Appreciate the insight...always enjoy talking the game and getting perspectives from others. Thank you. Drawing a blank but trying to recall the guard that maybe was 2 or 3 years older than Geo before Geo was Geo. Could that be Corey Sanders? Thinking he was the other one on one player that could get into a really hot streak that extended the one on one play a few more years? I wish I knew more about the size for the other players and get an idea who Braden guards. Guessing McConnell has Loyer or Brandon. Course we have Omoruyi defending Zach. Does Mulcahy take Braden or Ethan? Don't know the 4 man and who has Caleb, Mason and or Trey. I just don't know the team this year to have a feel on who defends who on both teams. I just expect the usual rugged, close game. FWIW, I became a fan of Pikiell early when they rebounded and defended tough. You knew right then that he was building a team around things that carry. Also, doesn't he try to recruit a lot of 6'4" to 6'6" players over the years to switch a lot?
Coach Pikiell (aka Coach Pike) loves quick guards who can take you off the bounce. Corey Sanders was the first for Pike, followed by Geo Baker and Ron Harper. I call this year a mini-gap year, as Rutgers doesn't have a dominant guard with that ability. There is a player (Derek Simpson) on the roster with that ability, but he's only a freshman. Simpson has shown flashes of taking anyone off the bounce, but he's still learning. The best way to think of Simpson is a young version of Sanders, but with more range on his shot. Expect Rutgers to return to this approach starting next year. Rutgers has two commits (Jamichael Davis, 6'2, and Dellquan Warren, 6'2), whose game is built on taking defenders off the bounce and hardnose on the ball defense. The guards may be getting shorter, but the wings are getting longer. Rutgers signed 6'8 SG/SF Gavin Griffiths in November.
Here's the lineup Purdue will face:
Cam Spencer, 6'4 guard transfer from Loyola (Md.), averaging 14 pts. And shoots 43% from three.
Paul Mulcahy, 6'7 PG, led the B1G in assists last year and is at it again. If he has a smaller guard on him, he will post up and run the offense from there. One thing he is doing more of is hitting that mid-range shot consistently. Mulcahy is average as an on-the-ball defender, but he's better at playing the passing lanes. He is physical and a strong rebounder.
Caleb McConnell is a 6'7 guard who is the reigning B1G defensive player of the year. He has recovered from a knee injury (pre-season) that robbed him of the season's first few games and mobility. He's back to his usual self but has added the scoring dimension that Rutgers fans haven't seen since his first year. He came in with Harper and Montez Mathis (St. John's now), and all of them could go on a tear and score. If there is one thing I wished McConnell maintained from his first year is his 3pt shot which was more consistent.
Mawot Mag is a 6'8 swiss army knife. Mag is the most improved player on the team. Everyone thinks McConnell is the best defender on Rutgers, but most Rutgers fans will tell you Mag is better. Think of a bigger version of McConnell, who is more athletic with a wingspan of a 6'11 player. He can guard one thru four on the court. The knock on Mag's game is his love to shoot 3s. He couldn't piss in the ocean if he were standing in it. Mag has developed an excellent little low-post game. That's where he should stay. IMO Mag is a better rebounder than Cliff Oromuyi when he's down on the blocks playing the 4 position. FYI: Mag, in practice, can hit 3s like a layup, but for some reason, he struggles during the game.
Cliff Oromuyi is a 6'11 player who has expanded his game to include a low-post game. Rutgers hasn't had a post game since Deshawn Freeman in the mid-2010s. Cliff has an excellent little hook game with either hand. That's because the basketball looks like a baseball in his hands. Occasionally, Cliff will step out to shoot a 3. He's not a high percent threat, but the shot looks good, leaving his hands. Coach Pike said in an interview that Cliff couldn't shoot a 3 until he scores at least 10 points. The knock on Cliff is the mental lapse on defense as he tries to block every shot.
The bench is the most consistent Pike has had since arriving at Rutgers. The guys going in know their roles and do them well.
Simpson is a 6'3 PG who has Corey Sanders game baked into him. The difference between Simpson and Sander is Simpson is a better defender, a must under Pike, and has more range on his shot. His inexperience as he learns the game on this level holds him back from being more consistent. But there are 3 to 4 minutes stretches where Simpson takes over the game and is the best player on the court.
Aundre Hyatt is 6'7 245 lbs. His size reminds you of Harper, but that's where the comparison ends. Hyatt is strong and at his best, rebounding loose balls for easy putbacks. He's a true garbage man on the miss shoots. Hyatt likes using his size and athletic abilities on the blocks. If he hits his first 3, you need to guard him throughout that half, but if he misses it, let him shoot as much as he wants. 🤣
FR. Antwone Woolfolk (6'9. 255 lbs.) is a Pike type of recruit. Someone who is overlooked like a Geo Baker, but turns out to be better than you thought. Woolfolk was deciding on committing to Cincinnati or Boston College as a TE for football. Pike got him to commit before the start of his senior season (football), and Woof put all of his energy into basketball. He dropped from 275 to 255 by the time he reported. His footwork in the low post is beautiful, and he's great at getting position at both ends of the court. Woof has shown the ability to score, but he doesn't demand the ball. Some of that might be due to youth. What Woof does well is pass out of the post for easy shots.
Dean Reiber is 6'10, 235, but is receiving fewer minutes this year with the arrival of Woolfolk. Reiber is more of a stretch 4 who can shoot the 3. Unfortunately, his confidence is shaken since he's not playing as much as he did last year. Reiber was good for 14/15 minutes a game. Now he is down to about 7/8 minutes. He wants to run and fill the lane or pop out the 3pt line.
