Daily Targum 11.09.17 Football Wrap

Jon Spilletti Sports Editor

How much people are expecting out of the Rutgers men’s basketball team could be answered within the first few weeks.

There are whispers of the National Invitation Tournament (NIT). And while not many peg the Scarlet Knights as a candidate to qualify for the NCAA Tournament, it is not out of the question.

Much of the excitement surrounding this squad comes out of the jump from 2015 to 2016, when head coach Steve Pikiell first took over. Rutgers improved from 7-25 to 15-18 in just one season, and there is no shortage of people who think the team can double down on that result.

See threat on GAmeday page 2

November 9, 2017

Gameday Page 2 MEN’S BASKETBALL

RU players buy into Pikiell’s philosophy Griffin Whitmer Associate Sports Editor

Despite his team not having nearly the same amount of talent as the rest of the Big Ten, Rutgers head men’s basketball coach Steve Pikiell was able to produce four conference wins a year ago, due to the toughness and work ethic of his team.

And while it may sound like a cliche, it doesn’t take natural talent to work hard, rebound or play defense. That is the identity that Pikiell has instilled within the program, and it is the reason the team was able to more than double the Knights’s win total in his first year on the Banks.

From that team, the secondyear head coach returns just about everybody, and the players have improved, at that. The team is on a different level physically than last season and has postseason aspirations.

“The guys that have come back are better,” Pikiell said. “Every guy that has returned is a little bit better.”

That includes returning captains in guard Mike Williams and forward Deshawn Freeman, as well as junior guard Corey Sanders.

It was clear that the buy-in those players showed last season translated to the rest of the team.

A second consecutive year of that performance has yielded improved size and athleticism, as well as better team chemistry — a characteristic

that could be crucial to its success this season.

“I want to take them to next level,” Pikiell said. “(I want them to) be elite leaders and be elite level practice guys. They’ve improved a lot. They’ve been in the gym more, they’ve been in the weight room more.”

The off-court work that the whole program has put in, from the weight room to simply hanging out together, represents extra time the team puts in that it may not have had before Pikiell arrived.

But Pikiell has his players doing everything right, which has clearly translated into success on the court.

And when you look at the newcomers to the program, specifically guard Geo Baker and center Mamadou Doucoure, you are looking at two players who have immediately latched onto Pikiell’s coaching philosophy and will both likely be starting the first game of the season on Friday.

“We’ve added more athleticism and depth to the program,” Pikiell said. “We compete more in practice.

That’s healthy for us to take the next step.”

On Rutgers Media Day, Baker said that the depth and the effort on the team go hand-in-hand. Pikiell wants all of the players giving 100 percent on the floor, and the bodies are there on the bench to keep the intensity up with substitutions.

When he arrived at Rutgers, Baker had tons of raw talent, but there were a couple of areas he had to work on to give him a chance to play early. Baker immediately hit the weight room and gained a quick 10 pounds. He also arrived as a pure offensive threat, but that was quickly addressed.

“My biggest weakness was probably my strength. Just getting in the wight room and getting a lot stronger,” Baker said. “Defense was a big weakness for me. (Assistant) coach (Jay) Young has helped me so much with that. I think I’ve improved on both those things a lot.”

Baker is the perfect example of how buying into Pikiell’s coaching philosophy early can lead to success. When speaking with him, you get the sense he has been playing for Pikiell for four years, not just a few months.

With all 16 members of the roster sold, the Knights are all on the same page and ready to take the program to new heights.

“I think this team is coming along great,” Baker said. “All the guys are working really hard. People are coming in early to get shots up, staying late to do extra work. I think we’re really on the right track.”

For updates on the Rutgers men’s basketball team, follow @ GriffinWhitmer and @TargumSports on Twitter.

