Replacing Eugene

[BillyC80]

A lot has been discussed about how this year’s team will perform without Eugene.

I look at it this way, as a team we’ll likely have a similar number of offensive and defensive possessions. So someone else will take Gene’s shots and someone else will get Gene’s defensive rebounds.

For example one guy that will get some of Gene’s minutes will be Shaq. Last year Carter played in the same number of games as Gene, but got exactly half of Gene’s minutes.

Carter had the same number of rebounds per minute, more steals per minute, more blocks per minute, shot a higher percentage from the floor, shot the same percentage from the foul line, and had fewer turnovers per minute than Gene.

Shaq won’t get as many shots per minute, charges per minute or assists per minute, and I’m not saying Shaq replaces Gene. I’m only saying that when Gene’s minutes, shots and rebound opportunities are redistributed, we should come out equally as good, if not better, especially if Kwasi takes the 45 threes that Gene took last year.

 

[biazza38]

I’m looking for Harper and McConnell to take big strides this year. Then there’s yeboah and Jacob Young. Will we miss him, yeah for sure. But I think we have enough talented guys to fill in for him

 

[BillyC80]

Keep in mind Pike has said that Shaq has been one of the most improved players (along with Ron and Caleb) so it stands to reason his minutes and contribution down low will go way up.

 

[Scarlet Knut]

I believe we will have a better offensive flow w/o Gene. We force the ball to him way more than we should have and he missed more layups than he made.

 

[ColonelRutgers]

Shaq Doorson is a much bigger loss than a gimpy-kneed Omoruyi in my book.

 

[BillyC80]

I was surprised when I saw that Gene only shot 44% from the floor. By comparison Shaq Carter shot 58%.

 

[BillyC80]

Shaq Doorson is a much bigger loss than a gimpy-kneed Omoruyi in my book.

Doorson did his job and made very few mistakes. It’ll be interesting to see what Doucoure can do, taking up some of Doorson’s minutes.

 

[HeavenUniv.]

Eugene who ?

 

[BillyC80]

Eugene who ?

Lol, it seems his absence is keeping several posters from believing this team will get 17 or more victories this year.

 

[biazza38]

I was surprised when I saw that Gene only shot 44% from the floor. By comparison Shaq Carter shot 58%.

Geo is not a high percentage shooter. However, he makes a lot of big shots. He’s the type of guy you give the green light to because he can create on his own.

 

[RUDieHard]

We lost Corey last year, had 4 freshmen and still improved our win total.

This year we lose an injured Gene but gain Yeboah, Young, and Mulcahy...I'd say that's a big net gain.

I'd be shocked not to see our win total increase again.

 

[Scangg]

We lost Corey last year, had 4 freshmen and still improved our win total.

This year we lose an injured Gene but gain Yeboah, Young, and Mulcahy...I'd say that's a big net gain.

I'd be shocked not to see our win total increase again.

Well said!

 

[BigEastPhil]

At the Court Club Meeting tonight, I specifically asked about the impact of Eugene's departure with Coach Hobbs. His response was as follows:

1. Geo has assumed the leadership role of the team. He is our leader!

2 - Feels optimistically confident that Myles; Shaq and Harper will offset the defensive rebounding aspect of Eugene's game.

3 - Hobbs admitted Eugene's toughness will be tough to emulate

 

[Scangg]

Mag is the type of recruit who can fill that mold. Hopefully Mathis embraces that this year

 

[BillyC80]

We lost Corey last year, had 4 freshmen and still improved our win total.

This year we lose an injured Gene but gain Yeboah, Young, and Mulcahy...I'd say that's a big net gain.

I'd be shocked not to see our win total increase again.

Agreed, And we also lose Doorson but gain Doucoure. Lots of talent capable of stepping up.

 

[ancienthooper]

Overall, team is better. He ditched for Oregon. Enough of Eugene, already.

 

[RUHouston]

Overall, team is better. He ditched for Oregon. Enough of Eugene, already.

Yep! Fredo!

