by Mark Remsa
For the first time under Steve Pikiell, Rutgers Men's Basketball opened its campaign against a difficult opponent and the loss to Princeton served as a learning lesson for the coaching staff and players. Although Princeton exposed some of Rutgers' weaknesses, what really hurt the Scarlet Knights in the season opener and became quite clear was the lack of team chemistry.
After the opening season loss to Princeton, many college basketball analysts have been quick to write off Rutgers. But with so many new faces to the program, it's completely understandable this team was going to need to develop its chemistry and familiarity with one another over the course of several games in the opening month of the season to really get things going in the right direction.
Rutgers is now 3-1 overall after tallying three wins against Boston U., Bryant, and Georgetown, and there's a noticeable difference in this team from opening night to now: team chemistry has improved.
THE BACKCOURT
Steve Pikiell's new look backcourt struggled mightily against Princeton as they lacked the ability to dictate tempo and push the ball up the court. The backcourt also committed needless turnovers from sloppy entry passes and poor ball handling.
However, since the loss to Princeton, the backcourt has improved in each game. The backcourt did not have flawless performances in the victories over Boston U., Bryant, and Georgetown, but the backcourt grew its confidence. With its renowned confidence the backcourt dictated tempo, pushed the ball quickly in transition, and committed fewer turnovers.
The backcourt's best performance to date this season was this past Wednesday in Rutgers' 71-60 win over Georgetown in the last edition of the Gavitt Games. Jamichael Davis, Noah Fernandes, and Derek Simpson looked visibly comfortable working off one another as they easily broke free from Georgetown's press and moved the ball cleanly up the floor.
The ball distribution by the backcourt against Georgetown helped generate good looks from deep for other players on the court as Rutgers drilled nine 3-pointers and the backcourt generated eight of the team's 11 total assists. Not only was this a solid performance offensively from the backcourt, but it was also a really good defensive performance. Davis, Fernandes, and Simpson registered six of the team's nine total steals and helped force Georgetown to commit 21 turnovers.
AUNDRE HYATT
Aundre Hyatt has become a breath of fresh air for Rutgers over the team's last three games. Despite having a very poor performance against Princeton, Hyatt has emerged as the team's leader and major contributor which has helped propel Rutgers to victory in their last three games.
Through four games into the season, Hyatt is currently averaging 13.0 ppg, 36.4% from 3-point range, 6.3 rpg, 1.8 apg, 1.0 spg, and 84.2% FT shooting. All of these numbers are vastly improved from last season, and although its only four games into the season, this is very encouraging and promising for a player that never garnered much attention in the offseason.
Not only has Hyatt's production improved, but there is noticeable calmness about him on the floor so far this season. Hyatt's veteran leadership has been paramount as he has helped keep his teammates calm, composed, and focused in each game.
There was a moment in last Wednesday's game as tensions escalated between Cliff Omoruyi and Georgetown's Supreme Cook, Hyatt immediately recognized the potential for an incident and quickly stepped in to diffuse the situation, calm down Omoruyi, and ultimately prevented a technical foul.
GAVIN GRIFFITHS
No matter what, Gavin Griffiths was always going to be an integral part to this team in the 2023-24 season. There were high expectations of the freshman immediately from the start.
There were very few questions circling around Griffiths' offensive skillset, after all he was hailed as one of the best shooters in the 2023 recruiting class. But there were questions about his defense, and entering the season Griffiths even stated, "when I first got here defense was one of my weaknesses". Although defense still remains an issue, its something Griffiths will improve upon throughout the season.
In his first regular season appearance against Princeton, Griffiths looked lost like a deer in the headlights. It almost appeared as if the game was too fast for Griffiths and he couldn't keep up defensively. Griffiths only registered 14 minutes in the game.
Since the Princeton, Griffiths has made some strides and his slightly improved his defense one game at a time. He tallied 4 rebounds and 1 block in each game against Boston U. and Bryant. Although it won't show up in the box score, Griffiths defensive positioning also improved in those games as well, including the most recent game against Georgetown.
As Steve Pikiell and his coaching staff continue to work with Griffiths on defense, there is no question that his offense has been spectacular. Griffiths bombarded Boston U. with 25 points as he hit 9-of-15 shots from the floor, including 3-of-7 from 3-point range. Griffiths also registered 12 points and buried two clutch 3-point shots to help Rutgers win over Georgetown.
Griffiths has been a steady contributor for Rutgers on the offensive end, and his shot creating ability and movement on the floor has picked up. Griffiths has been able to read the floor well, and to find himself opportunities for quality shots. As Griffiths continues to grow and develop as a player, he is going to become a legitimate force for Rutgers in the Big Ten.
THE FRONTCOURT
The frontcourt has had some issues this season, and chemistry will likely improve as the season progresses but it has been somewhat of an underwhelming start for All-Big Ten center Cliff Omoruyi.
Through four games into the season, Omoruyi is solidly averaging 9.5 ppg and 8.3 rpg but his shooting around the basket has been below average (53.3%) and free-throw shooting has been suspect so far (50%).
What has also become an issue for Cliff Omoruyi in the last few games has looked like a developing trend as he has picked up two cheap fouls early in each game.
In the game against Bryant, Omoruyi picked up two fouls within 2:51 into the game and was forced to sit the bench the majority of the first half. If Rutgers is to have any success going forward against tougher opponents, Omoruyi needs to avoid committing early fouls in games. A lot of the offense runs through Omoruyi, and he is also one of the defensive catalysts on this year's team. If he's sitting on the bench because of foul issues early in the game, it definitely hurts Rutgers.
It has been refreshing to watch Antwone Woolfolk this season, as second year big man has vastly improved his game this season. Woolfolk has been a steady contributor rebounding the ball, making defensive stops, and moving up and down the floor fluidly. Woolfolk has done such a great job this season, it's not surprising to see him starting or inserted into the rotation with Omoruyi on the floor as well.
As Omoruyi and Woolfolk learn to play off each other in games, the chemistry will improve and they could become a major force for opponents.
Rutgers eagerly awaits the return of defensive stalwart Mawot Mag to the frontcourt. Mag is not only one of the best defensive players on the roster, but he was also one of Rutgers best 2-point shooters last season. Once Mag returns to the lineup, the frontcourt will receive a much needed boost and will have quality depth.
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