Recruiting

[PhilaPhans]

I'm a bit surprised that, as of right now, we have zero recruits for 2016 (I'm not including our current transfer PG Nigel Johnson).

Yes, we lost out on Kwe Parker. He could have helped.

Yes, we're in the middle of it for Issa Thiam.

With the number of seniors we have this year (3?), with Corey at PG, etc., it's a bit curious that we're not attracting more recruits. Of course I'm not in-the-know, so for all I know, maybe I'm completely wrong here.

 

[ScarletLongIsland_rivals]

Andre Rafus was at the Howard game.

 

[NewJerseyHawk]

Ideally you want at least 1 or 2 in fall signing period and then go for whatever is available in spring or via the transfer market....RU is rebuilding and needs the talent that fits what we have seen in these two games....sharing the ball, playing unselfishly and being athletic.

As talented as Parker was prior to his injury, he hasn't bounced back physically and doesn't possess the jump shot as of now to make a major impact early in his college career. I am not completely convinced he would have started the next two years over Nigel Johnson and certainly not Sanders.

We need a wing player and Thiam may be that player and Laurent is a freshman. The spacing that Goode provides & requires defenses to adjust is the key, IF you can find a wing at SF that can space and shoot, it would help more than just filling the recruiting class. Jordan and staff need the right role players to help compliment what will be in place next year with Williams, Johnson and Sanders at guard, which will be the strength of the team, while Freeman and Foreman provide some play up front and in the paint.....

 

[MadRU]

Andre Rafus was at the Howard game.

He would be a great get, but he is a 2017 recruit I believe.

 

[RUsojo]

Don't be suprised we haven't been good for a while yet 2 4-star recruits we let brought in this class.

 

[4theknights]

Eddie at CC meeting indicated that Nigel Johnson may now be the best player on the team!! It seems Coach is being deliberate and selective seeking the right players. I guess we just have to be patient.

 

[PiscatawayMike]

There's a good chance a 6-8 player (Thiam?) signs this week. That's what EJ said at last week's CC meeting. :cool2: ray:

 

[RU-Choppin-Ohio]

Am I the only one that thinks the football issues and bad national media attention impacted basketball recruiting.?

Within weeks of those issues, we had two recruits cancel on big campus visits and a decommitt 2 months later.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

Am I the only one that thinks the football issues and bad national media attention impacted basketball recruiting.?

Within weeks of those issues, we had two recruits cancel on big campus visits and a decommitt 2 months later.

Taking recruits to football games no longer an asset....especially vs. maryland.

Unfortunately taking them to a BB game a bad idea too until after Jan 20th or so.

 

[higgins3]

Taking recruits to football games no longer an asset....especially vs. maryland.

Unfortunately taking them to a BB game a bad idea too until after Jan 20th or so.

Theyll contend with some big ten teams and win some games. Theyll do better than the football team. Why anyone goes to a rutgers football game on a saturday is beyond me.

 

[shields]

Higgins, how can you say that as a student? Martin and Hicks are exciting. QB is another matter.

 

[ScarletLongIsland_rivals]

He would be a great get, but he is a 2017 recruit I believe.

He is 2017. BTW, Rutgers offered 2017 PG Matt Turner out of Blair per Zags.

 

[RU-Choppin-Ohio]

Taking recruits to football games no longer an asset....especially vs. maryland.

Unfortunately taking them to a BB game a bad idea too until after Jan 20th or so.

FIG, I think taking BB recruits to football games is more about letting them experience the college atmosphere.

 

[higgins3]

Higgins, how can you say that as a student? Martin and Hicks are exciting. QB is another matter.

Shields, I am not a student anymore.To me, it seems like the program gets a ton of attention but isn't having near the results it should have. I have a motto in basketball, be competitive and limit blowouts. That keeps the team watchable and program respectable.

Well look at the past four weeks in football. The team and program is not respected, and it still gets the majority of attention and resources. I guess I would like to see some more fans at basketball games and in general t he school shift focus a little. Spread the wealth. Obviously putting all of it into football isn't working out.

