Tag: Rutgers baskeball

Caleb McConnell, a Rutgers basketball legend, wins NBA G-League Championship with Oklahoma City Blue

Caleb McConnell wins the NBA G-League championship.

Former Rutgers basketball standout Caleb McConnell helped the Oklahoma City Blue make history this week. The Blue secured their first championship in team history by defeating the Maine Celtics in a best-of-three series, and McDonnell continued to be a lockdown defender.

While McConnell only played two minutes in the Blue’s 117-100 win on Monday, he added one offensive rebound to his resume. He was a mainstay in the lineup during the regular season, averaging 6.3 points and 5.4 rebounds per game. Like he did at Rutgers, McDonnell thrived on defense.

In his first season with the Oklahoma Blue, the former two-time Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year played in 32 games, starting 11. It is an experience that he did not take for granted.

 

“I am blessed to even get this experience to play beyond college in a top league like this,” McConnell told Rutgers Athletics. “I feel like I am just one step closer to achieving my dreams and aspirations. My first year in the NBA G-League was an awesome experience. I feel like this organization is run differently than other teams and I am just blessed to be a part of it.”

As McConnell prepares for a well-deserved offseason, he will look to build on his success. He averaged just under 20 minutes a game for the Blue. While his focus is on his professional career, McConnell has kept an eye on Rutgers basketball and is excited about what the future holds.

“I am so excited for next year, especially with some of the pieces we have coming in,” McConnell said. “Pikiell is bringing in all the right pieces. He deserves the best.”

Rutgers men’s basketball looking for second straight win over Wisconsin

Rutgers men’s basketball faces a big test this week at Wisconsin.

For the second time this season, Rutgers men’s basketball will face Wisconsin on Thursday night. Rutgers won the first meeting between these two teams in February 78-56. They will be looking to continue that success on the road.

Entering this matchup, Rutgers has just one win in their last five games. Their only win in that span came against Michigan on February 29. As they look to improve their record in conference play, Rutgers will need to limit AJ Storr.

Through 29 games, Storr has been Wisconsin’s best player offensively. The Rockford, Illinois native is averaging a team-high 16.1 points per game this season. In his last four games, Storr has scored 57 points and added 15 rebounds to his resume.

 

While Rutgers will have their hands full trying to stop the talented guard, they will be looking for Clifford Omoruyi to have a big game. In Rutgers’ last win, Omoruyi put together one of his best performances of the season. He scored 19 points and added 15 rebounds to his resume as Rutgers snapped a three-game losing streak.

[lawrence-related id=35999,35970]

This game also represents an opportunity for Rutgers to improve their road record. They are 3-8 away from Jersey Mike’s Arena. However, Wisconsin has been hard to beat at home, with a 13-3 record at the Kohl Center.

Rutgers basketball recruiting: Nigel James, a 4-star guard, has looked good at the City of Palms Classic

Rutgers basketball recruit Nigel James looks the part this week at the City of Palms Basketball Classic.

Nigel James showed over the past week that he certainly belongs as one of the nation’s top players. The four-star guard

James transferred to Long Island Lutheran (Brookville, New York) this offseason. It has been a good move for both the player and the program, with James off to a strong start and Long Island Lutheran rolling to an 8-0 record against a national schedule.

James’ squad swept through the City of Palms Classic, winning all three of their games. This includes a win over Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, New Jersey) and then on Saturday night a 76-62 win over Link Academy (Branson, Missouri).

Rutgers basketball is among the teams involved with James, who took an official visit to the program this fall. He is ranked a four-star recruit by ESPN.

He is the No. 99 player in the nation according to 247Sports.

The class of 2025 guard was strong in the win over Link Academy with 13 points, three rebounds and two assists.

 

[lawrence-related id=33363,33361]

The City of Palms Basketball Classic is one of the nation’s top events, drawing some of the best teams but also individual talent. The tournament was certainly good for Rutgers, with a five-star guard Dylan Harper and five-star forward Airious ‘Ace’ Bailey putting in dominant performances.

 

Steve Pikiell hoping to rebound from Rutgers basketball’s latest loss

Rutgers basketball struggled to rebound in their latest loss.

Steve Pikiell said it is on him to address his team’s rebounding woes. The Rutgers basketball head coach’s comments came after his team was dominated on the glass in a 70-60 loss to Mississippi State.