He probably couldn’t stand the fact that he was essentially recruited over and saw the handwriting on the wall for lower PT...

when the going got tough, the tough transferred.

Have fun Deep In The Woods!

 

[BillyC80]

Geo is not a high percentage shooter. However, he makes a lot of big shots. He’s the type of guy you give the green light to because he can create on his own.

True, and hopefully his shooting percentage will get a boost from not having to do as much and having other shooters around so he can be more selective with his own shots.

 

[KnightsofChrome]

Anytime an Offense has to go through a 6'7" inside player, it's not a good thing. I liked Eugene's passion, ability and willingness to take a charge, but 44% from the floor is not a winning strategy. Div. II yes, B10 not so much! When Pikell says he has more versatility, this is what he's talking about.

 

[Mr. Magoo1]

We lost Corey last year, had 4 freshmen and still improved our win total.

This year we lose an injured Gene but gain Yeboah, Young, and Mulcahy...I'd say that's a big net gain.

I'd be shocked not to see our win total increase again.

Talent wise, you are correct, without a doubt. The risk is that we lost a tough inside player and we are thin upfront. Especially since our bigs our foul-prone. Yeboah is probably more talented than Eugene (especially when Eugene is not 100%), but it’s doubtful that he can be the inside presence, defender and vocal leader than Eugene was.

IMO, we need 3 things.

1.Doucoure to step up and replace some of the toughness we lost in Doorson and Eugene.

2. Someone to embrace the defensive-stopper role.

3. Someone to be a vocal leader on the court. It would nice if Geo stepped up here.

 

[BillyC80]

Magoo, I agree but we’re not necessarily thin up front when you consider the addition of Doucoure and the extra minutes Myles and Shaq will get (barring foul trouble), plus the addition of Yeboah who will take his man outside and help clear the lane for others to maneuver inside. On defense we have great length at all positions and everyone will crash the boards.

 

[NJDOVES]

Magoo, I agree but we’re not necessarily thin up front when you consider the addition of Doucoure and the extra minutes Myles and Shaq will get (barring foul trouble), plus the addition of Yeboah who will take his man outside and help clear the lane for others to maneuver inside. On defense we have great length at all positions and everyone will crash the boards.

I’m not sure how many realize just how big this is with Yeboah pulling a big outside. If they even hesitate, SWISH. It’s going to be really difficult to defend that. Hopefully, It will be even more effective in big 10 play.
Besides having Young, Mulcahy, and Doucoure on board, I believe having Yeboah, will be our best advantage.

 

[NewJerseyHawk]

Transfers are a part of every program...it just makes the roster adjust on how they play.

The question is how will our pace of play increase and how many "cheap baskets", can RU generate, with more team speed and better shooting, passers on the court.

I posted this recently but if we are fair about the roster, we should realize how different the lineup is from Games 1 & 2 last year vs this year.

Starting Center-Shaq Doorson
Starting PF- Eugene Omoyuri
Starting SF- Issa Thiam
Starting SG- Peter Kiss
Starting PG- Geo Baker

Off the bench in November 2018

Unknown Shaq Carter from JUCO, who I expected much more from last year

Unknown, but in the program Myles Johnson

Mamadou Doucoure who had an uneven freshman campaign

Baker playing without Corey Sanders

Mathis, Harper, McConnell as freshman with some accolades but a group who probably started a combined 4 for 40 shooting from 3, in their 1st 10 games as a group.

Jacob Young sitting out as a transfer.

Yeboah now added as a grad transfer and Mulcahy who has a chance to ease into a role in Year 1.

If there's anyone that looks at the start of the 2018 season's starting lineup and feels confident that we should start most of that same lineup today, please raise both hands....

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

At the Court Club Meeting tonight, I specifically asked about the impact of Eugene's departure with Coach Hobbs. His response was as follows:

3 - Hobbs admitted Eugene's toughness will be tough to emulate

Certain things are best unsaid. The fact that this was even said has me very concerned. The fact that an individual or a group of individuals were not named to take on the "role" may tell you what you don't want to know.

