Was Paul Mulcahy the most important player in modern RUBB history?

[bigbirdRU]

He played 4 seasons here, 2020-2023.

2016–17 Rutgers 15–18 3–15 14th
2017–18 Rutgers 15–19 3–15 14th
2018–19 Rutgers 14–17 7–13 T–10th
2019–20 Rutgers 20–11 11–9 T–5th NCAA Division I Cancelled (projected 9 seed)
2020–21 Rutgers 16–12 10–10 T–6th NCAA Division I Round of 32 (10 seed)
2021–22 Rutgers 18–14 12–8 T–4th NCAA Division I First Four (11 seed)
2022–23 Rutgers 19–15 10–10 T–9th NIT First Round
2023–24 Rutgers 15–17 7–13 T–12th
2024–25 Rutgers 12–13 5–9

Pikiell has never had a winning season without him. He never had a losing season with him.

Career without: 71-84
Career with: 73-52

Caleb McConnell overlaps but you have to add the 2018-2019 season.

 

[PiscatawayMike]

Should have been 4-for-4 in regards to the big dance... screwed by Covid as a freshman... screwed by the committee as a senior

 

[shields]

Agree Mike but can't lose to Temple. Two losses to Princeton and Bonnies also. That has to stop.

 

[soundcrib]

Geo Baker.

 

[coldsprings]

People will never agree on who is the most important; it is a team game. But given how some people on this board constantly bashed Paul, I'm glad you started this thread. Paul gave 100% every game and continuously distributed the ball to create shots for others. Both those attributes are something this 24-25 team sorely lacks.

 

[Smols]

People will never agree on who is the most important; it is a team game. But given how some people on this board constantly bashed Paul, I'm glad you started this thread. Paul gave 100% every game and continuously distributed the ball to create shots for others. Both those attributes are something this 24-25 team sorely lacks.

I agree with what you’ve said. What leaves a bad taste in the mouth of those bashing including me, is how he left.

 

[seansherm]

He's up there, I kind of consider he, Ron, Geo, and Caleb all together

 

[fluoxetine]

I don't know that he was individually the most important, but he was an important part of an important group.

 

[Plum Street]

I agree with what you’ve said. What leaves a bad taste in the mouth of those bashing including me, is how he left.

Washington came in with about 100k, from what the mulchahy’s told people.
Thats a down payment on a house in Bayonne. Not a bad way to start your post colllege life. Why would you bash the kid for that ? You gonna give him the 100k ?

 

[fluoxetine]

Mulcahy played four years here and was seemingly a broken man at the end of year four. He went about as far away as it was possible to go. And reportedly got $100k+ for it.

I wish he'd left sooner in the offseason but it's pretty hard to begrudge him for it.

 

[PhillyRU]

Mulcahy played four years here and was seemingly a broken man at the end of year four. He went about as far away as it was possible to go. And reportedly got $100k+ for it.

I wish he'd left sooner in the offseason but it's pretty hard to begrudge him for it.

We also brought Fernandes to start (?) at PG, so he would have had a very different role. The timing is everything, although the “New Jersey’s Point Guard” branding and then deciding to transfer is a little unfortunate.

 

[Yeah Baby]

Loved Mulcahey. He wanted to win badly and played his heart out for us. Can't really credit him for his freshman year but I'm sure he had energy on the bench and the minutes he got on the floor.

I would have to say RHJ was the most important but Caleb, Geo, Paul all were all gamers. Team chemistry is so important and tough to come by now with the portal and NIL. This group setup Cliff on O and Cliff and Caleb covered for them on D. Also can't forget Myles and how much he improved year over year.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

Myles Johnson

 

[Scarlet Shack]

It’s the entire group

Geo
Myles
Montez
Jacob
Ron
Caleb
Paul
Cliff
Akwasi
Shaq Carter

They were ballers …lost a possession, tbat the last one we were gojng to lose . Go get it badk and give it to them some more

Somewhere ..that mentality got lost . The best complete roster turnover two years in a row has a lot to do with that and it’s a rebuild of the culture from scratch ….

 

[Kbee3]

Myles Johnson

Yep.

 

[RUsojo]

Ron Harper Jr. This should be cannon by now imo.

 

[jtung230]

Is it April 1st today?