Also, with the arrest and everything and the state of football as a whole, I am just not as big of a fan as I once was.I hope as a fan you aren't offended by that.

 

[shields]

I was just joking. As for the football team I work with special ed kids. 6 years ago I had a kid at my school with cancer. Went to Robert Wood. Came back with a shirt signed by 6 or 7 RU football players. Was thrilled to get the shirt. Passed away about 3 months later and I still remember how happy he was to get the shirt. RU football does a lot of good too.

 

[higgins3]

I was just joking. As for the football team I work with special ed kids. 6 years ago I had a kid at my school with cancer. Went to Robert Wood. Came back with a shirt signed by 6 or 7 RU football players. Was thrilled to get the shirt. Passed away about 3 months later and I still remember how happy he was to get the shirt. RU football does a lot of good too.

No doubt. I happen to work at RWJ so that's pretty cool,too.Good on you,too for being the role model you are.

 

[SkilletHead2]

I have trouble keeping track of who is who, but it seems to me like what we need most is a three point shooting 2 or 3. Isn't offensive production the biggest concern?

 

[higgins3]

I have trouble keeping track of who is who, but it seems to me like what we need most is a three point shooting 2 or 3. Isn't offensive production the biggest concern?

I would say a shooting guard. Foreman and Laurent have the three covered. Sg and PF are what are most needed.

 

[LevaosLectures]

Given the state of the program I find EJ's recruiting absolutely amazing. He got three four star commits in a 12 month year period...granted one bailed....to commit to this program. Wow.

 

[Michstfr]

You need difference makers not just role players. You don't have any difference makers yet and you will need them if you have any realistic hope of getting our of the basement of the Big 10.

Ideally you want at least 1 or 2 in fall signing period and then go for whatever is available in spring or via the transfer market....RU is rebuilding and needs the talent that fits what we have seen in these two games....sharing the ball, playing unselfishly and being athletic.

As talented as Parker was prior to his injury, he hasn't bounced back physically and doesn't possess the jump shot as of now to make a major impact early in his college career. I am not completely convinced he would have started the next two years over Nigel Johnson and certainly not Sanders.

We need a wing player and Thiam may be that player and Laurent is a freshman. The spacing that Goode provides & requires defenses to adjust is the key, IF you can find a wing at SF that can space and shoot, it would help more than just filling the recruiting class. Jordan and staff need the right role players to help compliment what will be in place next year with Williams, Johnson and Sanders at guard, which will be the strength of the team, while Freeman and Foreman provide some play up front and in the paint.....

 

[TruJerz_rivals]

You need difference makers not just role players. You don't have any difference makers yet and you will need them if you have any realistic hope of getting our of the basement of the Big 10.

I believe Sanders is a difference maker. I see him making All-Big 10 teams in the future. And I am not one for hype. The kid is a legit future pro prospect. He just has to keep working. I do think you need more than 1 difference maker though. Kwe could of been that

 

[higgins3]

You need difference makers not just role players. You don't have any difference makers yet and you will need them if you have any realistic hope of getting our of the basement of the Big 10.

Freeman will be a difference maker this year. Mike Williams is not a role player. Foreman is not a role player. Both have development to go, but these are real players. If Sanders plays the way he does, he makes Laurent from a role player to someone who can be a + on both sides of the ball.

 

[higgins3]

Freeman will be a difference maker this year. Mike Williams is not a role player. Foreman is not a role player. Both have development to go, but these are real players. If Sanders plays the way he does, he makes Laurent from a role player to someone who can be a + on both sides of the ball.

Nigel Johnson is nowhere near a role player. He will be here for two more years.

 

[Knights 1212]

Most of our impact players should be back next year. If so we have a good nucleus. We will add Nigel Johnson to the mix and several have said he often looks like our best player in practice. I like our guards for next year with Sanders. Johnson, Williams and Goode. At forward we will still have Freeman, Foreman and Laurent each with another year under their belt. At center we will have Diallo and Doorson. That is 9 guys who all can make contributions to our team. Hopefully a few recruits will realize this potential and will sign with us. I would like to see one more center, a small forward who can hit from the outside, one more guard and hopefully one more forward. That could make for a pretty nice team.

