College Hoops Preview: We Have a Small Forward, People

On the eve of practice, the Rutgers Scarlet Knights just added a huge boost to their starting line-up.

J.J. Moore, the senior swingman--who transferred out of Pittsburgh--gained gained immediate eligibility today. Moore gives the team an immediate upgrade at wing.  He's considered a sharp shooter, and an athlete who can get to the rim.  Moore's eligibility gives them two things:

• Probably the most talented and balanced starting five since 2003-04.  JJ Moore gives the team another senior, to go along with 3 juniors.  Moore will likely start with Myles Mack, Jerome Seagears, Wally Judge, and Kadeem Jack.  According to Jerry Carino, Moore has been a leader since he stepped on campus.  He's been to the NCAA before, and played a role.  That experience can only help the team.

• An open scholarship for the 2014 season.  Moore graduates after this year, and Eddie Jordan and company can now add another body for the following year, which will help balance the classes.  There will be 6 open scholarships when the Mack class graduates, and Jordan will need some experienced bodies to help transition from veteran to young team.

Now, Rutgers waits to hear on Junior Etou.  By all accounts (Carino, Brendan Prunty and the rest of the beat reporters), Etou is academically eligible and waiting to hear about some amateurism issues from his time in Africa.

At beginning of the summer, I said that if Rutgers go could 4 for 4 on their ifs (Seagears coming back from his transfer, Kerwin Okoro being eligible, Moore's eligibility and Etou's), Rutgers could be very talented.  They could surprise.  So far, the Scarlet Knights are 3 of 4 and things are looking up.

Practice starts tomorrow, and hope springs eternal.