What’s the problem?

[zebnatto]

We’re not playing well, and it’s been a while since we have.


Seems like there are at least three theories:

Coach: lack of offense, too passive, lack of individual game planning, sub patterns;

Heads: lack of jelling, personal locker room squabbles, just not a tough enough group, and add Covid isolation;

Talent: simply don’t have the talent to compete at high level in B1G: no complete players, no shooters, no go-to guy.


Are there other theories? How do you rank the above in importance?

Personally, I put lack of talent at the top.

 

[RU82]

The bottom line is that we’re good when we have good guard play. And we’ve been pretty wildly inconsistent in that area.

 

[zebnatto]

The bottom line is that we’re good when we have good guard play. And we’ve been pretty wildly inconsistent in that area.

Probably should have posted as poll, but I’ll put inconsistent quality guard play in the “talent” bucket.

 

[BillyC80]

Seems like our talent, in general, is on a par with the second tier of teams in the B1G.

The problem is that we’re wildly inconsistent with regard to 3-point shot-making, and I believe that shot-making (or missing) is also contagious.

If a combination of Ron, Geo or JY make a good percentage of their treys (say 33% or better), then we should win, based on the other areas of play where we’re usually more consistent (defense, 2-point shots, rebounding).

Once we start missing shots, it saps our motivation and energy to compete at a high level in other aspects of the game.

 

[LotusAggressor_rivals]

Scoring is a life and death struggle when this team doesn't get easy baskets in transition. A lot of that is talent. There aren't any truly great offensive players on this team, or even one player that can be counted on to provide consistent offense every game.

 

[RUJMM78]

Inconsistent shot making especially from the 3 point line has to be considered a talent/recruiting problem because there has been very little improvement in shooting during players time at Rutgers.

 

[rutobs]

We’re not playing well, and it’s been a while since we have.


Seems like there are at least three theories:

Coach: lack of offense, too passive, lack of individual game planning, sub patterns;

Heads: lack of jelling, personal locker room squabbles, just not a tough enough group, and add Covid isolation;

Talent: simply don’t have the talent to compete at high level in B1G: no complete players, no shooters, no go-to guy.


Are there other theories? How do you rank the above in importance?

Personally, I put lack of talent at the top.

Probably agree with all of what you said here, but simply, watching them play these last 10 games, even in the wins, they seem to have struggled so much more with their rebounding. That's not talent, that's a lack of focus and hustle. If you're not a good shooting team, you have to prioritize blocking out and crashing the boards; it's what allows for the second chance points. I think we've all noticed that when the shot goes up, there's basically only 1, maybe two guys going up for the rebound; can't have that.

 

[Joey Bags]

No more half court offense. Forget about it. Every game from this point out should be a 40 minute track meet. We also shoot WAY better when we're in transition every possession.

 

[knight82]

Too many times there is a lack of energy or urgency. We've seen what this team is capable of when they play hard. The number of games they have come out lethargic is maddening.