In a year where it was obvious that Rutgers basketball was re-loading and getting ready for its top-10 class coming in next year, there was always going to be a bit of a talent deficiency. But it was still surprising to see Rutgers get out-rebounded 47-26 on Saturday afternoon.

The hallmark of Rutgers the last five years under Pikiell has been its toughness. And with one of the Big Ten’s top centers in Cliff Omoruyi returning for his senior year, it is especially surprising to see Rutgers get out-worked off the glass the way they did on Saturday.

“I watched too much film and I think they are one of the best defensive teams in the country and I thought for twenty minutes we hung around, but it’s on me to figure out this rebounding thing,” Pikiell told reporters after the game.

“We didn’t do a great job on the backboard and obviously that led to free throws. We played an NCAA tournament team and I told our guys if we can find a way for 40 minutes then we would have a chance. This was a big, physical basketball game and we didn’t take care of the backboards the way we needed to.”

Omoruyi had 3 points and no rebounds against Mississippi State. He played just 20 minutes with foul trouble.

[lawrence-related id=33363,33361]

Rutgers saw their two-game winning streak snapped and are now 7-4 (0-1 Big Ten) on the season.

Figuring out the rebounding issue ahead of the start of the Big Ten regular season schedule. Keeping Omoruyi on the court and out of foul trouble would help Rutgers find some balance in rebounding.

“He was in foul trouble today and that was really tough. He never really got into the flow at all. We played on some runs without him and when I left him in he got two quick fouls right away,” Pikiell said.

“We couldn’t get a break today and obviously, we need Cliff. He’s very good, but it’s a team game and it’s on me to make sure he doesn’t get into foul trouble. We have to play better as a group and I have to do better.”

Aundre Hyatt leads Rutgers to win over Bryant

Rutgers basketball is now 2-1 following a win over Bryant.

Aundre Hyatt shined on Sunday afternoon as Rutgers improved to 2-1 with a 66-57 win over Bryant. Rutgers has now won two straight after losing their season opener to Princeton.

During that span, they have scored at least 65 points in both victories.

After scoring 140 points in their previous game, Bryant’s offense struggled on Sunday. Rutgers forced 14 turnovers, while Bryant committed 25 fouls. They also had no answer for Hyatt, who had arguably his best game of the season.

 

The Bronx native scored a team-high 19 points and was a force on the boards with eight rebounds. Only Clifford Omoruyi had more rebounds, finishing the afternoon with 15. Hyatt has been a scoring machine of late, with 39 points in his last two games.

[lawrence-related id=32022,32020]

However, Hyatt was not the only Rutgers player who had a good afternoon. Omoruyi and Derek Simpson both had more than 10 points. The talented duo scored a combined 25 points and dished out five assists against a Bryant defense that struggled all afternoon.

Rutgers will now get two days off before they welcome Georgetown to Jersey Mike’s Arena on Wednesday. The matchup will be the first of the Gavitt Tipoff Games. Georgetown is off to a 1-1 start after losing to Holy Cross on Saturday, 68-67.

Rutgers basketball: Clifford Omoruyi named to Naismith top 50 watch list

Cliff Omoruyi makes a prestigious national watch list.

With the 2023 college basketball season underway, expectations are high for Clifford Omoruyi. During his college career, the Benin City native has been a force on the boards for Rutgers and one of their best players offensively. Due to his play, he is getting recognition for his impact on a national level.

On Monday, Omoruyi was named to the top 50 Naismith Trophy Watchlist, given to the National Player of the Year by the Basketball Hall of Fame. He is the first Rutgers player to make the preseason watchlist since Ron Harper Jr. in 2021. While it is an impressive accomplishment for the Rutgers center, he is focused on helping his team win.

“I’m super excited for the team this year,” Omoruyi told Rutgers athletics. “Being a leader alongside Aundre (Hyatt) and Mawot (Mag) an Oskar (Palmquist) is exciting. We all want to win. We want to put game balls and trophies in Coach (Steve) Pikiell’s office. We have a goal of winning the Big Ten Championship and personally, I want to be the best player I can be for my teammates.”

 

In Rutgers season opener, Omoruyi shined as he led the Scarlet Knights in points with 12 and rebounds with seven. However, the Scarlet Knights could not take advantage of his play as they lost to Princeton 68-61.

