Rutgers Men’s Basketball Tips Off 2022-23 Campaign with Eyes on March
Over the past two years Rutgers men’s basketball has seen its national profile increase exponentially thanks to back-to-back trips to the NCAA tournament, the first time the program has been to the tournament in consecutive years since 1975 and 76.
Last season the Scarlet Knights made a huge statement in the Big Ten, stringing together impressive victories over top ranked Purdue in December, and four straight victories in February against 13th ranked Michigan State, 16th ranked Ohio State, 14th ranked Wisconsin, and 12th ranked Illinois on route to 12 victories in conference.
This year the Scarlet Knights hope to take an ever bigger step. How big? Well,Β two seasons ago, the Scarlet Knights won a NCAA Tournament game against Clemson. This year, they hope to go further.
One thing Rutgers has going for it as the season tips off tonight against Columbia at Jersey Mike’s Arena is continuity.Β According to Rutgers Athletics, “Rutgers basketball is returning the second-most minutes of any team in the Big Ten Conference at 63.5 percent.”
That is huge. Defensive Player of the Year Caleb McConnel returns for his fifth year, after opting not to go into the NBA draft last summer. McConnel, one of three team captains on this year’s squad, has had a highly decorated career at RU.
Some of his highlights include:
- First Rutgersβ player to win conference Defensive Player of the Year award since Hamady Ndiaye in 2009-10
- Also named Named Honorable Mention All-Big Ten and to Big Ten All-Defensive Team
- Led Big Ten in steals, setting new career-high in steals with 70 on the season.
- Was on the Watch List and a Semifinalist (top 5) for Naismith Defensive Player of the Year
- Had streak of four games of over four+ steals to key wins over No. 13 Michigan State (four) and No. 16 Ohio State (four), No. 13 Wisconsin (six) and No. 12 Illinois (four).
- His 21 steals over a five-game stretch tied him for second most in the Big Ten since 2002-03.
Meanwhile, Clifford Omoruyi returns for his junior year, also elevated to captain-status. At 6-11, 245 lbs, Omoruyi is considered one of the best centers in the Big Ten. He was an All Big Ten honorable mention and Big Ten Sportsmanship honoree last season.
First time under the lights at Jersey Mikeβsβ π‘βοΈ
— Rutgers Menβs Basketball π (@RutgersMBB) November 1, 2022
Canβt wait for Monday, Nov. 7βΌοΈ pic.twitter.com/MFyty4L452
Senior guard Paul Mulcahy, rounds out the trio of team captains. Mulcahy developed a reputation over the past two seasons as a clutch shooter, and led the Big Ten in conference play in assists (111 and 5.85 per game) last season. Mulcahy was also a Big Ten Honorable mention last year.
Keep an eye on Freshman Derek Simpson, who scored 12 points in a preseason game against Fairfield last week. He is a player to watch throughout the year, and is one of three freshman on the 2022-23 squad.
Record:
Head Coach Steve Pikiell is just two wins away from 100 victories as Rutgers head coach (98-91). Only five coaches have won 100 or more games as head coach of Men’s Basketball in program history. The most recent was Bob Wenzel who won 128 games when he coached RU from 1988-97.Β Pikiell is also five victories away from 300 in his career (295-265).
Tonight’s game against Columbia is sold out, as are all home games this year.Β Catch the game live on the airwaves on 93.5 FM, 1450 AM Fox Sports New Jersey, or streaming on foxsportsradionewjersey.com.
We are officially SOLD OUT of season tickets for 2022-23ποΈποΈποΈ
— Rutgers Menβs Basketball π (@RutgersMBB) October 25, 2022
YOU have helped us set a record. We can't wait to see Rutgers Nation on Nov. 7π‘οΈβοΈ