Montez Mathis could be the antidote here. The fact that everyone seems to be mentioned as the most improved player at some point in the preseason and i haven't heard his name really scares me about this season.

I believe our success or lack thereof is almost all about what Montez Mathis is.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

NJH,

The win we had at Miami was VERY impressive. To me it was eye opening as we went on the road and made an ACC look terrible offensively.

http://barttorvik.com/box.php?muid=RutgersMiami+FL11-28&year=2019

 

[ColonelRutgers]

Certain things are best unsaid. The fact that this was even said has me very concerned. The fact that an individual or a group of individuals were not named to take on the "role" may tell you what you don't want to know.

Montez Mathis could be the antidote here. The fact that everyone seems to be mentioned as the most improved player at some point in the preseason and i haven't heard his name really scares me about this season.

I believe our success or lack thereof is almost all about what Montez Mathis is.

He can’t shoot.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

He can’t shoot.

http://barttorvik.com/team.php?year=2019&team=Rutgers

Look at the box scores of our best games. With the exception of 1 or 2 Montez had good games.

 

[ChrisNalwasky]

Figured I'd join in a little bit.

Pikiell was asked about replacing his toughness at Media Day last week. Everybody has to step up in that area.

The frontcourt depth is concerning. Myles Johnson CANNOT get in any foul trouble. I expect teams to try and draw fouls out of him. The floor spacing will actually be a disadvantage to him because it'll take longer for help defense to come.

Yeboah is a completely different player than Omoruyi. He's a perimeter player.

It'll be interesting to see how it all unfolds.

 

[BillyC80]

Certain things are best unsaid. The fact that this was even said has me very concerned. The fact that an individual or a group of individuals were not named to take on the "role" may tell you what you don't want to know.

It depends on what coach Hobbs said next. Did he say, “Eugene’s toughness will be difficult to emulate, so we’re screwed.” Or did he say something like, “Eugene’s toughness will be difficult to emulate, but lots of guys are ready to step up and play that role.”

 

[RutgHoops]

We lost Corey last year, had 4 freshmen and still improved our win total.

This year we lose an injured Gene but gain Yeboah, Young, and Mulcahy...I'd say that's a big net gain.

I'd be shocked not to see our win total increase again.

Completely agree. Looked at another way, coming in to last season Rutgers lost 65% of our scoring (we lost our #1, #2 and #4 leading scorers) and 61% of our minutes played. Yet, as you posted, we improved our win total and overall "ranking" to the point where SI listed us as one of the most improved teams in the country.

That didn't happen because we lost Corey, Deshaun, Mike Williams, Sa, etc., but rather in spite of the fact we lost those kids. We lose Eugene and Doorson and add Young, Mulcahy, Yeboah and Doucoure. Plus six (6!) kids who first experienced high major basketball last season have a year of experience under their belts.

I believe, like last season, we will be better not because we lost Eugene and Shaq, but rather in spite of that fact.

 

[RUChoppin]

A lot has been discussed about how this year’s team will perform without Eugene.

I look at it this way, as a team we’ll likely have a similar number of offensive and defensive possessions. So someone else will take Gene’s shots and someone else will get Gene’s defensive rebounds.

For example one guy that will get some of Gene’s minutes will be Shaq. Last year Carter played in the same number of games as Gene, but got exactly half of Gene’s minutes.

Carter had the same number of rebounds per minute, more steals per minute, more blocks per minute, shot a higher percentage from the floor, shot the same percentage from the foul line, and had fewer turnovers per minute than Gene.

Shaq won’t get as many shots per minute, charges per minute or assists per minute, and I’m not saying Shaq replaces Gene. I’m only saying that when Gene’s minutes, shots and rebound opportunities are redistributed, we should come out equally as good, if not better, especially if Kwasi takes the 45 threes that Gene took last year.

