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Thoughts On Gil Biruta's Decision To Transfer

By Brandon Cohen
Feb 22, 2012; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights forward Gilvydas Biruta (55) during the game against the Marquette Golden Eagles at the Bradley Center. Marquette defeated Rutgers 82-65. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-US PRESSWIRE
Feb 22, 2012; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights forward Gilvydas Biruta (55) during the game against the Marquette Golden Eagles at the Bradley Center. Marquette defeated Rutgers 82-65. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-US PRESSWIRE

Gilvydas Biruta is transferring from Rutgers after a season that I would guess he would describe as extremely frustrating. The key word, in fact, in all this Biruta news, is frustration.

Many have tried to guess and speculate as to why Biruta decided to transfer, so I figured I'd give my take, considering I was in attendance for all of the Rutgers home games, sans the games vs. West Virginia and Notre Dame.

Biruta not only was yelled at by Head Coach Mike Rice the most, but also often refused to join huddles with the young guards (Jerome Seagears, Eli Carter, Myles Mack) and often looked confused, lost, and frustrated on the court.

When Biruta was not in the game he usually had his head down, looking at his feet rather than the game, and when he was in the game he was usually in the process of fouling out due to poor refereeing and the fact that he was the player Rutgers relied on for the big man presence.

Biruta obviously did not gel well with the team and the program as a whole, thus his transfer from Rutgers. It's a disappointing situation for all, but Mike Rice has to make the best of this. I wish Biruta the best, as I see him on campus all the time, and he really does seem to like Rutgers, but I do not wish him the best if he plays Rutgers!