I am likely to do a post mortem on most RU games, time permitting. This one may be shorter than most (which some will laugh at given my tendency for lengthy posts).

So ... Here goes, with a high level summary:

1) To begin with, this game comes with a major caveat. Yes, Wagner went to the NCAA last year after winning the NEC tourney. And, yes, Wagner is favored, along with Central Connecticut St, as pre-season co-champions. But ... Last season, Wagner was 14-15 going into the NEC tourney (a losing record) ... and lost its top 3 players from last year. This year's starting line-up was made up of entirely of last season's next 5 top players (#4-8). I say all this because, though I thought RU played very good defense (other than its defensive rebounding), and was relatively efficient offensively (50% FG, though just 30% 3-point FG), and made Wagner look really bad for most of the game, I wonder ... Wagner did not LOOK like a pre-season co-champion favorite, even from a bad conference. Of course, this game, the 1st game, against a low level conference team, and without Bailey, does not mean much (unless RU really struggled) ... but maybe it means even less, if Wagner is actually NOT a good team.

2) RU had a real rebounding problem: both weak defensive rebounding (especially in the 2nd half), AND offensive rebounding. I do not know the answer. Does the coaching staff have an answer? Maybe the only answer is for the team to achieve in other areas to offset this weakness ... like scoring more, and more efficiently. Still ... a team with a strong scoring and rebounding frontcourt could cause real damage to RTU that cannot be offset, unless Pikiell and staff can figure out how to help the team be a better rebounding team.

3) RU won easily, even with flaws ... always a good sign. Here are the flaws RU overcame to win going away (by 23, but with 1 minute left it was a 29 point margin): a) RU was missing its #1 or #2 player; b) Very poor defensive rebounding, allowing WAY too many offensive rebounds, especially in the 2nd half; c) Very poor offensive rebounding - only 4, 2 of which were team rebounds; d) Poor FT shooting - though Harper was 1-6 FT, which would seem like an extreme anomaly, unlikely to repeat itself. Surely there were other team flaws, but those come to mind. Yet, it is a good sign, IMO, when a team can win easily without playing its "A" game, and missing its expected top scorer.. I am sure RU will struggle in some games, not even playing as well as they did vs Wagner ... AND ... I am sure RU will ALSO play better in other games, even against better teams.

Players (mostly quick comments):

Harper: Oddly enough, in my opinion, it is a GREAT sign that everyone (announcers, commentators post game, fans etc.) was "wowed" with his control, his ability to get to the rim at will, his ability to finish at the rim (make his at-rim shots) through contact, his improved defense (vs the St. John's game), his vision and passing ... all in a game in which I felt Harper did not even have his "A" game. Yes, he was good, and yes he of course keyed the game and was RU's best player in the game (as he often will). Still, I felt he forced things a little more than he should (more so than in the St. John's exhibition game),leading to his 4 TO ... and he was just 1-6 FT. Well, maybe I am nitpicking ... but I just felt while watching the game that we are going to see Harper play many games better ... which, IS very exciting.

Ogbole: Very poor game. Not just the fouls ... his few minutes were not because of fouls, but because he played poorly. His biggest issue in THIS game was a complete lack of good defensive footwork, and a lack of sound defensive fundamentals. That does not mean he will play like this in all games, but in THIS game he was very poor. His major defensive problem in THIS game was he played entirely behind Wagner's post player, and let him establish position way too close to the hoop, and never tried to reposition the offensive player by either his strength, partial fronting, or by moving his feet. Ogbole played much better defense against a better post player versus St. Johns - but was notably poor vs Wagner. He earned only getting 5 minutes of time.

Sommerville: Terrific start to his career. The offensive moves were obviously highly skilled, with excellent footwork and excellent body control. He was solid with defensive rebounding, as well. And his defense, even against a lesser player than he faced in the exhibition vs St. Johns, was vastly improved, with solid fundamentals and excellent defensive footwork. And what a passer, eh? Sommerville will struggle, surely, in some games. But he also showed some real potential. Maybe ... RU will get more games than not from Sommerville like this ... and maybe a few games of better than what he did in this game from Ogbole? One can hope, eh?

Williams: Excellent, solid game. Even with the shoulder, he was controlled, played terrific defense, occasionally explosive offensively, and an important part of breaking down the Wagner defense, as well as pushing the pace in transition.

