Rutgers Basketball: 2017-18 season preview for the Scarlet Knights

Rutgers basketball has had a rough stretch of seasons since entering the Big Ten. Is this the year that the Scarlet Knights turn things around?

The Steve Pikiell era started at Rutgers last year as the Eddie Jordan era mercifully ended.  Rutgers basketball has been the whipping boy of the Big Ten since they joined the league, finishing at the bottom of the league every year. Rutgers looked better in some facets of the game last year under Pikiell’s direction, but this team is still a lot of years away from competing at a high level and being considered a contender in the Big Ten.

Rutgers started 11-2 last year before succumbing to the Big Ten schedule, but Rutgers played Miami and Seton Hall tough. The Big Ten seemed to overwhelm this team last year, but Rutgers did get a win against Nebraska and Illinois at the RAC, and finally got their first Big Ten road win against Penn State. Rutgers even won their very first Big Ten Tournament game last year against Ohio State. The Scarlet Knights could not have asked for more, other than a winning season, out of Steve Pikiell’s first year.

Projected Starters:

Issa Thiam

Thiam started 11 games for Rutgers last year. Thiam is used a 6’10” hybrid guard/forward. Thiam is a really good shooter and has quick hands. It is amazing to see his skill set come from such a tall player. Thiam seems much more comfortable on the wing. His height would suggest that Thiam should be a post player, but he seems to thrive much more in the shooter’s environment. It will be interesting to see the type of defenses that Thiam sees in the league. His height and skill set make him a tough matchup for a lot of teams.

DeShawn Freeman

Freeman is a very good player. He was one of the most highly regarded junior college transfers two seasons ago when he left Hutchinson Community College in Kansas. Freeman is a high flyer, and he can also step away from the basket and bury a jumper. Freeman is a great shot blocker and ranked in the top-20 of all players in the Big Ten last year in blocked shots. One word to describe Freeman would be aggressive. He is always going 100% on the floor and can really be a pesky player for opposing teams.  He gets the hustle stats and can also score. Freeman is a senior captain for Rutgers this year. He is going to be leaned on to score and lead by example.

Eugene Omoruyi

Eugene did start 11 games last year for Rutgers, but he still only averaged 12 minutes a game.  Omoruyi is not much of a scorer and didn’t rebound much, but he was good defensively. He is also a big body to clog up the lane. Omoruyi is from the Canadian powerhouse Orangeville Prep. At Orangeville, Omoruyi played alongside Thon Maker and Jamal Murray. Steve Pikiell likes to utilize Omoruyi to help give his team different defensive looks he is not looking for him to score.  Omoruyi will share the same role for Rutgers basketball this coming season.

Mike Williams

Mike Williams is a Brooklyn product and it shows with the way he plays. He is a tough grinder who plays much bigger than he actually is. Williams is a coach’s dream because it seems he is consistently outworking his opponent for rebounds and loose balls. For a player that is 6’2” to average six rebounds a game is impressive and shows that he not only has the work ethic but the ability to get the best position to secure a rebound. Williams can also score as well. More of a slasher and driver, but Williams can score about 10-15 points on any given night. Williams is also a senior and has been in this program for four years. Williams and Freeman are going to be looked on to be the leaders of this team.

Corey Sanders

Corey Sanders was one of the best players in Florida coming out of high school. The fact that he ended up at Rutgers was surprising, especially considering how many other tradition-rich schools offered him a scholarship. Sanders is arguably one of the best guards in the entire league. He is an elite playmaker who always seems to get to the rim. He has such a quick first step and very few players are able to stay in front of him. Sanders also seems to always get the clutch buckets when Rutgers needs them the most. The two-time all-Big Ten player will make it 3-for-3 this year, and then he may be off to the NBA.