Tag: Cliff Omoruyi

Rutgers men’s basketball tips off its 2023-24 season against Princeton tonight

Rutgers men’s basketball will open their 2023-24 campaign tonight with an in-state matchup against Princeton.

Rutgers men’s basketball will open their 2023-24 campaign tonight with an in-state matchup against Princeton. Rutgers will travel to Trenton to face the Tigers at Cure Insurance Arena, a neutral site that separates Rutgers (40 miles) and Princeton (12 miles) from the proposed location.

The Scarlet Knights are coming off a 19-win season and an invitation to the National Invitational Tournament. Last season, the Scarlet Knights finished the 2022-23 season with a record of 19-15 (10-10 Big Ten) and are returning nine players from last year’s roster. Out of nine returning players, four of them started at least five games last season (Cliff Omoruyi, Aundre Hyatt, Mawot Mag, and Derek Simpson).

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As the Scarlet Knights’ season tips off tonight, Rutgers will be anchored by former First Team All-Big Ten Defensive center Cliff Omoruyi. Rutgers senior center led the team in scoring (13.2 ppg), rebounds (9.6 RPG), and blocks (72) last season. For his efforts last season, Omoruyi was selected Second Team All-Big Ten and First Team All-MET.

As for Princeton, the Tigers finished their 2022-23 season with a 23-9 (10-4 Ivy League) and the No. 1 spot in the Ivy League standings. The Tigers are anchored by returning senior guard Matt Allocco. Last season, Allocco ranked third on the team and 20th in the Ivy League in points-per-game (10.7). Also, the Hilliard, Ohio, native ranked second on the team and 18th in his conference for assists per game (2.2). In 32 games last season, Allocco averaged 1.4 three-pointers per game, which ranked him 17th in the conference.

The season opener will tip off at 7 p.m., streaming on Peacock.

 

Ranking the Top-10 Big Ten players heading into the basketball season

Ranking the top 10 players in the Big Ten entering the college basketball season.

The long-awaited 2023-24 college basketball season begins today, and the Big Ten’s slate of games features 10 of the conference’s teams in action. Iowa, Indiana, Maryland and Michigan will have to wait one more day.

The Big Ten does not lack star power as the conference boasts the reigning national player of the year in Purdue’s Zach Edey as well as a bunch of premier guards. As we all know, guard play dominates college basketball, especially in March.

Before the games tip off this evening, we take a look at the top 10 Big Ten players. Are any freshmen ranked? Does any supplant Edey as number one?

Honorable mentions (in no particular order): Bruce Thorton (Ohio State), Keisei Tominaga (Nebraska), Mackenzie Mgbako (Indiana), Jamison Battle (Ohio State), Tyler Wahl (Wisconsin), Coleman Hawkins (Illinois), Chucky Hepburn (Wisconsin).

Rutgers basketball Cliff Omoruyi named to the All-Big Ten Preseason Team

Rutgers center Cliff Omoruyi was named to the 2023-24 All-Big Ten Preseason Team, marking consecutive All-Big Ten Preseason honors. 

Rutgers basketball center Clifford Omoruyi was named to the 2023-24 All-Big Ten Preseason Team, marking consecutive All-Big Ten Preseason honors for the Scarlet Knight.

The Benin City, Nigeria, native is the third player to receive this honor, joining teammates Ron Harper Jr. (2021-22) and Geo Baker (2020-21). Also, the 2023-24 season is the fourth consecutive season a Scarlet Knight was named to the All-Big Ten Team.

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The Rutgers center is returning to the Scarlet Knights after declaring for the NBA Draft in March, electing to take his skills to the pro level. He was invited to the 2023 NBA G League Elite Camp, working out with many NBA teams. In the end, Omoruyi elected to return to Rutgers to play another season for head coach Steve Pikiell and the Scarlet Knights.

In 2022-23, Omoruyi was one of the best centers in the Big Ten Conference. He produced a team-high 13.2 points and 9.6 rebounds per game last season. While starting all 34 games last season, the Rutgers big man had 13 double-doubles and blocked 72 shots, ranking No. 15 in the country and No. 3 in the Big Ten.

In three seasons with the Scarlet Knights, Omoruyi has recorded 918 points, 666 rebounds, 128 blocks, and 48 assists in 89 games. Also, he has logged a 56.3 shooting percentage, averaging 10.3 points per game for his college career.

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Where is Rutgers ranked in the Big Ten Basketball Preseason Power Rankings?

After finishing last season No. 10 in the Big Ten Conference, where is Rutgers basketball ranked in the Big Ten Preseason Power Rankings?

After finishing the 2022-23 season as No. 10 in the Big Ten Conference, the Scarlet Knight will look to improve their conference record heading into the 2023-24 season. Where is Rutgers basketball ranked in the Big Ten Basketball Preseason Power Rankings?

According to On3, the Scarlet Knights are ranked No. 10 in their preseason Big Ten rankings as they gear up to kick off the 2023-24 season against the Princeton Tigers on November 6. Last season, Rutgers finished with a conference record of 10-10 and an overall record of 19-15.