Derkack: He is going to be an important part of the rotation. His athleticism is evident, his defense is very strong, he can rebound a bit ... his offense is still a work in progress, especially against better teams. he will make some frustrating decisions and moves (especially in the half-court offense), and some electrifying ones (especially on defense and in transition). But he will play.

Davis: I thought he was excellent vs Wagner. His on-ball and recovery defense were simply outstanding - as I expect it will be in most games. And his decision-making was really good offensively this game. I did not see any forced shots. When he drove into the lane, he looked to pass out to open teammates. He kept the ball moving, passing - it did not stick to his hands ... including giving up several open shots to pass to better shooters on his team for better shots. Yes, he was 0-3 from 3-point range. But all were wide open, unforced, shots (I think 2 or all 3 were from Harper, costing Harper a couple of assists). He and Derkack will lose minutes when Bailey is available, but Davis was excellent, IMO ... oh yeah, 5 assists, 0 turnovers and 3-4 FT, plus a few rebounds.

Hayes and Martini: Did what they were brought in to do: Hit their open 3's. Hayes also was at least OK on defense (and certainly showed great willingness on D), and made several really good cuts to the basket. Martini his his 1st 3's and was solid on defense (not great but solid).

Acuff: I though he played a solid offensive floor game (though he did not hit many shots), though still not quite in full GAME shape ... my son felt the ball stuck to his hands too much in the half court, unlike with Davis or Williams, thus reducing the flow of RU's offense when he had the ball. Regardless, his defense was ... poor. Many times in his just 14 minutes he was unable to cover his man, fooled, beaten or out of position ... this would be a problem. Richie O thinks Acuff is RU's 6th man. Pre-season and injury I thought Acuff would likely be RU's offensive spark off the bench. My son thinks Acuff should be RU's TENTH (10th) man, behind the normal starters - Bailey, Harper, Williams, Martini and the Center - as well as Derkack, Hayes and Davis and the 2nd center. We shall; see. My early read currently is that Hayes should get minutes over Acuff, if that is the choice ... and that Davis and Derkack do things needed off the bench that Acuff cannot do (play-making and defense).

On Acuff, vs let's say Williams (not that the comparison is between those 2): Williams is the FAR better player - and during his full college career has ALWAYS been the better prospect and better player, last season's scoring explosion by Acuff notwithstanding. Derkack may also be better - other than 3-point FG% ... and Davis fills a totally different role.

Grant/Dortch: Glad Grant got a couple of minutes - and hope he does so in the next couple of game also. But he is clearly thw 11th man, and a prime candidate for a redshirt ... no judgment on his 2 missed shots ... but he did alos get 2 nice rebounds. Dortch si almost certainly going to be redshirted - and hopefully will return next year (rather than transfer) with another year of learning, physical strength improvement, etc.

I know that is a long shot, but all 3 remaining games are very winnable. Let's get some payback against Terps.

There will be lots of whining and complaining in the game thread. Mark it down.

Rutgers ekes out a small win 17-14 or 20-17 in a defensive slugfest.

I storm the field alone, and someone here will bail me out of the local pokey?

Look forward to seeing what they had to say

we keep talking about the need for huge donors. We have one In the Towers.

I sure hope someone is capitalizing on the SHI relationship beyond just the naming rights


Leo is the third largest shareholder of Tesla behind Elon and Larry Ellison and that stock has been on a year lately.

Leo estimated net worth $6B and Thai, his ex-wife, estimated at $3B

Get them to be our program changers

Been begging for a performance like that. Great job by the Darkside

For a developmental program it doesn’t seem like we’ve developed much. I can’t recall a Schiano defense this bad. Thank gid basketball and wrestling season started.

At the outset, the Minnesota Game looks like a Wisconsin style beatdown. They play really tough defense, and are within the Top 10 in Scoring Defense. They are very tough against the pass. Their quarterback, Max Brosmer, sports a phenomenal 68.2% passing completion %, mostly to Darrell Jackson, the Big Tens leading returning receiver, and their leading rusher Darius Taylor, is capable of dropping 150+ rushing yards on the opposing team. They’ve beaten USC and UCLA, among others, and lost tough games to Michigan, Iowa, and North Carolina to go 6-3, thus far. With remaining games against Penn State and Wisconsin, they are looking at this game as the most winnable of the remaining games. For Rutgers, Minnesota is the least winnable of the remaining games.

