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Talent matters

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RU72

All-American
Jul 25, 2001
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Michigan,as much as it hurts to say is the most talented team in a watered down Big Ten. Bufkin will be a great pro and Dickinson,a jerk is a very skilled college big.With a healthy Howard they will make noise in the NCAA if they sneak in and could also win the Big Ten tourney.Stars matter.Rutgers is most definitely hitting the portal and is well aware of what is available as of now, especially at the 5. That is factual.
As to next season,there will be an OOC game at MSG and 3 teams on the possible docket are Gonzaga,St. John's and Providence.
 
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kcg88

Heisman
Aug 11, 2017
10,862
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Can confirm there will be an OOC game next season.

Even if Cliff leaves our top priority in the portal needs to be a point guard. It's not happening with Mulcahy. He needs to be the secondary guy. Luckily the transfer portal is generally guard-friendly. Find a Jalen Pickett, a Tyree Appleby, a Umoja Gibson, whoever. Tell him we're putting the ball in your hands and you're gonna have enough shooting (Cam, Paul, Gavin) to open up driving lanes.
 
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bac2therac

bac2therac

Hall of Famer
Jul 30, 2001
238,297
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kcg88 said:
Can confirm there will be an OOC game next season.

Even if Cliff leaves our top priority in the portal needs to be a point guard. It's not happening with Mulcahy. He needs to be the secondary guy. Luckily the transfer portal is generally guard-friendly. Find a Jalen Pickett, a Tyree Appleby, a Umoja Gibson, whoever. Tell him we're putting the ball in your hands and you're gonna have enough shooting (Cam, Paul, Gavin) to open up driving lanes.
Click to expand...

The issue is Pike loyalty to Cam and Paul and even Derek
 
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kcg88

Heisman
Aug 11, 2017
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bac2therac said:
The issue is Pike loyalty to Cam and Paul and even Derek
Click to expand...
Pikiell was trying to get Sam Sessoms and then Kyle Lofton here. I think he's aware of Paul's shortcomings just as he's aware that recruiting 4 stars is better than recruiting 3 stars. If we go into next season with a backcourt of Mulcahy, Spencer, Simpson, Davis, and Miller he's going to get rightfully skewered but I'm very confident that won't be the case.
 
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Mb5789

Mb5789

Heisman
Feb 2, 2005
5,421
16,610
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RU72 said:
Michigan,as much as it hurts to say is the most talented team in a watered down Big Ten. Bufkin will be a great pro and Dickinson,a jerk is a very skilled college big.With a healthy Howard they will make noise in the NCAA if they sneak in and could also win the Big Ten tourney.Stars matter.Rutgers is most definitely hitting the portal and is well aware of what is available as of now, especially at the 5. That is factual.
As to next season,there will be an OOC game at MSG and 3 teams on the possible docket are Gonzaga,St. John's and Providence.
Click to expand...
We talked tangentially about this on the pod we just got done recording. As Pike continues to elevate the recruiting of the program, some of these issues we've had the past few seasons will begin to dissipate. We will have a bevy of players who have the ability to create their own shots, many of our players will have the athleticism of a guy like Derek Simpson but with advanced abilities to score/finish off of that separation, etc.

In 2 years we may have the most talented roster in the B1G if recruiting continues to trend the way it currently is. I think the ceiling for this program is what Houston's roster currently looks like. Long athletes all over the court who play elite defense and all have the ability to shoot/create shots/score.
 
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rucoe89

rucoe89

All-American
Jul 31, 2001
12,277
5,924
113
To be fair to Pikiell, after the Eddie fiasco it was hard to attract talent. He got under the radar gems - Baker, Harper, Johnson, McConnell, Mulcahy and coached them up. The rest were just “hope they pan out”. He then got Cliff and Mag for next step and again filled with “hope they pan out”. Some have been good (Cam) some not so much. Now he’s getting Griffith’s and hopefully Bailey and A few more for next steps. He will soo. Have the pieces. BUT, he needs help on Coaching side to put those pieces into an offense. The lack of that coaching creativity has sorely been lacking during his tenure.
 
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Scangg

Heisman
Mar 19, 2016
25,448
49,369
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We need at a minimum one of the following 2 for next season

Simpson to take a big jump in year 2

Davis ready to play a real role as a freshman
 
R

RUChoppin

Heisman
Dec 1, 2006
19,270
13,695
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Michigan has a ton of talent and has struggled to put all the pieces together this year. Taken 1-on-1, their guys should be able to beat their man most of the time.... but they haven't played as much as a team as they have a bunch of individuals throughout much of the year. A strong team of lesser talented guys will be very competitive against a weak team of more talented guys.

Unfortunately, our "team strength" is diminished right now as we're trying to figure out a new formula for success without Mag.
 
