Carino article on Senegal/Portugal trip

[fatsam98]

Really detailed article on the itinerary and some interesting quotes from Pike.

One of which is that Mag is so far ahead of schedule that he may do the layup lines

Great stuff from Jerry here

Carino article

 

[RU-Choppin-Ohio]

45 in the party, including some Alums and Donors. Curious if team managers and all support staff all get to go.

 

[CollegeSenior]

Interesting quote from Pike. It’s not like him to take potshots.


“We’ve had some stubborn veterans in the past; this group is very coachable, like a breath of fresh air,” he said. “We’re more athletic, and I think we’ve improved our shooting a lot.”

 

[RUBubba]

Ha! "Stubborn veterans" was a big take away too. I know (or at least I think I do) who one was. Don't want to dwell on the past though with so much to look forward to.

 

[Joey Bags]

Hopefully the program is keeping an eye on the west african geopolitical climate. Possibility of a major conflict breaking out this week in that area, with Senegal pledging troops to fight Niger if it comes to it.

 

[RUSCFORMERLYRULOU]

Ha! "Stubborn veterans" was a big take away too. I know (or at least I think I do) who one was. Don't want to dwell on the past though with so much to look forward to.

Could be anyone from Corey Sanders and freeman to Montez Mathis.

 

[gigantor1024]

Could be anyone from Corey Sanders and freeman to Montez Mathis.

It’s Paul

 

[fatsam98]

The trip sounds pretty awesome to be honest. Should be great for team bonding.

 

[RUPete]

The pre-season quotes have generally not panned out. I hope the part about the shooting does this year.

 

[MiloTalon13]

Says all 13 scholarship players are going - that's great.
Too bad they didn't get all 10 practices together but this is fantastic for team building

 

[MiloTalon13]

It’s Paul

yup - and that's a shocking amount of disclosure from Pikiell

 

[RUBlackout7]

Paul was a bum. Glad everyone is slowly starting to realize that.

 

[RUSCFORMERLYRULOU]

Sorry - Paul left in a crappy way but I think he was coachable. If not that Pike lied about him for years.

 

[littlenis5]

Let’s remember that Pike has a good sense of humor. It’s very possible the way he said stubborn was in a joking way and could’ve applied equally to Caleb/Ron/Geo as it does Paul

 

[NewJerseyHawk]

It's 3 to 4 months after the end of the season and when I posted that RU had to make a decision to shed It's starting backcourt, at some point people are going to get it. The Pike comments are as clear as day folks.......

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

Let’s remember that Pike has a good sense of humor. It’s very possible the way he said stubborn was in a joking way and could’ve applied equally to Caleb/Ron/Geo as it does Paul

I take it 100% this way. I didn't actually think of Paul when i read it.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

Paul was a lot of things (like the word limited)...I really don't think uncoachable was one of them. The only aspect that might have been uncoachable was his behavior on the court when things didnt go his way. I really don't think Pike was referencing that in his comments,

 

[fatsam98]

I take it 100% this way. I didn't actually think of Paul when i read it.

Thought the same

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

It's 3 to 4 months after the end of the season and when I posted that RU had to make a decision to shed It's starting backcourt, at some point people are going to get it. The Pike comments are as clear as day folks.......

This a snapshot of what we were on February 4th 2023. We were #12. That was with the backcourt you were referencing. Last year's team had NO depth and was done once Mag was hurt because the lack of depth smacked us in the face.

Our play through February 4th actually happened. It wasn't imagined. It also included the OSU game where we got hosed and it included a stretch when we had a lot of injuries.

https://www.barttorvik.com/?year=20...vquad=0&quad=5&venue=All&type=All&mingames=0#

Someone needs to do a better job of explaining to me how/why we will be better with the new guys.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

I know sample size smaller.......this is the 2 month stretch where Paul abd Caleb and Mag were healthy

https://www.barttorvik.com/?year=20...vquad=0&quad=5&venue=All&type=All&mingames=0#

 

[RutgersDom]

He also said “got more athletic” so could be pt guards

 

[rubigtimenow]

It's 3 to 4 months after the end of the season and when I posted that RU had to make a decision to shed It's starting backcourt, at some point people are going to get it. The Pike comments are as clear as day folks.......

You persist with the narrative but fail to acknowledge or realize that Pike wanted them back. They left us.
When your girlfriend unexpectedly dumped you in 10th grade and then the next one did in 11th grade…. I’m sure you told your buddies that you needed to shed those girls and get better ones!
(Obviously this just an analogy so any reference to your real life is not relevant. The analogy fits to the false narrative you keep propagating.)

