My View from 2 Rows Behind the Rutgers Bench

RUdepressed

Junior
Jul 4, 2025
215
342
63
In no particular order:

1 Bryce is very tall, however, gets pushed around so easily (keep if he can gain muscle, otherwise not a help)
2 EO seemed juiced to play last night, was into it, and did some good things
3 Lino played a great game on both sides of the court. He is very fast and fearless (like to keep him)
4 JMike may not be talented, but he takes his captain role seriously, really talks it up (like to keep him for small $)
5 Zrno oh no is getting better, sometimes rushes shot without feet set, then he's way off, slow of foot but D seems better (still not sold on him)
6 Zwuli had only a few, but strong minutes out there...hit all his free throws, not sure why he played so little (like to keep has upside)
7. Tariq is fun as heck to watch, was toying with their defenders, really crafty (must keep)
8 Dylan Grant's mom super nice
9 DG is just a disappearing act, was never sold on him, and has a low ceiling (would not spend $ on)
10 Powers is a big guard which I luv, smooth, worked hard on D (def keep if we can)
11 Virtually no energy on the bench, several times Pike is imploring them to get up cheer etc....total crickets...no response to him at all
12 At times the offense was moving really well at other times stagnant and Pike was often yelling for them to move
13 Pike wanted to make subs at some different times and Knight stopped him...straight up said no
14 They played D hard for much of the game but not all
15 PSU students near RU bench cheering for RU...they were funny af...basically empty there again
16 PSU has less talent than us and that is saying something
17 Can we beat Minnesota on their court???? That would show some real growth
18 Smoke needs to get on some Wegovy, man he looks in bad health
19 What does Thompson do? He and smoke are super quiet on the bench.
 

RAC93

All-American
Aug 11, 2023
3,501
5,775
113
In no particular order:

1 Bryce is very tall, however, gets pushed around so easily (keep if he can gain muscle, otherwise not a help)
2 EO seemed juiced to play last night, was into it, and did some good things
3 Lino played a great game on both sides of the court. He is very fast and fearless (like to keep him)
4 JMike may not be talented, but he takes his captain role seriously, really talks it up (like to keep him for small $)
5 Zrno oh no is getting better, sometimes rushes shot without feet set, then he's way off, slow of foot but D seems better (still not sold on him)
6 Zwuli had only a few, but strong minutes out there...hit all his free throws, not sure why he played so little (like to keep has upside)
7. Tariq is fun as heck to watch, was toying with their defenders, really crafty (must keep)
8 Dylan Grant's mom super nice
9 DG is just a disappearing act, was never sold on him, and has a low ceiling (would not spend $ on)
10 Powers is a big guard which I luv, smooth, worked hard on D (def keep if we can)
11 Virtually no energy on the bench, several times Pike is imploring them to get up cheer etc....total crickets...no response to him at all
12 At times the offense was moving really well at other times stagnant and Pike was often yelling for them to move
13 Pike wanted to make subs at some different times and Knight stopped him...straight up said no
14 They played D hard for much of the game but not all
15 PSU students near RU bench cheering for RU...they were funny af...basically empty there again
16 PSU has less talent than us and that is saying something
17 Can we beat Minnesota on their court???? That would show some real growth
18 Smoke needs to get on some Wegovy, man he looks in bad health
19 What does Thompson do? He and smoke are super quiet on the bench.
Numbers 18 and 19 were hilarious, but true
 

BillyC80

Heisman
Oct 23, 2006
17,234
15,756
72
Good stuff.

I often wondered if it would be helpful to have the assistant coaches sprinkled in on the bench among the players, instead of all bunched up on one end of the bench.

That way they could point out little things to the players seated on either side of them. “That guy always goes baseline, watch this guy’s footwork, those two guys always fall for a head fake, the rims are tight, look for long rebounds, etc.”
 

Simce91

All-Conference
Dec 2, 2024
1,859
2,483
113
#6 - I too would like to see more of this kid.
IMO, he is raw to the college game, but has the talent for getting into it under the glass.
He also has a nice stroke.
Really hope that they keep him as I see really good things from him in the future
 

Simce91

All-Conference
Dec 2, 2024
1,859
2,483
113
What was the staffs reaction when Buchanon continually turned the ball over and had his muffs?
 
