Far more optimistic today.

[RU677381]

The second half collapse major cause, could not inbound, is correctable. Better it happened in an exhibition game so time for coaches to fix.

Gerdak is going to be doubled a lot. Someone had to be open. Again correctable.

Team did not quit in either game against two teams with better talent.

 

[RUfan1977]

The second half collapse major cause, could not inbound, is correctable. Better it happened in an exhibition game so time for coaches to fix.

Gerdak is going to be doubled a lot. Someone had to be open. Again correctable.

Team did not quit in either game against two teams with better talent.

Agree with all your points and this is a great game to get ready for Seton Hall’s press.

Hopefully Sydnor will recover from his injury and become part of the rotation, but it seems like for now the starting five will be Mark, Francis, Smith, Buchanan and Gurdak with Jones the sixth man or possibly starting in place of any other starter not named Gurdak. Will likely see Davis, Miteo and Ware all off the bench playing limited minutes.

On last years team, who was starting changed frequently, as more experienced players with less talent were replaced over the season by less experienced but more talented players.

With three starters from last year’s team back, and with a pretty good idea who the key players are, it should be easier to build team chemistry.

 

[seansherm]

I doubt people spend much time doubling Gurdak more than they would anyone else on the low block.

 

[RUJMM78]

This seasons team has more talent but still has the problem of long scoring droughts which leaves very little margin for error.The inability to inbound the ball against a full court press has been a ongoing problem for many prior seasons.Fans biggest concern should be a injury to Francis or Gurdak without backup scoring options.

 

[LeapinLou]

Fans biggest concern should be a injury to Francis or Gurdak without backup scoring options.

Good point. We're pretty screwed if Gurdak misses extended time. Less so with Tariq as we have reasonable options at his position.

 

[seansherm]

Good point. We're pretty screwed if Gurdak misses extended time. Less so with Tariq as we have reasonable options at his position.

We'd go small w Syndor at C (if he's healthy and not as lost as he looked in his couple minutes), Darren and Smith at the 4. Probably hurt more rebounding than scoring despite Gurdak's offensive ability.

 

[PSAL_Hoops]

We'd go small w Syndor at C (if he's healthy and not as lost as he looked in his couple minutes), Darren and Smith at the 4. Probably hurt more rebounding than scoring despite Gurdak's offensive ability.

Sydnor looked slow - unfortunately like the prototype of someone trying to bounce back from a high ankle sprain. It’s a tough injury to recover from and not a given IMO that he necessarily will. Not everyone ever fully recoups from that injury sadly.

 

[Zebnatto1!]

Hope is that Syndor gets a bit of run in first three and can contribute in Players' Era Eight.

 

[RU-ROCS]

Good points. Like last year, RU is so much better when Francis shares the rock. Way too much selfish play at MSG especially in the 2nd half collapse. This team will only take a step forward if it shares the ball on offense, sets high screens to get uncontested 3-point shots, gets kick-outs to the perimeter from Gurdack and minimizes the tough mid range jumpers to focus on 3s and point blank shots at the rim. The last point is something we've never seen from a Knight/Pikiell offense, but is an absolute necessity in the modern game of college basketball. Toward that end, we really need to hope that Diego Garavaglia is a legit 3 point shooter because this team desperately needs one. We haven't had one since Cam Spencer.

 

[seansherm]

Sydnor looked slow - unfortunately like the prototype of someone trying to bounce back from a high ankle sprain. It’s a tough injury to recover from and not a given IMO that he necessarily will. Not everyone ever fully recoups from that injury sadly.

Have to hope it was just rust after not playing in a game in 18 months and then being out the last three not practicing.

