Rutgers basketball 'a lot more explosive' with Derek Simpson, newcomers speeding things up
PISCATAWAY – With the clock ticking down and his team trailing by one point, Derek Simpson pushed the ball up the court, pulled up ever so slightly to scan the possibilities, then burst past his defender and into the lane. With the angle to the hoop seized, he finished a layup through contact for the winning points.
That was the endgame during the Rutgers basketball team’s high-octane mini-scrimmage Tuesday, the second day of full practices for the 2023-24 season, and it might well repeat itself when the games get real. The Scarlet Knights’ speed – and the degree to which they pushed the ball – was startling relative to past years.
“It’s a different approach this year,” said Simpson, who dominated the scrimmage. “We’re such an athletic team. We’re running a lot more, we’re faster, we really want to get up and down and wear teams out – and have fun.”
Vowing to up the tempo is a time-honored preseason tradition across the country. But in Rutgers’ case, it’s hard to see how that promise isn’t fulfilled. The Scarlet Knights ranked 264th out of 363 Division I programs last season in tempo – a figure roughly consistent with the rest of head coach Steve Pikiell’s seven years at the helm. Then offseason personnel changes brought an influx of speed, and that was evident Tuesday. All 11 scholarship players who took the court kept a brisk pace.
“We’re lot more explosive,” postgrad wing Aundre Hyatt said. “That’s what we’ve been harping on – transition play and shooting shots when we’re open.”
Much of Tuesday’s two-hour workout took place with the throttle pinned. The new presence of two quick ball-handlers – postgrad transfer Noah Fernandes from UMass and freshman Jamichael Davis – has added a spark. So does the increased role for sophomore guard Simpson, a Lenape High School grad who showed flashes as a rookie last winter.
“Derek has made an extreme jump,” Hyatt said.
On a day when the team’s shot-making was streaky – Pikiell said everyone was a bit gassed from Monday’s three-hour opening practice – Simpson lit it up. He swished threes, scored in transition and pushed the ball ahead to open teammates for good looks.
“Last year I wouldn’t say I had the most confidence (shooting), but my role wasn’t to shoot the rock all the time,” he said. “If I was open, I let it go. This year, my role opens up. I shot 20 percent (from deep) last year, so I can only go up from there. All summer I focused on form; I did a lot of technique work.”
In an era of constant turnover across the sport – Rutgers brought in six new players this past offseason, including four transfers – Simpson and fellow sophomores Antwone Woolfolk and Antonio Chol all stayed and appear to be reaping the benefits of Pikiell’s player-development chops. Word is Chol was the star of Monday’s practice (the 6-foot-9 forward had his moments Tuesday as well, exhibiting a nice 3-point touch). Pikiell cites Woolfolk, who slimmed down by 20 pounds, as the program’s most improved player. The 6-9, 225-pounder has developed some post moves, and he defended Rutgers’ All-America candidate Cliff Omoruyi pretty well Tuesday.
Regarding Simpson, there is no doubt that the transfer-portal poachers were out for him last spring, but for a guy who attended just one high school – his neighborhood public school, no less – continuity runs in the blood.
“It comes from my family – they are very loyal people,” Simpson said. “This is a good situation for me. I still get to see my family and friends (from home). I take those things into consideration. And I’m a Jersey guy – that’s the only place I’ve ever lived.”
RUTGERS BASKETBALL: 5 TAKEWAYS
1. Made to press
Full-court defense never has been a steady staple for Pikiell, but with the best combination of length and speed in the program’s recent memory, this squad is tailor-made for it. Some of Monday’s practice was devoted to installing a 1-3-1 press.
“These are the best athletes we’ve had,” Pikiell said. “We can do a lot of things with this group. We’re playing faster, which means we’re going to be on defense more often. The quicker you shoot it, the more you’re going to be on defense, which people have to realize.”
It’s an interesting coaching crossroads for Pikiell, who hangs his hat on disciplined half-court defense – kind of like a parent who knows they have to hand over the car keys to their 17-year-old but still worries about the result.
2. A leader emerges
The past few years, it was obvious who Rutgers’ vocal leaders would be, from Geo Baker and Ron Harper Jr. to Caleb McConnell and Paul Mulcahy. Going into this season that role was up for grabs, and Hyatt appears to be seizing it.
“One of the big reasons I came back this year was to have a leadership position, and I’ve started to embrace that,” Hyatt said.
Aside from Hyatt the players were relatively quiet Tuesday, perhaps a function of so many new faces still feeling their way. Pikiell said he wants to hear more from Omoruyi on the court, especially when it comes to demanding the ball.
During one stoppage in 5-on-5 action Tuesday, Pikiell reminded his charges that while he’s all for them firing away, there’s a 6-11 star (Omoruyi) who can own the paint.
“You win games going to the tin,” he said.
On the next two possessions Hyatt attacked the rim, feeding Omoruyi for a layup and then finishing one himself.
Toward the end of the scrimmage, when Fernandes drilled a contested 3-pointer and then hit the ground hard, Hyatt sprinted over to help him up, then got in his face with a full-volume, “Let’s go!”
It was captain-like behavior for a player who seems to be realizing his potential.
3. Injury update
Senior forward Mawot Mag, the team’s versatile defensive stopper, has been cleared for contact after suffering a torn ACL in February, but is being brought along cautiously. Mag did some light drills Tuesday and shot around during the scrimmaging. He shot it well, by the way.
Emmanuel Ogbole, the 6-foot-10, 260-pound center who transferred in from the junior college ranks with an injured knee, was cleared Tuesday for non-contact work. He did some stationary bike work Monday but did not attend Tuesday’s practice.
4. New player rundown
Noah Fernandes, postgrad guard: Was comfortable running the point and in total control. Shot the ball well from mid-range and deep. Is developing a feel for feeding Omoruyi, something Pikiell is trying to foster.
Gavin Griffiths, freshman guard: Shot wasn’t falling but displayed high-end athleticism, both in terms of running the floor and leaping ability. Also passed the ball well. Was paired with Hyatt for one-on-one drills and held his own.
Jamichael Davis, freshman guard: Got way, way up off the floor to block Jeremiah Williams’ buzzer-beating half-court attempt at the end of the scrimmage – a swat that provoked a roar from impressed teammates. Engaged in an entertaining one-on-one drill vs. Simpson during which both players were hard to contain.
Austin Williams, postgrad guard: Looked healthy and quick coming off a knee injury. Was disruptive defensively.
Jeremiah Williams, junior guard: Showed no problems coming off an Achilles injury. Was an equal match for Austin Williams in the one-on-one drill. The two-time transfer is still awaiting word from the NCAA on his eligibility waiver, but expectations are he will sit out games in 2023-24.
5. Telling moment
Here’s a good indicator of the energy level Tuesday: After a three-hour grind Monday and nearly two hours of going up-and-down Tuesday, the scrimmage ended with the score tied and Pikiell blew the whistle to wind down the practice.
The players were having none of it.
“Coach tried to end it and we were like, ‘Let’s go!’” Simpson said. “We were not ending on a tie.”
After a few seconds of collective push-back, Pikiell agreed to overtime and put three minutes on the clock. He couldn’t suppress the smile while he did it.
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: Derek Simpson, new players expolding on the court
