When Geo Comes Back

[richthedentist]

You have to keep Mawot in the starting lineup and sit Paul!!
Zero points last night I know he had 8 assists but the ball just completely stops moving when it gets in his hands and he can’t absolutely defend other teams guards
I know Pikell won’t do this because he is so loyal to him for some reason

 

[jordkap]

Have Geo come off bench with Jones and Hyatt. Need a scorer on line #2

 

[NYSportsFan]

Paul needs to play, many minutes reduced but Paul keeps the ball moving. Agree on mag in the starting lineup. The difference last night was that McConnell was not his usual turnover self, he slowed down, he guarded the best player (arguably) in the conference defensively, and I think he had four steals, and he knocked down shots, in addition to what Ron, Mag Cliff gave you. If Caleb plays like that rest of the year, then maybe we right the ship. But I think Paul should play, he’s too heady not to play.

 

[Mr. Magoo1]

I’m definitely more negative than positive (I’m a Mets, Knicks, Dolphins, and Rutgers fan) and there is no doubt we have looked like garbage in most of the earlier games. However, we beat the number 1 team without Geo and Hyatt (basically). Who ever would have thought that possible a month ago? Hopefully, we build on this.

 

[RAC’emUp]

You have to keep Mawot in the starting lineup and sit Paul!!
Zero points last night I know he had 8 assists but the ball just completely stops moving when it gets in his hands and he can’t absolutely defend other teams guards
I know Pikell won’t do this because he is so loyal to him for some reason

If a guy has 8 assists, by definition the ball does not completely stop moving when it gets in his hands. And he played excellent one on one defense yesterday. He did not get beat to the hole at all. Having said that, when he is pressured in the backcourt too much clock is eaten up.

 

[ancienthooper]

You have to keep Mawot in the starting lineup and sit Paul!!
Zero points last night I know he had 8 assists but the ball just completely stops moving when it gets in his hands and he can’t absolutely defend other teams guards
I know Pikell won’t do this because he is so loyal to him for some reason

Love how starting a whole new thread can showcase cluelessness. You've been riding the kid's back from day 1. I actually did think there was some over-dribbling but if "the ball completely stops moving when it gets in his hands" please explain how he compiles 8 assists? And his defense last night was terrific and he worked his *** off.

 

[ancienthooper]

If a guy has 8 assists, by definition the ball does not completely stop moving when it gets in his hands. And he played excellent one on one defense yesterday. He did not get beat to the hole at all. Having said that, when he is pressured in the backcourt too much clock is eaten up.

Great minds...

 

[RUmonster]

Let him come off the bench. And PLEASE Pike- Don’t choke the offense by letting Geo take the ball up and hold the ball till there is 5 seconds on the shot clock then take a 3 at the end of games or when trying to close out wins. That’s when we lose it.

 

[ancienthooper]

Have Geo come off bench with Jones and Hyatt. Need a scorer on line #2

This makes some sense. Now that Mag has demonstrated that he can score, also makes some sense to bring his energy and bounce (and points) off the bench. Nice to have options

 

[Scarlet Blind_rivals]

The starting lineup of Paul, Caleb, RHJ, Mag and Cliff played 19:29 together and outscored Purdue 41-23. That's all that needs to be said.

 

[SBP]

Silly post. Stop the hate, the kid is a warrior, has earned his minutes. Airballs not withstanding, missed bunnies not withstanding, he brings steadiness and facilitates the offense. He’s tge only player looking to set up his teammates. Last night he DIDNT dribble too much , except one time he got the ball stolen. It happens. Errors happen. Not a perfect player, but more pluses than minus..

 

[BellyFullOfWhiteDogCrap]

Paul's struggling a bit. Mag had a great game. Let's not chisel anything into stone.

 

[RAC’emUp]

The starting lineup of Paul, Caleb, RHJ, Mag and Cliff played 19:29 together and outscored Purdue 41-23. That's all that needs to be said.

Great stat.

 

[Westcoast]

Great stat.

Yes, and where did he find it?

