I know many don’t care for my opinion but I really do just wanted RU to be good and when it’s time to eat crow I will. I had said they wouldn’t win two conf games. I was WRONG. And they did it with heart and guts. I’m very happy for the young men. I’ll also admit I was wrong on Francis. I wish RU ran better sets but that’s not his fault. He could be a good part of a good team. I still don’t want multiple short guards but the kids a player. Now (and this is tounge and cheek and not some kind of backhanded insult) could we not normalize going down by ten early?
Conference wins
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You and me both. I thought there was a good chance Delaware State was our last win.
Same! I was really down after that game. I’m glad the team is continuing to fight.
Better to take your licks early. NW was gassed at the end
Yep I wrote them off. Turns out the team isn’t horrible, just been horrible coaching - subs, which is on the assistants more than Pike. If he STOPS PLAYING THE EUROS we can maybe win a few more!
I said it before and I will say it again. Pike is too good of a coach to not win some conference games. This team doesn’t have much talent but Pike will get them to play hard. That is what good coaches do.
you have to admire the effort and enthusiasm. The team is young but plays hard - they seem to be coming together. Subtract the euros and the shooting stats look good.
you can't say that without acknowledging that we could have very easily lost the northwestern in Oregon games too
I think an overly optimistic view is that he’s still growing as a coach, figuring out how to coach in this era and getting a team to play together and to play to their abilities more rapidly. The challenge is that we just have less abilities on the roster. Regardless, this is a fun group to root for and I’m actually having more fun this season than the last 2.
There have been some dispiriting patches this season, you’re not alone there man.
Or we survived in OT against two bad teams in Oregon ( tired on the end of a 3 game east coast trip). NW a small unathelic team who turned it over w 6 sec left .
Not to mention barely surviving against PENN and Del state.
Let’s check again in 2 weeks.
We know your take and your negativity and things look hopeless to you. You have made that clear .
However , since the Big 10 restart starting with Ohio State , there is a noticeable difference in the teams energy , better defense not great , better shooting , the emergence of a few players that you didn’t think could contribute but are doing just that , so there is a ray of hope that at least at the RAC , Rutgers will be competitive and have a fighters’ chance to win games. Since the restart one road game , Illinois a disaster So nothing on the road gives hope but it is a different story at home. Michigan and Illinois have not been good games . 6 home games left and Rutgers has opportunities there. The major development is the lack of turnovers with only 6 last night and 7 against Oregon. If we do not turn the ball over we have a fighters’ chance. Things are not all negative all the time
Not negative just factual. Whether it’s another team or mine. I said after game 3 play the young guys and see if we have anything for next year.
No doubt they have looked functional
If that’s what you’re looking for then you have found it.
I want to WIN and win a lot.
Some people will never see the bright side of things, especially RU sports fans. Even if RU was 3-3 right now, it would not be enough for them. I'll prepare the reply: "Maybe some RU fans should stop settling for mediocrity."
There, now I am arguing with myself. I'm calling my therapist.
We have earned every win. Nobody is giving us anything. I keep hearing that we beat 2 bad teams yet both were favored by 4.5 on our home court which is like 7 on a neutral court.
Then we hear that, oh, we only beat Oregon because they were without their starting PG, even though his replacement scored 23 points with 5 assists.
Meanwhile against NW, one of our early season starters only played 3 minutes, one of our newer starters had the yips and went 0-6 from the arc, one of our regular starters didn’t start at all, played 20 minutes battling the flu, and we still won.
And keep in mind, we’re 156 in Kenpom while Oregon is 83 and Northwestern is 61.
Sorry but all B1G wins are good wins, imo.
It is more than functional. They have turned the ball over 6 and 7 times total in the Northwesten and Oregon wins. We have gone whole halves with 1,turnover. That is superb and not even our NCAA teams did that. If you don’t want to see it that is okay, that’s you.
Although I have some issues with Francis , you have to admit scoring 30 points 2 times in the first 6 conference games is something you didn’t think you would see and that is more than functional.
Although a turnover machine early , you have to admit Buchanan is playing much better and more than functional. Rather , I would use the word impactful. But you do not see it but that is Kay because you are you.
Now , if somehow Zrno can start making some of these open threes and Powers can continue to show he belongs and also hit some more threes , then that would be further impactful but certainly something within reach.
If only we could get Dylan’s confidence back , then that would be impactful as hell . He is capable of so much more and I do not like the way he is being used by Pike but maybe that will change.
Untortunately Manny and Dorsch are offensive holes that hurt us tremendously but if they can rebound , block some shots , and play good defense , that would be impactful as well. Lots of 5 men in the Big 10 shooting and hitting 3 ‘s , Biddle , Ivisic , the Wisconsin bigs coming Saturday , Johnson on Michigan hit 2 against us but not really a 3 point shooter . A lot more around college basketball that we do not have and is a problem . Further compounded by the lack of an inside game as well but our guards are horrendous at feeding the post or on pick and rolls.
All in all much more than just functional
Hey I’m choosing to take joy in the young men winning, like seeing them happy. I was wrong about total conf wins and I see now Francis is legit. However the arguments above are disappointing. They are a perfect example of Rutgers fans rejoicing in moral victories, or being the best one or two teams of the bottom six. I can admit I was wrong about only have one conf win or that I was wrong about Francis but people should also be able to admit that in Pike’s tenth year we should expect more. I can be happy for a victory and recognize improvement but still want to be competing to make the NCAAs or even for a big ten tourney bye.
We’re 2-4 in league right now, with two very different 7-game stretches coming up.
The first one is a Gauntlet in which we will be large underdogs in each game. The second one includes six winnable games against teams in the bottom half of the conference, plus MSU.