 

[biazza38]

It’s the entire group

Geo
Myles
Montez
Jacob
Ron
Caleb
Paul
Cliff
Akwasi
Shaq Carter

They were ballers …lost a possession, tbat the last one we were gojng to lose . Go get it badk and give it to them some more

Somewhere ..that mentality got lost . The best complete roster turnover two years in a row has a lot to do with that and it’s a rebuild of the culture from scratch ….

Seeing those names is what irritates me the most about Pike’s portal misses. He’s been to the tournament. He’s seen what type of players you need to get there. He’s seen the type of competition you get in the second round. And yet, he did what he did last offseason. I hate to be negative, but it’s a real head scratcher.

 

[mikeyo]

Dylan's brother. Not close

 

[jtung230]

Seeing those names is what irritates me the most about Pike’s portal misses. He’s been to the tournament. He’s seen what type of players you need to get there. He’s seen the type of competition you get in the second round. And yet, he did what he did last offseason. I hate to be negative, but it’s a real head scratcher.

Fans were tired of seeing rock fights. Most wanted a high scoring offense.

 

[jtung230]

Dylan's brother. Not close

And a long list ahead of PM. This is a new low for this season. It’s actually making people miss PM.

 

[biazza38]

Fans were tired of seeing rock fights. Most wanted a high scoring offense.

This may be true, but the awful miscalculations at the 5 and 4 don’t have much to do with that.

To not grab a rim protector and to bring in an Ivy League 4 who is not big enough or fast enough to guard at this level is very inexcusable

 

[Pils86]

He played 4 seasons here, 2020-2023.

2016–17 Rutgers 15–18 3–15 14th
2017–18 Rutgers 15–19 3–15 14th
2018–19 Rutgers 14–17 7–13 T–10th
2019–20 Rutgers 20–11 11–9 T–5th NCAA Division I Cancelled (projected 9 seed)
2020–21 Rutgers 16–12 10–10 T–6th NCAA Division I Round of 32 (10 seed)
2021–22 Rutgers 18–14 12–8 T–4th NCAA Division I First Four (11 seed)
2022–23 Rutgers 19–15 10–10 T–9th NIT First Round
2023–24 Rutgers 15–17 7–13 T–12th
2024–25 Rutgers 12–13 5–9

Pikiell has never had a winning season without him. He never had a losing season with him.

Career without: 71-84
Career with: 73-52

Caleb McConnell overlaps but you have to add the 2018-2019 season.

Never thought about this but compelling facts. Three of the four years we cracked the Top 25, the only time during Pike's tenure other than this year preseason. Other names have been offered up, maybe legit, but no supporting facts.

 

[MADHAT1]

People will never agree on who is the most important; it is a team game. But given how some people on this board constantly bashed Paul, I'm glad you started this thread. Paul gave 100% every game and continuously distributed the ball to create shots for others. Both those attributes are something this 24-25 team sorely lacks.

Paul's play helped Rutgers win and that's all we should ask of a player.
Too many are disappointed Mulcahy wasn't a superstar that could lead RU to greatness.
I'm happy Paul was the type of role player who made the team play better O when he was in the game even if he wasn't a scoring threat
Just like with Caleb in the game we could expect RU's D to shine , both played their role well

 

[RUbacker]

He played 4 seasons here, 2020-2023.

2016–17 Rutgers 15–18 3–15 14th
2017–18 Rutgers 15–19 3–15 14th
2018–19 Rutgers 14–17 7–13 T–10th
2019–20 Rutgers 20–11 11–9 T–5th NCAA Division I Cancelled (projected 9 seed)
2020–21 Rutgers 16–12 10–10 T–6th NCAA Division I Round of 32 (10 seed)
2021–22 Rutgers 18–14 12–8 T–4th NCAA Division I First Four (11 seed)
2022–23 Rutgers 19–15 10–10 T–9th NIT First Round
2023–24 Rutgers 15–17 7–13 T–12th
2024–25 Rutgers 12–13 5–9

Pikiell has never had a winning season without him. He never had a losing season with him.

Career without: 71-84
Career with: 73-52

Caleb McConnell overlaps but you have to add the 2018-2019 season.