As the season progresses, Omoruyi’s play will be watched closely. The Naismith trophy watch list will be cut down to the nation’s top 30 players in February, and four finalists will be selected in March. On April 2, the winner will be announced at the Final Four.

What to make of Rutgers basketball’s season opening loss to Princeton?

Rutgers basketball dropped its season opener to Princeton 68-61 in an in-state matchup. Here are the five takeaways from RU’s season opener.

On Monday, Rutgers men’s basketball (0-1, 0-0) dropped their season opener to the Princeton Tigers (1-0, 0-0) 68-61 in an in-state matchup as part of the Jersey Jam in Trenton, New Jersey.

Princeton led most of the game, as there were only five lead changes in this New Jersey matchup. The Tigers’ ability to shoot behind the arc is the key to the Scarlet Knights’ loss in their season opener. Princeton shot 45 percent (9-for-20) from three-point range as the Scarlet Knights struggled behind the arc, shooting only 29 percent (4-for-14).

[lawrence-related id=31685]

 

Princeton senior guard Matt Allocco led the way for the Tigers, recording a team-high 21 points and nine rebounds. On the glass, forward Caden Pierce had a team-high 15 rebounds for the Tigers.

As for the Scarlet Knights, senior center Cliff Omoruyi led the way in scoring. The former First Team All-Big Ten Defensive center recorded a team-high 12 points along with seven rebounds and four blocks.

In his Rutgers debut, UMass transfer Noah Fernandes contributed ten points and three assists in 26 minutes. Also, second-year forward Antwone Woolfolk contributed double-digit points (10) in 19 minutes.

Below are the five takeaways from Rutgers’ season-opening loss to Princeton.

 

Ace Bailey, several Rutgers basketball recruits are selected for USA Basketball October mini-camp

Rutgers basketball commit Ace Bailey headlines the USA Basketball minicamp in October.

Four players with varying ties to Rutgers basketball were included on the initial roster for the USA Basketball minicamp that is scheduled for October.

The list of Rutgers recruits includes Dylan Harper, Airious Bailey, Darius Adams, and Tre Johnson. Bailey, one of the top players in the country, committed to Rutgers earlier this year.

In addition to improving their skills, the players participating will participate in various educational programs presented by USA Basketball, the NCAA, and the NBA Development program.

For the Scarlet Knights, the mini-camp could provide a preview of the future. Bailey is a five-star recruit and the No. 3 overall player in the 2024 class, per 247Sports’ rankings. Harper is also one of the top players in the 2024 class and already has Rutgers ties. His brother Ron Harper Jr., who is currently a member of the Toronto Raptors, spent his college days at Rutgers. 

 

Adams and Johnson are still a few years away from their collegiate debuts, as they are part of the 2025 class and have offers from the Scarlet Knights.

[lawrence-related id=30484,30466]

As this talented group competes against the best, their progress will be closely watched. For players in the 2024 class, it should build confidence for next year. 

 

Rutgers basketball recruit Lathan Sommerville moves up in the 247Sports national rankings

Lathan Sommerville moves up in the national rankings.

Lathan Sommerville is moving on up. The Rutgers basketball commit made a nice jump in the rankings tthis week according to 247Sports.

During the summer, Sommerville was ranked the No. 133 recruit in the nation by 247Sports. But after a strong summer, he is now No. 102, making a significant leap in the national rankings; he remains a three-star according to the 247Sports evaluators.

With the bump, he is also No. 82 in the 247Sports Composite. In the national composite, Sommerville is a four-star.

Rivals and ESPN also rank Sommerville as a four-star, bumping his overall ranking in the 247Sports Composite.

Sommerville committed to Rutgers from a top seven that included Villanova, Rutgers, Seton Hall, Bradley, Xavier, Missouri and Virginia Tech. A 6-foot-10 center from the Skill Factory (Atlanta, GA), he is very strong in the post but his agility in transition has really stood out this summer.

[lawrence-related id=30101,30085]

A strong rebounder and defensive presence, Sommerville committed to Rutgers in April.

“I believe Rutgers is the best fit for me because they adjust to their players and nothing is promised there,” Sommerville said after he committed. “I love and trust the coaches so that made it even easier.”