Rutgers @ Villanova

[tower912]

Rutgers is up 37-33 at halftime in Phillie.   Probably not an easy game coming up.   Rutgers seems to play a lot of guys, none of which are very big.   May be opportunities for EWill and JJ to play.   Probably not DG so much. 

[GOMU1104]

If it isnt an easy game, then why would it be a chance for 2 guys that are struggling (EW and JJ) to get minutes?

[tower912]

Size.   Tough matchups for CO and DG.  CO unlikely to play 29 minutes.  Lots of 6'6/6'8 types.   

[Dr. Blackheart]

Rice is just a great coach and recruiter.  I think he is the best new coach coming in despite all of Lavin's pub and recruiting wins (with planty of PT to sell).  He really has taken a team that was built around Rosario chucking it up every time down the court to playing team ball. Let's see what happens in the 2nd half after Wright lays into Nova.

[GOMU1104]

So where would we gain an advantage, matchup wise, by playing those 2 guys? 2 players that dont provide much offense, and struggle terribly on defense?

I'm willing to bet that the rotation Buzz threw out there the last 2 games is the rotation that he sticks with this year. Maybe 3-5 combined mpg for EW/JJ/DG.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Rice is just a great coach and recruiter.  I think he is the best new coach coming in despite all of Lavin's pub and recruiting wins (with planty of PT to sell).  He really has taken a team that was built around Rosario chucking it up every time down the court to playing team ball. Let's see what happens in the 2nd half after Wright lays into Nova.

A good guy as well.  A lot of fun times golfing with him at Doyne during lunches or over at Whitnall and Grant.  Wishing him nothing but success at Rutgers.  He knows his stuff.

[tower912]

Could be.   Rutgers is running a motion offense against Nova.   Nobody over 6'8.   I see Chris having trouble guarding a 6'8 shooter 20 feet from the hoop.   Eventually, Jae and Jimmy will get tired.   Maybe it will be more Fulce and/or more 3 guard sets.     Nova has gotten hot in the second half and is pulling away.

[Norm]

I doubt we'll see Williams or Jones much in the next game or the rest of the season. Buzz usually sticks to 7-8 guys in BE play and against good non-conference opponents. Williams and Jones have not cracked that group and probably won't - he just doesn't trust them right now.

[avid1010]

Rice is just a great coach and recruiter.  I think he is the best new coach coming in despite all of Lavin's pub and recruiting wins (with planty of PT to sell).  He really has taken a team that was built around Rosario chucking it up every time down the court to playing team ball. Let's see what happens in the 2nd half after Wright lays into Nova.

Was thinking the same thing after watching a few of their games this year.  They played Nova tough on Nova's court despite not being nearly as talented. 

Could be.   Rutgers is running a motion offense against Nova.   Nobody over 6'8.   I see Chris having trouble guarding a 6'8 shooter 20 feet from the hoop.   Eventually, Jae and Jimmy will get tired.   Maybe it will be more Fulce and/or more 3 guard sets.     Nova has gotten hot in the second half and is pulling away.

I'm thinking they're going to have a hard time matching up against Gardner/Otule.  It didn't seem like their bigs could shoot, so Gardner/Otule can clog the lane if Buzz sees fit.

[Golden Avalanche]

If it isnt an easy game, then why would it be a chance for 2 guys that are struggling (EW and JJ) to get minutes?

Agree completely.

I've seen this thought a couple times that those guys could get run Wednesday. Not going to happen. Road game. Rutgers team that plays just as hard as MU. MU desperately needs wins early. Add it all up, and our rotation is at 7 with a random 8th depending on what suit Buzz wears.

[Dr. Blackheart]

It will be a physical game (typical Rice), but Gilvydas Biruta (6'8") may be out with on suspension with his closed fist fragrant foul at the end of today's game.  Since Nova outrebounded RU 36-17 anyway, you can expect RU to try and muscle our perimeter as they are not big to start with. This may actually be a match-up game where Buzz's Small Ball makes sense. Let's make our freebies as this will be a foul fest.

[PGsHeroes32]

Rutgers is a team we should have no problems out rebounding. Doing that should equate to a nice road win in a game that is no gimme. As mentioned they were abused by Nova today on the boards and Nova themselves are not a huge team aside from Yarou at 6'10.


If we can outrebound a long WVU team we should have no problems wednesday. That is, if we want to win.

[tower912]

I thought Biruta was somebody that DG could guard.   Wasn't quick, didn't jump, only a threat inside the foul line.   But, they do frown when you throw a elbow/backhand punch out of frustration.   Is that an automatic suspension?