Realistic expectations for next season

Scangg

Heisman
Mar 19, 2016
25,448
49,369
113
What are realistic expectations for next season? With a lot of young players gaining a year of experience and Sanders hopefully taking a big step in year two we should be better. Add in the injured players coming back who missed most or all of last season like Doorson Diallo Freeman and a better X and O coach who stresses defensive and I think we have a shot at being a lot better but what can we realistically expect? .500?
 

RU MAN

Heisman
Oct 29, 2001
23,636
10,231
113
What are realistic expectations for next season? With a lot of young players gaining a year of experience and Sanders hopefully taking a big step in year two we should be better. Add in the injured players coming back who missed most or all of last season like Doorson Diallo Freeman and a better X and O coach who stresses defensive and I think we have a shot at being a lot better but what can we realistically expect? .500?
Short answer: yes. I think with everyone coming back we can be .500 next season. But that's if things break our away. Realistically anywhere from 12-15 wins.
 
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anon_ivydyf0amkzay

Guest
So I should not be thinking sweet 16? Is this what you're saying!?!
 

SkilletHead2

All-American
Sep 30, 2005
24,458
9,296
113
When William F. Buckley ran for Mayor of NYC, he was asked, "Conservatively speaking, how many votes do you expect to get?" He responded, "Conservatively speaking, one."

I'm hoping for 500, but what I really want to see is us playing smart basketball, playing hard, and playing as a team.
 

BigEastPhil

Heisman
Nov 25, 2007
19,254
13,483
66
My hope: All players return; no defections and Thiam comes to the Banks...

My expectation: If the above holds - then a competitive squad in the 9-12th place range in Big 10 Play
 

jakeknight

Senior
Jan 29, 2009
1,273
967
0
Expect nothing, meaning we will 5-7 games, and you will pleasantly surprised. Seriously hopefully the era of "bonehead basketball" will come to an end and we will see a team that plays fundamentally sound, defensively aggressive BB. I can live with that, until the talent gets upgraded.
 
Apr 8, 2002
15,622
27,008
113
What are realistic expectations for next season? With a lot of young players gaining a year of experience and Sanders hopefully taking a big step in year two we should be better. Add in the injured players coming back who missed most or all of last season like Doorson Diallo Freeman and a better X and O coach who stresses defensive and I think we have a shot at being a lot better but what can we realistically expect? .500?
My hope: All players return; no defections and Thiam comes to the Banks...

My expectation: If the above holds - then a competitive squad in the 9-12th place range in Big 10 Play

I may not be deep into basketball like some of you, but after watching the B1G teams, I don't see why Rutgers can't make big improvements. The B1G lack real guards who can handle the ball under pressure. If this new coach can get the team to play solid defense with strong on the ball defense I see improvement to the middle third of the B1G. Mike Williams has to continue to hit 3s like he did at the end of the season. He has the ability and with Sanders they can be a major headache for the rest of the B1G. The frontcourt has to stay healthy and improve some because anything they give is a bonus. I think the key to winning in the B1G and even having success in the NCAA tournament is to have quick creative athletic players at the 1,2 and 3 positions with range on their shots.
 
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Greene Rice FIG

Heisman
Dec 30, 2005
40,437
23,613
0
Freeman and Sanders were each suspended or disciplined twice.

If you are a realist you don't count on them.

Forget expectations. Measure success differently.
 

Section114

Junior
Jan 13, 2012
876
274
0
If were not in the field of 68, that's ridiculous. Just kidding.

Competiveness and effort would be GREAT!
 

AreYouNUTS

Heisman
Aug 1, 2001
123,788
57,843
113
I'll put the over/under at 13.5/4.5 (total/conference wins) and would be very happy to get to 14/5 as it would be a HUGE jump from this season. Expecting more, IMHO, isn't being very realistic regardless of the injuries this year and next year's roster. The biggest thing is to see improvement in all facets of the game and fundamentals, smarts on the court, passion, and no quitting.
 

SAE96

All-Conference
Feb 4, 2003
4,982
3,650
73
As the roster is currently constructed, in my opinion, our ceiling is 13 wins. We'll see if our new coach can teach this group how to play perimeter defense, box out, and fight for position under the basket. Without at least one consistent three point shooter, we're not going anywhere.
 