 

[richthedentist]

Love how starting a whole new thread can showcase cluelessness. You've been riding the kid's back from day 1. I actually did think there was some over-dribbling but if "the ball completely stops moving when it gets in his hands" please explain how he compiles 8 assists? And his defense last night was terrific and he worked his *** off.

Note the second half we scored 5 points in 10 minutes don't get me wrong I like the kid but he also had 7 assists in the first half but in the second half unfortunately the ball just stopped in his hands; you also saw Pikell went to the offense defense switch with him for much of the night
As an aside that move he made in the first half was one of the nicest moves he has made all season and that was a ridiculous charge call it changed the game at the time as it gave him his second foul and we could have had a 3 point play- a 5 point swing at the time

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

Paul needs to play, many minutes reduced but Paul keeps the ball moving. Agree on mag in the starting lineup. The difference last night was that McConnell was not his usual turnover self, he slowed down, he guarded the best player (arguably) in the conference defensively, and I think he had four steals, and he knocked down shots, in addition to what Ron, Mag Cliff gave you. If Caleb plays like that rest of the year, then maybe we right the ship. But I think Paul should play, he’s too heady not to play.

To start the year, Caleb couldn’t make a basket to save his life. That was a big issue for us early because we need his defense.

But I’m not sure where you are getting that he was ever a turnover machine? He’s averaging 1.3 turnovers per game and had 2 yesterday - given he played more minutes that usual, that’s right on point with his normal TO rate which isn’t bad at all for a guard.

 

[richthedentist]

To start the year, Caleb couldn’t make a basket to save his life. That was a big issue for us early because we need his defense.

But I’m not sure where you are getting that he was ever a turnover machine? He’s averaging 1.3 turnovers per game and had 2 yesterday - given he played more minutes that usual, that’s right on point with his normal TO rate which isn’t bad at all for a guard.

I agree that Paul should play too but 25 minutes a game vs 34-35; he does make a lot of heady plays and brings intangebles but as you saw yesterday he also has trouble bringing the ball up a point guard; in that respect Geo usually just literally loses the ball at least once a game!!

 

[NYSportsFan]

To start the year, Caleb couldn’t make a basket to save his life. That was a big issue for us early because we need his defense.

But I’m not sure where you are getting that he was ever a turnover machine? He’s averaging 1.3 turnovers per game and had 2 yesterday - given he played more minutes that usual, that’s right on point with his normal TO rate which isn’t bad at all for a guard.

Stats don’t tell that full picture on that you know that if you’ve watched every game. The back door cut is a prime example of plays he was making early in the year. So yeah, not always turning it over but not making winning plays, let’s say that

 

[zappaa]

Silly post. Stop the hate, the kid is a warrior, has earned his minutes. Airballs not withstanding, missed bunnies not withstanding, he brings steadiness and facilitates the offense. He’s tge only player looking to set up his teammates. Last night he DIDNT dribble too much , except one time he got the ball stolen. It happens. Errors happen. Not a perfect player, but more pluses than minus..

Don’t understand why when a guy makes an observation you don’t agree with, you don’t just counter the observation as you did quite well in support of PM.
There’s no need to say the word hate or question a person’s loyalty as a fan….IMO

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

Stats don’t tell that full picture on that you know that if you’ve watched every game. The back door cut is a prime example of plays he was making early in the year. So yeah, not always turning it over but not making winning plays, let’s say that

There’s no doubt Caleb has a nightmare start to the season on offense. It was literally like he was a QB with the Yips. Couldn’t even make a FT. My point was that his issue hasn’t been ball handling or turnovers (at least certainly not more so than anyone else or in excess).

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

I think about what Geo can do (and what he isn't good at). Take those 28+ minutes and I have a pretty good idea about how they can be allocated and make us a better team. It will be match up dependent.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

There’s no doubt Caleb has a nightmare start to the season on offense. It was literally like he was a QB with the Yips. Couldn’t even make a FT. My point was that his issue hasn’t been ball handling or turnovers (at least certainly not more so than anyone else or in excess).

If Caleb had the flu I would have been home at 915PM with a voice.

 

[wheezer]

will be interesting

Mag has had one great game, and unexpected one for me....do you bump a multi year starter, a multi game star at times, because of that?..

