Busting Brackets
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Rutgers Basketball: Keys to Scarlets Knights resurgence in 2019-20 season

By Jake Verboven

EAST LANSING, MI - FEBRUARY 20: Head coach Steve Pikiell of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights reacts during a game against the Michigan State Spartans in the first half at Breslin Center on February 20, 2019 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - FEBRUARY 20: Head coach Steve Pikiell of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights reacts during a game against the Michigan State Spartans in the first half at Breslin Center on February 20, 2019 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /
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PISCATAWAY, NJ – JANUARY 09: Geo Baker #0 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PISCATAWAY, NJ – JANUARY 09: Geo Baker #0 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

Scarlet Knights roster

I already talked about the huge part that Steve Pikiell had in the reconstruction of this previous “cellar dweller” of a program, but let’s talk about the players that are doing it on the court for their head coach.

It starts with Geo Baker. The bouncy point guard has now been in the program for three years and knows what to expect. He is the leader of this team and it was evident not only when he was on the court, but on the bench as well (however his 10.7 PPG and 3.9 APG are nice). Baker suffered a thumb injury on January 3rd that sidelined him for a few games, forcing him to come in off the bench these last two games as he recovers. His energy and positivity shown on the bench are contagious and it’s clear his teammates are feeding off of it.

Then there are the two “sparkplugs” in Montez Mathis and Jacob Young. Playing anywhere from the 1-3, these players come into the game with ridiculous energy on both sides of the ball. Mathis starts, and guards the opposing teams best ball handler. On the offensive end, he plays his role, scoring only when he has to. His teammate Jacob provides a lift on both ends of the floor as well. Young is a pest of a defender, often picking up the opponent full court leading to many turnovers and disruptions. On the offensive end, he provides that 6th man role of the instant offense, the “microwave”, a player that every team needs coming off the bench.

The biggest difference with player production could be the play of the Sophomore trio: Harper Jr., Johnson, and McConnell. All three of these players took upon themselves to improve in the offseason and it’s on national display this season. The trio has seen improvements in every major stat category. Harper has transformed into the leading scorer for the Scarlet Knights, while Johnson has outdueled some of the major forwards in the Big Ten. McConnell has been willing to do anything whether it be coming off the bench, starting, being a facilitator, or a scorer he has been up to the task.

The last three players in the Rutgers rotation include a grad transfer, a Senior, and a Freshman. If he wasn’t 6’6”, it would be hard to tell from his appearance that Paul Mulcahy averaged a triple double in high school his Senior year, but the man rocking the Adidas headband on gamedays is a killer on the court. His size has provided him the ability to see over defenses while running the point for Pikiell.

Next is Senior, Shaq Carter. Carter has a simple role on this team and he plays it to perfection, rebound and buy a few minutes for Johnson. Lastly is a Stony Brook transfer that has been reunited with the coach that recruited him, Akwasi Yeboah. Yeboah is still adjusting to his new role of coming off the bench, but has given solid production when asked upon.

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