RU: Getting Hot or Getting Better?

[BillyC80]

Maybe it’s splitting hairs but this is the time of year when you hear people say, “they’re getting hot at the right time.”

Except in our case we actually got better, imo. The team finally found themselves, and we’re playing at a very high level on both ends of the court.

Would you agree, we’re not just hot, we’re better?

 

[fluoxetine]

Both.

 

[Knight Ed_rivals]

Better. The development of Cliff and Paul has been crazy.

 

[RU82]

Exactly. Cliff and Paul have seriously upped their game lately. Both of them are playing at the highest level of their respective college careers right now.

 

[Degaz-RU]

Both.

It’s definitely both, but I would say that it’s the improvements that predominate here

Our defense is much better than it was earlier in the season.

Cliff and Paul are playing much better.

Reiber is playing much better as a backup big than Agee was playing.

Pike’s rotations are much better, and he is pushing the right buttons from game to game.

Everyone’s roles are better defined.

 

[DHajekRC84]

Both but the better is flaming the hotter.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

both

 

[ColonelRutgers]

Mulcahy's emergence has opened everything up. We were ultra-dependent on Geo and Ron and that's a lot to ask of just two players. Now, we have three comparable weapons instead of two. And Paul's style of play and playmaking has opened everything up for Cliff who has been amazing. Cliff has gained so much confidence and has really come into his own on the defensive side where he's no longer a foul machine. I also think that Paul's style of play has got to be a bit demoralizing for a defense because it's unique, leads to really easy baskets and extremely hard to defend.

 

[ScarletDave]

Better. Arguably we’re not “Hot”, still shooting similar clip on jump shots and missing some free throws. But we are getting rebounds, making awesome plays inside (lots to do with Paul, Cliff, Geo Caleb and Ron all elevating their interior game), and forcing TOS

 

[richthedentist]

Mulcahy's emergence has opened everything up. We were ultra-dependent on Geo and Ron and that's a lot to ask of just two players. Now, we have three comparable weapons instead of two. And Paul's style of play and playmaking has opened everything up for Cliff who has been amazing. Cliff has gained so much confidence and has really come into his own on the defensive side where he's no longer a foul machine.

agree Pauls new found confidence has just opened up everything and I think it has also given Cliff more confidence plus that extra option is just opening up all our options and his shoot first mentality

 

[fluoxetine]

Better. Arguably we’re not “Hot”, still shooting similar clip on jump shots and missing some free throws. But we are getting rebounds, making awesome plays inside (lots to do with Paul, Cliff, Geo Caleb and Ron all elevating their interior game), and forcing TOS

It's very unlikely we just transformed into like the 5th best team. We are definitely improving but also just playing very well. Please don't expect this level to continue through the entire remainder of the season.

 

[rubjk]

Maybe it’s splitting hairs but this is the time of year when you hear people say, “they’re getting hot at the right time.”

Except in our case we actually got better, imo. The team finally found themselves, and we’re playing at a very high level on both ends of the court.

Would you agree, we’re not just hot, we’re better?

Better. We’ve played 4 consistent games. Full effort and following game plan. Playing as a cohesive team.

 

[Scarletnut]

We went from 2 scoring options to 4 options (5 if you include
Reiber). Hard to double team anyone when all 4 are on the floor at the same time.
As an aside, in retrospect, if our 3 transfers hadn't left, PM, Cliff and Reiber would not have developed and jelled as they do now.

 

[Scarlet83]

Maybe it’s splitting hairs but this is the time of year when you hear people say, “they’re getting hot at the right time.”

Except in our case we actually got better, imo. The team finally found themselves, and we’re playing at a very high level on both ends of the court.

Would you agree, we’re not just hot, we’re better?

Yes, we are better.

9 consecutive strong halves of really good basketball.

 

[RUtrumpet92_rivals498139]

We missed a ton of good shots last night and still won going away. That was not a result of a hot shooting night. We are getting better.

 

[BillyC80]

It's very unlikely we just transformed into like the 5th best team. We are definitely improving but also just playing very well. Please don't expect this level to continue through the entire remainder of the season.

I actually do expect it, after a solid and consecutive 4.5 game sample. Not saying we’ll win every game, or that it’s not possible to have a clunker in there somewhere, but the level of play on both sides I do see continuing.

 

[Knight Ed_rivals]

We went from 2 scoring options to 4 options (5 if you include
Reiber). Hard to double team anyone when all 4 are on the floor at the same time.
As an aside, in retrospect, if our 3 transfers hadn't left, PM, Cliff and Reiber would not have developed and jelled as they do now.

Good point on the development.

 

[Scarletnut]

We missed a ton of good shots last night and still won going away. That was not a result of a hot shooting night. We are getting better.

That was the most encouraging thing I saw all season. We were shooting a pedestrian percentage and still won going away. Truly a sign of a good team.

 

[RULoyal]

It's very unlikely we just transformed into like the 5th best team. We are definitely improving but also just playing very well. Please don't expect this level to continue through the entire remainder of the season.

 

[mikebal9]

Broadcasters made an interesting comment last night. Most teams have one guy who can handle the ball in crunch time. We have three.

