Lino Mark

seansherm

Heisman
Feb 20, 2009
13,987
14,915
113
Both Powers and Mark started the year as horrendous shooters. That may have more to do with freshman jitters than them being bad shooters. Both players are getting better as the season wears on. Zrno has also improved and is a legitimate 3 point threat. We should try to all 3 as well as Nwuli.
I don't disagree, ideally all come back, I like rooting for guys that stay in the program.
 

Mr. Magoo1

Heisman
Nov 15, 2001
15,446
16,279
113
Every single player can leave. Sure, there is something to be said for continuity but absolutely no one is that important on this frankenroster. Of course, the problem becomes Pike’s reputation for replacing players with worse players. I’d start with valuing players that absolutely show the want to stay here…provided they’re ok with potentially a lesser role (e.g., Davis). I doubt if you get many takers but not a single player here is worth overpaying. Real coaches should be able to replace players like David and Ogbole in their sleep.
 

Bob Chaewsky_rivals

All-Conference
Dec 31, 2008
7,401
4,777
113
Played well today. Not sure about Francis though. He just shot about 35% vs. two bad teams, and his defense was not good today. I think the money he is likely to want is way better spent someplace else.
 

dark_check

All-Conference
Mar 7, 2022
2,601
3,130
113
I think most would agree you bring back Francis and Mark. Where does that leave Davis? Pike is loyal to a fault. Would he bring him back and not play his because if he plays next year we won’t be as good as we can be.
 

shields

Heisman
Aug 5, 2002
79,788
17,679
113
Don't think against a zone is Francis best option. RU can't pass, Darren was pathetic today.
 
Last edited:

JonathanAlan

All-American
Jan 14, 2002
6,312
9,874
113
Just my opinion…by looking at Mark’s body language on the sidelines, he hasn’t appeared too into it. Is it because of injury? Higher expectations for more playing time? Or is he already checked out a while ago? (As Richie hinted). Whatever the reason, he seems to have moved on. So you don’t bring him back. Now, if he could shoot then I’d say you definitely try to keep him in the fold for next year, but the work he needs to put in on improving his shot coupled with any possible negative attitude makes it easier to cut bait. You spend on Powers, Francis, Buchanan (possibly). I’d even keep Zrno, and Nwuli. Then money needs to go to a legit center, 2 forwards, guard. Ogbole and Davis off the bench if they stick around. Let Grant walk if what he’s dreaming of is accurate.
Agreed --we desperately need a center and two forwards. The group of guards we have now are serviceable but our bigs all have to go. I've never seen a Rutgers team with a more awful group of front court players.
 

RC80

All-Conference
Feb 25, 2021
1,361
1,674
113
Not sure why we want to try and keep players that don't want to be here; developmental time is over; need to either continue with the TF (PG) experiment going into next season; or spend the funds on a veteran PG. And see JMike back for his last season (off the bench of course) - as I don't see the staff telling him to walk.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Simce91

NickRU714

Heisman
Aug 18, 2009
14,010
12,811
113
Get rid of everybody? How much NIL do you think we have?

What do you mean?
The amount of money being spent is going to be the same if we keep 10 players or we keep 0.

It sometimes seems like some posters assume "retained players" cost nothing.

Our backup center is going to be cheap next year.
Its either keeping Ogbole for (hopefully) $200k or geting a transfer from the portal for $200k?

The market value of retained players is the same as similar talented transfers.

The goal is having a staff that can identify undervalued players and exploit the market.
Take a $200k and get production of a player who should have cost $500k.

See Tariq Francis this year.
 
  • Like
Reactions: bac2therac

seansherm

Heisman
Feb 20, 2009
13,987
14,915
113
What do you mean?
The amount of money being spent is going to be the same if we keep 10 players or we keep 0.

It sometimes seems like some posters assume "retained players" cost nothing.

Our backup center is going to be cheap next year.
Its either keeping Ogbole for (hopefully) $200k or geting a transfer from the portal for $200k?

The market value of retained players is the same as similar talented transfers.

The goal is having a staff that can identify undervalued players and exploit the market.
Take a $200k and get production of a player who should have cost $500k.

See Tariq Francis this year.
Not necessarily, guys in basketball and football have been kept at discounts recently.
 
  • Like
Reactions: tru2ru1 and shields

wheezer

Heisman
Jun 3, 2001
169,833
25,517
113
Played well today. Not sure about Francis though. He just shot about 35% vs. two bad teams, and his defense was not good today. I think the money he is likely to want is way better spent someplace else.
This seems to be a knee jerk reaction to a poor game
All of a sudden Mark shoots well and Francis plays poor

What we do,
We try like hell to keep both

Francis is more your immediate help and Mark gets better as time goes on
 

MCKnight

All-Conference
Oct 25, 2012
2,227
1,828
113
Are we ready to have Mark be our starting Point Guard next year? 30 min a game guy. That’s what he will want as a returning sophomore. I don’t see it. Mark and Francis playing majority of backcourt minutes makes us very small. Not sure that’s a winning combination.
 