 

[RU848789]

I don't really follow recruiting, but I have to think there are some great scorers out there who would love to have a potentially great PG, like Sanders, delivering them the ball. I assume that would factor into recruiting a scorer or two.

 

[TDIrish27]

" Nigel Johnson is nowhere near a role player "

And you've seen him play where ?

 

[higgins3]

You need difference makers not just role players. You don't have any difference makers yet and you will need them if you have any realistic hope of getting our of the basement of the Big 10.

" Nigel Johnson is nowhere near a role player "

And you've seen him play where ?

he played well for K state. Its been said if he was eligible, he might be the best person on this team. I would say he is a primary player.

 

[RutgHoops]

You need difference makers not just role players. You don't have any difference makers yet and you will need them if you have any realistic hope of getting our of the basement of the Big 10.

We win 5 Big 10 games this season. Freeman is one of the 15 best players in the Big 10.

Freeman and Bashir Ahmed are right around the same impact as CBB players.

 

[ruman]

You need difference makers not just role players. You don't have any difference makers yet and you will need them if you have any realistic hope of getting our of the basement of the Big 10.

I completely agree - but I think Corey Sanders and Freeman are those type players (or close to them). They are clearly the best players on the team.

We need more of those, less projects

 

[richthedentist]

Freeman looked good in the Howard game. I missed the Newark game but he passed up alot of open 12-15 foot shots and only took layups or passed the ball. Does anyone know if he has any knid of shot because that driving to the hoop is not going to work against the bigs in the Big 10 and by shooting that shot he would open up the lane and loosen up the defense

 

[RutgHoops]

Freeman looked good in the Howard game. I missed the Newark game but he passed up alot of open 12-15 foot shots and only took layups or passed the ball. Does anyone know if he has any knid of shot because that driving to the hoop is not going to work against the bigs in the Big 10 and by shooting that shot he would open up the lane and loosen up the defense

6'7"/220 with good feet, pretty solid post moves and wonderful blend of anger and confidence in the post. He'll "get his" in Big 10 games.
Here is my prediction of his line for the season:
13.5 ppg /6.7 rpg/54%FG/65%FT

 

[Local Shill]

Freeman will be a difference maker this year. Mike Williams is not a role player. Foreman is not a role player. Both have development to go, but these are real players. If Sanders plays the way he does, he makes Laurent from a role player to someone who can be a + on both sides of the ball.

DJ and Mike are only two games into their sophomore year so the book hasn't been written on them but how much playing time would each get on an upper-level Big Ten team? I don't know the answer but I'm guessing it would be in the low-double digit minutes per game range.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

6'7"/220 with good feet, pretty solid post moves and wonderful blend of anger and confidence in the post. He'll "get his" in Big 10 games.
Here is my prediction of his line for the season:
13.5 ppg /6.7 rpg/54%FG/65%FT

i could see up to 8 rebounds given...
1. He has rebounding skills (been awhile since i saw a RU player tap a rebound to himself)
2. He'll play a lot of minutes
3. Will be on the floor with 4 other guys that defensive rebounding might not be a strength...or be playing the "5" (biggest guy on court)

 

[RU-Choppin-Ohio]

i could see up to 8 rebounds given...
1. He has rebounding skills (been awhile since i saw a RU player tap a rebound to himself)
2. He'll play a lot of minutes
3. Will be on the floor with 4 other guys that defensive rebounding might not be a strength...or be playing the "5" (biggest guy on court)

One day I will stop making the comparisons to last year, but, Freeman did more hard work battling in the lane in 2 games ( 1.5) than his predecessor did all last year. He may not be the tallest guy, but, he has long arms and is relentless. Good things happen when you play like that.

 

[TDIrish27]

Higgins

You failed to answer my question.

