out of the post. That would give us a nice four-out/one-in lineup of Simpson, Cam, Caleb, Paul and Cliff. Food for thought.
One could argue the same for Caleb at the 4, too....
 

Scangg

Heisman
Mar 19, 2016
25,448
49,369
113
Call me crazy, but if Simpson or Miller emerge as viable point guards, I can imagine gametime situations where Pike puts Paul at the 4 for a few minutes, especially if we go to a zone. He has the size, he can post up or stretch the floor as a threat from the arc, he rebounds well and never backs down to bigger guys on switches. And we all know he’s a phenomenal passer out of the post. That would give us a nice four-out/one-in lineup of Simpson, Cam, Caleb, Paul and Cliff. Food for thought.
Yea this is interesting especially depending on matchup. This would be a scenario where Hyatt and Mag don't make a significant jump next season.
 
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kcg88

Heisman
Aug 11, 2017
10,862
17,230
0
Even though it turns out to be true more often than not, I can bet money this has been said before the start of every year on this forum for at least the last 10 years.
Rutgers offense Big 10 rank under Pikiell:

14
14
12
10
9
9

We haven't had fielded a top half offense.
 

Scangg

Heisman
Mar 19, 2016
25,448
49,369
113
Even though it turns out to be true more often than not, I can bet money this has been said before the start of every year on this forum for at least the last 10 years.
Paul n Cliff PnR to Spencer's side spacing the floor will be very tough to defend. Also interested to see Spencer in the PnR as he seems to be a crafty scorer off the dribble

Dean pick n pop

Wait til Simpson comes out and nails 6 threes in the first game, you’ll all be saying here we come Final four
I don't think that's the strength of Simpson's game. I'm hoping he can come in and score or create off the dribble
 

RU848789

Heisman
Jul 27, 2001
65,222
44,299
113
I think Hyatt is going to be our most improved player, since we really nee him to step up and I think he has the desire, skills, and athleticism to do so. We'll see, of course, but that's what happens in programs that reload and I think Pike and Co. are getting to that point. Cliff will be a close 2nd on improvement, but most expect that this year , plus I also think we'll see more consistency from both Paul and Caleb.

If we get all that and if guys like Miller, Spencer, Reiber, Simpson et al give us really good minutes, we're going to be in the top half of the B1G again and returning to the Dance. Not a given, but people should not keep underestimating what Pike and this staff can build and accomplish each year. I know I'll have fun watching it all unfold.