With the absence of guards Cam Spencer and Paul Mulcahy, the Scarlet Knights will be searching for scoring in their backcourt heading into the upcoming season. Spencer and Mulcahy started a combined 62 games last season, scoring a combined average of 21.5 points per game.

Rutgers sophomore Derek Simpson and transfer guard Noah Fernandes will fill those empty backcourt positions for the Scarlet Knights. As a Freshman last season, Simpson averaged 12.7 points per game and started six games for the Scarlet Knights. As for Fernandes, the former UMass point guard is coming off a season-ending ankle injury and will look to provide some scoring for the Scarlet Knights in his last year of eligibility. Before his injury last season, he averaged 13.4 points and 4.1 assists in 11 games. 

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The Scarlet Knights will be anchored by their returning center, Cliff Omoruyi, one of the best rebounders and paint protectors. Omoruyi recorded 449 points, 325 rebounds, and 72 blocks for the Scarlet Knights last season.

With the return of forward Mawot Mag from a season-ending ACL injury, the Scarlet Knights are adding one of the best defenders in the conference to their starting lineup. In 2022-23, Mag started the first 23 games of the season before a season-ending injury, averaging 5.3 rebounds and 7.8 points per game.

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In the offseason, head coach Steve Pikiell and his staff added freshman Gavin Griffiths to their 2023-24 roster. Griffiths can easily be the top shooter in his class, something the Scarlet Knights were missing in 2022-23. According to 247Sports, Griffiths was the No. 20 recruit in the country, and he adds size, length, and athleticism to the Rutgers’ backcourt.

The biggest question for the Scarlet Knights is whether they can stay healthy, and can Pikiell get this group to play efficient defense while contributing consistent offense each night.

 

Breaking: Cliff Omoruyi is returning to Rutgers basketball

Cliff Omoruyi will return to Rutgers basketball for his senior season.

Rutgers basketball is getting one more year of Cliff Omoruyi. The center, who had tested the NBA draft waters, made his announcement on Wednesday night.

The news about Omoruyi’s return is a big development for Rutgers basketball, giving them a returning piece with All-Big Ten credentials. Omoruyi returns to the Big Ten as one of the best big men in the country.

Omoruyi is coming off a season of growth and development. Last season as a junior, he posted a career-high scoring average (13.2 points per game). He also had a career-high in rebounds  (9.6 per game) and blocks (2.1 per game).

Earlier this month at the G-League Elite Camp, Omoruyi had some strong flashes and performed very well in his opening game. As a starter, Omoruyi scored 12 points and added seven rebounds in Saturday’s win for ‘Team Four.’

With the return of Omoruyi, Rutgers has a team that has NCAA Tournament potential, especially with the offseason addition of Noah Fernandes out of the transfer portal.

A lot will be expected of Derek Simpson, the guard who flashed at times last season as a freshman for Rutgers. Also, incoming freshman Gavin Griffiths, a four-star, is expected to factor into the rotation and adds a strong shooting touch to the program.

Rutgers basketball: How did NBA draft prospect Cliff Omoruyi do at the G League Elite Camp?

Cliff Omoruyi had a strong weekend at the G League Elite Camp.

Rutgers basketball center Cliff Omoruyi showed well this weekend at the G League Elite Camp. The NBA draft hopeful certainly helped his professional aspirations and might have solidified himself as a player ready to take the next step in his professional.

It was two solid days for Omoruyi, even if he sparkled the most in his first game of the event. Omoruyi was assigned to ‘Team Four.’

As a starter, Omoruyi scored 12 points and added seven rebounds in Saturday’s win for ‘Team Four.’ As part of a design to see that all the players got their chance to be showcased before NBA scouts and teams, most players at the event started one of the two scheduled games.

On Sunday as part of a rotation of players and minutes, Omoruyi came off the bench, scoring three points and adding three rebounds in just 17 minutes.

He made his only shot in what was a loss for ‘Team Four.’

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He also measured and tested well:

  • Heigh: 6-feet-9 inches
  • Weight:
  • Hand-dimension (width): 11 inches
  • Standing reach: 9-feet and 2.5 inches
  • Wingspan: 7-feet and 6.25 inches

His height and weight at good, as is his body fat, which checked in at 6 percent.  But his wingspan and standing reach is impressive. His solid performance over the weekend coupled with his length should intrigue some scouts.

This was a fantastic weekend for Omoruyi, possibly even to the point where he will become a draftable player.

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Watch: Rutgers basketball’s Cliff Omouryi is putting on a show for NBA scouts

Cliff Omoruyi is looking good in the G-League camp.

Cliff Omoruyi might be gone, this after the former Rutgers basketball standout put together a strong showing at the G-League Elite Camp.

Omoruyi’s athleticism and potential was on full display and might mean that the Rutgers center is heading to the NBA draft and not back to college for one more season.