 

[fatsam98]

Would be cool if not every thread turns into the same argument

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

He also said “got more athletic” so could be pt guards

Saying we got more athletic with Cam and Paul leaving isn't really a huge nugget.

 

[MiloTalon13]

Would be cool if not every thread turns into the same argument

"would be"???

 

[rutgersfan1766]

45 in the party, including some Alums and Donors. Curious if team managers and all support staff all get to go.

They do

 

[FinalFourOrBust_rivals142702]

I’d guess Mathis and Young as the stubborn ones. Paul was a lot of things but uncoachable probably wasn’t one of them.

 

[bitnez]

You persist with the narrative but fail to acknowledge or realize that Pike wanted them back. They left us.
When your girlfriend unexpectedly dumped you in 10th grade and then the next one did in 11th grade…. I’m sure you told your buddies that you needed to shed those girls and get better ones!
(Obviously this just an analogy so any reference to your real life is not relevant. The analogy fits to the false narrative you keep propagating.)

But why is it a false narrative? Take a look at GB. Sure, they wanted Rodgers back but they’re also really happy to turn the page and move forward. I don’t doubt that Pike would’ve been happy to have Paul back but not in the same role. We know he recruited Fernandes — a completely different player than Paul. That tells you a lot. It also very well could explain why Paul isn’t here anymore.

 

[bitnez]

Saying we got more athletic with Cam and Paul leaving isn't really a huge nugget.

Perhaps not unknown but it does validate why Pike recruited more athletic kids and brought in more athletic transfers. He obviously wanted to improve the athleticism.

 

[Rufaninga]

The pre-season quotes have generally not panned out. I hope the part about the shooting does this year.

Last year Pike praised Mag before the season.
It was when he went down, I recalled how right he was.

 

[RUPete]

Last year Pike praised Mag before the season.
It was when he went down, I recalled how right he was.

I was thinking about the year with the best team I have ever had quotes. Now, maybe they were since they came back from the abyss to make the tournament. But generally, best teams don’t follow that path.

 

[Plum Street]

If mag is back , maybe ru72’s doctor is right ! Knight wants to know who they doctor is

 

[rubigtimenow]

But why is it a false narrative? Take a look at GB. Sure, they wanted Rodgers back but they’re also really happy to turn the page and move forward. I don’t doubt that Pike would’ve been happy to have Paul back but not in the same role. We know he recruited Fernandes — a completely different player than Paul. That tells you a lot. It also very well could explain why Paul isn’t here anymore.

They were an inch away from having a PG transfer in for last year’s team (Lofton who went to FL instead).
That wasn’t new this year and yes Paul needed to have a new role and he could have filled a great spot on the team as the 6th/7th guy from the bench. Pike wanted him back. Expected him back.
Hawk’s narrative is false because these guys weren’t pushed out. They left us unexpectedly, and after they told us they wanted to go to the prom with us, then ditched us 2 weeks before the prom.

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

They were an inch away from having a PG transfer in for last year’s team (Lofton who went to FL instead).
That wasn’t new this year and yes Paul needed to have a new role and he could have filled a great spot on the team as the 6th/7th guy from the bench. Pike wanted him back. Expected him back.
Hawk’s narrative is false because these guys weren’t pushed out. They left us unexpectedly, and after they told us they wanted to go to the prom with us, then ditched us 2 weeks before the prom.

Yes - this. It’s a completely false narrative to imply much about Pike’s intended “style” from the late pick ups. There’s no question they came by surprise and we were scrambling. That’s not to say based on what we ended up getting that now we won’t end up being faster and more athletic (we likely will) but it’s not the case that this was Pike’s plan.

 

[bitnez]

Yes - this. It’s a completely false narrative to imply much about Pike’s intended “style” from the late pick ups. There’s no question they came by surprise and we were scrambling. That’s not to say based on what we ended up getting that now we won’t end up being faster and more athletic (we likely will) but it’s not the case that this was Pike’s plan.

Disagree as to PG. Fernandes and JMike are totally different players than Paul. They weren’t late pickups. Pike clearly decided he was willing to give up size for speed and athleticism. He wanted a different look at PG.

No argument as to Cam. And I’d prefer to have Cam instead Williams.

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

Disagree as to PG. Fernandes and JMike are totally different players than Paul. They weren’t late pickups. Pike clearly decided he was willing to give up size for speed and athleticism. He wanted a different look at PG.

No argument as to Cam. And I’d prefer to have Cam instead Williams.

It’s not like he didn’t recruit speedy kids like JY and Tez before. The point is he expected Paul and Cam to be back and play a big role in the rotation. Not having that was plan B. No matter how you look at it.

