The only way we make the tournament

[zappaa]

Is if we return to the level of “holy shite we are good” and collectively as a fan base we come to realize the past few games was an abomination of a slump.
There is no in between in this league, the holy shite we’re good level is necessary to compete and be competitive in this elite league.
Close and competitive looses to Nationally ranked teams are acceptable.
It will be interesting to see if we can do it.
I think we can

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

Baseball players go through slumps. Especially players on my fantasy teams.

I think this is no different.

 

[zappaa]

Baseball players go through slumps. Especially players on my fantasy teams.

I think this is no different.

Exactly.
I might add, sense of urgency, light a fire under them, sleep walking and no effort are buzz word phrases that do not apply to a the collective phenomenon of a team slump.
Does anyone really think we have any players on this team that can look at themselves in the mirror after a poor performance and say I didn’t give it my all or best effort?
You have to play better sure, but effort is not the issue.
In fact at this level, ridiculous effort and robotic play instead of instinctual free wheeling within the team concept will do nothing but exhaust you and make the situation worse.
Ask anyone who’s played a sport at a high level, a commitment to trying harder and doing to much is always a recipe for disaster, having fun and free wheeling is always the better option

 

[rufeelinit]

They might be in a 3pt, 2pt and FT shooting slump but not sure the defense and rebounding issues aren't more structural in nature. Not that they can't be fixed but that is more of a mindset and tactical approach issue than being in a slump.

 

[zappaa]

They might be in a 3pt, 2pt and FT shooting slump but not sure the defense and rebounding issues aren't more structural in nature. Not that they can't be fixed but that is more of a mindset and tactical approach issue than being in a slump.

Why was the structure fine against Illinois, Purdue and a great game and effort loss to Iowa?
Hopefully it will reappear with no apparent explanation for its absence

 

[rufeelinit]

Why was the structure fine against Illinois, Purdue and a great game and effort loss to Iowa?
Hopefully it will reappear with no apparent explanation for its absence

I would have to go back and look at the box score but it may be that the structural deficiencies were masked by better shooting. Hey structure might not be the best term for it, but I think rebounding has been an issue pretty much all season. While statistically we may have out rebounded a team on a couple of occasions we are getting few second chance opportunities which become magnified when the shots are not falling. Same on the other end where we are giving up too many such opportunities. I recall a specifically critical one that Harper allowed in the Iowa loss down the stretch.

 

[bac2therac]

I would have to go back and look at the box score but it may be that the structural deficiencies were masked by better shooting. Hey structure might not be the best term for it, but I think rebounding has been an issue pretty much all season. While statistically we may have out rebounded a team on a couple of occasions we are getting few second chance opportunities which become magnified when the shots are not falling. Same on the other end where we are giving up too many such opportunities. I recall a specifically critical one that Harper allowed in the Iowa loss down the stretch.

good point about the Iowa game....we didnt get stops in the last 5 minute even as we made buckets and we didnt hit free throws. The crucial Harper non box out for rebound and he fouled the guy but Harper missed a free throw and took a few questionable shots. While this was a close game vs the #5 team that came down to a play or two, I felt that there was something off about the team in this game. The inability to put them away when needed in your home building when you had the chance loomed over the whole last 5 minutes. I never saw the push or fire from other games

 

[NewJerseyHawk]

When you play Top 5 to 40 teams night in and out, you will drop games if you're not 100% healthy There are no 1962 Mets or Colorado Rockies on the schedule for 20- 21 games like a MLB schedule to get healthy against.

I really am more than happy that we are being tested in a great league and are being prepared for the NCAA tournament. The league will get more than enough teams in and RU is obviously one of those rosters/teams that once healthy in the next week or two, will bounce back.

 

[e5fdny]

When you play Top 5 to 40 teams night in and out, you will drop games if you're not 100% healthy There are no 1962 Mets or Colorado Rockies on the schedule for 20- 21 games like a MLB schedule to get healthy against.