Nevertheless, Rutgers must find away, because even though these are the toughest days of the season, and we are significantly banged up, we are quickly running out of opportunities, to go bowling. Somehow, some way, we’ve got to win 2 additional games to maintain the perception of progress. Otherwise, it will be very difficult to maintain the recruiting success we saw with last years class.

Thankfully, there’s enough talent to take down Minnesota. It all starts with #5 Kyle Monangai, who has Heisman level talent, but saw significantly diminished production after Left Guard, Brian Felter went down. Taj White replaced him, and is doing his best, while he acclimates to this level of play. Was happy to meet his parents at the LAX baggage claim, and told them to tell him to “Just Keep Chopping!” Overall he’s done a good job, considering the circumstances. Getting back to Kyle, we need him to be “Big Game Kyle”, and for him to put up 150-200 rushing yards against Minnesota. Though he was beaten up against USC, it’s expected he will play vs Minnesota. Incidentally, Iowas Kaleb Johnson rushed for 206 yards, against Minnesota so Rutgers must use the same template.

We will need QB Athan Kaliakmanis, to have a big game as well. Overall he played well against USC, but did miss a number of TD throws. We need him to throw for 300+ yards and better than a 60% completion %. Hopefully since he knows Minnesota’s personnel well, it will help.

Athans favorite target has been Dymere Miller, who had 11 catches for 131 yards and a touchdown vs USC. We’ll need 100+ receiving yards from him Saturday. Korey Duff and Ben Black will complement his efforts. The trio have made it tough for anyone else to see time, and have significantly strengthened the effectiveness of the WR Corp. though Dremel and Long might get a few opportunities.

While the offense looks ready to continue progressing, the defense has struggled terribly, as of late. We went from having two NFL ready DEs and two NFL ready LBers to kids who are struggling, while they learn the ropes. Outstanding LB Tyreem Powell has played some, but his effectiveness has been significantly diminished by injury. We also have a freshman seeing significant time in the secondary, who struggled against USC. So the opposing offenses in the last two games scored at will, and Rutgers gave up 42 points to USC and 35 points to UCLA. We have to get much better in our reads, run fits, and tackling. Maybe it’s time to play the freshman linebackers. Based on what I’ve observed thus far, we don’t have anything to lose. Washington beat USC thanks to the efforts of their outstanding senior LB Carson Bruener and true freshman LB, Kamari House. Hope one of our freshman can have a similar impact.

The season is at the crossroads and we must finish strong. Beat Minnesota, and we are a lock to go bowling. Let’s get it!

It’s easy to criticize Schiano for in game management and lack of roster depth in the program in year 5, poor special teams play this year, I know I have. But, he deserves credit for something he is good at which is keeping his team with the belief to fight (CHOP philosophy) and compete. This team competed hard today and showed no signs of quitting on the season. They definitely looked a little healthier on defense, at least to me, so the week off helped for sure. Who knows, maybe many guys were still out there on defense and were banged up but still managed to perform today, if so, that’s a credit to Greg for being able to get guys to compete and buying in. He can’t manage a game that well, but he can manage getting players to buy in. I think he deserves credit for that in a season where he has faced legit criticisms, but in this instance he deserves legit credit.

Everyone is already breaking records throwing against us,
Bring the safety down, get a nose man on the center, sell out for TFL’s and blitz on obvious passing downs.

PJ Rows the Boat
Scarlet Knights sink their season
Teacher schools student

Get one more and let’s get to a bowl. I’m headed to Maryland next week so hopefully we can get it done there.

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When Matt Rhule defeated Colorado in early September, apparently all was well.....but Nebraska didn't move the ball that well vs the Buffs.....and then Nebraska defeated RU 14-7, but the grumbles grew louder about the offense.

Then an awful blowout at Indiana and Nebraska bounced back with a strong effort at Ohio State, but couldn't execute offensively in crunch time.....Then Nebraska loses a home game to UCLA and is in jeopardy of not making a bowl game for a 9th year in a row....in comes Dana Holgerson to hopefully fix 5* QB Raiola......

The way we are currently built, we will always be on the razors edge of winning or losing.

Looking at next years schedule, it’s particularly difficult with losses to Penn State, Ohio State, Iowa and Oregon already built in. There are only four games we should win: Miami of Ohio, Ohio, Purdue, and TBD. The rest are 50/50 games: Maryland, Minnesota, Illinois, and Washington.
Need to find two wins out of these to go bowling.