  • Like
Reactions: BillyC80

ScarletDave

Heisman
Oct 7, 2010
34,595
15,347
85
I really liked Lino from when I met him this offseason. Great kid. I’ll be really bummed if he leaves. To those saying he’s not a great shooter, watch his tape. He’s a freshman. We will miss him when he’s lighting it up somewhere else. I don’t think he likes the cold coming from Orange County. I hope we can convince him to stay.
 
  • Like
Reactions: RUInsanityToo

seansherm

Heisman
Feb 20, 2009
13,987
14,915
113
I really liked Lino from when I met him this offseason. Great kid. I’ll be really bummed if he leaves. To those saying he’s not a great shooter, watch his tape. He’s a freshman. We will miss him when he’s lighting it up somewhere else. I don’t think he likes the cold coming from Orange County. I hope we can convince him to stay.
I'm guessing you mean high school tape - high school means nothing. We've watched the college tape. JMike was a better shooter in high school than Lino. While JMike has become better from outside, he shoots so little it's almost irrelevant. If Lino can get to average then he can be dangerous.
 
  • Like
Reactions: tru2ru1

NickRU714

Heisman
Aug 18, 2009
14,010
12,811
113
Davis, Mark, Francis, Transfer PG

Assuming we have 3 out of those 4 on the roster next year - the 3rd on the roster needs to cost $0.
Presumably Francis would be a starter and paid as such.
Is Francis the starting PG though?

Money cant be wasted on Davis or Mark (or an end of the bench transfer) as a 3rd PG.

Lesser role must equal lesser pay.
We don't have the luxury for pay bench players.
 

NickRU714

Heisman
Aug 18, 2009
14,010
12,811
113
Not necessarily, guys in basketball and football have been kept at discounts recently.

You hopefully keep high value players at a discount (see Francis) to save money for other players.

Considering most of the players potentially returning are low value players, there shouldn't be much of a discount because it wouldn't save much.
They should already be receiving near minimal money anyway.
How much of a discount is Badalu or Nwuli going to give us?

The true discount comes from the staff ability to identify undervalued players in the transfer portal (see Spencer or Francis).

Then we can allocate more money towards known high value players.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Fat Koko

seansherm

Heisman
Feb 20, 2009
13,987
14,915
113
You hopefully keep high value players at a discount (see Francis) to save money for other players.

Considering most of the players potentially returning are low value players, there shouldn't be much of a discount because it wouldn't save much.
They should already be receiving near minimal money anyway.
How much of a discount is Badalu or Nwuli going to give us?

The true discount comes from the staff ability to identify undervalued players in the transfer portal (see Spencer or Francis).

Then we can allocate more money towards known high value players.
I'd rather have cheap guys come back and hope they develop than depend on the staff finding guys at value, but I get what you are saying.
 
  • Like
Reactions: NickRU714

dpwhite

All-American
Jan 21, 2003
2,897
6,991
103
The money has to be spent wisely. If we have 8-10 million as is rumored, that is enough to put together a good roster. Nebraska shows that it is cheaper to retain and then add wisely than it is to go out and completely rebuild.
 
  • Like
Reactions: DHajekRC1984

bac2therac

Hall of Famer
Jul 30, 2001
247,191
176,845
113
Nebraska took in 6 portal players last year and 5 the previous. Even Mast was a portal player but has been there a bit.
 

dpwhite

All-American
Jan 21, 2003
2,897
6,991
103
Nebraska took in 6 portal players last year and 5 the previous. Even Mast was a portal player but has been there a bit.
Yeah, but they still retained guys. Which allows you to go out and attack the portal—not a complete rebuild. I’m not saying keep 10 guys, I’m saying keep 5-6 and target needs with the money you have. If you can keep 5-6 guys for 3 million, that gives you 5-7 to go out and attack the portal and spend big on a center.
 
