I could be wrong, but I see Simpson being very valuable giving us depth off the bench. A guy who might play 10 minutes or 30 minutes in a given game.
Any update on Ndongo or Davis signing?
- Thread starter aplus29
- Start date
The way things are going in college basketball right now it could very well be someone currently on a different team. Simpson could be starting point guard for Iona with a $300,000 marketing deal with a random car dealership.
That’s fine - but in 9 of our last 15 games of the season he shot 33% or worse from the field. Paul played worse than he’s ever played throughout a lengthy RU career during this stretch and only scored 33% or worse 4 times. In fact, he was only worse than 41% 5 out of those 15 games.
Derek isn’t big enough to guard a 3 or a 4 so despite being a willing defender, Paul is more versatile on the other end as well. Especially when you consider that Noah will be on the court at 5-10.
who is saying he won’t play? The role you are describing sounds just like Tez. streaky player who was great when he was on. That’d set him up to play about as many minutes as he did this year. I’m just not penciling him in for the 30 others are suggesting.
Well yeah. When he was a clear top 1-2 PG on the roster he was staring at more PT. He’s now set up to come into the game as a spark plug in a slasher role. Doesn’t mean he won’t add value. He does different things than guys like Noah, Cam or Paul. Will definitely be situations where having him come off the bench will be huge for us.
Pass the pipe. Must be why Pike started to play Simpson over Paul.
Paul is going to be a starter, at least to start tbr season. I just can't see Pike sitting him as a 5th year senior captain
Gavin can force his way into the starting lineup potentially, then it'll be interesting to see who would go to the bench. Starting a freshman over Paul out of the gate seems unlikely
Possible scenario if Mag isn't ready is to play Paul and Gavin in an offensive heavy lineup, but Pike might be concerned with the defense
| Game | P. Mulcahy Minutes | D. Simpson Minutes |
| Michigan | 30 | 36 |
| Purdue | 36 | 27 |
| Hofstra | 40 | 40 |
| Last 3 Games | 106 | 103 |
Looks like you've already had quite enough of the pipe.
That's a position change lol. I think everyone agrees that it was a good thing. But it's not "playing Simpson over Paul" because.. Paul was still playing. It was playing Simpson over some combination of (mostly) Hyatt and Palmquist.
Guys that suck don’t play 30+ minutes. Paul moved over to Mag’s spot once Derek was given Hyatt & Oscar’s starting minutes.
What else would you like to spin?
It's almost like people didn't watch the games. Do people not remember seeing Paul and Simpson on the court together?
YES PLEASE
I keep getting alerts there are updates to this thread and I jump in just to see if we reeled Ndongo in and it’s just more debate about the data on Paul showing how effective he was at getting his layups blocked.
Our bench was bad and only reason Paul was in the starting lineup. If Mag wasn’t hurt he would have been benched.
Dylan Harper and Dellquan Warren both come to mind.
If Mag wasn’t hurt the season would have played out much differently. You seem intent on rewriting things to serve a narrative.
This is now completely your opinion and not backed by any moves Pike actually made.
Hopefully Pike listens and doesn’t have multiple players playing 30+ minutes a game. This is why the team goes downhill towards the end of the year. They are worn out. The potential depth we will have next year is impressive. Spread the minutes.
Impossible to say at this point. If you just want to argue about it, I'd say it's more likely Davis, Warren or a transfer than Simpson.
Most teams run with a 7 man rotation late in the season and give multiple players 30+ mins.
I agree. All he has to do is get better at almost everything. Which might sound like a joke, but I mean it, he might.
When was the last time Rutgers beat out Michigan, Alabama, Virginia Tech, Uconn, Iowa, etc for a recruit?
Griffiths isn't like any other Freshmen that Pikiell has coached.
Pike's typical recruits in the past don't even have many P5 offers.
The historical data on guys with Simpson's size, minutes, and stats is pretty promising.