Pike COULD start Mag with the pretense that he wants Geo to not over extend himself after the flu, and let Geo work his way back

but, I don't think it goes that way....Pike goes with the known quantity, and that is Geo.....with Mag getting plenty of chances

 

[RW90]

will be interesting

Mag has had one great game, and unexpected one for me....do you bump a multi year starter, a multi game star at times, because of that?..

Pike COULD start Mag with the pretense that he wants Geo to not over extend himself after the flu, and let Geo work his way back

but, I don't think it goes that way....Pike goes with the known quantity, and that is Geo.....with Mag getting plenty of chances

I could see Mag subbing for and taking more of Paul's minutes.

 

[wheezer]

I could see Mag subbing for and taking more of Paul's minutes.

we have to remember that Gio was out for the hamstring injury, first and foremost..... yes, the flu kept him from playing at all last night, but he has to be careful not to tweak the hammy

based on that, maybe Mag takes minutes there also

 

[Scarlet Blind_rivals]

Yes, and where did he find it?

PDF Box Score off the Rutgers Schedule site under Recap

 

[rudad02]

Not sure about Baker. He can be individualistic & play lazy at times. He could disrupt what just happened.

 

[richthedentist]

will be interesting

Mag has had one great game, and unexpected one for me....do you bump a multi year starter, a multi game star at times, because of that?..

Pike COULD start Mag with the pretense that he wants Geo to not over extend himself after the flu, and let Geo work his way back

but, I don't think it goes that way....Pike goes with the known quantity, and that is Geo.....with Mag getting plenty of chances

Don't forget we don't even know if Geo is ready to come back from the hamstring we are just assuming it was the flu that kept him out but I suspect since he wasn't going to play anyway last night that they just kept him away from the team

 

[Eagleton95.99]

Geo needs to be the ball handler and creator, and not the scorer...although he can score. PM is lost on the fast break, and his idea of penetration is to start backing into the paint...starting from he 3 point line. He's a great 6th man. But Geo needs to be the PG.

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

If Caleb had the flu I would have been home at 915PM with a voice.

No doubt. The big picture reason for optimism though is that if Caleb started this season shooting even at his crappy 31% FG percentage from last year - we’d be at least 7-2 as he shot 0-11 from the floor vs Lafayette and DePaul. We’re talking about our best FT shooter on the team from years past. If he makes the front end in the UMass game - that’s likely a different outcome too.

I guess what I’m trying to say is reflecting on the season so far we’re not that far from 8-1 right now. With Geo having not played against Illinois and that game being on the road, 2 road wins and a signature win over Purdue would have been more than good enough for a national ranking in the next poll even if some of the wins had been closer than we’d have liked. I’ve been hard on Pike for his “best team ever” comments Preseason, but thinking about it this way is giving me some pause and I may have to soften my stance on it some. I still don’t think this is close to our best team - but I certainly didn’t expect Caleb to shoot worse in the cupcake non-conference schedule than he did last year against only BIG opponents, so why would/should Pike? And I do believe we would probably be 8-1 and ranked (despite the front court issues) if nothing else changed but Caleb started the year shooting in line with last season.

 

[wheezer]

Don't forget we don't even know if Geo is ready to come back from the hamstring we are just assuming it was the flu that kept him out but I suspect since he wasn't going to play anyway last night that they just kept him away from the team

mentioned the hammy on a post above.... I actually would have been leery of using him so soon after that injury

 

[YoucancallmeRay]

Work Geo back in for the first couple of games, but then he starts and Paul comes off the bench as part of a Geo, Caleb, Paul rotation. Mag has earned starter minutes. Hyatt needs to step up his game and I'd start giving Dean more time as the back up to Cliff. Also, I expect that Jones will start contributing more consistently before too long.

 

[Knight Owl]

Mag gives energy to the first unit and plays great D. Michael Jordan is Mag’s ceiling (not even kidding but obviously a long way to go). Jordan was Mr. Midrange playing against many sagging zone defenses at UNC. Mag gets nice rotation on his jump shot and elevates smoothly when he needs to.

Mag should start dribbling a basketball around campus ala Pete Maravich because he needs to become a big shooting guard.