Keepers for next year

[RUDivision]

Give Pike a center. Someone as good as MJ or Cliff. Pair that with TF and we will have a competitive team. We might come up short but we’ll be in the conversation. That’s what we need. Not another “star”. We need to plug the black hole.

Ok now I get it! Your trying to build a team that takes us from awful to a competitive but ultimately not good team.

In that scenario then keep Francis, Buchanon, Lino, Powers, JMike and I guess Dortch. Bring in a few upgrades . Yes that team will be competitive but will still lose. You squeeze 3-4 more wins possible.


im trying to get us in the sweet 16. In that world no one returns maybe 2-3 guys. We buy 6 amd the current guys fill roles off the bench.

 

[-RUFAN4LIFE-]

Ok now I get it! Your trying to build a team that takes us from awful to a competitive but ultimately not good team.

In that scenario then keep Francis, Buchanon, Lino, Powers, JMike and I guess Dortch. Bring in a few upgrades . Yes that team will be competitive but will still lose. You squeeze 3-4 more wins possible.


im trying to get us in the sweet 16. In that world no one returns maybe 2-3 guys. We buy 6 amd the current guys fill roles off the bench.

Hate to break it to you, $10m of NIL isn't going to get you anywhere close to there.

 

[RUDivision]

Hate to break it to you, $10m of NIL isn't going to get you anywhere close to there.

Why not it did for the majority of the sweet 16. Obviously out lists like Duke but 90 % of the sweet 16 spent 10MM or less

 

[bac2therac]

Hate to break it to you, $10m of NIL isn't going to get you anywhere close to there.

Yes schools will spend more next year. but its not like everyone will be at 20 million

10 million is enough to compete and be a bubble team

Rutgers WILL ALWAYS have to do more with less. Its really no different than 2010. Imagine being thrown an undeserved lifeline to the Big 10 and then still setting the bar so low by saying we will never have enough money to compete

The moving of goalposts ridiculous

 

[Bob Chaewsky_rivals]

No I did not. 32.7% is average from 3. Nothing wrong with it.

34.4% from ANyWHERE is very bad.

My mistake. What do you think of a four year starter who shoots 44% overall, because I think that's what Braeden Smith shot this year? You don't think given several years Powers can't improve by more than 10%?

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

My mistake. What do you think of a four year starter who shoots 44% overall, because I think that's what Braeden Smith shot this year? You don't think given several years Powers can't improve by more than 10%?

First of all 44% shooting is WAY better than 34% (like galaxies apart). Smith never shot below 42.8% in a season. But beyond this, Smith shot 38% from 3 as a frosh (better than 32%). And Smith took 106 FTs as a frosh (more than 6X as many as Powers and he made most of them). From an efficiency standpoint the two couldn’t be more different. Derek Simpson is really your guy to compare to in trying to make your argument since Derek finally managed to shoot over 42% this season (he was 38% as a frosh). But even then - would you really pay “now” in the hope of getting what Derek did 3 years later in the A-10?

10% is a huge number to make up though in shooting percentage. Derek Simpson was worst in D1 at 30.5% in 2023-24 for perspective. He went down year over year when taking on a bigger role. Nobody shoots under 30% so to be at 34% is a pretty bad starting point.

 

[scarletpumpernickl]

A general question. How is the situation handled when the staff wants to replace a player but the player wants to stay? Is he given a low ball offer, told he'll be on the bench a lot, and suggested to look elsewhere for a better option?

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

A general question. How is the situation handled when the staff wants to replace a player but the player wants to stay? Is he given a low ball offer, told he'll be on the bench a lot, and suggested to look elsewhere for a better option?

Seems to me this situation is easier to manage than ever before. Rutgers doesn’t have to offer any money and scholarship limits are no longer really a “thing”. Anyone willing stick around for free presumably would be welcomed with open arms. Why not? But the reality is, nobody is likely to do that. A guy like Fall will still be able to collect a check at a low major based on his height. I’m sure he’ll be headed down that road.

 

[EddieWilsonLives]

little birdie told me Washington and Oregon offering Francis near 2M

 

[Mholinko]

Iowa is a horrible example to compare to when trying to say “if they can do it we can do it”

a large chunk of their roster transferred from Drake and a few even before that were in D2 with McCollum… there is a discount for BELIEF in the guy leading you there and having a pattern of winning at all levels with a style of basketball that is nice to watch and play in

Pike and Rutgers are not coming off of deep D2 runs and Cinderella seasons at a mid major with a cohesive group that just wants to play for the coach… McCollum admitted a few of his key guys took big discounts to stay

Stirtz and Tavion Banks took big NIL cuts … NOBODY is in position to do that at Rutgers and the players were debating keeping aren’t as good as either of those guys

 

[seansherm]

little birdie told me Washington and Oregon offering Francis near 2M

If that were true, you let him go

 

[Scarlet Blind_rivals]

This would be a good get if we lose one of our combo/2Gs, originally from NY.

Dior Johnson College Stats | College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com

Dior Johnson - Stats, Game Logs, Splits, and much more

www.sports-reference.com

 

[Scarlet Blind_rivals]

This is impressive,, 10 rebounds a game at guard for an NCAA tourny team.



We will probably end up with PotY in the NEC or MAAC.

 

[Scarlet Blind_rivals]

Here's who we heed.

 

[RUdepressed]

Baye would be nuts

 

[seansherm]

Here's who we heed.

Nah, unless we get a very good defensive, rebounding center that can also step outside on offense.

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

This would be a good get if we lose one of our combo/2Gs, originally from NY.

Dior Johnson College Stats | College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com

Dior Johnson - Stats, Game Logs, Splits, and much more

www.sports-reference.com

Whatever the cost to Rutgers is to keep Tariq, our university would without question be paying more for this kid. Probably materially so. And he’s unproven at next level. We can’t go after points in the portal. It’s a losing strategy.

Grab Baye and a center. Bring a wing / SF with point forward level handling skills. We’re in business with those three additions if we retain our top 4-5. No - not in business for final 4 but yo have a chance to compete for NCAAs. We need to upgrade the frontcourt and add the option to play bigger in the backcourt (match up dependent). Do this and we’re a lot better.

 

[Bob Chaewsky_rivals]

First of all 44% shooting is WAY better than 34% (like galaxies apart). Smith never shot below 42.8% in a season. But beyond this, Smith shot 38% from 3 as a frosh (better than 32%). And Smith took 106 FTs as a frosh (more than 6X as many as Powers and he made most of them). From an efficiency standpoint the two couldn’t be more different. Derek Simpson is really your guy to compare to in trying to make your argument since Derek finally managed to shoot over 42% this season (he was 38% as a frosh). But even then - would you really pay “now” in the hope of getting what Derek did 3 years later in the A-10?

10% is a huge number to make up though in shooting percentage. Derek Simpson was worst in D1 at 30.5% in 2023-24 for perspective. He went down year over year when taking on a bigger role. Nobody shoots under 30% so to be at 34% is a pretty bad starting point.

Powers is 10% away from one of the best point college guards ever and he's bigger and four years younger. Expecting Powers to have better numbers relative to those of Smith at his age to be a future star at Rutgers is absolutely absurd. Comparing his development, which hasn't happened yet, to Simpson is also absurd as everyone doesn't improve at the same rate.

 

[shields]

When you read that Baye is lazy would not be good get. And Richie wrote this.

 

[Loyal-Son]

Im telling you we need a big talent upgrade over what we currently have to a successful season which is competing for a ncaa bid. Some including you seem to admire the 14-19 mark this year and like the progress from the group..if im off the mark please clarify

Thank you for the rant.

The really sad thing is that you seem to have the intelligence to make some credible analysis, but you are so eager to prove you are smarter than any RU coach that you resort to "hating" rhetoric after every coach has reached the 10 game mark in his career.

I have been on the same sites as you since "109" and your MO has never changed.

In the beginning, it was 50-50. Half the time you showed real insight, and half the time you get sucked into your coach-hating. As time has gone on, you have drifted further and farther to the "here is why the coach (any RU coach) sucks", and you have increasingly focused on "why the coach is a terrible human being" posts.

Used to love your game summaries!

I do not have the personal self-discipline to just let it go and search out the fewer and fewer nuggets of insight you provide. I apologize for that, but that is who I have always been.

 

[Loyal-Son]

I hate to disagree with you but you're not getting 3 more wins with this same lineup next season. There's still no real presence in the paint on this roster and they went to a small ball lineup a lot as a result. Hard to win in the B1G without one.

No problem. I understand the team has some obvious weaknesses that need to be addressed, but I still stand by my point that players improve from year to year, and a few improve dramatically. IMO that statement is a no-brainer - for anyone who has coached.

IMO lots of posters here assume that the same team next year would have exactly the same record, and I seriously doubt that assertion.

Not that it matters. We are likely going to see big changes, so evaluation criteria will be totally different.

 

[Loyal-Son]

6 wins returning the same player..from 13-18 to 19-12. Who knew it was that easy with the same ragtag bunch. While other schools stockpil

 

[Loyal-Son]

6 wins returning the same player..from 13-18 to 19-12. Who knew it was that easy with the same ragtag bunch. While other schools stockpile talent

It is that easy. Have you ever played sports? Some kids get dramatically better, while some remain the same. It would have to be an unusual group with a weak coach to show no improvement. With a coach who has proven he can develop players like Pike has, the absolute floor would be 3 more wins. That is not a bold prediction, just basic knowledge.

IMO there is nothing that obviously suggests ignorance in a poster more than claiming teams and players do not improve from year to year. Yet you choose to die on that hill.

It doesn't matter, as RU likely will have at least a 50% turnover.

 

[bac2therac]

Thank you for the rant.

The really sad thing is that you seem to have the intelligence to make some credible analysis, but you are so eager to prove you are smarter than any RU coach that you resort to "hating" rhetoric after every coach has reached the 10 game mark in his career.

I have been on the same sites as you since "109" and your MO has never changed.

In the beginning, it was 50-50. Half the time you showed real insight, and half the time you get sucked into your coach-hating. As time has gone on, you have drifted further and farther to the "here is why the coach (any RU coach) sucks", and you have increasingly focused on "why the coach is a terrible human being" posts.

Used to love your game summaries!

I do not have the personal self-discipline to just let it go and search out the fewer and fewer nuggets of insight you provide. I apologize for that, but that is who I have always been.

I was very supportive of Pike through 2023 and actually my heavy criticism didnt start until last years abomination

 

[bac2therac]

It is that easy. Have you ever played sports? Some kids get dramatically better, while some remain the same. It would have to be an unusual group with a weak coach to show no improvement. With a coach who has proven he can develop players like Pike has, the absolute floor would be 3 more wins. That is not a bold prediction, just basic knowledge.

IMO there is nothing that obviously suggests ignorance in a poster more than claiming teams and players do not improve from year to year. Yet you choose to die on that hill.

It doesn't matter, as RU likely will have at least a 50% turnover.

This particular group collectively sucks..its okay to say that and realize only 1 will start and the rest will have reduced roles. Last night confirmed alot vs a sub 500 school

Are you saying this group will our core group..yes or no

 

[bac2therac]

Oh by the way Fred Hill and Eddie Jordan were abysmal hires from day one. I never supported

I supported Mike Rice and Gary Waters til they were fired.

Wenzel needed to go by 95 but old folk like George Makaronias wanted to drag out the envitable.

Was big supporter of Bannon even in his final year

I supported the Pikiell hire even though we wasnt my first choice

 

[scarletrat99]

Tariq is good, but he is a small, ball dominant guard...depends on how we want to play next season. Will he be better with better players around him? I am not sure.

Baye is top on my list to bring here.

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

Powers is 10% away from one of the best point college guards ever and he's bigger and four years younger. Expecting Powers to have better numbers relative to those of Smith at his age to be a future star at Rutgers is absolutely absurd. Comparing his development, which hasn't happened yet, to Simpson is also absurd as everyone doesn't improve at the same rate.

I wasn’t comparing him to Derek. I was saying his overall shooting average on the season at 34% was only about 3% off of what the absolute worst shooting percentage that any D1 guard who plays meaningful minutes averages in a season was in 2023-24 (the Simpson reference was only to explain how I know 30.8% was the lowest that year - that’s what Simpson averaged and everyone talked about him being last all the time.

But clearly your point makes no sense at all (that being within 10% of the shooting percentage of a very good player means something positive as hes also within 3-4% of the worst average anyone who logs meaningful minutes puts up.)

 

[-RUFAN4LIFE-]

No problem. I understand the team has some obvious weaknesses that need to be addressed, but I still stand by my point that players improve from year to year, and a few improve dramatically. IMO that statement is a no-brainer - for anyone who has coached.

IMO lots of posters here assume that the same team next year would have exactly the same record, and I seriously doubt that assertion.

Not that it matters. We are likely going to see big changes, so evaluation criteria will be totally different.

If it were 5-10 years ago, I'd agree. But now with NIL and the portal, the rest in the conference will just be reloading and Rutgers will be hoping some of these kids improved significantly.

Also, if they had had a solid foundation when all of this started, then you would be able to do this. But in a win now world, especially with a new AD, they can't take the risk on marginal players right now.

 

[NickRU714]

No problem. I understand the team has some obvious weaknesses that need to be addressed, but I still stand by my point that players improve from year to year, and a few improve dramatically. IMO that statement is a no-brainer - for anyone who has coached.

IMO lots of posters here assume that the same team next year would have exactly the same record, and I seriously doubt that assertion.

Not that it matters. We are likely going to see big changes, so evaluation criteria will be totally different.

I would counter that Grant, Dortch, Ogbole and Davis have not improved dramatically year to year.
Arguably some are going backwards - Davis not starting by end of year and Grant doing whatever it is he's been doing this lately.

Every one of them would ideally have a SMALLER role next year - not larger.

Seems it's not such a no-brainer that improvement year to year is a guarantee.

 

[Jerseylegends]

Unless the plan is to play Francis at pg, I would let him go get paid else where. Not going to be a good team if he's a starting wing. If he's going to be a pg he needs to start improving his ball handling ASAP. Otherwise the only player I'd keep is powers. I guess Ogbole because it's hard to find bigs. But if you have the money go and get all new players .

 

[scarletrat99]

Hines also entered the portal...I'm sure he will be well in to 7 figures, but maybe Pikell can right a prior wrong with him....

 

[Bob Chaewsky_rivals]

Unless the plan is to play Francis at pg, I would let him go get paid else where. Not going to be a good team if he's a starting wing. If he's going to be a pg he needs to start improving his ball handling ASAP. Otherwise the only player I'd keep is powers. I guess Ogbole because it's hard to find bigs. But if you have the money go and get all new players .

Another Powers fan - love to hear it.