This season has been a disappointment but I don't think our schedule was as easy as we thought it was in the beginning of the year. UCLA is not a bad football team. They just had an absolutely BRUTAL schedule before they played us. Indiana is legit. Then they played LSU and Oregon, followed by Penn State and Minnesota. So their record was deceiving. They recently beat Iowa and Nebraska. We had a chance in the Nebraska and UCLA games. We weren't beating USC on the road and Wisconsin was an ass whooping. But the UCLA loss is less disheartening seeing how they are playing now. It's a 6 point spread against a red hot Minnesota team but I think we have a shot. Go knights.

Shocking that RU did not burn any timeouts in the first half. RU usually burns a couple just due to confusion. I wonder when the last time that happened.

Great to be bac@therac for what potential could be the most exciting season at the Banks since the days of Phil the Thrill in 76. Usually a team will bring back some familiar faces but this years Rutgers is truly a new beginning. Cliff and Aundre are gone and any of the link to the Geo/Ron glory years are extinguished. That chapter has been written, published and well read. Pikiell begins to write a new book...well give the one year stays this year, let us call this one a short story.

This is likely to be one of my shortest recaps of the season. All in all, it was a very solid performance and what you would like to see from a home opener. Yes it sucked that Ace was out because the anticipation of seeing Ace and Dylan in a real game together is one that Rutgers fans and NBA scouts have been waiting for. That will have to wait hopefully only til next game. Still it was actually a good test without Ace to see if the team could come together and make up for his absence. They clearly did even as Wagner who was picked to win the Northeast Conference really seemed week and not really up to the challenge to make the game competitive beyond the first 5 minutes.

First of all I have not seen an effortless talent like Dylan Harper ever in my 35 plus years of Rutgers fandom. There is no need to worry about a freshmen to get his feet wet when he is already NBA level talent at 18. Harper was smooth and his first bucket which was a 3 was a memorable swoosh to begin his Rutgers chapter. Such great court vision and awareness and confidence beyond his years. Not sure we are taking the time to appreciate and realize how good he is. 9-14 fg with 4 assist and 3 boards for 20 points. Only knock was the funky 1-6 ft shooting but not worried about that. I like how he really didnt force much and got others involved. My highlights would have to be his steal for a bucket nearing halftime and his dunk assisted by J Will in the 2nd half to balloon the lead to 22.


As I mentioned Rutgers had some trouble settling in early and were down 10-5. Much of it to me is just having to start Ogobole and I mean I just have to say right now he is not really up to the level even playing a NEC team. RU couldnt get untracked in the first few minutes in both halves with Ogobole starting. Something to watch going forward but its almost like he has to start to ease Lathan in. After Lathan came in, RU start to unfurl and assert themselves. Much of this was buoyed by Lathan who ran off 9 point and grabbed a few boards as part of a throttling 20-0 run over the course of 11 minutes to push the lead to 25-10 which effectively put the game away. The highlight for Lathan was a sweet assist from J Mike for a lay in plus an ugly looking but fortituous 3 point bounce in. Clearly, Rutgers is a better team with Lathan in the game. Yet forcing a freshmen to play starting minutes and 30 minutes a game may not be the best thing. So coming off the bench at least for now may be the best approach to effectively get the most out of him and take the least out his reserve before the tougher games arrive. Yes its only Wagner who didnt have much size but 11 points in 27 minutes on 4-7 fg and 2-2 ft with 8 boards is a pretty solid beginning. Didnt get many offensive rebounds if I want to nitpick but neither did the team as a whole with just 4 to Wagner's 12. Obviously this center position and rebounding look like the early choice for the achilles heel for this season. It will be up to Pike to work his magic like a talisman to hide these weaknesses once league play begins.

Did not attend the St John's game so I was very pleasantly surprised from the play of PJ Hayes. He isnt a player that is going to overwhelm you with his talent but I think "Babyface" is going to be as consistent and tough as they come. You can really see why Pikiell recruited him. Workhouse player and finally a guy that can drain an open 3. Ended up playing the 2nd most minutes at 28, 11 points, 4-6 fg, 2-4 from 3 and 2-2 ft, just in one game you can see the upgrade over the much ballyhooed and much maligned Gavin Griffiths. Not even close. Can he be as good vs Big 10 schools as he was tonight against Wagner. I think so and if he can geez Rutgers has a lot of potent options on offense.