For those watching, Omoruyi is playing for ‘Team 4.’

In an 86-81 win over ‘Team 3,’ Omoryi was second on his team in his minutes played (21:04). He went 6-fot-7 from the floor, scoring 12 points (tied with two others for the team lead) and was second on his team with six total rebounds.

His opponent in Saturday’s game was Caleb McConnell, who scored three points with three rebounds and an assist in his team’s loss.

The story from Saturday was Omoruyi, who was fluid in transition and looked dominant in his showing. There is a very real chance that Omoruyi doesn’t return to Rutgers for a final season and instead enters the NBA draft or signs a deal in Europe.

Check out Omoryi’s strong Saturday performance:

 

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The 6-foot-10 Omoruyi averaged 13.2 points, 2.1 blocks and 9.4 rebounds last season as a junior. All three numbers were career highs for the talented Omoruyi, who was a former four-star recruit.

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Rutgers basketball: Cliff Omoruyi will test NBA draft waters, won’t sign with an agent

Rutgers basketball center Cliff Omoruyi will test the NBA draft waters.

Leaving open the chance for a return to the Rutgers basketball program, Cliff Omoruyi declared for the NBA draft on Thursday. The Scarlet Knights center is one of the main reasons why Rutgers has made the postseason each of the last three years, with two of those appearances coming in the NCAA Tournament.

Omoruyi averaged a career-high 13.2 points per game this past year, his third at Rutgers. He also averaged 9.6 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game, both impressive numbers.

He has seen growth in his ability as a scorer as well as his rebounding. Always a tenacious defender, Omoruyi has developed into one of the top post players in not just the Big Ten but also the nation.

Omoruyi released his statement about his intention to pursue a professional career on Thursday night.

 

“We are thrilled for Cliff to explore the opportunity of declaring for the 2023 NBA Draft,” Rutgers head coach Steve Pikiell said in a statement released by the program. 

“Cliff has become the ultimate ambassador for Rutgers on and off the basketball court and we will support him and his family through this exciting journey.”

Omoruyi has signaled that he will not hire an agent, thereby leaving the door open for his return to Rutgers for one more season.

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Should he stay or should he go? Former NBA scout breaks down Rutgers center Cliff Omoruyi’s NBA outlook

Michael Vandegarde breaks down the NBA outlook for Rutgers center Cliff Omoruyi.

The future of Cliff Omoruyi could well be decided in the next couple of weeks. Coming off another strong season at Rutgers, Omoruyi could opt to declare his intentions for the NBA draft or announce a return for one more season of college basketball.

It is certainly a nuanced decision for Omoruyi, brimming with potential and upside who has also shown steady, significant growth over the past three years at Rutgers.

This past season as a junior, Omoruyi averaged a career-high 13.2 points per game. His field goal percentage was down this year but he saw significant upticks in his rebounding and blocked shots.

But did he do enough to impress NBA teams?

Michael Vandegarde spent 18 seasons as a scout in the NBA with the Philadelphia 76ers. He took a look at Omoruyi’s last season at Rutgers with an eye to see if he is ready to head to the NBA.

“Cliff is a high-level athlete that has improved each and every year. He has some elite qualities as a college player which include his physical attributes, his defensive presence, his rebounding, and his quick twitch bounce,” Vandegarde told Rutgers Wire on Monday.

“His NBA future is a question mark, as Cliff is limited as an offensive player besides dunks and putbacks.”

Vandegarde is currently involved with CoachTube, an online coaching platform that allows users to get coaching from former and current professional and college athletes across multiple sports.

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In terms of Omoruyi, Vandegarde sees a player who is tough and talented, noting his ability as a defender. Omoruyi played consistently well throughout the season against some of the top post players in the Big Ten, including Purdue’s Zach Edey.

An All-American and a likely first round pick, in two games this season Edey was held below his usual scoring and rebounding average by Omoruyi.

Vandegarde sees the upside in Omoruyi, but thinks the Rutgers center needs more growth and development.

“Also, I am not sure how well he guards the pick and roll and covers smaller players defensively,” Vandegarde said.

“The NBA is all about playing multiple positions and being able to shoot from the perimeter which are two things he isn’t at this time. Currently, I would not project him as a draft pick and I think staying in school another year is his best option.”

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Rutgers men’s basketball all-time roster: Scarlet Knight Legends

Rutgers Wire celebrates the rich history of Rutgers men’s basketball with an all-time roster selection!

Contrary to those who think Rutgers just started playing basketball three years ago, the Scarlet Knights have a long and storied history on the court.

This includes a number of NBA players and some teams that are the stuff of lore, including the 1975-76 group that made a run to the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament.

And while the current era of Rutgers basketball, with the team on the cusp of a third straight NCAA Tournament, is the most successful spell in program history, there is a long and storied history of basketball at the school.

Rutgers Wire chose one head coach, two assistant coaches and 10 players to make up the all-time roster. Scroll down as we begin with the best head coach in Rutgers basketball history!