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MLBash93

All-Conference
Jan 23, 2012
1,507
2,175
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RU72 said:
Michigan,as much as it hurts to say is the most talented team in a watered down Big Ten. Bufkin will be a great pro and Dickinson,a jerk is a very skilled college big.With a healthy Howard they will make noise in the NCAA if they sneak in and could also win the Big Ten tourney.Stars matter.Rutgers is most definitely hitting the portal and is well aware of what is available as of now, especially at the 5. That is factual.
As to next season,there will be an OOC game at MSG and 3 teams on the possible docket are Gonzaga,St. John's and Providence.
Click to expand...
Gonzaga at the garden 👀
 
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MiloTalon13

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Scangg said:
We need at a minimum one of the following 2 for next season

Simpson to take a big jump in year 2

Davis ready to play a real role as a freshman
Click to expand...
How about Paul getting back to playing as well as we've seen him play?
It seems like something is up with him, maybe thinking about not coming back next year? He seems sluggish and indecisive on both ends of the court.
He hasn't been himself and I think him getting back to his A game is the most important thing for this team the rest of this year and if he comes back next year.

Paul, Cam and Griffiths together could be really good together.
 
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MiloTalon13

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Jun 3, 2022
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RUChoppin said:
Michigan has a ton of talent and has struggled to put all the pieces together this year. Taken 1-on-1, their guys should be able to beat their man most of the time.... but they haven't played as much as a team as they have a bunch of individuals throughout much of the year. A strong team of lesser talented guys will be very competitive against a weak team of more talented guys.

Unfortunately, our "team strength" is diminished right now as we're trying to figure out a new formula for success without Mag.
Click to expand...
Not having Jett helps them play better as a team. Please don't tell Juwan I said that.
 
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Scangg

Heisman
Mar 19, 2016
25,448
49,369
113
MiloTalon13 said:
How about Paul getting back to playing as well as we've seen him play?
It seems like something is up with him, maybe thinking about not coming back next year? He seems sluggish and indecisive on both ends of the court.
He hasn't been himself and I think him getting back to his A game is the most important thing for this team the rest of this year and if he comes back next year.

Paul, Cam and Griffiths together could be really good together.
Click to expand...
If Simpson takes a nice step or Davis is ready for a decent role as a freshman then Paul can either play a little more off ball and lighten the load on him or play less minutes if he struggles

If Paul leaves, have to imagine we land a PG in the portal
 
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e5fdny

e5fdny

Heisman
Nov 11, 2002
113,695
52,348
102
I’d sign up for a NYC local as an away game at MSG every year.

Same with a Holiday tournament there as well. Hopefully that would be bigger names but would be fine with one of area locals too.
 
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29PAS

29PAS

All-Conference
Sep 21, 2001
3,061
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MiloTalon13 said:
How about Paul getting back to playing as well as we've seen him play?
It seems like something is up with him, maybe thinking about not coming back next year? He seems sluggish and indecisive on both ends of the court.
He hasn't been himself and I think him getting back to his A game is the most important thing for this team the rest of this year and if he comes back next year.

Paul, Cam and Griffiths together could be really good together.
Click to expand...
Totally agree on Paul. He seems to be beating up on himself when he makes a mistake like he can't believe he did it. He's done that a bunch of times.
 
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MiloTalon13

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Scangg said:
If Simpson takes a nice step or Davis is ready for a decent role as a freshman then Paul can either play a little more off ball and lighten the load on him or play less minutes if he struggles

If Paul leaves, have to imagine we land a PG in the portal
Click to expand...
Maybe, I just don't see Simpson as a point guard, hopefully he can develop into that role. I think with Cam and Griffiths, you don't necessarily need a true PG.

If Paul leaves, I would think we would be a very desirable location of a PG transfer.
 
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Rutger2001

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Jan 6, 2023
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kcg88 said:
Can confirm there will be an OOC game next season.

Even if Cliff leaves our top priority in the portal needs to be a point guard. It's not happening with Mulcahy. He needs to be the secondary guy. Luckily the transfer portal is generally guard-friendly. Find a Jalen Pickett, a Tyree Appleby, a Umoja Gibson, whoever. Tell him we're putting the ball in your hands and you're gonna have enough shooting (Cam, Paul, Gavin) to open up driving lanes.
Click to expand...
This team would be like 22-6 with a Pickett or Appleby or Tyson Walker. And Cam wouldn't have someone glued to his hip as soon as he crosses half-court.
 
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Rutgers25

All-American
Jul 29, 2001
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29PAS said:
Totally agree on Paul. He seems to be beating up on himself when he makes a mistake like he can't believe he did it. He's done that a bunch of times.
Click to expand...

I think he’s too exposed out there. By that I mean in the past (with Geo and Ron) he could hide a bit on offense, hit corner 3s and pick his spots to post up and find teammates. Now all the ball handling pressure is on him and he lacks the skill to navigate through it all
 
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NewJerseyHawk

NewJerseyHawk

Heisman
Jan 11, 2007
23,919
37,640
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This is a great thread and it highlights how far RU has come to now have recruiting really clicking and to play at MSG vs any of those 3, would be excellent.

