Step by step, one by one
Higher, then higher
Step by step, rung by rung
I'm climbing Jacob's ladder
All I want from tomorrow
Is to get it better than today
The Purdue loss put Rutgers about 5 and a half feet into the grave. Is it true its always darkest before dawn. Every game after Purdue became about just getting through the next game to breath again. UCLA was about going 1-0. Rutgers did it. Rutgers breaths. Its all they can do. Next up Nebraska, a terribly difficult place to play vs a team who had won 20 in a row including knocking off a few Big 10 stalwarts during that time. Go 1-0. They did. Reaching another step out of the dirt...maybe 4 feet down. All about 1-0. That is all they can do. Do not talk NCAA, this team is still only 4-8 in Q1/2/3...go 1-0, go 1-0 again..then talk. Put one foot in front of the other and soon you'll be walkin out the door. If you want to change your direction. If your time of life is at hand. Well don’t be the rule be the exception. A good way to start is to stand
In one week, Coach Pikiell went from persona non grata to a coaching necromancer. Granted alot of the reaction to the aftermath of landing at 8-8 following the Purdue debacle was a bit over the top by many including me. Still no one could deny where RU did sit following that game and the disappointment that Rutgers fans were feeling. Harper was ill true but everything looked a mess. Yet isnt it funny how every season in college hoops, things take twists and turns. Rutgers did a 180 in their last two games finding an extra gear one that really wasnt there at any part this season. And it is 2 games remember that, stringing 1-0s together does not erase the pretty big hole the program dug for itself. A lineup change and some unexpected surprises from the bench. Just what kind of witchcraft is Pikie practicing in the RWJ Barnabas Health Atlhletic Performance Center. The UCLA game was nice but that was at the RAC and it wasnt exactly a thing of beauty. This one... a Quad 1 road win now this is a sexy win.
First I am not starting with Ace or Dylan and yes we take them for granted and they of course delivered the big moments that sealed the game. Yet it was the supporting cast that did all the things Rutgers fans had dreamt they would do coming into the season. The missing links.
If you told anyone a week ago that Dylan Grant and Zak Martini would go for a combined 26 points on 11-13 fg, you likely would be fitted for a straight jacket. If anyone saw that coming, they are lying to you. Dylan Grant was showing some signs over the last couple of games and was bringing an energy to the lineup. Tonight though he officially became a X factor going forward. Absolutely sick stat line for a freshmen on the road, 7-8 fg, 15 points, 3 boards and a block in just 22 minutes. His best moments were in the first half in a crucial stretch where RU was down 27-22. Grant converted back to back scores on a dunk and layup and then would toss in a 3 from the corner to put RU up 34-31. Very very instrumental in that run there that started to turn the tide in RUs favor going into halftime. For a guy who just saw such limited playing time all year long and a string of DNP, what he is showing is nothing short of remarkable. Not a junior, not a transfer, not experienced, not touted as a NBA player. Dylan has been a revelation for team that was screaming for an X factor as it seems like some other candidates like JD or PJ or J Will are not going to fit those roles. The move to the starting lineup has obviously been a rousing success but still Grant is a freshmen so he role has to be wisely managed by PIke depending on the matchups.
Great to see Zak Martini bring it for the 2nd straight game and this was much more impressive than the last. This was the Zak that Pike and everyone high on RUs roster this year were waiting for. Zak was in the right spots and he delivered at key moments in both halves. His 3s in that 2nd half were crucial as both teams were trading blows many times from downtown. These were open shots delivered by great ball movement and RU finally showing some patience moving the ball and teammates trusting each other. Yes it helps when they go down. In 18 minutes Zak went for 11 points on 4-5 fg, 3-4 from 3 fulfilling his role. Remember how bad he looked at Princeton...a total embarrassment out there fumbling the ball and looking lost. Credit Zak because Pike is a big fan of his and then he bounced him out of the lineup and there was at least one if not 2 dnps. Zak easily could have packed it in but he found something in his spirit to turn things around when Pike called on him.
