Losing Geo Is A Big Deal

[zappaa]

I think it’s important to remember this.

 

[kcg88]

Less important is the spelling of his name, I guess.

 

[LOU-RU85]

Zappaa,

I don't think anyone is forgetting this. I think folks are looking for players to step up to fill some of the void (which we did see at Nebraska). We will know if they can continue to do this tonight. Geo is obviously a big player and critical for us. No one is disputing that.

 

[RW90]

No question we shouldn't expect Caleb and Young to post similar type numbers they did at Nebraska when facing much better defenses.

 

[Zak57]

What about losing Geo who is actually on the team?

 

[BellyFullOfWhiteDogCrap]

Here's a thought.... Would you rather be without Geo or Myles?
Not to diminish Geo's role and production, but we have the horses to step up and replace his offensive numbers and defense. Not so without Myles. Geo's loss is big, but it could be worse. How's that for glass half full?

 

[NewJerseyHawk]

Starters at the beginning of last season around 13 months ago.

Geo Baker
Peter Kiss
Eugene Omoyuri
Issa Thiam
Shaq Doorson

I know it's cliche but we're starting 4 sophomores...it would have been 3 with Geo.

Time to play ball, no what if this or that.

 

[Proud NJ Sports Fan]

If Geo was playing, RU would be a 3 point favorite instead of an underdog

 

[RUich]

Fans need to be as confident as Vegas. Making us still a slight dog without Geo means something.
We need to see the same start we saw at Neb.

 

[RUtrumpet92_rivals498139]

No Gio, no problem! Just #FREERETTIG

 

[bac2therac]

Its a big issue not as much short term as long term. Make no mistake its going to cost us a game or more somewhere

 

[zappaa]

What about losing Geo who is actually on the team?

Obviously I made a mistake and corrected it.
I apologize

 

[Hamilton's Cannon]

Agreed, Geo is a big loss in a game like this. Not that we can’t win but becomes much harder. Need top games from a lot of team. The RAC will be key, if we win. Gotta jump on them early and keep the RAC energy the whole game. If they go up big on us early and the air comes out of the arena, it’s bad news. Let’s go RU!!

 

[PSUpaly]

If Geo was playing, RU would be a 3 point favorite instead of an underdog

Rutgers opened up as 2 point favs even without Geo.

 

[RUtrumpet92_rivals498139]

Long term, it can be a benefit if it helps our other guys develop faster (McConnell, Young, Mulcahy) but I agree it could cost us a game or two in the meantime. With a healthy Geo, I like our chances in the next eight games or so. It looks to be a lot tougher after that even if Geo is back. Next man up!

 

[BigEastPhil]

Losing Geo is huge and quite frankly if I’m Penn State and see Caleb and Montez in there Id press the hell out of us.

Geos abscence against PSU is huge given how athletic and quick they are which will create problems for our guards

Hopefully PSU is somewhat burnt out from their emotional win at the Palestra Saturday.

 

[BillyC80]

Not having him on the court sucks, but Geo has value on the bench, helping to pump up our guys and keep them focused. We have lots of talent playing for us tonight. Our home crowd and Geo’s presence will be felt, and will help carry the day.

 

[RW90]

Losing Geo is huge and quite frankly if I’m Penn State and see Caleb and Montez in there Id press the hell out of us.

Geos abscence against PSU is huge given how athletic and quick they are which will create problems for our guards

Hopefully PSU is somewhat burnt out from their emotional win at the Palestra Saturday.

I don't see Montez doing much ball handling, although I would add Young to your previous statement. In other words, I'd expect the more athletic teams to press us regardless.

 

[ru66]

hopefully, the fact that PSU has not played a game as meaningful as this away from home and at the RAC, makes up for the loss of Geo.

 

[YoucancallmeRay]

Even though Geo is a leader and a pressure shot maker, the biggest loss will be if Caleb gets in foul trouble since we have less depth without Geo available. Paul and Young would get more minutes, but Paul's a freshman and Young's ball handling is still a little suspect.

 

[RUChoppin]

The biggest questions in this particular game will be with Johnson/Harper/Yeboah/Carter, moreso than Baker. Can they stop (or at least slow down) Stevens and Watkins? Those two account for a third of PSU's points and nearly 40% of their rebounds. Also, can those four stay out of foul trouble while covering those two?

 

[RUBigFrank]

More the experience Geo brings on the court - the sophs have the talent to make up for it.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

The biggest questions in this particular game will be with Johnson/Harper/Yeboah/Carter, moreso than Baker. Can they stop (or at least slow down) Stevens and Watkins? Those two account for a third of PSU's points and nearly 40% of their rebounds. Also, can those four stay out of foul trouble while covering those two?

Baker being out impacts touches to Myles Johnson.

I am more worried about Stevens than i am about Watkins.

 

[RUChoppin]

Baker being out impacts touches to Myles Johnson.

I am more worried about Stevens than i am about Watkins.

Very true - was just thinking defensively. Can Johnson and Harper/Yeboah defend Stevens/Watkins without getting into foul trouble and sending Carter/Doucoure into the game? This is the first game we're playing with two high-production post players on the floor together, which will test our depth.

