Eugene

[whofrewdatmataRU13]

Re-watching the game, this guy is always in the right spot at the right time. Seeing him start at the top of the key and time mikes miss for that putback, wow. Down the stretch in the last 6 minutes couple of huge rebounds as well. We got ourselves a player.

 

[rubaseball78]

You could see last year the talent was there but the skills needed to be developed. Pike and staff have done a great job with him.

 

[anon_0k9zlfz6lz9oy]

Hes been downright phenomenal all year.

Plays with poise, under control, knows his strengths, knows his weaknesses, always in the right spot, hustles, grabs boards, plays D on the 3-5. His leap from his freshman to soph year is insane. I have to imagine pike is showing off eugene to all 2019 forward recruits

 

[MadRU]

Remember Eugene was a late edition to the first recruiting class so the staff didn’t get much time to work with him individually prior to his freshman year.

Eugene is a great example of what this staff can do with a willing player.

 

[mikefla]

I think I heard he only started playing basketball in the 10th grade.
If so.....he has a HUGE upside & will get better every year

He definitely has CONFIDENCE this year !!

 

[higgins3]

I was waiting to either see a post, or start a post about how well Eugene played, and how important Omoyuri was to the team yesterday. Great game for himself, and the team. He could have gone up for a layup at the end, but he stutter stepped, and knew the RAC would lose the roof if the play commenced. Can't blame him.

Delgado had a rival on the floor.

Keep pushing,11. Oh canadaaaaaaa.

 

[scarlet night]

I love his game and attitude. I'm really enjoying how he's playing now but keep thinking of how good he will be in a year or two.

 

[ScarletNut]

Hes been downright phenomenal all year.

Plays with poise, under control, knows his strengths, knows his weaknesses, always in the right spot, hustles, grabs boards, plays D on the 3-5. His leap from his freshman to soph year is insane. I have to imagine pike is showing off eugene to all 2019 forward recruits

Nice post kyk, especially since you wanted him off the team after last season. Kudos to Pikiell and staff for seeing his potential and developing his game.

 

[ScarletLongIsland]

Plus he guarded Delgado really well

 

[anon_0k9zlfz6lz9oy]

Nice post kyk, especially since you wanted him off the team after last season. Kudos to Pikiell and staff for seeing his potential and developing his game.

Yup, as I've said Eugene went from being a kid that legitimately struggle to dribble a basketball last year one of our best players. Pike should go around the country showing tape of Eugene last year versus this year and reel in top forwards in the country

 

[RU_DIO]

I think Eugene takes another leap next year when he develops a consistent jump shot. He will be a match up nightmare.

 

[BillyC80]

Eugene's wrap-around pass to DeShawn was a thing of beauty. If Freeman had caught it cleanly it would hsve been a dunk and a nice assist for Gene. As it went Freeman got fouled and went to the line for critical FTs.

 

[shields]

The pass to Freeman was a great pass.

 

[FELONIOUSMONK]

It is amazing how many of these guys didn't find hoops until they were in high school or were playing soccer overseas somewhere.

 

[Sideline20]

Eugene is so easy to root for - heart of a lion, great attitude- hustles to every ball - I started calling him Mike Williams JUNIOR.....lol.......It's insane how much he has progressed....the sky is the limit for Eugene.

 

[AshCatchEm]

Yup, as I've said Eugene went from being a kid that legitimately struggle to dribble a basketball last year one of our best players. Pike should go around the country showing tape of Eugene last year versus this year and reel in top forwards in the country

watch souf get drafted next year lol

 

[whofrewdatmataRU13]

I think Eugene takes another leap next year when he develops a consistent jump shot. He will be a match up nightmare.

Yup, he knows thats what he needs to work on as well. Expect him to get up a lot of shots this summer.

 

[RutgersRaRa]

Re-watching the game, this guy is always in the right spot at the right time. Seeing him start at the top of the key and time mikes miss for that putback, wow. Down the stretch in the last 6 minutes couple of huge rebounds as well. We got ourselves a player.

That putback throwdown was sick.

 

[xkiesterx]

His improvement from last year is absolutely amazing. I don't know that I've ever seen a Rutgers player make such a jump in one year. Last year he was usually a liability.

 

[RUAEPI]

I followed the play by play on my phone, and he wasn't really popping out in the stats. I came home and watched the game, and your eyes don't lie. That kid is all over the place. he is special and will be a center stone the next 2 years of this team.

 

[Westcoast]

The pass to Freeman was a great pass.

I believe that whole sequence was a set play. Sanders held the ball killing clock then made 1 pass and Omoruyi attacked and dished like he had planned on it the whole time.

Critical spot and we got 2 fts out of it.

 

[FrankZ]

Struggling to figure out if Eugene is my favorite player or not is a good problem to have.

 

[RUby RED]

Struggling to figure out if Eugene is my favorite player or not is a good problem to have.