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ColonelRutgers

All-American
Dec 15, 2003
7,109
9,300
113
I'm very concerned about the center position. All we have coming back is Diallo who was NOT good when he played early in the season (throw out the final few games) and Doorson who just got his walking boot off a few weeks ago after a freshman campaign where he was a 10 minute per game backup. We don't have the luxury of a Jack or a Lewis to move to center next year. The power forwards on the roster (Freeman/Foreman) are not capable of matching up with centers in our league. If we don't get a mature physical juco-type big guy we are going to be in a world of hurt even IF Diallo and Doorson are able to return at full strength.
 
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AreYouNUTS

Heisman
Aug 1, 2001
123,788
57,843
113
Getting to .500+ would take a minor miracle and there was no way in hell EJ was doing that next year. None. Can the new guy? We'll see and, if he does, he will be the "gem" we've been looking for no doubt!
 

needmorecowbell

Heisman
Oct 28, 2007
9,664
10,815
78
What are realistic expectations for next season? With a lot of young players gaining a year of experience and Sanders hopefully taking a big step in year two we should be better. Add in the injured players coming back who missed most or all of last season like Doorson Diallo Freeman and a better X and O coach who stresses defensive and I think we have a shot at being a lot better but what can we realistically expect? .500?
.500 realistic? No. Possible? Yes. If RU doubles their wins that would be a good season. Year 2-3, 500+ yes.
 

LC-88

All-Conference
Apr 24, 2010
7,160
2,795
0
I want to look at their first five games next season, and their last five games next season. And be able to say that they improved by leaps and rebounds from start to finish. Steady improvement.
 

RUDave_01

All-Conference
Dec 8, 2002
1,750
2,041
113
People were thinking that 10-12 wins was possible with EJ at the helm... 12-14 wins is definitely reasonable with a head coach that stresses defense and fundamentals. If they get there and look better in the process, then it'll be a successful first year. I'm talking about making blowouts the exception rather than a regular occurrence and a defense that doesn't give up 15-20 open threes a game. If he does that, then we'll clearly be on the right track.
 
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Knights 1212

All-American
Sep 9, 2003
27,560
8,500
113
Why is it mentioned that Sanders was suspended twice? The first game of the season was because he played in a game last summer which was not sanctioned by the NCAA. It was reported earlier that Corey was told the game was approved and than after he participated in the game was told it wasn't approved. I don't see where that was his fault. Yes he fouled up and got suspended for 4 games but hopefully he learned from his mistake.
 
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MCKnight

All-Conference
Oct 25, 2012
2,267
1,883
113
Have to see the roster before we can make predictions. Wishful thinking everyone returns and recruits remain in place, but in present day college hoops that is unlikely. There will likely be a transfer out and transfer in
 

Mr. Magoo1

Heisman
Nov 15, 2001
15,497
16,353
113
I think 12 wins is realistic provided Sanders comes back and we don't have more than one player or so transfer out. With Jordan there would be no way we win more than about 10 games. Pikiell should be coach of the year if this group is .500.
 

bac2therac

Hall of Famer
Jul 30, 2001
249,270
178,600
113
I see some are revving expectations up. I think we hope foelr 13-18 and getting 4 conference wins. I expect to finish 13th or 14th
 

Scarlet Shack

Heisman
Feb 3, 2004
26,304
16,031
73
If the roster is intact

If the coaches have a major off season of player development

16-15 is the goal
 

Rokodesh

Heisman
Aug 30, 2007
16,014
13,158
73
let's start with making layups, rebounding, and free throws

anything on top of that is a +
 

billhobo

Redshirt
Jan 7, 2004
3,325
37
0
Zero juice in the program and a dead RAC again is my forecast. In typical Rutgers fashion, we under-hired and acted like an Atlantic 10 program again...2 conferences ago. One thing in the new coach's favor is having one of the best guards in the league return, assuming he returns. Otherwise I'd like to see what kind of assistant coaching hires and recruits he musters early on, because there's nothing to realistically suggest major improvement next season.
 

Greene Rice FIG

Heisman
Dec 30, 2005
40,437
23,613
0
Why is it mentioned that Sanders was suspended twice? The first game of the season was because he played in a game last summer which was not sanctioned by the NCAA. It was reported earlier that Corey was told the game was approved and than after he participated in the game was told it wasn't approved. I don't see where that was his fault. Yes he fouled up and got suspended for 4 games but hopefully he learned from his mistake.