Emannuel Ogbole...okay we should have every reason to have given up on him long ago and yet this guy I am starting to root for so hard. I think he had his best game as a Knight. Its the not scoring duh. Its freaking 11 rebounds. There have been games where he got only 1 or 2. EO has come a loooooong way. His defense has improved where he isnt standing there watching a layup go in. 24 minutes and 11 FREAKIN REBOUNDS and 2 assists to boot. 4 of those boards were offensive. How about the steal for an assist at such a big moment, RU down 76-72, flips to JWill for a layin to cut it to 76-74. I know he missed a one and one late but he wasnt the only one. Really was better in the 2nd at limiting any real touches inside by Gary and 2 bigs on Nebby were totally ineffective and overmatched vs EO. He is coming along step by step. No he will never be a legit Big 10 starting center we truly need yet he can play a big time role and tonight well probably in practice Pike did a lot of steering him toward that.
Now back to the stars. Whenever RU needed a shot..and they needed many, Ace or Dylan were there to counterpunch. Ace is starting to take his turn at putting his stamp on this team. Saw at Indiana and then some rough humbling awful games vs Wisky/Purdue but he went for 20/10 vs UCLA and now followed that up tonight. Ace was draining 3s and when he hit the one that put RU up 77-76 there was no looking back. Dylan was unleashed and Nebby just could not stop Harper and everyone watching at home and at Pinnacle knew it. Bring it home baby. Again Rutgers has the 2 best offensive players on the floor most nights. Perhaps they were too young and the moment too big in Vegas to pull off those wins. We know that Ace was dealt a tough and embarrassing lesson at Kennesaw State. Ace hit some big shots vs Princeton late and was inching closer yet the pressure of having to be the whole team weighed on them both. The past 2 games must be refreshing for them. They can trust their teammates. Their teammates can hold sway if they are not in the game. Ace is becoming a more vocal leader. I am seeing passion on defense and a bit of an ability to be more physical with those blocks. His steal late another sign of his defense coming on. Its like a lightbulb turned on. 24 points on the night on 8-16 fg, 11 boards, 4-7 3s and it seemed like each one came at an important moment..oh and free throws...yeah he missed 2 but got another chance and made both. Plus 4 assists, sharing is caring. Ace just looked the part tonight. You couldnt say that a few weeks ago. Engaged and involved and vocal and continuing to effortlessly hit on those high degree of diffculty shots. Played 38 at UCLA and 36 tonight so Pike is leaning on him hard as he should.
Dylan went 35 minutes tonight and looked close to 100%. Only 5-13 fg at one point not his best shooting night but when it counted late hit on 3 of 4 to finish 8-17 with 21 points, 5 boards and 4 assists. Again Nebby wasnt going to stop a dialed in Dylan on those back to back important possessions that pushed the RU lead to 5. Just on another level. I liked how he moved the ball tonight and really liked how he played D. I liked that we have 2 superstars with 2 different skillsets that can used effectively in such different ways in such different situations. If Rutgers can be in a position to win late, I really like my chances with options like this.
J Will just 21 minutes, again coming off the bench. Not a fan of him taking those 3s but he was open for most of them 1-5 and those are shots with great ball movement. However he did have a huge bucket that cut the gap to 76-74. I think J Will bringing it on defense though for me should be the role going forward. I think you are starting to see Pike define these roles finally. Unfortunately we are 17 games into the season. Summerville not his best...just 15 minutes, 2 points, 4 fouls, I think up against experienced guys he didnt do too well although that follow up after a miss shot was nice. I think EO is just showing more on the defensive end but they will still split the the time.
Jordan Derkack...dnp last game and today just 9 minutes but again its what he didnt do which was notable. Perhaps taking on a new role, there was not any forcing really. It was a good easing back into the lineup and we shall see how Pike handles him from here. I am almost sure he will be called like on Zak was.
Acuff eh...went from a big game a few games ago to basically back to nothing...just 8 minutes even starting both halves and just 0-1 so for right now looking like the odd man out again but again I think we are going to see some up and down stuff so he will be counted on at some point. J Mike...meh, I dont think he hurt RU but its clear he cannot consistently deliver a shot...up and down all year, again his focus needs to be defensive going foward.
