Hey everybody, I was on a call with Rutgers MBB coach Steve Pikiell and players Caleb McConnell and Myles Johnson on Monday morning.
Will add in quotes to the OP, but here’s some things that was talked about….
Pikiell
How the Nittany Lions got into the Top 25
"Pat (Chambers) has done a really great job. He's got a ton of really good players. Credit to him for what he's accomplished. They pass the ball and play the right way. They're good defensively and they can score. I mean, 81 points a game, they're elite. I knew him from his days at Boston University. He's a good guy and he's built a good program."
Handling expectations and getting more national attention.
"I try to talk them very little about expectations. We were picked 12th in the league. We have 17 league games left and I think 11 or 12 of those are against ranked or receiving votes teams. We're just trying to play really well against Penn State and be organized and have a good game plan. Hopefully the RAC is jumping. It's a sellout. That's exciting especially during winter break. We have a huge ranked team that's playing as good as anyone coming in our building and that's a great opportunity for us. Our guys are good at being one game at a time."
Jacob Young’s development and have a couple big games of late
"For all the new guys coming in, you have to figure it out a little bit. He's done a good job and he's had good practices. He's turned into a good defender. He's got elite speed. Pleased with how he's come along."
After timeout before big run in first half against Nebraska
"We settled in and defended. I like defense. It was good to do it on the road. I play a lot of guys and one guy goes down and the next guy is ready. Caleb stepped up and so did all the guys. I faith in all of them. I like our bench and our energy."
Pikiell was asked if he sees PSU as a rival, but he said he looks at everyone as a rival. Team is just climbing the latter.
Geo Baker’s spirits sitting out
"Geo's a good leader. He's been good on the bench and he's helped us in practice. The other guys have stepped up. I think he's doing as well as you can when you're disappointed. He worked hard this summer to get better. He'll get through this obstacle."
On if last season's home loss to PSU on senior night is a motivating factor
"Honestly, no. I haven't brought that up at all. They're a different team and they're playing great basketball. We have a sold out RAC with two days to prepare. We have to be ready to play and they're going to come in here with a ton of confidence."
.
.
McConnell/Johnson
Caleb said he knew had to control the team and was prepared to start.
"It all starts with having good practices. I work hard every day, so when coach Pike told me we were losing one of our leaders I had to come in and control the team, play at a good pace, and make sure the team is ready to go."
On being 10-0 at the RAC right now with home court advantage with sellout
"It helps us a lot. We've been playing very well at the RAC lately, so that helps a lot. Playing a game against a team like this is always going to be difficult, so the RAC always helps us out. Our focus is just to win."
Caleb mentioned Geo’s still being a leader from the bench and offered him advice.
"Even though he's hurt, he's still being a leader on and off the court. Geo told me to just play hard and control the team."
Johnson talked about the tough loss last season, but is just looking ahead to tomorrow’s game more than anything. Johnson had his shot blocked in the waning seconds. PSU won 66-65 (RU won earlier in the year 64-60).
"It was a tough loss back then, but this is a whole different time. I haven't thought about it. This is just another Big Ten game we have to win."
Johnson also discussed Caleb’s job he did against Nebraska.
"I definitely believe Caleb has gone a great job. I never doubted him."
Johnson was asked about how he’s been able to have strong game after enough the last few weeks
"I've let the game to come me and not overthink anything. I try to keep my mind clear. My body is in better shape than it's ever been."
.
.
Will add in quotes to the OP, but here’s some things that was talked about….
Pikiell
- Penn State as a team
How the Nittany Lions got into the Top 25
"Pat (Chambers) has done a really great job. He's got a ton of really good players. Credit to him for what he's accomplished. They pass the ball and play the right way. They're good defensively and they can score. I mean, 81 points a game, they're elite. I knew him from his days at Boston University. He's a good guy and he's built a good program."
Handling expectations and getting more national attention.
"I try to talk them very little about expectations. We were picked 12th in the league. We have 17 league games left and I think 11 or 12 of those are against ranked or receiving votes teams. We're just trying to play really well against Penn State and be organized and have a good game plan. Hopefully the RAC is jumping. It's a sellout. That's exciting especially during winter break. We have a huge ranked team that's playing as good as anyone coming in our building and that's a great opportunity for us. Our guys are good at being one game at a time."
Jacob Young’s development and have a couple big games of late
"For all the new guys coming in, you have to figure it out a little bit. He's done a good job and he's had good practices. He's turned into a good defender. He's got elite speed. Pleased with how he's come along."
After timeout before big run in first half against Nebraska
"We settled in and defended. I like defense. It was good to do it on the road. I play a lot of guys and one guy goes down and the next guy is ready. Caleb stepped up and so did all the guys. I faith in all of them. I like our bench and our energy."
Pikiell was asked if he sees PSU as a rival, but he said he looks at everyone as a rival. Team is just climbing the latter.
Geo Baker’s spirits sitting out
"Geo's a good leader. He's been good on the bench and he's helped us in practice. The other guys have stepped up. I think he's doing as well as you can when you're disappointed. He worked hard this summer to get better. He'll get through this obstacle."
On if last season's home loss to PSU on senior night is a motivating factor
"Honestly, no. I haven't brought that up at all. They're a different team and they're playing great basketball. We have a sold out RAC with two days to prepare. We have to be ready to play and they're going to come in here with a ton of confidence."
.
.
McConnell/Johnson
Caleb said he knew had to control the team and was prepared to start.
"It all starts with having good practices. I work hard every day, so when coach Pike told me we were losing one of our leaders I had to come in and control the team, play at a good pace, and make sure the team is ready to go."
On being 10-0 at the RAC right now with home court advantage with sellout
"It helps us a lot. We've been playing very well at the RAC lately, so that helps a lot. Playing a game against a team like this is always going to be difficult, so the RAC always helps us out. Our focus is just to win."
Caleb mentioned Geo’s still being a leader from the bench and offered him advice.
"Even though he's hurt, he's still being a leader on and off the court. Geo told me to just play hard and control the team."
Johnson talked about the tough loss last season, but is just looking ahead to tomorrow’s game more than anything. Johnson had his shot blocked in the waning seconds. PSU won 66-65 (RU won earlier in the year 64-60).
"It was a tough loss back then, but this is a whole different time. I haven't thought about it. This is just another Big Ten game we have to win."
Johnson also discussed Caleb’s job he did against Nebraska.
"I definitely believe Caleb has gone a great job. I never doubted him."
Johnson was asked about how he’s been able to have strong game after enough the last few weeks
"I've let the game to come me and not overthink anything. I try to keep my mind clear. My body is in better shape than it's ever been."
.
.
Last edited:
