by JP Pelzman
Seton Hall is 5-1 against Rutgers since the teams went their separate ways after the breakup of the original Big East in 2013, but the lone loss was quite frustrating. It occurred two years ago, in The Hall’s most recent visit to the RAC, when the Pirates squandered a nine-point lead in the final 5:41 in a 71-65 loss.
Seton Hall won 72-66 last season at home against a Rutgers team that had just lost to Fordham (a few hours after the Pirates had upended Kentucky at Madison Square Garden). The Scarlet Knights went on to a program-high seven Big Ten victories, escaping the conference basement for the first time since joining the Big Ten in 2014-15.
Rutgers broke a three-game skid Wednesday night with a 72-65 victory over visiting Wisconsin in which Geo Baker scored 22 points after managing only four in a loss to Michigan State on Sunday. The Hall is coming off a 76-66 loss Sunday to Iowa State, a game, unfortunately in which rapidly-emerging forward Sandro Mamukelashvili was lost for six to eight weeks with a fractured wrist.
With all that in mind, here is a look at how the teams will match up Saturday at 4 p.m.
FRONTCOURT
Rutgers lost a key player when forward Eugene Omoruyi unexpectedly transferred to Oregon in June. Still, the Scarlet Knights looked good around the rim against the Badgers, crushing them 14-3 on the offensive glass, which led to a 23-5 advantage in second-half points. Myles Johnson (8.6 points, 7.6 rebounds) had 12 points and seven rebounds against Wisconsin despite being limited to 18 minutes because of foul trouble. The 6-10 center has been unstoppable inside (72.5 percent on field goals) but is shooting only 42.9 percent from the foul line, although he did convert two huge free throws down the stretch versus Wisconsin. Romaro Gill and Ike Obiagu will have to do the job on him defensively and keep him off the offensive boards.
At the 4, Jared Rhoden seems to be the likeliest option to replace Mamukelashvili in the starting lineup. Rhoden hasn’t been able to find his offense yet after a productive finish to his freshman season, and is only 5-for-30 from beyond the arc. But Job One for him Saturday will be on defense, trying to slow down Ron Harper Jr., who is averaging 12.1 points, second on the team.
The Hall also must be wary of 6-6 graduate transfer Akwasi Yeboah (9.8 points), who has made a smooth transition from Stony Brook, where he originally was recruited by Steve Pikiell.
With Mamu out, promising freshman Tyrese Samuel figures to get more minutes. He has been impressive in spurts but must become more consistent. Coach Kevin Willard might even have to give some playing time to Taurean Thompson, or possibly Darnell Brodie.
BACKCOURT
Rutgers lead guard Geo Baker is talented but erratic, as previously noted. He is more suited to play off the ball, but Pikiell has had little choice but to play him on the ball because of the struggles of Texas transfer Jacob Young (23 assists, 24 turnovers). Still, if Baker is on, he can cause big problems with his ability to blow by defenders. He is only shooting 26.8 percent from long distance, so ace defender Quincy McKnight must keep in front of him.
Word is that McKnight is progressing well physically after some knee issues, and the cramps that plagued him in the Bahamas should not be an issue in Piscataway. Even before Mamu was hurt, Willard had said he thought McKnight (9.4 points) could be the second-leading scorer behind superstar Myles Powell, so this is McKnight’s chance to assert himself more on the offensive end.
As for Powell (22.9 points, 39.8 percent from three-point range), he will be even more of a focal point for opposing defenses, making it more important than ever for the Pirates to run crisp sets and for McKnight and backup point guard Anthony Nelson to penetrate and create opportunities for their teammates.
Besides Baker, Rutgers’ backcourt includes Montez Mathis (7.9), Caleb McConnell (7.3) and highly-touted freshman Paul Mulcahy (23 assists, eight turnovers), who eventually projects as the point guard and has been getting more playing time as of late.
COACHES
Willard is faced with one of the biggest challenges in his 10 years at Seton Hall as he tries to make up for the absence of Mamukelashvili. His injury came at a point when he seemed to be putting it all together, and Willard and the Pirates have a challenging game in a difficult venue to try to move forward.
In his fourth year at Rutgers, Pikiell’s rebuilding project is starting to pay dividends. He has brought excitement back to the RAC, and the atmosphere figures to be a raucous one Saturday with the students not yet gone for Christmas break. Pikiell has the Scarlet Knights playing more up-tempo than in previous seasons. However, Rutgers’ woeful 28.1 percent shooting from beyond the arc has kept the offense from becoming more productive.
