Rutgers' Freshmen Shine, but Rebounding Woes Loom Large in Preseason Loss to St. John's

Rutgers' exhibition matchup against St. John's was a high-scoring affair that showcased the immense potential of the Scarlet Knights' talented freshmen, Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper. However, the game also exposed a concerning weakness in Rutgers' rebounding, an area that will need to be addressed as the team prepares for the regular season.

Freshmen Phenoms Dazzle, but Rebounding Remains a Concern

Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper Impress with Offensive Firepower

The Big Ten Network's analyst, Austin Johnson, was thoroughly impressed with the performances of Rutgers' freshmen stars, Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper. The duo combined for an impressive 45 points, showcasing their offensive prowess and drawing nine fouls between them. Johnson praised their maturity, decision-making, and ability to attack the basket, noting that the "undeniable talent" of these two players is a tantalizing glimpse of their potential.As Johnson observed, "Ace and Dylan look every part worth the hype and hysteria. Dylan being so poised and mature, efficient in his decision making, the way he attacks on offense. Ace's package offensively, I talked to some (St. John's) coaches afterward and they were kind of enamored with his ability." The analyst's enthusiasm for the freshmen's performance is a testament to their impressive debut and the excitement surrounding their future development.

Role Players Embrace Their Responsibilities

Alongside the standout performances of Bailey and Harper, Johnson also highlighted the "buy-in from the guys around them." He noted the "energy and effort" of players like Jordan Derkack on defense, as well as the efficient shooting of Zach Martini and PJ Hayes, who combined for a 6-of-7 performance from the field.This level of buy-in and understanding of their roles is crucial for a team's success, as Johnson explained. "Offensively speaking, it's about maximizing your chances. You're going to have nights when you see Ace putting up 18 shot attempts and Dylan is putting up 16 shot attempts, so PJ Hayes going 4-for-4 on his field-goal attempts is really efficient. The floor's going to be spaced and people are going to be getting doubled, so how do you respond when the ball is swung your way and you're wide open? He was able to rise up and knock them down."

Rebounding Woes Expose a Potential Weakness

Despite the impressive offensive display, one area of concern for Rutgers was their rebounding. St. John's outrebounded the Scarlet Knights by nine and grabbed 21 offensive boards, a statistic that left head coach Steve Pikiell visibly frustrated in his postgame press conference.Johnson acknowledged the challenge, noting that the "rebounding is another one of those things that's much different from high school to college. You've really got to go above and beyond." He pointed to the dominance of St. John's center Zuby Ejiofor, who recorded an impressive 10 offensive rebounds and 13 overall, as a testament to the physicality and effort required at the college level.The analyst expressed confidence that Rutgers' coaching staff will address this issue, stating, "You can drill it, and I assume (Rutgers) will be more conscientious about it." He also highlighted the potential of Ace Bailey to develop into a strong rebounder, given his size and physical attributes, though he acknowledged that it's a skill that will take time to fully develop.

Replacing Cliff Omoruyi's Defensive Presence

Ejiofor's dominance on the boards also shone a light on Rutgers' potential matchup issues at the center position, where they are trying to replace the standout defensive presence of Cliff Omoruyi, who is now playing at Alabama.Johnson acknowledged the challenge, explaining, "Obviously Cliff last year was the defense's eyes and ears as the quarterback. On the back line, when you're playing under the rim, you can see all aspects of the floor. They have guys who can do it. I'm confident that with Manny, Martini and Lathan, it'll come with time and reps. Manny is still so fresh and new to basketball, new to playing at this level of speed and physicality."The analyst's assessment suggests that while Rutgers has capable players to fill the void left by Omoruyi, it will take time and experience for them to fully adapt to the demands of the position at the college level. Developing this defensive presence will be crucial for the Scarlet Knights as they look to maintain their strong defensive identity from last season.