No

 

[RUJMM78]

What impressed me the most was that two seasons Rutgers had winning records against B1G Ten competition.That has been a rarity and the reason Rutgers will continue to struggle for NCAA Tournament bids.The winning culture has been lacking in most Rutgers teams.

 

[littlenis5]

Geo is the only answer here. Tier 2 is probably Ron, Myles, Caleb and Paul. Eugene, JY, Montez tier 3

 

[fluoxetine]

Ron Harper Jr. This should be cannon by now imo.

I know this season hasn't gone as expected but shooting Dylan's brother out of a cannon seems like disproportionate retribution.

 

[bethlehemfan]

Paul was integral but not the most important imo.

 

[FAT MOON]

It’s the entire group

Geo
Myles
Montez
Jacob
Ron
Caleb
Paul
Cliff
Akwasi
Shaq Carter

They were ballers …lost a possession, tbat the last one we were gojng to lose . Go get it badk and give it to them some more

Somewhere ..that mentality got lost . The best complete roster turnover two years in a row has a lot to do with that and it’s a rebuild of the culture from scratch ….

agreed but to me it's...

1) Geo

2) Ron
2a) Caleb

Rest played at other schools. They all matter but it's the fact that these three a) changed the culture at RU and b) played here their entire careers. Unless this current environment changes we are gonna look at these three as the last true loyal sons of RU basketball.

 

[chrism25]

Geo, Ron Jr. And Caleb

 

[RedChucken123]

I’ll give credit to Paul. He tried his hardest when he was here.

But he was DEFINITELY not the most important. He was not clutch at all and I would make the argument that he self destructed when the pressure was on. He made a critical turnover in the First Four game vs. ND. And he basically became a shell of his peak towards the end in his last season including playing terribly in the crucial Penn State game to try to make the tournament.

 

[billgumpper]

He played 4 seasons here, 2020-2023.

2016–17 Rutgers 15–18 3–15 14th
2017–18 Rutgers 15–19 3–15 14th
2018–19 Rutgers 14–17 7–13 T–10th
2019–20 Rutgers 20–11 11–9 T–5th NCAA Division I Cancelled (projected 9 seed)
2020–21 Rutgers 16–12 10–10 T–6th NCAA Division I Round of 32 (10 seed)
2021–22 Rutgers 18–14 12–8 T–4th NCAA Division I First Four (11 seed)
2022–23 Rutgers 19–15 10–10 T–9th NIT First Round
2023–24 Rutgers 15–17 7–13 T–12th
2024–25 Rutgers 12–13 5–9

Pikiell has never had a winning season without him. He never had a losing season with him.

Career without: 71-84
Career with: 73-52

Caleb McConnell overlaps but you have to add the 2018-2019 season.

No, he is the most over rated player in Rutgers bball history.

 

[ScarletNut]

What's PM doing these days?

 

[Smols]

What's PM doing these days?

G league.

 

[Yeah Baby]

Seeing those names is what irritates me the most about Pike’s portal misses. He’s been to the tournament. He’s seen what type of players you need to get there. He’s seen the type of competition you get in the second round. And yet, he did what he did last offseason. I hate to be negative, but it’s a real head scratcher.

You're irritated that he brought in program guys that stayed 4-5 years and built a winning culture?

College Basketball has changed. I can't blame Pike that someone tampered with Paul and Cam last year. Cliff, Mag and Derek could have helped this team. Players get tired of the fan beat downs and move on sometimes or they move on for $$.

Also, this season is not over. We played a much tougher early season schedule than those past years. Injuries and illnesses have set us back. But we clearly lack the chemistry of those winning teams. No doubt about it.

 

[bitnez]

He’s not playing anymore. In fact, I think he’s a asst coach at Gill St Bernard’s.

 

[Joey Bags]

He collapsed his final year here when he should have been at peak maturity and Bball IQ. Good player overall though and a net asset.

 

[MCKnight2004]

He played off the ball at Washington, which was not his strength. They had a bad season, despite a lot of talent, and Hopkins was fired.

 

[littlenis5]

He collapsed his final year here when he should have been at peak maturity and Bball IQ. Good player overall though and a net asset.

Yea this was frustrating. Look at Julian Reese at Maryland. That’s how it’s supposed to go. 3 years of inconsistency and then you put it together Senior year. He faded hard down the stretch.