Head coach Steve Pikiell has his entire team sold on his coaching philosophy, including newcomers and veterans on the squad. DIMITRI RODRIGUEZ / PHOTO EDITOR / OCTOBER 2017

MEN’S BASKETBALL SCHEDULE Nov. 10 Nov. 12 Nov. 14 Nov. 19 Nov. 21 Nov. 24 Nov. 28 Dec. 3 Dec. 5 Dec. 7 Dec. 9 Dec. 12 Dec. 16 Dec. 22 Dec. 28 Jan. 3

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threat Rutgers starts season led by combination of returning starters, incoming freshmen Baker impressed plenty during the preseason and, though it didn’t Last Sunday’s charity exhibi- necessarily show up on the stat tion game against St. John’s didn’t sheet, had a strong passing presence on the court against St. John’s. count, but it was a start.

“To get that win, it shows that He worked the ball into the paint we’re working hard, and it’s just more well, often linking up with senior to look forward to,” said junior guard forward Deshawn Freeman and Corey Sanders. “(It) felt like it was a Doucoure in the post.

The New Hampshire native was great exhibition game, great energy.”

Erasing an 11-point deficit mid- also able to control the offense way through the second half, the alongside Sanders, switching up Knights stormed back to lock the reps at the point, as he tied Sanders score at 78 before sophomore for- and Freeman for the lead in assists ward Issa Thiam rebounded and put with three.

Doucoure, a 6-foot-9-inch forin Sanders’s missed jumper to win it.

Before Pikiell, games like these ward-center hybrid, figures into didn’t go Rutgers’s way. Games like a small-sided starting five as the center, taking over for CJ Gettys at these didn’t exist, period.

Of their 17 conference matchups the position.

As Gettys was last year, he is in the 2015-2016 season, the Knights only kept two of those contests within joined in the frontcourt by Freeman, single digits, losing both, including a who may wish his 28-point, 12-retriple-overtime home defeat to Illinois. bound output from Sunday repeats itself in games Last year that count later there were eight “The best thing we can on this season. such games, not The captain, including their give our fans is wins. ... in his final season three wins in the We’re trying to really on the Banks, and Big Ten. WhethSanders enter as er that’ll transbring that back to the the on-court leadlate to better play ers, and their prodown the stretch RAC this year.” duction versus St. this year is anyJohn’s confirms body’s guess, Corey sanders that. The duo rebut Pikiell beJunior Guard turns to the team lieves that is less with its eyes set about him and more about the identity the team on the same sights as the fans, hoping has developed together. There is no to get into contention and compete shortage of chemistry in the locker beyond the Big Ten Tournament.

For now though, as the season room, and the mixture of upperclassmen and incoming freshmen comes around in less than a week, all focus is attached to one thing. strikes just the right balance.

“We want to show more prog“I’m very excited about the addition of our newcomers, but I’m most ress. We want to show that we’re excited that all of our veterans have working hard,” Sanders said. “The come back focused and better,” Pik- best thing we can give our fans is iell said. “Experience is always one wins. ... We’re trying to really bring of the greatest traits you can have. that back to the RAC this year. Once We have veterans who have been the fans see how hard we working, I through some wars that can help us.” think they’ll get behind that.”

Two of those newcomers have For updates on the Rutgers already played their way into the starting lineup — guard Geo Baker men’s basketball team, follow @TargumSports on Twitter. and center Mamadou Doucoure.

continued from FRONT

PROJECTED STARTING LINEUP

COREY SANDERS GUARD

GEO BAKER GUARD

ISSA THIAM FORWARD

DESHAWN FREEMAN FORWARD

MAMADOU DOUCOURE CENTER

Junior 6’2”, 176 lbs.

Freshman 6’4”, 180 lbs.

Sophomore 6’10”, 190 lbs.

Senior 6’7”, 227 lbs.

Freshman 6’9”, 243 lbs.

November 9, 2017

Gameday Page 3 WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

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stringer Entering 23rd year as head coach, Stringer faces unique challenge with new-look team continued from back

Stringer said. “More than half of the team has never played together.

Stringer is the first coach in col- But so many of them have been on lege basketball history to reach campus and have been able to practhe Final Four with three different tice with the team. I do enjoy these schools, is just one of seven coaches transfers, and I do enjoy this group.”

Stringer will have to guide this to win over 900 games and has been a finalist for the Naismith College bunch through the gauntlet that is Coach of the Year award five times the Big Ten, and with a team made while at the University and won in up of mostly underclassmen, red1993. But most importantly for the shirts and transfers, that might not Knights, she’s not going anywhere be easy. Coming off of a year where anytime soon, as she agreed to a four- the Knights went 6-24 and 3-13 in year contract extension on Thursday. conference play, there are a lot of “I appreciate the opportunity to challenges coming into this season, and Stringer continue to take knows it. the Knights to “We’d be great heights, in “Coach Stringer has happy to win particular with the over five games current group of taught me more than I this season, and young ladies we can even imagine.” it’s going to be have,” she said. “I really tough,” have the chance to KATHLEEN FITZPATRICK she said. “We’re keep doing what I Fifth-year Senior Guard playing Marylove to do and that land and Ohio is coach basketState in our conball, along with teaching and mentoring the young ference and Michigan that just won women who are in our program. With the WNIT. And we also play the the current team, there is a great out- (defending) national champions, look, and I am excited for what the fu- South Carolina. I’ve always said that if you want to be the best, you ture holds for this program.”

With 47 years of coaching and have to play the best.”

Still, that didn’t prevent her from almost 1,000 wins under her belt, Stringer has left an impact on count- entertaining the possibility that they less players, and her current batch could reach as high as the NCAA Tournament if everyone works hard. knows that all too well.

But no matter what happens, the “(She’s taught me to) never break and never show anybody fact remains that Stringer has been that you have your head down and instrumental in the success of many always stand up strong,” said soph- players throughout her almost 50 years of coaching, and her current omore guard Ciani Cryor.

Entering her 23rd year in Pisca- team is no exception.

“Coach Stringer has taught me taway, Stringer has seen it all, but there are still some things that sur- more than I can even imagine,” said prise her. For example, her current fifth-year senior transfer guard Kathroster has seven transfers, which is leen Fitzpatrick. “The biggest thing something that is almost foreign to that sticks out for me is always being her. In addition, Rutgers also has confident, waking up every morning four redshirts who will get their fearlessly, knowing that you can confirst taste of on-court action after quer anything that you can. She’s abover a year off, including Tyler Scai- solutely amazing, and to be able to fe, who was second on the team in play for her is a blessing.” points per game and a second team For updates on the Rutgers All-Big Ten selection two years ago.

“In my years of coaching I’ve women’s basketball team, follow only had one or two transfers ever,” @TargumSports on Twitter.

Knights welcome 5 transfers to squad Matthew Howe Contributing Writer

Last season surely wasn’t the season Rutgers women’s basketball fans were hoping for. After finishing 6-24 and going a dismal 3-13 in Big Ten conference games, head coach C. Vivian Stringer described the season as “gut-wrenching.”

But many factors played a part in last season’s shortcomings. Threeyear starter and leading scorer Tyler Scaife sat out with a medical redshirt, as well as five transfer players due to NCAA transfer rules.

If one thing is for sure, it’s that the Scarlet Knights have a new look this season, with a roster bolstered with transfers who are now ready to hit the court and make an impact.

Nigia Greene Greene is a graduate student from the University of Miami, playing in a competitive Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). While at Miami, she was a three-year starter since her sophomore season and shot 37.1 percent from three-point range during her senior season. The 5-foot-10-inch guard should bring valuable experience over to Rutgers and is a phenomenal ball handler, only turning the rock over seven times in her junior season.

Kathleen Fitzpatrick “Fitz,” as her teammates like to call her, is a graduate transfer from St. Joseph’s. The 5-foot-9-inch guard is the definition of a threepoint specialist, leading St. Joe’s in three-pointers made (57) during her junior season, as well as during her sophomore season (53).

“We needed the outside shooting,” said Stringer. “Anyone who has ever come into the gym sees her practicing all day every day, night and day, working on her shot.

She’s going to be able to help us in a big way.”

Fitzpatrick is averaging 7.1 points per game in her career but once dropped a career-high 26 points against Rhode Island during her junior season. As well as leading St. Joe’s in three-pointers, she also led the team in free throw percentage both her sophomore and junior seasons, shooting .906 and .833 from the charity stripe, respectively.

After sitting out last season, Fitzpatrick is eager to get back on the court.

“I can’t wait to finally play and represent the best program and best university in the country,” she said. “Committing to play for Rutgers and coach Stringer is my proudest basketball moment.”

Stasha Carey Carey is a junior transferring from Pitt and one of the Knights’s

most impressive transfers. During her two seasons at Pitt, she averaged 9.4 points per game as well as 7.3 rebounds per game. Carey is a “can-do-it-all” type of player, working her way up in the Pitt record books in multiple categories.

During her freshman season, Carey “finished with the fourth most rebounds by a freshman in program history (245), the second most blocks (47), and the fifth most steals (48),” according to the Rutgers women’s basketball roster website.

“She’s 6-foot-2 and can shoot at the 3-point range,” Stringer said.

“She is able to go inside and her moves are tight. Lots of big people have a whole lot of space to operate, but as soon as they move outside the space they drop the ball or whatever. She is very uncanny in that respect.”

Carey also comes with NCAA Tournament experience, playing in a game her freshman season where she posted a double-double with 16 points and 13 rebounds. Carey is an extremely valuable addition to the Knights, as she is a tenacious rebounder as well as someone who you can count on for 10-plus points in every game.

Caitlin Jenkins A 6-foot-3-inch junior, Jenkins played her freshman season at Southern Mississippi before playing her sophomore season at Southern University at Shreveport. During her freshman season, she averaged a double-double, posting 12.2 points per game and 10.4 rebounds per game. While at Southern Mississippi, she was named Second Team

All-Conference USA as well as being named to the All-Freshman and All-Defensive Teams.

Ciani Cr yor Cryor is a 5-foot-5-inch sophomore point guard from Georgia Tech. During her freshman season at Georgia Tech, she averaged 5.7 points per game, 2.4 assists per game and 1.7 steals per game. She played in 29 games and made 12 starts, including one game where she dropped a career-best 19 points against Notre Dame.

“She’s going to add quickness, and that again helps us with that ‘55,’” Stringer said, on Cryor’s utility in Stringer’s signature “55” press defense.

Clearly, building team chemistry is going to be the greatest challenge, but Stringer doesn’t feel worried.

“The difference maybe with this group is so many of them have been here on campus and have been able to practice with the team. It will be different,” she said.

If Rutgers wants to make a run at the NCAA Tournament this season, something it has achieved only one time in the last four seasons, it’s going to have to win 20-plus games, a daunting task considering last season’s failures. Having a hall of fame coach like Stringer at the wheel should at least ease the growing pains of this new-look Knights program.

For updates on the Rutgers women’s basketball team, follow @TargumSports on Twitter.

Sophomore guard Ciani Cryor comes to Rutgers as a transfer from Georgia Tech, where she averaged 5.7 points per game.

DIMITRI RODRIGUEZ / PHOTO EDITOR / OCTOBER 2017

PROJECTED STARTING LINEUP

CIANI CRYOR GUARD

KATHLEEN FITZPATRICK GUARD

TYLER SCAIFE GUARD

STASHA CAREY FORWARD

DESIREE KEELING CENTER

Sophomore 5’5”

Fifth-year senior 5’9”

Fifth-year senior 5’9”

Junior 6’2”

Junior 6’2”

Jordan Farbowitz Correspondent

Ask anyone to name the most well-known figures currently employed at Rutgers and there is a good chance they will say C. Vivian Stringer, head coach of the women’s basketball team.

In addition to her notoriety within her own school, she is also one of the most recognized coaches in all of basketball. A hall of fame inductee in 2009, she has led the Scarlet Knights for over two decades, taking Rutgers to 15 NCAA Tournaments, two Final Fours and one championship game, as well as a Women’s National Invitation Tournament (WNIT) title.

See stringer on Gameday Page 3

EDWIN GANO / ASSOCIATE PHOTO EDITOR