On The Banks Article

[ScarletLongIsland_rivals]

Very good read...

https://www.onthebanks.com/2018/9/2...pikiell-enters-year-three-big-ten-stony-brook

 

[bowlgoal]

That article is A MUST READ for all diehard Rutgers basketball fans as well as newcomers who want an analysis of what Pikiell has done in the last two seasons and realistic expectations for this season. The writer is dead on with every point.

 

[FrankZ_RU93]

Bravo!

 

[RU MAN]

Very good read...

https://www.onthebanks.com/2018/9/2...pikiell-enters-year-three-big-ten-stony-brook

Thank you for posting this article. Aaron Breitman has IMO written one of the best articles I've ever read on a Rutgers BB coach and the team's overall outlook. Well done!

 

[rufeelinit]

I agree. Well written and comprehensive.

 

[Jim_from_RU]

I’d run through a brick wall for Pike.

 

[bowlgoal]

I’d run through a brick wall for Pike.

Me too

 

[4theknights]

Great article and clear recap of the program. Obviously, despite some misses on some recruits, coach and staff have rebounded and brought in some quality players. Program is in good hands with Pike!!! Let the season begin!

 

[Zak57]

Rusojo isn't impressed.

 

[RUinFla]

Still may be a few posters that believe EJ should have been given another year, considering the injuries, etc, but his teams were unwatchable. No question Pike has the qualities necessary to make us competitive in the B1G, and his teams play hard. Still seem to be a few posters that agonize over every recruit that doesn't come here, even though we have not much to offer yet, and remain somewhat downbeat. The article was actually pretty balanced--not fawning and gushing and assigning A's all over the place. We are still a work in progress, it notes, but the culture has come a long way in two seasons.
TL

 

[RUChoppin]

Good article. We do have 5 players with Big Ten experience, though, not just 4.

5 with prior Big Ten experience
1 with prior MAAC experience (and 1 RS year with Big Ten team)
1 with prior Juco experience
4 with no collegiate experience (1 with RS year with Big Ten team)

Yes, it's 6 new bodies on the floor this year, though, which will have its chemistry issues.

 

[Scarlet Blind_rivals]

EJ was done the moment he lost that December game in his third year where he got outrebounded like 53-32 and he was quoted as saying “I told them I’m not going through rebounding drills guys. That’s not in my package as a coach. Rebounding is about heart and nose for the ball and wanting to go get it. That’s just not me as a coach.”
He should've been fired for saying that.

On the other hand, if you follow some of the players on this team on IG, they are a tight knit group all looking to improve and succeed together. This team will surprise all of the experts and exceed expectations of any predictions made in the preseason. I think they will have the first winning record in 13 years this season since a Gary Waters coached team.

 

[RUinFla]

Doubt it is an accident that the team is close-knit. Pike seems to favor quality kids that happen to be good basketball players. Guys like that tend to play together, play hard and listen to their coaches. For all Corey's talent, he never truly bought in--just as Quincy Douby never really did.
TL

 

[RUsojo]

Rusojo isn't impressed.

Didn’t read it yet. Apparently there are people in the program saying don’t expect much improvement in the win column this year if any. But personally I am very excited to see what roster combinations Pike comes up with and I hope to see a smarter and more skilled team offensively.

Edit: skimmed over the grades given...really? Nit-picking at the writer, not Pike (right now anyway), but grades like that don’t make sense when you close by saying “temper expectations”.

 

[runner1954]

I’d run through a brick wall for Pike.

And I assume Ash to? JK

 

[Scangg]

Still may be a few posters that believe EJ should have been given another year, considering the injuries, etc, but his teams were unwatchable. No question Pike has the qualities necessary to make us competitive in the B1G, and his teams play hard. Still seem to be a few posters that agonize over every recruit that doesn't come here, even though we have not much to offer yet, and remain somewhat downbeat. The article was actually pretty balanced--not fawning and gushing and assigning A's all over the place. We are still a work in progress, it notes, but the culture has come a long way in two seasons.
TL

Are there really people that thought EJ should have been given another year? That's shocking. I can't imagine watching his teams and thinking they were well coached in anyway. It was painful to watch

 

[RUChoppin]

Are there really people that thought EJ should have been given another year? That's shocking. I can't imagine watching his teams and thinking they were well coached in anyway. It was painful to watch

There definitely were at the time. It was all about the injuries, and that he should be given a chance at a year with healthy players.

 

[RU_DIO]

Are there really people that thought EJ should have been given another year? That's shocking. I can't imagine watching his teams and thinking they were well coached in anyway. It was painful to watch

Yeah

And I would argue with them about how the hell could they still want Eddie back. A couple of then still post here. SMH

 

[FrankZ_RU93]

Wanted EJ gone early in year 2 (saw enough at the Minnesota game - and haven't been back to a game since). There was a loyalty by many due to his playing days on the banks, which I get (but that was about a decade before I cared about RU hoops).