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LeapinLou

All-American
Jul 24, 2001
13,402
7,308
113
Good stuff. Regarding #11, that is one positive thing I can say about women's basketball. The benches are usually spirited and cheering on their teammates. Pike shouldn't have to implore them to do that. This is why you keep JMike. He won't be expensive and he is a really good guy to have in that locker room.

I got a chuckle when you followed up #8 with #9. I hope you didn't share your thoughts with mom, lol.
 

Shelby65

All-Conference
Apr 1, 2008
8,638
4,809
66
Good stuff. Regarding #11, that is one positive thing I can say about women's basketball. The benches are usually spirited and cheering on their teammates. Pike shouldn't have to implore them to do that. This is why you keep JMike. He won't be expensive and he is a really good guy to have in that locker room.

I got a chuckle when you followed up #8 with #9. I hope you didn't share your thoughts with mom, lol.
If he’s a good guy in the locker room, keep him there. Even if Ace Bait is the best cheerleader in the history of cheerleading that doesn’t matter to making other players play better. No thanks. Or if not in the locker room, Loud crowds add pressure on the other team. Give him a red towel and a courtside seat; let him help the team get the crowd loud.
 

RUskoolie

Hall of Famer
Aug 1, 2007
221,803
113,375
63
Completely agree on number 9. That kid needs to eat weights and take mean pills. 6'7 with alien long arms and plays like he's 5'11 and hardly shows interest in rebounding.
 

Colbert17!

Heisman
Aug 30, 2014
17,471
18,929
113
Good stuff. Regarding #11, that is one positive thing I can say about women's basketball. The benches are usually spirited and cheering on their teammates. Pike shouldn't have to implore them to do that. This is why you keep JMike. He won't be expensive and he is a really good guy to have in that locker room.

I got a chuckle when you followed up #8 with #9. I hope you didn't share your thoughts with mom, lol.
Or they could sing "Africa" by Toto.
 
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DHajekRC1984

All-Conference
Jul 20, 2025
1,272
1,197
113
In no particular order:

1 Bryce is very tall, however, gets pushed around so easily (keep if he can gain muscle, otherwise not a help)
2 EO seemed juiced to play last night, was into it, and did some good things
3 Lino played a great game on both sides of the court. He is very fast and fearless (like to keep him)
4 JMike may not be talented, but he takes his captain role seriously, really talks it up (like to keep him for small $)
5 Zrno oh no is getting better, sometimes rushes shot without feet set, then he's way off, slow of foot but D seems better (still not sold on him)
6 Zwuli had only a few, but strong minutes out there...hit all his free throws, not sure why he played so little (like to keep has upside)
7. Tariq is fun as heck to watch, was toying with their defenders, really crafty (must keep)
8 Dylan Grant's mom super nice
9 DG is just a disappearing act, was never sold on him, and has a low ceiling (would not spend $ on)
10 Powers is a big guard which I luv, smooth, worked hard on D (def keep if we can)
11 Virtually no energy on the bench, several times Pike is imploring them to get up cheer etc....total crickets...no response to him at all
12 At times the offense was moving really well at other times stagnant and Pike was often yelling for them to move
13 Pike wanted to make subs at some different times and Knight stopped him...straight up said no

14 They played D hard for much of the game but not all
15 PSU students near RU bench cheering for RU...they were funny af...basically empty there again
16 PSU has less talent than us and that is saying something
17 Can we beat Minnesota on their court???? That would show some real growth
18 Smoke needs to get on some Wegovy, man he looks in bad health
19 What does Thompson do? He and smoke are super quiet on the bench.
This has been one of my biggest concerns about his "coaching" for many years now. Too much coaching while pacing the sidelines and not enough player accountability. You don't need to sit behind the bench to see it. Give's guys too much leash when screwing up. Pulls guys when hot.

I like the man (I do) and I wish he could he could figure out this part. He's just too nice. But he's ours and I wish him well until he's not.

Anywho..wasn't looking to bash him given last 3 halves and improved play. He's doing something right now.
 
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