I said suspended or disciplined. he was disciplined and lost his starting job. i forgot Jordan's terms. Was it a warning that occurred before the suspension?
 

Rutgers25

All-American
Jul 29, 2001
7,780
6,217
83
If everybody comes back and no injuries, I'd say 12-14 wins is the goal. It could easily be another sub-10 win season though. Recruiting is all that really matters at this point..
 

RU-ROCS

All-American
Feb 5, 2003
12,462
7,695
113
My hope: All players return; no defections and Thiam comes to the Banks...

My expectation: If the above holds - then a competitive squad in the 9-12th place range in Big 10 Play

I agree with this. But, despite public statements to the contrary, there is still the risk that Sanders or others will transfer which will make winning very tough next year. I sure hope Pikiell can keep everyone in the fold.
 

Michstfr

SuperCane
Feb 4, 2005
94,539
4,187
113
Get ready to be a last place Big 10 team next year and maybe even the year after. 3-15 type of team in conference at least next year.

Goal is to be more competitive and specifically to begin upgrading the roster. That is going to take time and will also require a class A staff.

But he needs time.
 

bac2therac

Hall of Famer
Jul 30, 2001
249,270
178,600
113
Get ready to be a last place Big 10 team next year and maybe even the year after. 3-15 type of team in conference at least next year.

Goal is to be more competitive and specifically to begin upgrading the roster. That is going to take time and will also require a class A staff.

But he needs time.


I fully agree with you. I think its type of play, playing defense and not getting blown out where RU cuts the gap. Schools do not go from 7 wins to 16 in one season without a big time infusion of talent. RU still would have won at least 10 games with Jordan and maybe Jordan got them to 12 which RU could win with Pikiell but I think what next season is setting up is the foundation and groundwork for the future. Pikiell's 12 wins are going to be more beneificial to the program than Eddie's 12.

and a team that has lost so much has to learn to win, its not going to be easy to do that at first. Minnesota was not a bad team at all for most of the season. They played extremely competitive single digit games against top schools in the Big 10 and yet they wound up with just 2 wins. Id like to see closer losses much like Minny had this year and Id like to see RU be able to handle non conference opponents without life death struggles against the Central Arkansas of the world
 

Scarlet Shack

Heisman
Feb 3, 2004
26,304
16,031
73
I really disagree with many of you

We have plenty of raw basketball skills that need a large dose of micro and macro coaching....and develop toughness

We were a young team before the injuries. Painfully young. People forget that....

IMO ...we were a 11-20 team without the injuries

So when you considers that...it's not a stretch to go from 11-20 to 16-15 with experience

This team with GOOD coaching can be that next year.....

But it depends on keeping the roster intact, good coaching, and the players buying in....

Easier said than done

But possible....
 

SAE96

All-Conference
Feb 4, 2003
4,982
3,650
73
Shack, who's our best shooter and what was his fg% and 3pt.%?

You can teach this group many things but shooting isn't one of them. We'll play better D but without consistent shooting, I don't know how we c I NE close to .500.

I agree with Bac and Mis. We will see progress regarding fundemental, but it really won't trandlaye into a significantly better W/L record.
 

daneman100

All-Conference
Dec 5, 2003
5,185
3,313
0
This seems like a tough question to answer before a staff is in place. Give the guy a week or two before completely writing off the next season or two.
 

soundcrib

All-Conference
Oct 7, 2002
6,753
3,915
113
For us to be decent (.500) next year, Williams will need to shoot 10x better than he did this year and Goode will have to shoot 100x better (just shooting would be nice). These are the ONLY two "shooters" we have returning to the roster next season. Uphill battle without shooters. Though I douby-lieve we can easily improve our lay-up percentage.
 

bac2therac

Hall of Famer
Jul 30, 2001
249,270
178,600
113
this team was bad in all aspects. Its going to be a steep learning curve. Jordan allowed them to freelance on offense besides the few set plays they ran. There was no emphasis on defense, rebounding and discipline. The players are all going to have learn this from a new coach. The good thing is Pikiell can coach so it will happen. The bad thing is it takes time and a 7 win team is going to take time to learn how to win and shake off all of the bad habits learned from the previous regime. It may be ugly early. Perhaps its not but I cannot expect the team to just do a 180