 

[seansherm]

Good points. Like last year, RU is so much better when Francis shares the rock. Way too much selfish play at MSG especially in the 2nd half collapse. This team will only take a step forward if it shares the ball on offense, sets high screens to get uncontested 3-point shots, gets kick-outs to the perimeter from Gurdack and minimizes the tough mid range jumpers to focus on 3s and point blank shots at the rim. The last point is something we've never seen from a Knight/Pikiell offense, but is an absolute necessity in the modern game of college basketball. Toward that end, we really need to hope that Diego Garavaglia is a legit 3 point shooter because this team desperately needs one. We haven't had one since Cam Spencer.

The last two teams made more 3's and shot a higher % from 3 than the team did the Cam year.

 

[GM]

Just to add on Darin Smith Jr has been an absolute sharpshooter throughout his career so kind of odd to say only Diego can be our sharpshooter… also our staff doesn’t work well with sharpshooters. They do well with good basketball players that hopefully can hit threes when open. Of course you’d hope they’d shift their strategies a bit but we will see. I’d say for the most part we got the people we wanted to take threes to take them, just need to generate more of them but uncertain if that will truly play out. I was happy Francis attempted a bunch, even if some of them were end of shot clock prayers that often got blocked.

 

[Simce91]

Hope is that Syndor gets a bit of run in first three and can contribute in Players' Era Eight.

To me, Syndor is the wildcard currently
RU needs a solid 4, and while Smith and/or Buchanan can provide some spot minutes at the 4, they aren't B1G starting 4's IMO.

 

[Scarlet Blind_rivals]

 

[SirScarlet]

We need to keep the ball moving... Bad things happen when it gets stuck

 

[seansherm]

We need to keep the ball moving... Bad things happen when it gets stuck

This is a key since there are so many more guys that have the ability to score. We really don't want Tariq putting up 26 shots w 2 assists. Lino after a nice 5 assist 0 TO opener was almost 1-1 in the SJ matchup, but he has moved the ball a little better thus far.

 

[RUfan1977]

To me, Syndor is the wildcard currently
RU needs a solid 4, and while Smith and/or Buchanan can provide some spot minutes at the 4, they aren't B1G starting 4's IMO.

I would argue that Buchanan is pretty good at the 4, he has shown he can defend the 4 and rebound from the 4 against Villanova and St. John’s. I still do hope Sydnor is better than him and can win the 4 spot because better is better and Sydnor may turn out to be really good and if he is, Buchanan can provide backup from the 2 through the 5.

 

[SirScarlet]

This is a key since there are so many more guys that have the ability to score. We really don't want Tariq putting up 26 shots w 2 assists. Lino after a nice 5 assist 0 TO opener was almost 1-1 in the SJ matchup, but he has moved the ball a little better thus far.

yeah - I am trying to be positive, but we gave up multiple chances to win the game with ridiculous possessions that a 7th grade travel team would consider poor.

sadly, I just dont think this team will change. So, if we're not going to adjust...it means you either need to get back to keeping kids in the program for longer (ie. Pre-NIL / Transfer portal Pike teams - which I LOVED...but the world has changed), or continue to get better and better players (tough to do without hyper-improving our NIL). both are super hard to do for us.

I dont think either pathway is a long term success track for the current staff.

we shall see. would love to be wrong.

 

[seansherm]

yeah - I am trying to be positive, but we gave up multiple chances to win the game with ridiculous possessions that a 7th grade travel team would consider poor.

sadly, I just dont think this team will change. So, if we're not going to adjust...it means you either need to get back to keeping kids in the program for longer (ie. Pre-NIL / Transfer portal Pike teams - which I LOVED...but the world has changed), or continue to get better and better players (tough to do without hyper-improving our NIL). both are super hard to do for us.

I dont think either pathway is a long term success track for the current staff.

we shall see. would love to be wrong.

Yeah, we are not and will never be a smartly offensive run team. If Gurdak can move the ball vs look for his shot most of the time we may be best playing through the post, it would be the best way to not depend on one v one for offense.
I think RU is a need to keep kids on campus as long as humanly possible athletic dept. The $ isn't there for total roster turnover each year. That happens to be best for this staff as well.