Alright let's breakdown the Rutgers game....

[MarquetteDano]

I have only seen them play for about one half this year.  I did see them play zone in the game I was watching which scares me.   Rosiak mentioned they do not shoot the three well, which is very good news for us (poor at defending the three this year).   Looking at the Pomeroy numbers, looks like their offense isn't too good, which is just what the doctor ordered for our defense right now.  Also, they appear to send teams to the line quite a bit so I hope our free throw shooting is good.

I confess I don't know too much about their personnel other than Mitchell, who is pretty good.  Any thoughts on the keys to the game?

[Golden Avalanche]

Rice is typically a man coach. His guys switch every time though so it plays like a zone. They can go stretches where scoring is difficult. Certainly poor from the perimeter (which may be a recurring theme in the Big East). Dane Miller is the star. 6'7'' wing who plays in and out. Most dynamic. Biruta is getting better down low. Mitchell provides a steady presence. Beatty and Coburn are the predominant guards. Not deep. Will foul. Must take the free points to win. They prefer the slower pace so MU should come out like they did against WVU and push pace with lane jumping and traps. RU folded against UNC with that style.

[rocky_warrior]

I don't know much about them either - though I've been looking around at stats.  We have an edge in all the four factors except for TO% (but it's 18.4% RU vs 18.1%MU).  Further, MU is a 5.5 point favorite.

However, ever since MU played at the RAC for the blizzard game I've been scared of that place.

[MarquetteDano]

They prefer the slower pace so MU should come out like they did against WVU and push pace with lane jumping and traps. RU folded against UNC with that style.

Looks like even with the new coach the style is similar.  I remember with Hill Rutgers played a slow down game.  Have to ensure this does NOT turn into a fully half-court game like the Badger game did.  Looks like if we score 70 points we win in this one.

Question is:  how to ensure it doesn't turn into a half-court affair?  It seems like our mild press doesn't really do it as it just takes more time for the opponent to setup their offense.  Do we pick up defensively at 30 feet like we have in other games?  Has led to some easy baskets for opponents.

[jsglow]

Seems to me that our success can come off of jumping the passing lanes for steals and fast break points.  I love the overplay and for once we have enough skilled guys on the roster to do it.

[Markusquette]

At least we don't have to deal with Rosario anymore

[Dawson Rental]

Rutgers was pretty much playing only three guards, two seniors and a frosh who was spelling them both.  The frosh is out and scheduled to have knee surgery, so I expect that Buzz will be pressuring their guards.

[MarquetteDano]

Rutgers was pretty much playing only three guards, two seniors and a frosh who was spelling them both.  The frosh is out and scheduled to have knee surgery, so I expect that Buzz will be pressuring their guards.

Since Rutgers appears to have a thin frontline and they want to slow it down, maybe this could be a good game for Gardner to get 15+ minutes?  I know a lot of people have been clamoring for him to get minutes.  No better team than a slowdown team that doesn't have much depth?  And since Rutgers plays tough defense no better person (DG) than probably our most efficient offensive player.

[Golden Avalanche]

Since Rutgers appears to have a thin frontline and they want to slow it down, maybe this could be a good game for Gardner to get 15+ minutes?  I know a lot of people have been clamoring for him to get minutes.  No better team than a slowdown team that doesn't have much depth?  And since Rutgers plays tough defense no better person (DG) than probably our most efficient offensive player.

Not only the efficiency aspect but Cookie Monster is so adept at creating foul situations that he could be vital tonight. At the worst, his space causes a tightening of the defense in the lane which should create room for the open 3 from DJO or penetration from Butler/Buycks.

Thinks its a really good match-up for MU tonight and if they keep their head, they could head into Pitt with a 2-0 record.

[hairy worthen]

Since Rutgers appears to have a thin frontline and they want to slow it down, maybe this could be a good game for Gardner to get 15+ minutes?  I know a lot of people have been clamoring for him to get minutes.  No better team than a slowdown team that doesn't have much depth?  And since Rutgers plays tough defense no better person (DG) than probably our most efficient offensive player.

wait. If they are thin at guard and want to slow it down, wouldn't we then want an up tempo game. Not sure how dg is running the floor.

[MarquetteDano]

wait. If they are thin at guard and want to slow it down, wouldn't we then want an up tempo game. Not sure how dg is running the floor.

True.  That is the quandry.  If Rutgers forces a slow down game, Gardner should probably get some time.  We we are able to dictate the pace, then he probably is not the best guy to come in.