I really am more than happy that we are being tested in a great league and are being prepared for the NCAA tournament. The league will get more than enough teams in and RU is obviously one of those rosters/teams that once healthy in the next week or two, will bounce back.

Short and to the point.

Who are you and what have done to @NewJerseyHawk?

 

[RUSK97]

Close and competitive looses to Nationally ranked teams are acceptable.

Completely agree with this statement. Not seeing that though in this recent slump.

 

[knight82]

Exactly.
I might add, sense of urgency, light a fire under them, sleep walking and no effort are buzz word phrases that do not apply to a the collective phenomenon of a team slump.
Does anyone really think we have any players on this team that can look at themselves in the mirror after a poor performance and say I didn’t give it my all or best effort?
You have to play better sure, but effort is not the issue.
In fact at this level, ridiculous effort and robotic play instead of instinctual free wheeling within the team concept will do nothing but exhaust you and make the situation worse.
Ask anyone who’s played a sport at a high level, a commitment to trying harder and doing to much is always a recipe for disaster, having fun and free wheeling is always the better option

The one thing that concerns me about this group is this. We have seen that they are capable of playing at a very high level. But we have also seen that as soon as things don't go their way, they get frustrated and give up

 

[dconifer0]

I really don't think it's as dire as you all (some, I should say) think. Your team is good...

 

[Scarlet Blind_rivals]

We will be a tournament team again the moment Cliff is cleared to play and Jaden Jones gets on the floor, the swagger and confidence will be back. There was a reason WHY Cliff, in his first collegiate game, was starting over Myles. To beat out someone 3 years in the program, Cliff had to be doing everything clearly better than Myles in a matter of a month or so of practices before Nov 25, because Myles would have started game 1 if it was close. It is as simple as we lost the one starter at a position we didn't have a next guy up that could do anything close to what Cliff does on the court. If you followed him on social media his senior year, he was a tireless worker with a sports trainer in HS, like I saw from Jaden Jones since his Junior year he committed. Many videos showing the work they post improving their game and body. Jaden will be special as what Cliff brings day 1, once he's acclimated to Pike's system.

 

[RuBird]

They might be in a 3pt, 2pt and FT shooting slump but not sure the defense and rebounding issues aren't more structural in nature. Not that they can't be fixed but that is more of a mindset and tactical approach issue than being in a slump.

Watch Myles play since Cliff has been out. He is very tentative. Will pull himself away from trying to grab the tough rebound. It is not a coincidence that our Defense and rebounding have suffered since Cliff has been out.

 

[knight82]

We will be a tournament team again the moment Cliff is cleared to play and Jaden Jones gets on the floor, the swagger and confidence will be back. There was a reason WHY Cliff, in his first collegiate game, was starting over Myles. To beat out someone 3 years in the program, Cliff had to be doing everything clearly better than Myles in a matter of a month or so of practices before Nov 25, because Myles would have started game 1 if it was close. It is as simple as we lost the one starter at a position we didn't have a next guy up that could do anything close to what Cliff does on the court. If you followed him on social media his senior year, he was a tireless worker with a sports trainer in HS, like I saw from Jaden Jones since his Junior year he committed. Many videos showing the work they post improving their game and body. Jaden will be special as what Cliff brings day 1, once he's acclimated to Pike's system.