 

[Scarlet Shack]

Maybe it’s splitting hairs but this is the time of year when you hear people say, “they’re getting hot at the right time.”

Except in our case we actually got better, imo. The team finally found themselves, and we’re playing at a very high level on both ends of the court.

Would you agree, we’re not just hot, we’re better?

Better !!! We are playing better whixh is why we are getting a lot more makable looks at the basket and why offensive efficiency is rising ….

 

[Salvi's Headband]

Maybe it’s splitting hairs but this is the time of year when you hear people say, “they’re getting hot at the right time.”

Except in our case we actually got better, imo. The team finally found themselves, and we’re playing at a very high level on both ends of the court.

Would you agree, we’re not just hot, we’re better?

Yea, both. It's simply a fact of basketball that every win streak involves its share of luck and good bounces. But clearly we're also better.

 

[OldManRiver1]

The place to look as to why we turned it around....look at our shooting percentage since Northwestern

 

[BillyC80]

The place to look as to why we turned it around....look at our shooting percentage

Yes, we are better in part because Paul is now living in the paint where he’s knocking down 8-footers and dishing for dunks which are high percentage shots.

 

[Scangg]

New Paul has changed the entire dynamic of the team. The best part is his play is repeatable. Cliff dump offs for dunks will always be dunks. Paul's layups and 5-10 footers will always be high percentage the shots.

We are getting easy buckets. This is so so huge for a team that struggled with scoring droughts. 14 transition points and 40 points in the paint. Easy buckets. High percentage shots.

Paul is a matchup problem and is abusing shorter guards. If you put a bigger guy on Paul Caleb or Ron has a mismatch.

Cliff Dean improving drastically.

Team chemistry is through the freaking roof.

Defensively intensity has been phenomenal. Caleb is inspiring the rest of the team to play up to this level.


If you can't see this is a new team, you're clueless. The aura around this team is special

 

[Eagleton95.99]

Both. I think we are shooting 60% and 50% from 3 over the past 5 games? Something like that. Please add the actual numbers if you have them. Even if we have morphed into the best team in the country, those shooting percentages aren't generally sustainable. So, both.

 

[bsh75]

The shooting %s from the field over the past 5 games- NW 44.8%, MSU 61.5% OSU 53.2%, Wis 52% and Illinois 47.5%. From 3 the %s are 23.5% 45% 33.3%. 58.3% and 33.3% The total for the 5 games are 51.3% from the field and 39.7% from 3.

 

[RU848789]

Both.

right answer... and significantly better I would add led by the development of both Paul and cliff as well as the improved intensity and teamwork on both ends of the floor... as Underwood said we're simply playing harder than everyone we play...

 

[MadRU]

One of the BTN analysts made an interesting observation. Paraphrasing he said Paul has the ability to bring the ball up court, clear the side and post up his defender.

It’s a unique talent. His confidence is sky high. This is a talent that is rare for teams to have to worry about. His passing and now shooting make him a real threat that coaches need to game plan for.

Check out how many different defenders Illinois tried on him.

 

[Eagleton95.99]

The shooting %s from the field over the past 5 games- NW 44.8%, MSU 61.5% OSU 53.2%, Wis 52% and Illinois 47.5%. From 3 the %s are 23.5% 45% 33.3%. 58.3% and 33.3% The total for the 5 games are 51.3% from the field and 39.7% from 3.

I'd say that's sustainable and not flukey.

 

[Scangg]

One of the BTN analysts made an interesting observation. Paraphrasing he said Paul has the ability to bring the ball up court, clear the side and post up his defender.

It’s a unique talent. His confidence is sky high. This is a talent that is rare for teams to have to worry about. His passing and now shooting make him a real threat that coaches need to game plan for.

Check out how many different defenders Illinois tried on him.

The best part is Rutgers has been doing a great job of exploiting matchups. Whenever the tiny guards were on Paul he abused them inside. Teams literally cannot put these short guards on Paul anymore. They get owned

 

[RUJMM78]

The best part is Rutgers has been doing a great job of exploiting matchups. Whenever the tiny guards were on Paul he abused them inside. Teams literally cannot put these short guards on Paul anymore. They get owned

The same applies for Harper at the beginning of the game when he had a smaller defender.

 

[Scangg]

The same applies for Harper at the beginning of the game when he had a smaller defender.

RJ got abused early. Ron gave a couple really nice jab steps. Would love to see him use that move more. Reverse pivot, quick hard jab step and go.

 

[RUsojo]

Getting hot while playing differently.

 

[Danprusa_4]

New Paul has changed the entire dynamic of the team. The best part is his play is repeatable. Cliff dump offs for dunks will always be dunks. Paul's layups and 5-10 footers will always be high percentage the shots.

We are getting easy buckets. This is so so huge for a team that struggled with scoring droughts. 14 transition points and 40 points in the paint. Easy buckets. High percentage shots.

Paul is a matchup problem and is abusing shorter guards. If you put a bigger guy on Paul Caleb or Ron has a mismatch.

Cliff Dean improving drastically.

Team chemistry is through the freaking roof.

Defensively intensity has been phenomenal. Caleb is inspiring the rest of the team to play up to this level.


If you can't see this is a new team, you're clueless. The aura around this team is special

Well said bro