There is a very very big error bar on Simpson because of the type of player he is and the year he had. There are dozens of guys like him (meaning, similar enough size, similar enough game, similar enough stats) every year and a not-insignificant number of them really pop out as sophomores. AJ Hoggard, Kobe Bufkin, De'Vion Harmon, Wade Taylor are some recent examples that come to mind. Of course the names of the guys who don't break out -- and that number is higher than those who do -- get forgotten, but still.
There is a very very big error bar on Simpson because of the type of player he is and the year he had. There are dozens of guys like him (meaning, similar enough size, similar enough game, similar enough stats) every year and a not-insignificant number of them really pop out as sophomores. AJ Hoggard, Kobe Bufkin, De'Vion Harmon, Wade Taylor are some recent examples that come to mind. Of course the names of the guys who don't break out -- and that number is higher than those who do -- get forgotten, but still.
That's fair. Kendric Davis (#149) and Mike Miles (#175) also fit the bill.
I had an excellent idea of what Cliff and Paul's sophomore years would look like. I had a pretty good idea of what Geo and Montez would be like as sophomores. I have very little idea what Simpson will look like, which I find interesting given the playing time. Like, obviously we don't know what Woolfolk will look like but he played far less.
Miles was a starter and 13.6 ppg, 36% from 3 as a Freshman
Davis transferred, always shot over 31% from 3
I think I know what you're getting at - the fact that Simpson played 20 mins/game bodes very well for him. The coaches see a lot more than we do and they gave him those minutes because they saw something.
OR - there was just nobody else.
What I see - Under 20% from 3, prefers dribble pull-ups which are bad shots, doesn't handle or pass particularly well. Puts his head down and goes for his shot when under pressure - a terrible trait for a PG.
I HOPE he improves at everything, he's a great story, underrecruited kid, looks like Geo, from Jersey. All that's great. With the guys we have coming in, I don't see it. I hope he proves me wrong.
Not looking to argue, you stated a bunch of stuff so here’s some thoughts to consider: It’s highly unlikely but not impossible that the starting lineup in 24 is Warren, Harper, Griffiths, Ace, [center of choice, Wolf, Somerville, transfer]. You don’t throw a zero experience freshman in Warren into that lineup for 27+ minutes and expect to succeed as a team.
As to Davis, anything is possible. He could outplay Simspson and maybe some promises have been made. But it’s much more likely Simpson gets 15 mpg next year and Davis gets mop up duty. In that scenario, there’s little chance he jumps Simpson in 24.
Pike will play experienced guys if it’s close. Ace and Dylan are a different though. Those two guys will be automatic starts from day 1. They both play offense and defense too.
Exactly. 3+ ball dominant true freshman playing 26+ minutes is a major risk come March, let alone the regular season conference grind.
Exactly. Paul was forced to play PG because he was the best out of a bunch of poor options at the beginning of the season. He's not a power 5 PG. Pike brought Simpson along a little too slowly but when it was do or die time in the post season he turned the keys over to Derrick. By season's end he was the best option and the only player remotely capable of creating his own shot ... crucial to the success of any good basketball team. Sorry, not in Paul's tool kit. Who was the last shot drawn up for to drive in for a final shot vs Hofstra? Derrick. Speaks volumes.
"But, but what about shooting pct?" For those fixated on shooting pct in a vaccum, how much does that tell you about whose an overall better player? This season Gary Payton 2nd led all starting guards with a 75% shooting pct. Jason Tatum, Donovan Mitchell, Steph Curry, Ja Morant, Trae Young ... all below 50%. You taking Payton over any of those players?
I've been championing Griffiths from the jump and thought he might start. With Fernandes here now, I think he starts at the point and Paul at the 3... to start the season at least
It's much easier for Pike to start Paul as a 5th year senior captain than bench him for a freshman. I just don't see him doing that
Again, Gavin may force his way into the starting lineup, but I see Gavin as an offense weapon off the bench, first wing sub to start the year as the much more likely scenario
Who knows how Paul would take being benched for a freshman from game 1... that could cause team chemistry issues
How many times has pike said, he can call any play or switch up defenses with easy because of his guys experience. He values experience much more than anyone here for sure.
Regardless of whether not you want Paul to return, it sounds like he is returning
