This is intended to be an irrationally positive thread.
We’re all pretty sure this year will be an uphill slog for our beloved Scarlet Knights. But if it’s one thing we've all learned from watching this sport, it’s that teams and seasons rarely go exactly as predicted. Teams underachieve and teams overachieve every single year without fail. You never know what can happen.
So, today we are 0-0 just like every other team. We have returned to our Pike roots of defense, rebounding, and outworking the opposition. Say what you will about our predicted offensive acumen, but one thing that appears certain is that this year’s team is more athletic than the teams the previous two years, and they are going to bring it every night. No more matador Defense.
Can we be one of those teams that comes out of nowhere and overachieves? I don’t know, but today, we’re 0-0 just like everyone else and I’m going to keep positive thoughts and hope that:
- JMike continues his development into a credible PG who makes good decisions and doesn’t turn the ball over
- Buchanan and Nwuli are truly lockdown defenders
- Grant takes the next step and becomes a consistent scorer averaging 13-14 ppg
- Zrno and Badalau provide a consistent threat from behind the 3-pt arc
- We get 10 rebounds and 2 blocks from the center position
- Rutgers is in the top 5 in conference in rebounding margin
- Mark and Francis provide energy off the bench and a surprise scoring spark
- Rutgers defense returns to the 65 MPH speed limit.
I don’t know if any of this will happen over the course of the season, and it’s pretty doubtful. But today, at 0-0, I have hope.
Let’s go.
			
			We’re all pretty sure this year will be an uphill slog for our beloved Scarlet Knights. But if it’s one thing we've all learned from watching this sport, it’s that teams and seasons rarely go exactly as predicted. Teams underachieve and teams overachieve every single year without fail. You never know what can happen.
So, today we are 0-0 just like every other team. We have returned to our Pike roots of defense, rebounding, and outworking the opposition. Say what you will about our predicted offensive acumen, but one thing that appears certain is that this year’s team is more athletic than the teams the previous two years, and they are going to bring it every night. No more matador Defense.
Can we be one of those teams that comes out of nowhere and overachieves? I don’t know, but today, we’re 0-0 just like everyone else and I’m going to keep positive thoughts and hope that:
- JMike continues his development into a credible PG who makes good decisions and doesn’t turn the ball over
- Buchanan and Nwuli are truly lockdown defenders
- Grant takes the next step and becomes a consistent scorer averaging 13-14 ppg
- Zrno and Badalau provide a consistent threat from behind the 3-pt arc
- We get 10 rebounds and 2 blocks from the center position
- Rutgers is in the top 5 in conference in rebounding margin
- Mark and Francis provide energy off the bench and a surprise scoring spark
- Rutgers defense returns to the 65 MPH speed limit.
I don’t know if any of this will happen over the course of the season, and it’s pretty doubtful. But today, at 0-0, I have hope.
Let’s go.