PREDICTION
Teams often band together and play over their heads after a key player is injured, especially in the first game. Seton Hall has the talent and experience to win in a tough road venue. Seton Hall, 73-69
https://setonhall.rivals.com/
Seton Hall is 5-1 against Rutgers since the teams went their separate ways after the breakup of the original Big East in 2013, but the lone loss was quite frustrating. It occurred two years ago, in The Hall’s most recent visit to the RAC, when the Pirates squandered a nine-point lead in the final 5:41 in a 71-65 loss.
Seton Hall won 72-66 last season at home against a Rutgers team that had just lost to Fordham (a few hours after the Pirates had upended Kentucky at Madison Square Garden). The Scarlet Knights went on to a program-high seven Big Ten victories, escaping the conference basement for the first time since joining the Big Ten in 2014-15.
Rutgers broke a three-game skid Wednesday night with a 72-65 victory over visiting Wisconsin in which Geo Baker scored 22 points after managing only four in a loss to Michigan State on Sunday. The Hall is coming off a 76-66 loss Sunday to Iowa State, a game, unfortunately in which rapidly-emerging forward Sandro Mamukelashvili was lost for six to eight weeks with a fractured wrist.
With all that in mind, here is a look at how the teams will match up Saturday at 4 p.m.
FRONTCOURT
Rutgers lost a key player when forward Eugene Omoruyi unexpectedly transferred to Oregon in June. Still, the Scarlet Knights looked good around the rim against the Badgers, crushing them 14-3 on the offensive glass, which led to a 23-5 advantage in second-half points. Myles Johnson (8.6 points, 7.6 rebounds) had 12 points and seven rebounds against Wisconsin despite being limited to 18 minutes because of foul trouble. The 6-10 center has been unstoppable inside (72.5 percent on field goals) but is shooting only 42.9 percent from the foul line, although he did convert two huge free throws down the stretch versus Wisconsin. Romaro Gill and Ike Obiagu will have to do the job on him defensively and keep him off the offensive boards.
At the 4, Jared Rhoden seems to be the likeliest option to replace Mamukelashvili in the starting lineup. Rhoden hasn’t been able to find his offense yet after a productive finish to his freshman season, and is only 5-for-30 from beyond the arc. But Job One for him Saturday will be on defense, trying to slow down Ron Harper Jr., who is averaging 12.1 points, second on the team.
The Hall also must be wary of 6-6 graduate transfer Akwasi Yeboah (9.8 points), who has made a smooth transition from Stony Brook, where he originally was recruited by Steve Pikiell.
With Mamu out, promising freshman Tyrese Samuel figures to get more minutes. He has been impressive in spurts but must become more consistent. Coach Kevin Willard might even have to give some playing time to Taurean Thompson, or possibly Darnell Brodie.
BACKCOURT
Rutgers lead guard Geo Baker is talented but erratic, as previously noted. He is more suited to play off the ball, but Pikiell has had little choice but to play him on the ball because of the struggles of Texas transfer Jacob Young (23 assists, 24 turnovers). Still, if Baker is on, he can cause big problems with his ability to blow by defenders. He is only shooting 26.8 percent from long distance, so ace defender Quincy McKnight must keep in front of him.
Word is that McKnight is progressing well physically after some knee issues, and the cramps that plagued him in the Bahamas should not be an issue in Piscataway. Even before Mamu was hurt, Willard had said he thought McKnight (9.4 points) could be the second-leading scorer behind superstar Myles Powell, so this is McKnight’s chance to assert himself more on the offensive end.
As for Powell (22.9 points, 39.8 percent from three-point range), he will be even more of a focal point for opposing defenses, making it more important than ever for the Pirates to run crisp sets and for McKnight and backup point guard Anthony Nelson to penetrate and create opportunities for their teammates.
Besides Baker, Rutgers’ backcourt includes Montez Mathis (7.9), Caleb McConnell (7.3) and highly-touted freshman Paul Mulcahy (23 assists, eight turnovers), who eventually projects as the point guard and has been getting more playing time as of late.
COACHES
Willard is faced with one of the biggest challenges in his 10 years at Seton Hall as he tries to make up for the absence of Mamukelashvili. His injury came at a point when he seemed to be putting it all together, and Willard and the Pirates have a challenging game in a difficult venue to try to move forward.
In his fourth year at Rutgers, Pikiell’s rebuilding project is starting to pay dividends. He has brought excitement back to the RAC, and the atmosphere figures to be a raucous one Saturday with the students not yet gone for Christmas break. Pikiell has the Scarlet Knights playing more up-tempo than in previous seasons. However, Rutgers’ woeful 28.1 percent shooting from beyond the arc has kept the offense from becoming more productive.
PREDICTION
Teams often band together and play over their heads after a key player is injured, especially in the first game. Seton Hall has the talent and experience to win in a tough road venue. Seton Hall, 73-69
https://setonhall.rivals.com/