I feel comfortable with what we can get out of the portal and make another NCAA run, if Cliff, Cam and Mag returns to 85 to 90%. I have to assume Hyatt and Mulcahy are back, but if either depart, I'm certain we will be OK on the market, with upgrades.

I have to wonder and understand that I love the 2 years we have with Spencer, but Marcus Hammond went to Notre Dame and is buried in the ACC bottom 3. Averaged around 9PPG and probably would have helped in spots where Mulcahy struggled.

Kyle Lofton also was a grad transfer target who went to Florida, but was a one year rental guy. It is difficult to see a 1 year guard, if Mulcahy and Spencer come back.

 
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MiloTalon13

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Caleb, Cliff, Hyatt, Paul could all be gone next year (and Jalen and Oskar and Dean) and Mag might not be ready at the start of the season.
Also, everyone but Caleb could be back.
Could be a crazy off-season.
 
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scarletrat

All-Conference
Aug 28, 2003
10,990
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More than a back up 5, IMO We’ve needed a Jacob Young type guard this season. Who can handle and create own shot and drive. Helps on D also chasing after smaller guards. Pikell it seemed tried hard, in addition to Spencer.
 
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Degaz-RU

Heisman
Dec 19, 2002
21,355
24,276
88
OP is absolutely correct - Michigan is way more talented that us. Best player on the court last night was Dug McDaniel (who was a 4-star). Kid absolutely MURDERED US last night on both ends of the court, and is going to be a thorn in the Big Ten's side for the next three years.

With Michigan, they got derailed when Jalen Llewellen (1) wasn't playing well early on; and (2) got injured. That thrust Dug into a starting PG role before he was really ready.

But now they seem like they're humming with Dug settled in as PG and playing really well, Dickinson and Reed at C, and then all of those guards and wings who can all shoot and hurt you in various ways.

We're still a way's off from having that type of talent from top to bottom on the roster.
 
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MiloTalon13

All-American
Jun 3, 2022
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Composite from sports-reference
Michigan players HS rankings
Dickinson - #37 in 2020
Howard #34 in 2022
Bufkin #40 in 2021
McDaniel #66 in 2022
Williams #95 in 2020
Baker #37 in 2018
Reed #31 in 2022
 
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bethlehemfan

Heisman
Sep 6, 2003
14,897
15,956
0
Scangg said:
It's why teams like Michigan can withstand injuries better than Rutgers. They aren't starting Oskar if they get injuries
Click to expand...
Correct. We are still playing catch up from a talent standpoint. It seems like it’s starting to turn but the expectations that this should have happened already are not realistic.
 
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Plum Street

Heisman
Jun 21, 2009
27,306
23,009
0
MiloTalon13 said:
How about Paul getting back to playing as well as we've seen him play?
It seems like something is up with him, maybe thinking about not coming back next year? He seems sluggish and indecisive on both ends of the court.
He hasn't been himself and I think him getting back to his A game is the most important thing for this team the rest of this year and if he comes back next year.

Paul, Cam and Griffiths together could be really good together.
Click to expand...
He has been focusing more on his relationship with God and faith this year. Maybe that’s it?
 
PiscatawayMike

PiscatawayMike

Heisman
Jul 27, 2001
16,934
14,383
113
Degaz-RU said:
OP is absolutely correct - Michigan is way more talented that us. Best player on the court last night was Dug McDaniel (who was a 4-star). Kid absolutely MURDERED US last night on both ends of the court, and is going to be a thorn in the Big Ten's side for the next three years.

With Michigan, they got derailed when Jalen Llewellen (1) wasn't playing well early on; and (2) got injured. That thrust Dug into a starting PG role before he was really ready.

But now they seem like they're humming with Dug settled in as PG and playing really well, Dickinson and Reed at C, and then all of those guards and wings who can all shoot and hurt you in various ways.

We're still a way's off from having that type of talent from top to bottom on the roster.
Click to expand...

Eddie Jordan's nephew

https://mgoblue.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/dug-mcdaniel/23517
 
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MiloTalon13

All-American
Jun 3, 2022
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FinalFourOrBust said:
Of course he could become decent but his 3 star rating was very much correct and Pike didn’t know something others didn’t
Click to expand...
If Simpson becomes a good B1G player, Pike absolutely saw something others didn't
Look at his offers - no other B1G team offered him
 
rubjk

rubjk

All-Conference
Dec 16, 2013
2,243
4,804
113
MiloTalon13 said:
Composite from sports-reference
Michigan players HS rankings
Dickinson - #37 in 2020
Howard #34 in 2022
Bufkin #40 in 2021
McDaniel #66 in 2022
Williams #95 in 2020
Baker #37 in 2018
Reed #31 in 2022
Click to expand...
And ohio state has similar composites. Need coaching too. Both Michigan and OSU should be top of league based on rosters.
 
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