1. We all can agree Dylan Harper was tremendous last night and he will be the battle axe going forward for this team. Rutgers will have to rely on him to have great games night in and night out. Outside of Harper, is there anyone else that can really will this team past the finish line to victory? IMO, I don't think so. His basketball IQ is so high and the maturity level from him is off-the-charts.
2. Acuff, J-Will, and Derkack - These guys stepped up big time last night. They made critical plays on defense and on the offensive end. I was impressed with the resilience from J-Will and Derkack. I was also happy to see Acuff build some confidence by draining some big time shots when Rutgers needed it most.
3. Defense improved but not quite there yet - I noticed late into the game when Pikes moved Ace to the 5, the defense and rebounding got better. But thru other durations of the game, the defense was lacking especially along the perimeter. Notre Dame drilled 14 made three-pointers last night, which is way too many to allow. Yes, Matt Allocco made some insane three's towards the end of the game and in OT, but you have to know the game plan. Notre Dame is going to keep firing away from deep, and you have to be ready for it. I think Rutgers didn't play well enough along the perimeter. Rutgers was able to get some stops and improved the rebounding in the 2H. At the half, Notre Dame held a big advantage on the boards as they doubled up on Rutgers; however, in the second half Rutgers brought that number closer. Notre Dame still held the advantage at the end of the night on the boards but by +6 when it was -11 at the half. It's crazy to think that the rebounding got better with a smaller lineup on the floor.Defensive man rotations have to improve if Rutgers is to have any success on the season. With better rotations Rutgers can limit the open 3's and easy drives by their opponent.
4. Ogbole ineffective - Emmanuel Ogbole only played 7 minutes and was highly ineffective. The positive play from Ogbole of the night was the one big block but his footwork is extremely sloppy and he couldn't get his body on anyone to grab a board. I just don't see how Pikes can continue playing this guy when he's not even performing at a D1 level. Going forward, I'd like to see Zach, Ace, and Sommerville all spend some time at the 5 and much less Ogbole on the floor. It really makes you think Rutgers should've been a little more aggressive pursuing a decent big man in the portal this past off-season.
5. Where the hell were Martini and Hayes? - Both guys were non-existent last night. Althought Martini didn't have his best game, he never attempted a single shot last night and Hayes went 0/2 from deep. Rutgers is going to need these two to have a great game against Alabama, and I would like to see some more shots from both guys.
6. Ace had an off night - Ace looked off last night as he shot 4/12 from the floor but he did come up with a big shot towards the end of the game. Ace was forcing the issue on the offensive end and IMO was a little selfish. He needs to let the game come to him and play a little more team-oriented basketball. The offense cannot run thru Ace Bailey. He really looked mortal on the floor and not like a top NBA lottery pick.
7. Listen, it's Notre Dame and they aren't very good but Rutgers Nation will take this win and this team can certainly build off an emotional win like this. We're going to learn a lot about Rutgers tonight when they face off against Alabama tonight. If Rutgers wants to hang around in this game, they must find ways to continue to allow Harper to get free to drive the lane. Harper is absolutely at his best when he maneuvers his way to the basket off of pick and rolls. Rutgers must also setup plays to drive and kick for big time three's from Hayes, Martini, Derkack, Ace, and Acuff. I also want to see less hero ball from Ace Bailey. He needs to be smarter and work for good looks. All too often he's forcing too many contested mid-range jump shots and those are very low percentage plays. Rutgers must also avoid a foot race with Alabama and get physical down low wkith Nelson and Omoruyi will look to body the smaller Rutgers bigs. It might help if Rutgers fronts the Alabama bigs with Sommerville, Bailey, and Martini.
2. Acuff, J-Will, and Derkack - These guys stepped up big time last night. They made critical plays on defense and on the offensive end. I was impressed with the resilience from J-Will and Derkack. I was also happy to see Acuff build some confidence by draining some big time shots when Rutgers needed it most.
3. Defense improved but not quite there yet - I noticed late into the game when Pikes moved Ace to the 5, the defense and rebounding got better. But thru other durations of the game, the defense was lacking especially along the perimeter. Notre Dame drilled 14 made three-pointers last night, which is way too many to allow. Yes, Matt Allocco made some insane three's towards the end of the game and in OT, but you have to know the game plan. Notre Dame is going to keep firing away from deep, and you have to be ready for it. I think Rutgers didn't play well enough along the perimeter. Rutgers was able to get some stops and improved the rebounding in the 2H. At the half, Notre Dame held a big advantage on the boards as they doubled up on Rutgers; however, in the second half Rutgers brought that number closer. Notre Dame still held the advantage at the end of the night on the boards but by +6 when it was -11 at the half. It's crazy to think that the rebounding got better with a smaller lineup on the floor.Defensive man rotations have to improve if Rutgers is to have any success on the season. With better rotations Rutgers can limit the open 3's and easy drives by their opponent.
4. Ogbole ineffective - Emmanuel Ogbole only played 7 minutes and was highly ineffective. The positive play from Ogbole of the night was the one big block but his footwork is extremely sloppy and he couldn't get his body on anyone to grab a board. I just don't see how Pikes can continue playing this guy when he's not even performing at a D1 level. Going forward, I'd like to see Zach, Ace, and Sommerville all spend some time at the 5 and much less Ogbole on the floor. It really makes you think Rutgers should've been a little more aggressive pursuing a decent big man in the portal this past off-season.
5. Where the hell were Martini and Hayes? - Both guys were non-existent last night. Althought Martini didn't have his best game, he never attempted a single shot last night and Hayes went 0/2 from deep. Rutgers is going to need these two to have a great game against Alabama, and I would like to see some more shots from both guys.
6. Ace had an off night - Ace looked off last night as he shot 4/12 from the floor but he did come up with a big shot towards the end of the game. Ace was forcing the issue on the offensive end and IMO was a little selfish. He needs to let the game come to him and play a little more team-oriented basketball. The offense cannot run thru Ace Bailey. He really looked mortal on the floor and not like a top NBA lottery pick.
7. Listen, it's Notre Dame and they aren't very good but Rutgers Nation will take this win and this team can certainly build off an emotional win like this. We're going to learn a lot about Rutgers tonight when they face off against Alabama tonight. If Rutgers wants to hang around in this game, they must find ways to continue to allow Harper to get free to drive the lane. Harper is absolutely at his best when he maneuvers his way to the basket off of pick and rolls. Rutgers must also setup plays to drive and kick for big time three's from Hayes, Martini, Derkack, Ace, and Acuff. I also want to see less hero ball from Ace Bailey. He needs to be smarter and work for good looks. All too often he's forcing too many contested mid-range jump shots and those are very low percentage plays. Rutgers must also avoid a foot race with Alabama and get physical down low wkith Nelson and Omoruyi will look to body the smaller Rutgers bigs. It might help if Rutgers fronts the Alabama bigs with Sommerville, Bailey, and Martini.
