Rutgers basketball: Geo Baker making a case for Big Ten's most valuable freshman

[Tango Two]

Here is one number that speaks volumes about the impact Geo Baker is having on Rutgers basketball: 32.1.

That’s Baker’s minutes per game. It ranks seventh in the Big Ten. No other freshman is in the top 10. In fact, the combo guard is on pace to become the Scarlet Knights’ first 1,000-minute rookie since Mike Rosario in 2008-09.


https://www.app.com/story/sports/co...e-big-tens-most-valuable-freshman/1057382001/

 

[RU-ROCS]

Here is one number that speaks volumes about the impact Geo Baker is having on Rutgers basketball: 32.1.

That’s Baker’s minutes per game. It ranks seventh in the Big Ten. No other freshman is in the top 10. In fact, the combo guard is on pace to become the Scarlet Knights’ first 1,000-minute rookie since Mike Rosario in 2008-09.


https://www.app.com/story/sports/co...e-big-tens-most-valuable-freshman/1057382001/

Those minutes will hurt him down the stretch this year, especially without Mike Williams to spell the guards, but they should pay big dividends next year!

 

[RepeatedCrown6]

Based on the other posts on this board I'm waiting for someone to come and compare Geo Baker to Steph Curry... im just kidding, but I do like Baker's game and hope he's here for another 2-3 years.

 

[RU-ROCS]

Based on the other posts on this board I'm waiting for someone to come and compare Geo Baker to Steph Curry... im just kidding, but I do like Baker's game and hope he's here for another 2-3 years.

I think if Curry keeps working at his craft he could become Geo Baker some day. (How's that?)

 

[RUChoppin]

Based on the other posts on this board I'm waiting for someone to come and compare Geo Baker to Steph Curry... im just kidding, but I do like Baker's game and hope he's here for another 2-3 years.

How about Jeremy Lamb? :)

 

[RW90]

While I love Baker's game, his minutes says more about our lack of a bench than it does his skills.

 

[GoodOl'Rutgers]

It is very interesting that Baker is getting all these minutes as a frosh and he hasn't let it get to his head.. or so it seems by his unselfish play.. perhaps too unselfish play.

 

[RUChoppin]

Took a look at Rutgers freshman contributors back to the 2001-2002 season. Right now, Baker ranks:

7th in points per game (behind Rosario, Sanders, Carter, Douby, Chandler, Shields)
3rd in assists per game (behind Sanders, Farmer)
5th in steals per game (behind Chandler, Sanders, Mack, Carter)
4th in Assists/Turnover ratio (behind Kone, Farmer, Williams)
4th in minutes/game (behind Sanders, Rosario, Farmer)

 

[TDIrish27]

He's been very solid-----think Jaren Jackson wins the Big Ten Frosh of the Year. I don't think he's there next year.

Geo needs a cut in minutes IMO and I know how difficult that is.

 

[soundcrib]

Took a look at Rutgers freshman contributors back to the 2001-2002 season. Right now, Baker ranks:

7th in points per game (behind Rosario, Sanders, Carter, Douby, Chandler, Shields)
3rd in assists per game (behind Sanders, Farmer)
5th in steals per game (behind Chandler, Sanders, Mack, Carter)
4th in Assists/Turnover ratio (behind Kone, Farmer, Williams)
4th in minutes/game (behind Sanders, Rosario, Farmer)

Date back to the Billets.

 

[RUChoppin]

Date back to the Billets.

I stopped in 2001 because the sports-reference site stops recording minutes played before that year, and stops counting Offensive vs. Defensive rebounds, turnovers, or personal fouls before 2000.

Todd Billet had 12.8 ppg, which would have put him 4th on the list. He had 4.3 assists per game, which would have tied for 1st. Would have tied for 6th in steals. I can't do A/TO ratio without turnover data.

Geoff Billet had 11.6 ppg, which would have put him 6th on the list. He had 2.9 assists per game, which would have been 4th. Would have tied for 10th in steals. Again, no turnovers in the database for that year.

 

[RUChoppin]

Date back to the Billets.

Okay, I went further back to 1992-93, which is the last year that sports-reference lists the class year.

Geo Baker's current stats, with 10+ games to go: 11.4 pts, 3.1 ast, 1.2 stl

Here are the top freshmen for points per game since 1992-93:
16.2 - Mike Rosario (transferred to Florida after 2 years)
15.9 - Corey Sanders
13.9 - Charles Jones (transferred to LIU after 2 years)
13.8 - Eli Carter (transferred to Florida after 2 years, and later BC)
12.8 - Todd Billet (transferred to UVA after 2 years)
12.6 - Earl Johnson (transferred to Iona after 3 years)
12.5 - Quincy Douby (left early for NBA after 3 years)
11.9 - Corey Chandler (dismissed after 2 years)
11.6 - Geoff Billet
11.5 - Ricky Shields
10.7 - Dahntay Jones (transferred to Duke after 2 years)
10.0 - Jeff Greer

Unfortunately, most of our top-scoring freshmen ended up landing somewhere else and didn't stay 4 years. Still, this is great company for Baker to be in.

Top freshmen for assists per game:
4.3 - Corey Sanders
4.3 - Todd Billet
3.9 - Anthony Farmer
3.4 - Earl Johnson
2.9 - Geoff Billet
2.9 - Marquis Webb

Top freshmen for steals per game:
1.8 - Corey Sanders
1.8 - Corey Chandler
1.7 - Rob Hodgson
1.6 - Charles Jones
1.6 - Rashod Kent
1.4 - Myles Mack
1.3 - Eli Carter
1.3 - Sam Sanders
1.2 - Jeff Greer
1.2 - Dahntay Jones

 

[mikefla]

I LOVE Geo Baker

He always seems to be IN the conversation for best freshman with TV announcers
but 1-9.(with not a single asst/reb/block/steal)....3-11.....4-10......
Doesnt put him at the head of the class

Having the most minutes may only speak to how we have NO ONE ELSE to put in who doesnt hurt the team. (that changes if Mike Williams comes back healthy or Issa steps up)

If he wasnt playing 30+ minutes a game maybe his numbers would be better
Once coach P brings in some help...GOEs career will take off!

 

[RUChoppin]

I LOVE Geo Baker

He always seems to be IN the conversation for best freshman with TV announcers
but 1-9.(with not a single asst/reb/block/steal)....3-11.....4-10......
Doesnt put him at the head of the class

He's getting a ton of focus now, because he's getting a lot of attention as a top performer. On top of naturally being a bit streaky/inconsistent as a freshman, he's also now drawing more of the defensive focus and coaches are game planning around taking him out of his game.

This results in some rough games at times, but is good for his development because it will force him to grow - both game to game, and in the offseason with lots of tape of things he can improve on.