  • Like
Reactions: PSAL_Hoops

bac2therac

Hall of Famer
Jul 30, 2001
247,191
176,845
113
We need a large roster overhaul to actually win. Francis is the only legit Big 10 starter. We are going to keep 8 because thats what Pikes does and he isnt going to get top talent to come here. This team need 3 impact starters
 
  • Like
Reactions: Freddy Stubbs

dpwhite

All-American
Jan 21, 2003
2,897
6,991
103
We need a large roster overhaul to actually win. Francis is the only legit Big 10 starter. We are going to keep 8 because thats what Pikes does and he isnt going to get top talent to come here. This team need 3 impact starters

“Because that’s what he does”

Except the past two years, we’ve had 3 and 4 returnees—not eight.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Simce91

bac2therac

Hall of Famer
Jul 30, 2001
247,191
176,845
113
“Because that’s what he does”

Except the past two years, we’ve had 3 and 4 returnees—not eight.
Rutgers has brought in 7 portal players over THREE SEASONS...has to be among lowest if not lowest at any power 5 over that time span

Of course there were few returnees last year..3 seniors and 2 wasted 1 and dones . Summerville left for mo money and Dercack wasnt worth anything

Pike dinosaur brought in 7 freshmen
 
Last edited:

RutgersAl

All-Conference
Nov 13, 2021
632
1,274
88
Need to keep Lino and Francis. Need To show Lino he is valued and wanted. Both are much better now than in the beginning of the year. Need to keep as many kids as we can because they are still developing. Then add a true Center from the portal, and other help as needed. We can have a winning season next year.
 

bac2therac

Hall of Famer
Jul 30, 2001
247,191
176,845
113
Need to keep Lino and Francis. Need To show Lino he is valued and wanted. Both are much better now than in the beginning of the year. Need to keep as many kids as we can because they are still developing. Then add a true Center from the portal, and other help as needed. We can have a winning season next year.
Ncaa is goal not a winning record. Pike should be fired at 17-14
 

NickRU714

Heisman
Aug 18, 2009
14,010
12,811
113
Yeah, but they still retained guys. Which allows you to go out and attack the portal—not a complete rebuild. I’m not saying keep 10 guys, I’m saying keep 5-6 and target needs with the money you have. If you can keep 5-6 guys for 3 million, that gives you 5-7 to go out and attack the portal and spend big on a center.

What 5-6 guys are you keeping for 3mil?
Does that include Francis?

Arguably, Francis and one of Mark/Davis/Powers would take up most of that.
Francis and whoever is starting next to him (retention or transfer) is going to be $3m probably.

Keep Nwuli and Ware for $100k each or a transfer 11th and 12th man for $100k each? Doesn't make a difference if the deep bench is retain or transfer. Just as long as they are as cheap as possible.
 

dpwhite

All-American
Jan 21, 2003
2,897
6,991
103
Rutgers has brought in 7 portal players over THREE SEASONS...has to be among lowest if not lowest at any power 5 over that time span

Of course there were few returnees last year..3 seniors and 2 wasted 1 and dones . Summerville left for mo money and Dercack wasnt worth anything

Pike dinosaur brought in 7 freshmen

Now ask yourself WHY he did that
 

NickRU714

Heisman
Aug 18, 2009
14,010
12,811
113
Rutgers has brought in 7 portal players over THREE SEASONS...has to be among lowest if not lowest at any power 5 over that time span

Of course there were few returnees last year..3 seniors and 2 wasted 1 and dones . Summerville left for mo money and Dercack wasnt worth anything

Pike dinosaur brought in 7 freshmen

But we got to keep retain and develop Ogbole, Davis and Grant.....
3 guys that near everyone wants to have reduced roles next year at best.
 

dpwhite

All-American
Jan 21, 2003
2,897
6,991
103
What 5-6 guys are you keeping for 3mil?
Does that include Francis?

Arguably, Francis and on3 of Mark/Davis/Powers would take up most of that.
Francis and whoever is starting next to him (retention or transfer) is going to be $3m probably.

Keep Nwuli and Ware for $100k each or a transfer 11th and 12th man for $100k each? Doesn't make a difference if the deep bench is retain or transfer. Just as long as they are as cheap as possible.

Well, I don’t know what the market is. I’m going on the assumption that if Knight and Smoke are around, you’ll keep Tariq. There was a rumor somewhere that he did not take the top offer he had in the portal in order to come here. I think you are over valuing guys and what they could get on the open market otherwise. I don’t know that Powers has done enough to demand 1.5 million or whatever you are suggesting. I don’t think Davis goes out on the open market and gets anywhere near that.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: NickRU714

NickRU714

Heisman
Aug 18, 2009
14,010
12,811
113
Well, I don’t know what the market is. I’m going on the assumption that if Knight and Smoke around around, you’ll keep Tariq. There was a rumor somewhere that he did not take the top offer he had in the portal in order to come here. I think you are over valuing guys and what they could get on the open market otherwise. I don’t know that Powers has done enough to demand 1.5 million or whatever you are suggesting. I don’t think Davis goes out on the open market and gets anywhere near that.

