Rutgers basketball: 5 takeaways from Fairfield exhibition
PISCATAWAY – There were three reasons why Steve Pikiell scheduled Fairfield as a charity exhibition game for his Rutgers basketball team.
One was to raise money for Eric LeGrand’s spinal-cord research initiative. Another was to have his guys play “with the lights on” after two closed-door scrimmages failed to adequately prepare them for the start of last season. The third was because he knew Fairfield, led by his former right-hand man Jay Young, would give the Scarlet Knights a fight.
All the boxes got checked as Rutgers prevailed 78-65 Sunday before a crowd of about 2,000. Here’s the breakdown of how it went.
FIVE TAKEAWAYS
1-Caleb McConnell remains out
The defensive ace, who made the preseason watch list for the Julius Erving Award (which goes to the best small forward in college basketball), has been sidelined by a knee injury for three weeks. The injury is not season-threatening, but it’s unclear when he will return. The season opens Nov. 7 vs. Columbia, and Pikiell made it sound like Rutgers is preparing to go without him.
“He’s doing great, practicing a little bit on the side and getting better and better every day," Pikiell said. "When the doctors say he’s ready to go, we’ll be ready to roll with him. Hopefully soon.”
McConnell was in street clothes but did shoot around a bit during warmups and looked OK. Aundre Hyatt started in his place (alongside Paul Mulcahy, Cam Spencer, Mawot Mag and Cliff Omoruyi) and finished with 13 points on 4-of-6 shooting.
Sophomore forward Dean Reiber, who was limited by a foot injury throughout much of the preseason, checked in during the first wave of subs but logged just three minutes on the afternoon. Pikiell said Reiber and everyone other than McConnell is healthy.
So it was surprising to see the five starters all log 30-plus minutes and the back end of the rotation get little run.
2. Promising debut for Simpson
Derek Simpson’s first two buckets in a Rutgers uniform showed why he could be so valuable for this team.
With an explosive first step, the freshman guard out of Lenape High School blew past Fairfield’s backcourt for a layup in the half court. Then, with the Stags’ defense sagging off him a bit to avoid a repeat, Simpson drilled a 3-pointer from the left wing.
Simpson finished with 12 points on 5-of-7 shooting in 21 minutes, showed zero jitters and an ability to get by defenders with a speed that Rutgers’ other guards don’t possess. He hit two of his three 3-point attempts and, although trained as a point guard, looked comfortable off the ball alongside Mulcahy for long stretches.
“I’m really excited he’s my teammate," Mulcahy said. "We talk a lot, every day in practice about something. I’m trying to give him stuff that I wish maybe people taught me as freshman. He’s got a special talent, his explosiveness. It’s fun having him in the backcourt and he competes really hard.”
Defensively, Simpson committed three fouls and struggled at times. But it’s clear he’s ticketed for a major role this winter. It's lost on no one that he wears No. 0, Geo Baker's old uniform, and looks, plays and speaks like a young Baker. Keep an eye on this kid.
"Derek gives us terrific athleticism," Pikiell said. "He gives us nice pace and poise."
3. Omoruyi’s got range
Everyone knew Cliff Omoruyi is a monster finishing around the rim. But the 6-foot-11 junior displayed the kind of increased range that will make NBA scouts salivate. He opened the game by swishing an 18-foot pull-up and later buried a 3-pointer from straightaway in transition. He also showed mid-range chops, banking in a turnaround jumper from the left elbow.
“He’s expanded his game, he made a three today – you have no shot at defending him if he’s doing that," Young said. "He gets anywhere within three feet of the basket and gets to his right hand, and you can’t defend him. He is the quickest guy I believe in the country from the floor to the rim. A lot of guys jump high, but it’s the explosion and velocity he gets off the floor with.”
The former Roselle Catholic High School star finished with 19 points and nine boards. Rutgers fed him early and often.
All told, the Scarlet Knights assisted 20 of 30 buckets, with 10 dimes coming from Mulcahy, in no small part because Omoruyi either finished or drew enough attention to open lanes for his teammates.
4. Fairfield is tough
The Stags played this game with All-MAAC forward Supreme Cook not quite his usual self. The East Orange native, who is making his way back from a preseason knee procedure, finished with nine points and seven boards in 21 minutes.
Young’s squad has a chance to contend for the MAAC title. They were just minus-one in the rebounding column, plus-two on the offensive glass and plus-three in second-chance points -- stats Young always took great pride in during his time here as an assistant.
“I’m very excited for Coach Young," Pikiell said. "You guys knew when he left here, he’s as good a coach as there is and as good a person as there is. He’s doing unbelievable things and they’ll be cutting the nets down soon.”
5. Run it back next October
Young said it best afterward: "The winner today was decided before the game, and that’s Eric’s foundation. That was the most important thing. We’re doing this for a great cause.”
During a rare joint postgame press conference, both coaches were asked if they will consider making this an annual preseason staple.
Pikiell looked left at Young and said, "Let's go, coach."
Young replied: "Let's do it."
LeGrand, who was in the interview room, seconded the motion.
"Yeah I'm in for that," he said.
Jerry Carino has covered the New Jersey sports scene since 1996 and the college basketball beat since 2003. He is an Associated Press Top 25 voter. Contact him at jcarino@gannettnj.com.
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Rutgers basketball: Fairfield exhibition takeaways