Pj Hayes and Gavin Griffiths took DNPs
Overall the RU defense got better as the game went on. I didnt think so in the first half. I though Nebby left alot of points off the scoreboard with a bunch of bricks on open shots. I think they were only shooting 36% at half. I didnt think the RU defense really locked in and became bothersome until the last 8 minutes. Nebraska was held to just 2 fg in 7 minutes and 6 points overall in a stretch from about 8 minutes left to 1 and change. RU went from 70-67 down to 81-76 up a 14-6 run. While Ace and Dylan were hitting the big shots, it was the defense leading the charge. Amazing to say that considering some similar games this seemed headed to. I said in the game thread that this game had the feel of Alabama, Princeton, Notre Dame, Texas A&M. Was RU going to step up and get stops. Stop and score, stop and score....and yes they did indeed. RU really pushed Nebraska pretty far away from the basket and it just threw the Cornhuskers off. Unlike the first half, Nebby floundered late not of their own doing but because of Rutgers defense. Yeah they hit a couple of 3s late but that happens in desperation. Have to be extremely pleased with back to back defensive performances.
And how about winning on the road in a tough environment down 4 with 4:30 left...go on a 9-0 run to take charge and then closing it out. The team is showing some moxy. It was really fun watching this game which reminded me at times of a NCAA tourney slugfest. Perhaps because I took expectations off of living and die with each win and being so concerned about the resume. It was fun and refreshing to watch as a fan of Rutgers. Now of course does each win bring an increased expectations...nah not for me. It is still one game at a time mode because there is no other choice. Despite the additional Quad 1 win tonight and Quad 2 vs UCLA we just note that they are there on the record and move on to the Bryce Jordan Center to take on a Penn State team who RU hung onto beat just over a month ago. Another opportunity to have another opportunity. Put one foot in front of the other and soon you'll be walkin out the door.
Higher, then higher
Step by step, rung by rung
I'm climbing Jacob's ladder
All I want from tomorrow
Is to get it better than today
The Purdue loss put Rutgers about 5 and a half feet into the grave. Is it true its always darkest before dawn. Every game after Purdue became about just getting through the next game to breath again. UCLA was about going 1-0. Rutgers did it. Rutgers breaths. Its all they can do. Next up Nebraska, a terribly difficult place to play vs a team who had won 20 in a row including knocking off a few Big 10 stalwarts during that time. Go 1-0. They did. Reaching another step out of the dirt...maybe 4 feet down. All about 1-0. That is all they can do. Do not talk NCAA, this team is still only 4-8 in Q1/2/3...go 1-0, go 1-0 again..then talk. Put one foot in front of the other and soon you'll be walkin out the door. If you want to change your direction. If your time of life is at hand. Well don’t be the rule be the exception. A good way to start is to stand
In one week, Coach Pikiell went from persona non grata to a coaching necromancer. Granted alot of the reaction to the aftermath of landing at 8-8 following the Purdue debacle was a bit over the top by many including me. Still no one could deny where RU did sit following that game and the disappointment that Rutgers fans were feeling. Harper was ill true but everything looked a mess. Yet isnt it funny how every season in college hoops, things take twists and turns. Rutgers did a 180 in their last two games finding an extra gear one that really wasnt there at any part this season. And it is 2 games remember that, stringing 1-0s together does not erase the pretty big hole the program dug for itself. A lineup change and some unexpected surprises from the bench. Just what kind of witchcraft is Pikie practicing in the RWJ Barnabas Health Atlhletic Performance Center. The UCLA game was nice but that was at the RAC and it wasnt exactly a thing of beauty. This one... a Quad 1 road win now this is a sexy win.
First I am not starting with Ace or Dylan and yes we take them for granted and they of course delivered the big moments that sealed the game. Yet it was the supporting cast that did all the things Rutgers fans had dreamt they would do coming into the season. The missing links.