Francis is likely over $1.5m
Is Powers going to be a starter?
If so, hard to argue less than $1m.
If he (or Davis or Mark) are not going to start then obviously they get less money.

But then we need to get 4 starters.

Is Mark/Power/Davis going to want more money despite being bench players?

Ultimately, it's easy to say "retain".
But who are you retaining and for what role.
That dictates how much they will cost.

"Lino! You did great this year. We want to keep you, double your minutes, more responsibility and make you our starting PG. But....we're still going to pay you like a freshman backup 3rd PG."
I hope Rob Sullivan is a smooth negotiator.
 

RUdepressed

Junior
Jul 4, 2025
186
314
63
Francis is at least $1.5 mil, Powers $1 mil, Mark $1 mil, Zrno $1 mil. I would like to see Nwuli develop one more year bc I think he has promise but I have no idea what he will cost. Pretty much everyone else is worth very little. I think every player may be leaving after this disastrous year. We need to spend a lot on a starting 5 that can block 2 shots a game, catch a ball, pass out of the post, hit a layup, dunk, and maybe have a couple of moves in the post. That will cost at least $2-3 mil. If we can't get a good (not a great) big guy...disaster. $8 mil is not getting it done.
 

PSAL_Hoops

Heisman
Feb 18, 2008
13,078
12,420
78
Francis is likely over $1.5m
Is Powers going to be a starter?
If so, hard to argue less than $1m.
If he (or Davis or Mark) are not going to start then obviously they get less money.

But then we need to get 4 starters.

Is Mark/Power/Davis going to want more money despite being bench players?

Ultimately, it's easy to say "retain".
But who are you retaining and for what role.
That dictates how much they will cost.

"Lino! You did great this year. We want to keep you, double your minutes, more responsibility and make you our starting PG. But....we're still going to pay you like a freshman backup 3rd PG."
I hope Rob Sullivan is a smooth negotiator.

I’m not following your logic at all. What other power conference, or even good mid major is “promising” any of our frosh a starting role next year? They are shooting like 35/36% from the field on a losing team with someone else as a go to player on it (it’s not like one would chalk it up to us not having any options but for them to chuck the ball up). Every one of these guys will have to compete for a starting role wherever they go unless they take a big step down.
 

PSAL_Hoops

Heisman
Feb 18, 2008
13,078
12,420
78
Francis is at least $1.5 mil, Powers $1 mil, Mark $1 mil, Zrno $1 mil. I would like to see Nwuli develop one more year bc I think he has promise but I have no idea what he will cost. Pretty much everyone else is worth very little. I think every player may be leaving after this disastrous year. We need to spend a lot on a starting 5 that can block 2 shots a game, catch a ball, pass out of the post, hit a layup, dunk, and maybe have a couple of moves in the post. That will cost at least $2-3 mil. If we can't get a good (not a great) big guy...disaster. $8 mil is not getting it done.

Explain to me what team (put Rutgers aside) is paying Zrno, Powers and/or Mark $1M. Another high major? Is that what Dercack got from Dayton? He had proven stats at the low major level to advertise and more experience. Why should our guys be worth more? Wasn’t Lathan worth like 800k? And centers cost more. I’m not understanding why folks think our frosh are commanding such high price tickets.
 

NickRU714

Heisman
Aug 18, 2009
14,010
12,811
113
Here is how I'd allocate $8m going into the off season.
Retained players can take it or leave it.
If not, go after a transfer for the same $$.

Retain Francis? What role and how much.
Lino Mark? Where? Is he starting at PG?
Is he 1st off the bench?
Same for Powers?
Grant?

C - $2m
PG - $1.5m
3 Wings - 800k each x3
Backup G: 500k
Backup W: 500k
Backup C: 500k

9th-13th: 500k total for 5 players (100k each begrudgingly......I'd prefer just scholarships and spend on the rest of the roster)

Obviously you can move money between roles based on players.
Can we make Francis starting PG for less? To spend more on a starting Wing?

Long story short: we don't really have enough money unless the program (Sullivan, Pike or whomever) are excellent at talent identification.
Even then it'll take threading the needle.
 

Shelby65

All-Conference
Apr 1, 2008
8,342
4,644
66
I think we have to prioritize keeping Francis and bringing in a dynamic starting center.

If we build around those two pieces, then it would be nice to have a couple of guys with size who can pass and knock down a trey.

For that reason I prefer keeping Powers and Zrno.

If we also bring Grant back then we have a pretty good starting five. If he leaves, then we’re in the market for a major 4-spot player.

As first three off the bench we could make it work with Lino, Buchanan and Nwulli, with Manny as our backup 5.
Shelby concurs. Let Davis compete for playing time at SW Central Biloxi A&M Tech.