The only reasonable path to more wins and a “respectable” finish (compared to early expectations) is to somehow steal 2 of the 7 gauntlet games (Indiana at home, and one of the USC/UCLA road games), and win at least 4 of the last 7 games.
That would make us 8-12 in league and 15-16 overall before the B1G Tournament. I don’t know if this is possible, but this is the path to achieve it.
The first one is a Gauntlet in which we will be large underdogs in each game. The second one includes six winnable games against teams in the bottom half of the conference, plus MSU.
The only reasonable path to more wins and a “respectable” finish (compared to early expectations) is to somehow steal 2 of the 7 gauntlet games (Indiana at home, and one of the USC/UCLA road games), and win at least 4 of the last 7 games.
That would make us 8-12 in league and 15-16 overall before the B1G Tournament. I don’t know if this is possible, but this is the path to achieve it.
Glad we got these two wins because I can't see us getting more than 2-3 more
I think our ceiling is four more wins with a decent shot at 3. You just have to hope their confidence isn't completely shot if they lose the next 7. We need Indiana to come into the RAC flat and steal that one so we can avert a long losing streak.
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Degaz, I would be overjoyed with that accomplishment you stated in your last paragraph. Personally, I see maybe three, possibly four, more wins at best.
I don't disagree. To be clear -- and I know you aren't saying otherwise, but thought I would clarify my post -- I wasn't predicting 6 more wins. Just saying that IF it is to happen, I mapped out HOW it would happen.
I think most of us want RU to win a lot. But there's a difference between "wanting" vs. "whining". Reality is that RU is loaded with freshmen and at best will be inconsistent with a few unexpected wins......and at worst get blown out by ranked teams.
Not sure that it will be significantly better next season. IMOt RU will retain Pike for another season to try and turn things around. The rationale is built around financials. As per Google AI -his buyout will be $5.5M after this season and the program will also need funding to help retaining some of the young core (those who show promise/ significant growth potential)....while also bringing in transfers from the portal. While this might be unfortunate for a win now or win a lot mentality..... the reality is that without a "Big Fish" type coming in, the program is just not flush with cash to pay buyouts, NIL and a new coaching staff all at once.
From Google AI regarding Pile's Buyout.....
Steve Pikiell's buyout from Rutgers is substantial, part of a contract extended through the 2030-31 season, with figures starting around $15 million in early 2023 and decreasing annually, making him expensive to poach, though a 50% reduction clause exists if former Athletic Director Pat Hobbs leaves, potentially lowering it significantly to around $5.5 million for 2025-26 and beyond.
Key Details:
- Initial Buyout (Early 2023): The buyout was reset to $15 million with a new extension in early 2023, which was a significant increase from previous amounts.
- Annual Decrease: The buyout was set to decrease by $2 million each year.
- Buyout Table:
- 2023-24: $15M
- 2024-25: $13M
- 2025-26: $11M
- .....down to $1M in 2030-31
- Conditional Reduction: A significant clause reduces the buyout by 50% if former Athletic Director Pat Hobbs leaves Rutgers, a condition that would have brought the 2025-26 figure down to around $5.5 million.
- Annual Decrease: The buyout was set to decrease by $2 million each year.
Don’t disagree but it’s sad! You said “Not sure it will be significantly better next year”
I agree and we will bring Pike back?
The “program” has declined 5 years soon to be 6 in a row and we’re saying let’s throw away this and next year?
Don’t disagree but how bad our school and Athletic department looks . No other power 4 keeps Pike after last year but we give him 2 more years . Ugh
I am pretty sure that is what another school would have to pay to hire Pikiell. The number you need to known is what Rutgers owes Pike is he is fired. I believe it the remainder of his contract, paid out over the years (not a lump sum). At the end of this season it will be $20 million. If he’s fired next year, the buyout in 16 million
What a surprise. AI is wrong. If someone tries to poach Pikes the buyout is 5.5. He’s owed the remainder of his contract if he’s fired without cause.
Thanks for correcting me. This actually might mean he stays longer (unless for some reason he is willing to negotiate or retire
If he goes 12-19 this year and 500 the following season the money wont matter if Keli is a serious AD
I think the thing you might be missing is that the Athletic Department can really only maneuver within the framework of the available finances. This isn't pro sports - our AD is only as good as our revenue stream and the Fan & Donor funding and the reason we would look bad would come down to the lack of Big Fish benefactors. I was wrong about how much RU would have to pay out to Pike - as dpWhite and ruman have pointed out - RU would have to foot a bill of $20M to Pike if fired after this year ($16M after next season). This is not pro-sports with a franchise owned by a billionaire.......NJ and the NJ media will eat us alive if we paid this amount to replace Pike......especially with no guarantee the replacement will do any better.
To replace Pike - the hope is if Kelli is able to generate Corporate or Billionaire type interest in donating to the program. I imagine that will not be easy. Until that time, there are ways Kelli can maneuver to put pressure on Pike and try to improve the program: replacing/revamping the assistant coaches (need-Offensive Schemes, Big Men coach and talent evaluators), retaining players who show promise, upgrading portal talent.
$16M after next season as a payout to Pike. We have some of the most dedicated fans right here on this board who have said they refuse to donate and are done with college sports......this is just an indicator of the challenge if smaller donors have given up.......that may be an indicator that Kelli may have to be a miracle worker (rather than a serious AD) to get much larger donors motivated. Fans have a tendency to place the blame solely on the Administration & AD- however is that really the root cause of RU's woes in athletics.......we've been bad for over 90% of the time in 4 decades of Basketball. That's over 6 University Presidents, 6 ADs, 4 Conferences and 8 Basketball Head Coaches. The constants and root cause look to actually be the general historic apathy towards Rutgers Athletics by NJ residents and Alumni. We're banking a lot on Kelli's shoulders to fix at least a half century of institutional and cultural conditioning towards RU.