Good problem for sure. Most teams would be lucky to have guys play with half the intensity and passion of Eugene. Throw in the remarkable 1 year improvement and the endorsements of many claiming he worked the hardest of anyone this summer and you’ve got yourself a quality candidate for favorite player

 

[shields]

I wrote this before. John Battle averaged 2 points a game as a frosh. Was in NBA three years later. Can't judge on their freshman year. How hard does the kid work?

 

[littlenis5]

At this point, I think his floor is all-time fan favorite. If he develops a mid range jumper (which happens a lot for guys in their junior year) and gets more playing time, we’ll be talking all-conference. If he develops an outside shot, NBA scouts will be talking about him as the next Draymond Green.

 

[wheezer]

I wrote this before. John Battle averaged 2 points a game as a frosh. Was in NBA three years later. Can't judge on their freshman year. How hard does the kid work?

You beat me to it. John Battle is the best example of improvement one year to the next

 

[RUonBrain]

I love the passion he plays with.
Reminds me of Rodman.

The physical expressions on his face after he makes a great play is awesome and I think quite unique. I don't see anyone else doing this. He kind of tucks his chin in and locks his head/neck in place, and gives an intense stare.

It is easier to see this after he gets fouled and he is walking around with stiff limbs and with leg kicks and arms flailing around. Kind of hard to describe, but it is very distinctive and reflects his intensity.

Anyone else notice this and maybe can describe it better?

 

[whofrewdatmataRU13]

I love the passion he plays with.
Reminds me of Rodman.

The physical expressions on his face after he makes a great play is awesome and I think quite unique. I don't see anyone else doing this. He kind of tucks his chin in and locks his head/neck in place, and gives an intense stare.

It is easier to see this after he gets fouled and he is walking around with stiff limbs and with leg kicks and arms flailing around. Kind of hard to describe, but it is very distinctive and reflects his intensity.

Anyone else notice this and maybe can describe it better?

If you re watch his put back dunk you can see Corey imitate this from the sidelines. It's his signiture. Love it

 

[DirtyRU]

I am post-Battle as I didnt get into RU hoops until '94 but as far as player development goes jump-wise from one year to the next, since I've been a fan, no one comes even close to the jump EO has made with one exception: Damon Santiago from jr. to sr. year.

 

[BellyFullOfWhiteDogCrap]

Despite his struggles last year, Pike continued to rave about him. Coach knows.

 

[kcg88]

Eugene didn't play basketball until 10th grade. From what I understand, Peter Kiss' high school career was similar, he didn't really get into it until he was a sophomore. I hope we see a similar kind of improvement with him from last season with Quinnipiac to next season here.

 

[KnightDC]

that's how you build a program from ruins. 4-5 stars arent coming; takes great talent evaluation to see the potential in raw kids who have huge upside; then add pieces as you prove your system to more talented recruits, Pike and staff have done a great job.

Continuity of staff has been key as well. one of best recruits this year was Coach Hobbs staying.

 

[RUChoppin]

I find myself saying "I love this guy" multiple times per game.

 

[jellyman]

You beat me to it. John Battle is the best example of improvement one year to the next

Yup ... Also Damon Santiago, from Jr year to Sr year (albeit, i think coming off an injury).

 

[KevH]

Hes been downright phenomenal all year.

Plays with poise, under control, knows his strengths, knows his weaknesses, always in the right spot, hustles, grabs boards, plays D on the 3-5. His leap from his freshman to soph year is insane. I have to imagine pike is showing off eugene to all 2019 forward recruits

Yeah, I can't recall any other player making such a huge transformation in such a short period of time. Praiseworthy and jaw-dropping... kudos to EO and the RU coaching staff.

Edit: Didn't witness Battle's time on the banks, but did see Damon Santiago.

 

[ScarletLongIsland]

I also got a kick out of the behind the back dribble on the break by Eugene at around the 12 minute mark of second half

 

[MadRU]

I also got a kick out of the behind the back dribble on the break by Eugene at around the 12 minute mark of second half

You mean the one where Freeman picked his pocket? lol

 

[ScarletLongIsland]

You mean the one where Freeman picked his pocket? lol

Yes

 

[S_Janowski]

Eugene's wrap-around pass to DeShawn was a thing of beauty. If Freeman had caught it cleanly it would hsve been a dunk and a nice assist for Gene. As it went Freeman got fouled and went to the line for critical FTs.

Didn't realize how nice of a pass that was in person until I saw it on replay. Amazing pass with 1-2 seconds left on the clock.

 

[goru7]

I am post-Battle as I didnt get into RU hoops until '94 but as far as player development goes jump-wise from one year to the next, since I've been a fan, no one comes even close to the jump EO has made with one exception: Damon Santiago from jr. to sr. year.

Eric Clark senior year and Adrian Hill's senior year and Sean Axani's junior and senior years were extraordinary jumps from prior years. Just a few I remember over the last 40 years.