If you told anyone a week ago that Dylan Grant and Zak Martini would go for a combined 26 points on 11-13 fg, you likely would be fitted for a straight jacket. If anyone saw that coming, they are lying to you. Dylan Grant was showing some signs over the last couple of games and was bringing an energy to the lineup. Tonight though he officially became a X factor going forward. Absolutely sick stat line for a freshmen on the road, 7-8 fg, 15 points, 3 boards and a block in just 22 minutes. His best moments were in the first half in a crucial stretch where RU was down 27-22. Grant converted back to back scores on a dunk and layup and then would toss in a 3 from the corner to put RU up 34-31. Very very instrumental in that run there that started to turn the tide in RUs favor going into halftime. For a guy who just saw such limited playing time all year long and a string of DNP, what he is showing is nothing short of remarkable. Not a junior, not a transfer, not experienced, not touted as a NBA player. Dylan has been a revelation for team that was screaming for an X factor as it seems like some other candidates like JD or PJ or J Will are not going to fit those roles. The move to the starting lineup has obviously been a rousing success but still Grant is a freshmen so he role has to be wisely managed by PIke depending on the matchups.
Great to see Zak Martini bring it for the 2nd straight game and this was much more impressive than the last. This was the Zak that Pike and everyone high on RUs roster this year were waiting for. Zak was in the right spots and he delivered at key moments in both halves. His 3s in that 2nd half were crucial as both teams were trading blows many times from downtown. These were open shots delivered by great ball movement and RU finally showing some patience moving the ball and teammates trusting each other. Yes it helps when they go down. In 18 minutes Zak went for 11 points on 4-5 fg, 3-4 from 3 fulfilling his role. Remember how bad he looked at Princeton...a total embarrassment out there fumbling the ball and looking lost. Credit Zak because Pike is a big fan of his and then he bounced him out of the lineup and there was at least one if not 2 dnps. Zak easily could have packed it in but he found something in his spirit to turn things around when Pike called on him.
Emannuel Ogbole...okay we should have every reason to have given up on him long ago and yet this guy I am starting to root for so hard. I think he had his best game as a Knight. Its the not scoring duh. Its freaking 11 rebounds. There have been games where he got only 1 or 2. EO has come a loooooong way. His defense has improved where he isnt standing there watching a layup go in. 24 minutes and 11 FREAKIN REBOUNDS and 2 assists to boot. 4 of those boards were offensive. How about the steal for an assist at such a big moment, RU down 76-72, flips to JWill for a layin to cut it to 76-74. I know he missed a one and one late but he wasnt the only one. Really was better in the 2nd at limiting any real touches inside by Gary and 2 bigs on Nebby were totally ineffective and overmatched vs EO. He is coming along step by step. No he will never be a legit Big 10 starting center we truly need yet he can play a big time role and tonight well probably in practice Pike did a lot of steering him toward that.
Now back to the stars. Whenever RU needed a shot..and they needed many, Ace or Dylan were there to counterpunch. Ace is starting to take his turn at putting his stamp on this team. Saw at Indiana and then some rough humbling awful games vs Wisky/Purdue but he went for 20/10 vs UCLA and now followed that up tonight. Ace was draining 3s and when he hit the one that put RU up 77-76 there was no looking back. Dylan was unleashed and Nebby just could not stop Harper and everyone watching at home and at Pinnacle knew it. Bring it home baby. Again Rutgers has the 2 best offensive players on the floor most nights. Perhaps they were too young and the moment too big in Vegas to pull off those wins. We know that Ace was dealt a tough and embarrassing lesson at Kennesaw State. Ace hit some big shots vs Princeton late and was inching closer yet the pressure of having to be the whole team weighed on them both. The past 2 games must be refreshing for them. They can trust their teammates. Their teammates can hold sway if they are not in the game. Ace is becoming a more vocal leader. I am seeing passion on defense and a bit of an ability to be more physical with those blocks. His steal late another sign of his defense coming on. Its like a lightbulb turned on. 24 points on the night on 8-16 fg, 11 boards, 4-7 3s and it seemed like each one came at an important moment..oh and free throws...yeah he missed 2 but got another chance and made both. Plus 4 assists, sharing is caring. Ace just looked the part tonight. You couldnt say that a few weeks ago. Engaged and involved and vocal and continuing to effortlessly hit on those high degree of diffculty shots. Played 38 at UCLA and 36 tonight so Pike is leaning on him hard as he should.