 

[jellyman_rivals307848]

Higgins

You failed to answer my question.

So I have not seen him play.

But reading his "biography" you can see some potential. Some inconsistency issues also.

Some highlights of the comments from Nigel Johnson's Sophomore season at Kansas State:

1) Averaged 18 minutes a game, and 34% from 3-point range.

2) Averaged 1.7 assists per game and 1 turnover per game - not a bad ratio.

3) Averaged just 5.2 points per game (not much), in those 18 minutes a game. The inconsistency comes into play, due to Johnson having double digit scoring in 6 games, including 4 of his last 8 games of the season (which included a 20 point and a 17 point performance in 2 of his last 4 games), but only averaging 5 points a game overall.

4) He started 8 games ... but though biased towards the end of the season, even then his playing time was wildly inconsistent: Some games he played 30+ minutes, some under 10 minutes ... and this was after their suspended starting 2G Foster was back and playing and starting (i.e. Johnson started some games with Foster back, but did not start others with Foster back).

5) Johnson's 2 best games were against Kansas States' 2 best opponents: Kansas and Iowa State - both late in the season. John son got more playing time, and had better stats (linked to playing time, no doubt) in the last month than earlier in the season.

I do not know if Johnson is an impact player, per se. But he would be RU's best or 2nd best perimeter shooter NOW, it would appear. And will clearly be a major contributor immediately. It appears on PAPER he would be an upgrade over Daniels, for next season.

 

[ScarletLongIsland_rivals]

So I have not seen him play.

But reading his "biography" you can see some potential. Some inconsistency issues also.

Some highlights of the comments from Nigel Johnson's Sophomore season at Kansas State:

1) Averaged 18 minutes a game, and 34% from 3-point range.

2) Averaged 1.7 assists per game and 1 turnover per game - not a bad ratio.

3) Averaged just 5.2 points per game (not much), in those 18 minutes a game. The inconsistency comes into play, due to Johnson having double digit scoring in 6 games, including 4 of his last 8 games of the season (which included a 20 point and a 17 point performance in 2 of his last 4 games), but only averaging 5 points a game overall.

4) He started 8 games ... but though biased towards the end of the season, even then his playing time was wildly inconsistent: Some games he played 30+ minutes, some under 10 minutes ... and this was after their suspended starting 2G Foster was back and playing and starting (i.e. Johnson started some games with Foster back, but did not start others with Foster back).

5) Johnson's 2 best games were against Kansas States' 2 best opponents: Kansas and Iowa State - both late in the season. John son got more playing time, and had better stats (linked to playing time, no doubt) in the last month than earlier in the season.

I do not know if Johnson is an impact player, per se. But he would be RU's best or 2nd best perimeter shooter NOW, it would appear. And will clearly be a major contributor immediately. It appears on PAPER he would be an upgrade over Daniels, for next season.

Based on what I saw at the open practice, he is definitely an upgrade over Daniels. I wish we had him on the floor this year (but am looking forward to seeing him next year). I get that it is only practice, but still you can tell when a player has it.

 

[RU-Choppin-Ohio]

" Nigel Johnson is nowhere near a role player "

And you've seen him play where ?

Did you even know who Nigel Johnson was before you posted this comment ?? lol

 

[AreYouNUTS]

Am I the only one that thinks the football issues and bad national media attention impacted basketball recruiting.?

Within weeks of those issues, we had two recruits cancel on big campus visits and a decommitt 2 months later.

People tried to blame Flood's ****-show recruiting on "bad national media," too, a couple of years ago, with all the Julie stuff, Rice, et al, at the root of their beliefs.The bottom line however was that many of our teams, during that 12-18 month stretch, had some of their best classes in years, if not over a decade, outside of 2 sports: football and men's basketball (and Eddie was just taking over the program following the Rice fiasco...).

 

[Scarlet Shack]

You need difference makers not just role players. You don't have any difference makers yet and you will need them if you have any realistic hope of getting our of the basement of the Big 10.

Please go away...you continually add nothing to this forum