If Carter had been given Omoruyi's minutes last year, we'd have given up a lot more easy layups. For Carter to really step up into those minutes this year, his defense has to have improved significantly - he looked lost out there a lot of the time, especially in the earlier half of the season. Frequently out of position, losing his man, not boxing out, etc. He was more ready for the speed of the game offensively than defensively. Hoping last year's experience and this offseason have allowed him to make strides before this year.

 

[kcg88]

Toughness isn't a criteria for the committee last I checked.

In fact it's one of the things people tend to attribute to teams who lack other qualities. Sort of like baseball catchers: The worse their offense, the better reputation their defense gets independent of how good their defense actually is.

Who were the "tough" teams in the conference last year? Penn State with Reaves? Illinois with their defensive pressure? Rutgers with Omoruyi?

Conversely who was "soft?" Iowa for sure. Wisconsin?

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

That didn't happen because we lost Corey, Deshaun, Mike Williams, Sa, etc., but rather in spite of the fact we lost those kids. We lose Eugene and Doorson and add Young, Mulcahy, Yeboah and Doucoure. Plus six (6!) kids who first experienced high major basketball last season have a year of experience under their belts.

I believe, like last season, we will be better not because we lost Eugene and Shaq, but rather in spite of that fact.

we disagree. Losing both was part of the reason we succeeded (in my eyes)

AND this is apples to oranges. Eugene's loss is about toughness and accountability. We had Mike Williams and then Eugene. We need to see Geo and Ron defend, get rebounds, win 50/50s, take charges and get on the floor. If are leaders aren't tough and strong this year could be a disaster.

Dark horse here is Duke. He showed signs as a freshman of being a bit "nasty" and playing with an edge.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

Toughness isn't a criteria for the committee last I checked.

In fact it's one of the things people tend to attribute to teams who lack other qualities. Sort of like baseball catchers: The worse their offense, the better reputation their defense gets independent of how good their defense actually is.

Who were the "tough" teams in the conference last year? Penn State with Reaves? Illinois with their defensive pressure? Rutgers with Omoruyi?

Conversely who was "soft?" Iowa for sure. Wisconsin?

You have something here.....PSU great on paper...........

 

[dkostus]

Toughness isn't a criteria for the committee last I checked.

In fact it's one of the things people tend to attribute to teams who lack other qualities. Sort of like baseball catchers: The worse their offense, the better reputation their defense gets independent of how good their defense actually is.

Who were the "tough" teams in the conference last year? Penn State with Reaves? Illinois with their defensive pressure? Rutgers with Omoruyi?

Conversely who was "soft?" Iowa for sure. Wisconsin?

I love that Iowa is so universally acknowledged as soft that, even in a post where you're explaining how inaccurate these labels can be, you're still like "well, of course Iowa is soft..."

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

Iowa was soft...

116th adjusted defensive efficiency
last place in B1G games defensively
in B1G play opponents shot 54.7% from 2

 

[Mr. Magoo1]

If Carter had been given Omoruyi's minutes last year, we'd have given up a lot more easy layups. For Carter to really step up into those minutes this year, his defense has to have improved significantly - he looked lost out there a lot of the time, especially in the earlier half of the season. Frequently out of position, losing his man, not boxing out, etc. He was more ready for the speed of the game offensively than defensively. Hoping last year's experience and this offseason have allowed him to make strides before this year.

If Carter was given Eugene’s minutes last year, he would have fouled out by halftime.

 

[RUChoppin]

If Carter was given Eugene’s minutes last year, he would have fouled out by halftime.

I thought that, too, but he committed fewer fouls per 40 min than Omoruyi did. I think that's because you have to be in position to make a play on the ball, and instead of them being fouls they were just uncontested baskets.

 

[AreYouNUTS]

Can this be the last thread we ever start about this guy?

 

[ColonelRutgers]

http://barttorvik.com/team.php?year=2019&team=Rutgers

Look at the box scores of our best games. With the exception of 1 or 2 Montez had good games.

LOL. Why would I only look at our best games? That’s like saying only look at Sam Darnold’s first drive against Miami and ignore the rest when the team sucked.