Dylan went 35 minutes tonight and looked close to 100%. Only 5-13 fg at one point not his best shooting night but when it counted late hit on 3 of 4 to finish 8-17 with 21 points, 5 boards and 4 assists. Again Nebby wasnt going to stop a dialed in Dylan on those back to back important possessions that pushed the RU lead to 5. Just on another level. I liked how he moved the ball tonight and really liked how he played D. I liked that we have 2 superstars with 2 different skillsets that can used effectively in such different ways in such different situations. If Rutgers can be in a position to win late, I really like my chances with options like this.
J Will just 21 minutes, again coming off the bench. Not a fan of him taking those 3s but he was open for most of them 1-5 and those are shots with great ball movement. However he did have a huge bucket that cut the gap to 76-74. I think J Will bringing it on defense though for me should be the role going forward. I think you are starting to see Pike define these roles finally. Unfortunately we are 17 games into the season. Summerville not his best...just 15 minutes, 2 points, 4 fouls, I think up against experienced guys he didnt do too well although that follow up after a miss shot was nice. I think EO is just showing more on the defensive end but they will still split the the time.
Jordan Derkack...dnp last game and today just 9 minutes but again its what he didnt do which was notable. Perhaps taking on a new role, there was not any forcing really. It was a good easing back into the lineup and we shall see how Pike handles him from here. I am almost sure he will be called like on Zak was.
Acuff eh...went from a big game a few games ago to basically back to nothing...just 8 minutes even starting both halves and just 0-1 so for right now looking like the odd man out again but again I think we are going to see some up and down stuff so he will be counted on at some point. J Mike...meh, I dont think he hurt RU but its clear he cannot consistently deliver a shot...up and down all year, again his focus needs to be defensive going foward.
Pj Hayes and Gavin Griffiths took DNPs
Overall the RU defense got better as the game went on. I didnt think so in the first half. I though Nebby left alot of points off the scoreboard with a bunch of bricks on open shots. I think they were only shooting 36% at half. I didnt think the RU defense really locked in and became bothersome until the last 8 minutes. Nebraska was held to just 2 fg in 7 minutes and 6 points overall in a stretch from about 8 minutes left to 1 and change. RU went from 70-67 down to 81-76 up a 14-6 run. While Ace and Dylan were hitting the big shots, it was the defense leading the charge. Amazing to say that considering some similar games this seemed headed to. I said in the game thread that this game had the feel of Alabama, Princeton, Notre Dame, Texas A&M. Was RU going to step up and get stops. Stop and score, stop and score....and yes they did indeed. RU really pushed Nebraska pretty far away from the basket and it just threw the Cornhuskers off. Unlike the first half, Nebby floundered late not of their own doing but because of Rutgers defense. Yeah they hit a couple of 3s late but that happens in desperation. Have to be extremely pleased with back to back defensive performances.
And how about winning on the road in a tough environment down 4 with 4:30 left...go on a 9-0 run to take charge and then closing it out. The team is showing some moxy. It was really fun watching this game which reminded me at times of a NCAA tourney slugfest. Perhaps because I took expectations off of living and die with each win and being so concerned about the resume. It was fun and refreshing to watch as a fan of Rutgers. Now of course does each win bring an increased expectations...nah not for me. It is still one game at a time mode because there is no other choice. Despite the additional Quad 1 win tonight and Quad 2 vs UCLA we just note that they are there on the record and move on to the Bryce Jordan Center to take on a Penn State team who RU hung onto beat just over a month ago. Another opportunity to have another opportunity. Put one foot in front of the other and soon you'll be walkin out the door.