Good to see Jeremiah out there. Rumors of an injury but looked solid today after taking a bit to get untracked. 4-6 fg, 10 points in 24 minutes. He is going to be counted on for his leadership as really one of only 2 players from last year to play significant minutes. The other J Mike was solid tonight. He dished out 5 assists and nailed 3-4 ft which has been a bugaboo for him. Also 2 unlikely blocks. So yeah the shots didnt fall at 0-4 but thats okay, he is not being counted on for that. There will be games this year where these two are pressed on by Pikiell to execute and settle this team down

Derkack is such a tough scrappy little player much like PJ. 5 boards and 2 steals showed some tenacity under the rim and had a nice putback in traffic. 3-5 fg on 8 points getting the start but playing 21 minutes. Brings that intangible to games that goes beyond someones recruiting ranking.

There is a third of the trio of blue collar kids in Zach Martini who looked good out there...3-5 fg including a couple of trey for 10 points and added 5 boards. Do not think he can play the center spot beyond a spot minute but is another nice option at the 4 and he and PJ got more minutes tonight with Ace out.

Acuff trying to come back from injury looks a step behind right now...just 1-5 fg and that was a 3 late in 14 minutes. Have to see how quickly he can catch up but the minutes are going to be competitive

Just 3 minutes for Dylan Grant and that will happen with a freshman on a deep team.

For me the defense was better than I heard for St Johns. Obviously when you shut your opponent out for 11 minutes, you are doing something right so its a pleasant surprise for me. Also tough for Pike to get these to committ to playing a full game against a team that just did not have the fortitude or physicality to ever make this a game. So good job by Pike to keep them interested. Team played hard throughout and right to the end so like the eagerness to get better. Offensively this team can score and its refreshing not to worry about the team running the shot clock down and trying to force ugly shots. Solid ball movement. There were a few times where they were a bit too eager to shoot rather than make that one extra pass but cannot argue too much. Even the misses they had in the first half were all good looks especially from 3 they just did not go in. Everything changes with Ace and yes it will be important to have as many games as possible with Ace integrated with the teams normal rotation before Vegas. Yet as I said it also benefits the team to get a game or two without him to fall back on.

Crowd was decent especially for a 6PM game, not the full sellout they claim but still upwards over 6500 and got to love wearing shorts to the RAC and walking out and its still 70 plus after the game.

St Peters up next and they gave Seton Hall a tussle losing only 57-53 so careful with this game but know that this Rutgers team is already an upgraded of what we were subjected to early last season

It's early November 2024 and 2 years ago, there was a schedule out but it looked dramatically different than it is today BEFORE the Pac 12 realignment/collapse Why does that matter??

Would the B1G have essentially eliminated the divisions of East and West?? Probably not.

So why mention this on a game day....?? Because Minnesota, Illinois, Maryland and Michigan State, Nebraska, Iowa, Northwestern, Wisconsin etc are supposed to be programs that RU is closing the gaps on.....we would not be discussing a winning season in 2024, if Michigan, Penn State or Ohio State we're on the schedule.

What if the schedule held these teams??

Ohio State (Road)
Penn State (Home)
Michigan State (Road)
Michigan (Home)
Maryland (Road)
Indiana (Home)
Nebraska (Road)
Minnesota (Home)
Illinois (Home) or NW (Road)
VTech
Akron
Howard

Would RU fans think we would be 4-4 or have a chance to be 7-5 or 8-4, with this schedule above??

OR

Would a 4-8 or 5-7 schedule be considered another small step forward??

With Indiana now a red hot program, with a new coach and system, we could have been looking at a 0-6 East division finish, unless fans want to speculate that RU would have defeated this 2024 version of Michigan in Piscataway.

I think the injuries are the new item to use as the reason we may be struggling BUT I also think getting Minnesota, UCLA, Washington, Wisconsin and Illinois all in Piscataway and not Michgan, Penn State and a visit to Ohio State changed the perceived progress in recruiting and GS 2.0.

Can GS salvage this season today?? Because the schedule next year looks like it would have if there was no realignment/Pac 12 entry of USC, UCLA, Oregon and Washington....competing today has to happen, we can't use injuries as the reasons why we are not.