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Rutgers could be first team to miss NCAA Tournament despite having two top-five NBA Draft picks

The story mentions the historic failure of teams that don't traditionally sign blur-chippers trying to make a go with them. I started paying close attention to that phenomenon after our crash-and-burn season in 2000-01, when we came close to earning the distinction Nordlander wrote about here.
 
If it happens they wont be the last. These kids are getting million dollar checks and will be all that much harder to coach.
 

Also mentions the '52/'53 SHU team which had Walter Dukes and Richie Regan. as having gone 31-2 and went to the NIT; the context it fails to put that in is, back then the NIT was the bigger tournament...and "Eastern" schools generally went to the NIT if they were good; similar scenario for the Western Kentucky team of '53/'54, which they also reference.

So it wasn't so much they didn't make the NCAA....they probably wanted to go to the NIT.

Then again....I wasn't around to read about it...lol
 
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does seton hall have the best recruiting class to never make the tournament? that 2001 (i think) class looked #1
 
does seton hall have the best recruiting class to never make the tournament? that 2001 (i think) class looked #1
that class was awesome. had no top 5 picks. but neither will ru's. maybe 2 top tens. ace and harper over dre and eg imo.

we looked so good. beating a top 10 ilini. then we blew that game amd things went down from there
 
Of course rutgers would bungle this. They act so superior, yet have achieved so little. It would be extremely satisfying, especially since many of them were already penning themselves in for the second weekend of the dance. Remember, they would absolutely be lapping it up if it were us. There’s nothing wrong with taking a little joy in watching a team(especially in the NIL era) fall flat on its face, when the fanbase has claimed again and again that they have left us in the dust.
 
You mean the boards that are part of a thing called Rivals.com?
No, I mean there are a few programs that are discussed and bantered about constantly, all year, especially when something that can even remotely be construed as negative occurs. Because misery loves company. And RU is at the top of the list, both for basketball and football.
 
One team certainly isn't enough, but if Rutgers does indeed miss the tournament they'll at least contribute a small step towards reigning in the NIL madness. When people are paying kids high 6 and 7 figure salaries with expectations of a national championship only to see the whole thing to up in smoke before March, they're going to become a little more hesitant to take that risk again.
 
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Rut's NCAA hopes are on life support if they lose tonight at home. They have lost the secret sauce that made Pike's team a tough out. Not playing lock down defense or team oriented offensive sets. Waiting around for Ace and Harper to make a one on one move.
 
that class was awesome. had no top 5 picks. but neither will ru's. maybe 2 top tens. ace and harper over dre and eg imo.

we looked so good. beating a top 10 ilini. then we blew that game amd things went down from there
The Athletic published a mock draft today with Harper at two and Bailey at three behind Cooper Flagg.

I personally would be very surprised if Harper and Bailey don't both go in the top five.

Bailey has a chance to be one of those unicorn players who can do everything and stands 6-10. Harper looks like he can be one of the top guards in the league for a decade.
 
Purdue 68-50 final. Ace had 17 while Harper had 6. Game never close
Coach, you want me to defend? You want me to rebound? You want me to share the ball? Please, my future lies in the NBA shooting lights out. I got my million chump change to tide me over to the real big bucks in the NBA. Nice knowing you Coach.
 
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Chemistry is everything in college basketball and large paychecks make it much harder to create chemistry. Rutgers has just 3 easy games remaining on their schedule, it will take a miracle run or Big Ten Tournament Championship to get to dance.

Predictions:
- Pike will never land a 5 Star recruit again.
- Possibly Pike's last season at RU.
- With dwindling hopes of making the dance, expect at least Ace or Dylan to bail before the end of the season.
- Sanity may return to NIL and revenue sharing after Collectives have spent so much only to be disappointed.
 
Chemistry is everything in college basketball and large paychecks make it much harder to create chemistry. Rutgers has just 3 easy games remaining on their schedule, it will take a miracle run or Big Ten Tournament Championship to get to dance.

Predictions:
- Pike will never land a 5 Star recruit again.
- Possibly Pike's last season at RU.
- With dwindling hopes of making the dance, expect at least Ace or Dylan to bail before the end of the season.
- Sanity may return to NIL and revenue sharing after Collectives have spent so much only to be disappointed.
money can land any 5 star recruit. every team has a chance.
 
Chemistry is everything in college basketball and large paychecks make it much harder to create chemistry. Rutgers has just 3 easy games remaining on their schedule, it will take a miracle run or Big Ten Tournament Championship to get to dance.

Predictions:
- Pike will never land a 5 Star recruit again.
- Possibly Pike's last season at RU.
- With dwindling hopes of making the dance, expect at least Ace or Dylan to bail before the end of the season.
- Sanity may return to NIL and revenue sharing after Collectives have spent so much only to be disappointed.
There is nothing sane about NIL if it means asking fans to pay for it, however framed.
 
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