 

[Rutgers83]

He was terrible last time we played PSU and not good for MSU but great for Wisc Player matchups and team prep is important and maybe we dont lose much with him out. Head coach comments on Geo after last game

On defending Geo Baker: "Geo Baker has really impressed me. He had 20 against us the first time around. I've watched a lot of their tapes going into this game, and he's got long arms, got a high release. He's about 6-3 with maybe a half inch in there. He's just really talented. I thought Jamari (Wheeler) and Josh (Reaves) did a really job of speeding him up and making him uncomfortable. I thought the first time around he was very comfortable, got to his spots and the places where he likes to shoot the basketball. We flipped that tonight. But they had other guys step up for them."

 

[MV9000]

Going to be a hell of a game. I do not expect us to win but believe we have the ability to do so.

I am very interested in Pikes gameplan and i hope it is similar to that of Nebby with Young on a s lightly tighter leash. People forget Paul was working well until he got in foul trouble against Nebby. I think he will be important tonight.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

Very true - was just thinking defensively. Can Johnson and Harper/Yeboah defend Stevens/Watkins without getting into foul trouble and sending Carter/Doucoure into the game? This is the first game we're playing with two high-production post players on the floor together, which will test our depth.

Is Stevens really a post player? I see him as a guy like Harper that could go to low post vs. a smaller defender.

Iziah Brockington scares me.

 

[jerzeyguy]

Geo is the difference between expecting to win and now hoping we win this game

 

[RUChoppin]

Is Stevens really a post player? I see him as a guy like Harper that could go to low post vs. a smaller defender.

Iziah Brockington scares me.

Well, he's 6-8/230 and gets most of his points inside the arc, and a lot in the paint. Since the start of last season, he's gotten just 10.4% of his points from the 3P range (2.9 attempts/game) and 32.2% of his points at the FT line (6.1 attempts/game).

Brockington is one of those guys that Young/Mathis will be tasked with, I'd think.

 

[RU848789]

Here's a thought.... Would you rather be without Geo or Myles?
Not to diminish Geo's role and production, but we have the horses to step up and replace his offensive numbers and defense. Not so without Myles. Geo's loss is big, but it could be worse. How's that for glass half full?

Exactly. We have much more guard depth than big man depth. It's why my biggest key to the game in another thread is keeping Myles out of foul trouble against Watkins and Stevens (who drives the lane a lot and draws fouls).

 

[goru7]

Very true - was just thinking defensively. Can Johnson and Harper/Yeboah defend Stevens/Watkins without getting into foul trouble and sending Carter/Doucoure into the game? This is the first game we're playing with two high-production post players on the floor together, which will test our depth.

Or you can flip it, Can Stevens and Watkins stay out of foul trouble and guard Myles, Ron, and Akwasi . If Stevens gets in foul trouble, they are cooked. If both Stevens and Watkins gets in foul trouble , we win comfortably.

 

[MADHAT1]

No doubt about losing Geo to injury hurts.
But if Jacob plays like we thought he would at the beginning of this season and did against Nebraska along with Caleb showing his play against the Cornhuskers can be expected every game as well as Montez & Paul providing quality back-court relief, the RU guard spot will be in good shape and losing Baker won't hurt as much.
But there are a lot of ifs in my opinion and like bac said: "Its a big issue not as much short term as long term. Make no mistake its going to cost us a game or more somewhere".
Is a more realistic outlook.

 

[RUChoppin]

Or you can flip it, Can Stevens and Watkins stay out of foul trouble and guard Myles, Ron, and Akwasi . If Stevens gets in foul trouble, they are cooked. If both Stevens and Watkins gets in foul trouble , we win comfortably.

Which is true - Watkins will have a tough task defending Johnson without fouling - especially with Harper/Yeboah spreading Stevens away from the lane and leaving Watkins more on an island. Watkins has been a strong defender, averaging 3.5 blocks and 1.1 steals per game, and you'd have to think their defense will work hard to deny passes inside. Johnson's wingspan may come into play there.

Baker's absence will be felt at the point, though, since the Nits average 9.4 steals per game (32nd nationally), led by their PG Wheeler (1.8 stl/g). Young, McConnell, and Mulcahy really have to make sure they protect the ball.

 

[goru7]

Which is true - Watkins will have a tough task defending Johnson without fouling - especially with Harper/Yeboah spreading Stevens away from the lane and leaving Watkins more on an island. Watkins has been a strong defender, averaging 3.5 blocks and 1.1 steals per game, and you'd have to think their defense will work hard to deny passes inside. Johnson's wingspan may come into play there.

Baker's absence will be felt at the point, though, since the Nits average 9.4 steals per game (32nd nationally), led by their PG Wheeler (1.8 stl/g). Young, McConnell, and Mulcahy really have to make sure they protect the ball.

Agreed that Baker’s absence will be felt most as a ball handler especially against pressure which I presume Chambers will dial up. The second area will be late game heroics that Geo can sometimes provide. Like I said yesterday , until his clunker last year, he has played real well against Penn State especially on the road.

 

[Scarlet Blind_rivals]

Penn St is better than Nebraska but Rutgers has played a full 40 minutes against a team without Geo and passed with flying colors. First seven minutes, down 10-15 adjusting. Next 22 minutes, RU outscored 50-23 Nebraska, game over at 60-38. I'll take the last 33 minutes of the game as more of a representation of what this team is without Geo than the first 7, and they had no problem answering any Nebraska run without Geo on the floor each time.