 

[Joey Bacala]

It’s Paul

this 1000%

 

[NewJerseyHawk]

They were an inch away from having a PG transfer in for last year’s team (Lofton who went to FL instead).
That wasn’t new this year and yes Paul needed to have a new role and he could have filled a great spot on the team as the 6th/7th guy from the bench. Pike wanted him back. Expected him back.
Hawk’s narrative is false because these guys weren’t pushed out. They left us unexpectedly, and after they told us they wanted to go to the prom with us, then ditched us 2 weeks before the prom.

It's not a narrative sir, my information is FACT.....

A) there has never been a situation where a school comes out directly and says "we don't want XYZ player back"....

B) all of my information is based on actually attending the Connecticut vs NJ all star game in early April 2023. Gavin Griffiths played in the game with Papa Kante among others.

C) if you pay attention (not your fault), it is 100% clear that Gavin Griffiths was recruited as a guard....and since he is not a point guard, he views himself as a shooting guard. If you check the official Scarlet Knights website for the roster, it does NOT say Small Forward or Forward for Griffiths, it says GUARD.

D) I am not going to lift and paste a clear word for word article from elsewhere BUT it doesn't take much effort to find where if you are reasonable, you can definitely understand if Gavin views himself as a guard and Spencer was not provided with what he believed was an adequate NIL offer, he would bolt. Spencer was not a priority, I don't know how many times I have to say it.

The article elsewhere TODAY, before the trip is not what I conjured up or pulled out of thin air....it clearly says Gavin Griffiths wants to play on a roster, as a guard where he is the 2nd tallest player on the court.

Soooo.....why would you doubt my information, when it MATCHES, exactly what I've said for weeks and it comes exactly from the players mouth....not mine...not a mod....

If Gavin Griffiths, a Top 20 to 50 national recruit, something that is very difficult to recruit and land, wants to play Shooting Guard, he's going to play shooting guard.....end of discussion.....mic drop, whatever saying you're comfortable with......

 

[SBP]

It's not a narrative sir, my information is FACT.....

A) there has never been a situation where a school comes out directly and says "we don't want XYZ player back"....

B) all of my information is based on actually attending the Connecticut vs NJ all star game in early April 2023. Gavin Griffiths played in the game with Papa Kante among others.

C) if you pay attention (not your fault), it is 100% clear that Gavin Griffiths was recruited as a guard....and since he is not a point guard, he views himself as a shooting guard. If you check the official Scarlet Knights website for the roster, it does NOT say Small Forward or Forward for Griffiths, it says GUARD.

D) I am not going to lift and paste a clear word for word article from elsewhere BUT it doesn't take much effort to find where if you are reasonable, you can definitely understand if Gavin views himself as a guard and Spencer was not provided with what he believed was an adequate NIL offer, he would bolt. Spencer was not a priority, I don't know how many times I have to say it.

The article elsewhere TODAY, before the trip is not what I conjured up or pulled out of thin air....it clearly says Gavin Griffiths wants to play on a roster, as a guard where he is the 2nd tallest player on the court.

Soooo.....why would you doubt my information, when it MATCHES, exactly what I've said for weeks and it comes exactly from the players mouth....not mine...not a mod....

If Gavin Griffiths, a Top 20 to 50 national recruit, something that is very difficult to recruit and land, wants to play Shooting Guard, he's going to play shooting guard.....end of discussion.....mic drop, whatever saying you're comfortable with......

Gavin can handle, pass, shoot, board, you name it. He’s got the tools. Him with Dylan, Ace, Summerville, JMike. Dangerous.

 

[NewJerseyHawk]

Gavin can handle, pass, shoot, board, you name it. He’s got the tools. Him with Dylan, Ace, Summerville, JMike. Dangerous.

I agree 1000%.....It's a cycle of ridiculous stuff people can't acknowledge.....here's the cycle of RU fans complaining about basketball in the last few years.

A) Pike can coach up kids who aren't elite, but he can't recruit well enough.

B) Pike then gets recruiting on track and suddenly the same fans who said Pike couldn't recruit well enough, go into denial mode when a better recruited player is brought in (Griffiths) and an existing player or starter is replaced/shed/recruited over (Spencer).

C) then the portal process happens and the same fans up in arms complaining about talent or recruiting, suddenly go silent, only to then complain, when the limited player who didnt perform consistently enough, is replaced by a better player/prospect......OR then they want the better player to come off the bench or play out of his preferred position, so the lesser/limited player continues to start.

But, it's a Hawk narrative I guess......