There is also speculation that the promise of starting from day one was one of the stipulations for him to commit to Rutgers

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

Exactly.
I might add, sense of urgency, light a fire under them, sleep walking and no effort are buzz word phrases that do not apply to a the collective phenomenon of a team slump.
Does anyone really think we have any players on this team that can look at themselves in the mirror after a poor performance and say I didn’t give it my all or best effort?
You have to play better sure, but effort is not the issue.
In fact at this level, ridiculous effort and robotic play instead of instinctual free wheeling within the team concept will do nothing but exhaust you and make the situation worse.
Ask anyone who’s played a sport at a high level, a commitment to trying harder and doing to much is always a recipe for disaster, having fun and free wheeling is always the better option

I hated in little league when coachesyelled at kids to throw strike OR said walk 3 guys and I take you out.

trying Harder doesn’t help you throw strikes or make shots.

playing defense...that’s another story

 

[Scarlet Shack]

Exactly.
I might add, sense of urgency, light a fire under them, sleep walking and no effort are buzz word phrases that do not apply to a the collective phenomenon of a team slump.
Does anyone really think we have any players on this team that can look at themselves in the mirror after a poor performance and say I didn’t give it my all or best effort?
You have to play better sure, but effort is not the issue.
In fact at this level, ridiculous effort and robotic play instead of instinctual free wheeling within the team concept will do nothing but exhaust you and make the situation worse.
Ask anyone who’s played a sport at a high level, a commitment to trying harder and doing to much is always a recipe for disaster, having fun and free wheeling is always the better option

Yes x1000000. It’s about adjustments and confidence in what you are doing.

We need to stay the course...stick with the identity, make the adjustment, and get healthy

Especially the later

Get me 100% healthy and to 5-5 going into February

I’ll take our top eight against any other top 8 and roll the dice.

 

[Colbert17!]

Exactly.
I might add, sense of urgency, light a fire under them, sleep walking and no effort are buzz word phrases that do not apply to a the collective phenomenon of a team slump.
Does anyone really think we have any players on this team that can look at themselves in the mirror after a poor performance and say I didn’t give it my all or best effort?
You have to play better sure, but effort is not the issue.
In fact at this level, ridiculous effort and robotic play instead of instinctual free wheeling within the team concept will do nothing but exhaust you and make the situation worse.
Ask anyone who’s played a sport at a high level, a commitment to trying harder and doing to much is always a recipe for disaster, having fun and free wheeling is always the better option

A famous American once said about playing sports that it's "90 percent mental. The other half is physical."
We need to get our heads back where they belong. Dropping out of the top 25 at this point in the season maybe one of the best things to happen to this team.

 

[RURahh]

Zapp - not sure if it's a structural issue in as much as it's an injury issue. We have at least 2 players averaging over 30 minutes who aren't 100% and Myles is playing at 50% because he is paranoid about fouling out. Make no mistake, Myles is a far better player right now than Cliff but getting Cliff back will allow Myles to be Myles - the whole starting versus coming off the bench is irrelevant - Shaq started last year cuz it seemed to stop Myles from picking up early stupid fouls.

When Geo, RHJ and JY are all healthy, and having Caleb back in the lineup, we are a Sweet 16 team if/when we play to our full potential

 

[BigEastPhil]

Beat Wisconsin !

 

[Colbert17!]

Any word on when Cliff will be back?

 

[zappaa]

Any word on when Cliff will be back?

Geeez I hope he’s back for Friday.
He’s huge for our rotations

 

[IL Lusciato]

I agree, And hopefully we can get out of this slump.

 

[RutgersDom]

Is if we return to the level of “holy shite we are good” and collectively as a fan base we come to realize the past few games was an abomination of a slump.
There is no in between in this league, the holy shite we’re good level is necessary to compete and be competitive in this elite league.
Close and competitive looses to Nationally ranked teams are acceptable.
It will be interesting to see if we can do it.
I think we can

My concern which I said when we were riding high is can the 3 point shooting continue? We all knew the FT woes were going to (Still perplexing) and eventually bite us which they now have...Our shots aren't falling and we are somewhere in between where we started off and the last 3 or so games...I think that's good enough for a 5th-7th place finish and make the tourney (Who cares what seed and what rank)...All the 2 seed nonsense is just that...talking heads filling up space...like power rankings in the NFL after the first week,,,Who gives ... Let's play this out and hopefully Big Cliff gets back soon...He will bring the young energy and rebounding we need...