On the Banks: All Posts by Dave WhiteInsomnia for the sleeping giant.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/50417/onthebanks-fav.png2022-07-11T14:00:00-04:00https://www.onthebanks.com/authors/dave-white/rss2022-07-11T14:00:00-04:002022-07-11T14:00:00-04:00Conference Expansion Shakes College Sports Up Again. Long term, is this a good thing for Rutgers?
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<img alt="NCAA Basketball: Illinois at Rutgers" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/9G2Pi9gXomj1VwReJslGdHtVwOQ=/0x0:4385x2923/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/71095807/usa_today_17700877.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The college sports world is changing—again. I worry that it will continue to change so much that Rutgers world won’t have the same potential is does right now.</p> <p id="DaldpC">We’re cheering on dollar signs.</p>
<p id="Gs3laU">That is what ran through my mind when news broke that the Big Ten was <a href="https://www.onthebanks.com/2022/6/30/23190134/report-usc-and-ucla-planning-to-join-big-ten-conference-realignment-jon-wilner">adding USC and UCLA</a>. <a href="https://www.onthebanks.com">Rutgers</a> fans were celebrating on Twitter about the story. Conferences around the country have been crumbling under the weight of football movement, but the Scarlet Knights still have a seat at the table in the Big Ten—becoming one of potentially two power conferences along with the SEC.</p>
<p id="sEGPBx">Short term, this is excellent for Rutgers. They aren’t <a href="https://www.theuconnblog.com">UConn</a> or Syracuse or Boston College—teams that were strong in the early 2000s, but now have been weakened by conference movement. Syracuse and BC bolted the <a href="https://www.bigeastcoastbias.com">Big East</a> for the ACC as soon as they could and haven’t been the same since. And UConn was left in the dust after Rutgers and Maryland went to the Big Ten, and is now independent in football. Scarlet Knights fans have taken great pleasure in these developments.</p>
<p id="O0bSrL">Rutgers is in a prime spot. They have the <a href="https://rfund.scarletknights.com/">R Fund </a>to help build facilities and <a href="https://knightsoftheraritan.com/">Knights of the Raritan </a>and <a href="https://knightsociety.io/">Knight Society</a> to help with NIL. All good things.</p>
<p id="MDfydW">The Scarlet Knights athletic department is about to make a windfall in TV payouts and that’s great. Maybe Rutgers fans can be happy that they won’t have to read long stories about spending after someone sends <a href="https://cm.northjersey.com/offers-reg/?return=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.northjersey.com%2Fstory%2Fopinion%2Feditorials%2F2022%2F07%2F08%2Frutgers-university-athletics-credit-card-spending-fiscal-oversight%2F65368657007%2F">out a bunch of OPRA requests</a>. But beyond that, does the payout matter to fans? It’s not like Rutgers fans are going to see a dime of it. And, at the same time, everyone else in the conference will make the same amount, so while it will help Rutgers be step up from those left out to dry, it won’t help them vs. conference foes.</p>
<p id="bkYXYv">In fact, some could argue that the job just got harder for Greg Schiano and everyone else in the athletic department. The Big Ten didn’t bring in slouches—they brought in brand names and traditional powers. USC just hired a fantastic coach and is going to be a football force. UCLA is coming off a recent Final Four appearance. At least at the moment, Rutgers basketball has things rolling from a winning and recruiting perspective. Football is landing the players, but it is going to take some time for them to develop. But UCLA and USC both finished in the top 15 of the Directors Cup standings, and the travel will be hell on all teams, particularly the Olympic sports.</p>
<p id="otOhTH">And then, there are the long term concerns. As a basketball first fan, I am very, very worried about the long term prospects of the NCAA tournament. These power football schools seem to want to break away from everyone else—and that concerns me. Because basketball does not matter in this conversation and while the NCAA Tournament is a big time money maker, it could still go away if these two conferences can find a way to leverage more money without the smaller name schools. This <a href="https://www.saturdaydownsouth.com/college-basketball/expansion-fallout-what-happens-with-the-ncaa-tournament-is-the-big-dance-nearing-its-last-dance/">article puts it well</a>. <em>“CBS isn’t paying for Saint Peter’s...They’re paying to see if Saint Peter’s can beat North Carolina.” </em>These two conferences might be able to create a tournament where they don’t need St. Peter’s and can still pull in huge dollars.</p>
<p id="NgiE2K">To me, as a college hoops fan first, that sucks. As <a href="https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/football-drove-usc-and-ucla-to-the-big-ten-but-could-eventually-mean-big-changes-in-college-basketball-too/">Gary Parrish says</a>, after talking to people in TV, it would probably be “more lucrative” money wise if these football school winnow the teams down and away from the little guy. The product won’t be as compelling, but the money would be great.</p>
<p id="4He2cj">Again, we’re cheering for money. Not wins and not entertainment, but money.</p>
<p id="F1x5gD">Which brings me to my last fear. College Football reminds me of the Nothing in the movie <em>The Neverending Story—</em>a power that destroys everything in its part by absorbing it all. Football wants to keep burrowing forward, taking out anything in its way in order to up its payout. So, here’s the doomsday scenario:</p>
<p id="cvuoZR">What if, <a href="https://www.rockmnation.com/missouri-tigers-football/2021/8/3/22605285/sec-expansion-blues-part-1-enjoy-it-while-it-lasts">five or ten years down the road</a>, Rutgers gets left out?</p>
<p id="8Jlg17">But, Dave White, you narrow-minded basketball fan, you say, Rutgers isn’t getting kicked out of the Big Ten. They bring in eyeballs because of their location, the proximity to New York and amount of cable subscribers that brings. </p>
<p id="n00ABq">Ratings, baby.</p>
<p id="KDvktx">Ah, but I didn’t say they were getting kicked out.</p>
<p id="gyPDSJ">No, I’m more and more concerned that ratings won’t matter—algorithms will. We are moving toward a streaming world, where anyone can watch anything. The Big Ten is still looking to expand and it won’t be about location, so much as brand name. Top schools that will bring eyeballs and make the competition even tougher.</p>
<p id="mrwxjb">Or, even worse, what if the best 30 football programs in the country—<a href="https://www.landgrantholyland.com">Ohio State</a>, USC, Penn State and Michigan for example, decide to leave their respective conferences and start something new? The Amazon Prime League. Or Apple TV+ Football. Who knows? Maybe they even try to create their own streaming service.</p>
<p id="EfTa2p">Rutgers location won’t matter then. What will matter is the teams that everyone talks about will be matched up with each other week after week after week. Ohio State vs. Clemson. <a href="https://www.onefootdown.com">Notre Dame</a> vs. Michigan. USC vs. Auburn. Does the Northeast Corridor even matter when it comes to college football powerhouses?</p>
<p id="6OTTcN">Rutgers would still be in the Big Ten, but it would be a dramatically weakened one. It seems silly, but something in the back of my mind can’t rule it out. Schools do not have conference loyalty anymore. And if Ohio State sees a chance to make 500 million dollars instead of 100 million, they are going to jump at it. </p>
<p id="1IWNY7">Just like Rutgers left their traditional rivals behind, first the Atlantic 10, and then in the Big East. They did it to save themselves. They did it for money. They cashed in and right now it’s paying off.</p>
<p id="baCU4s">I can’t blame them. Most of us would have done the same thing. And so far its led to a remarkable turnaround by the athletic department in the past ten years. There is good leadership here. Steve Pikiell has Rutgers basketball rolling. Greg Schiano is developing football. </p>
<p id="DH65Zk">Rutgers is good. They currently have a seat at the table. I am very happy about that. It’s exciting to see the Scarlet Knights on the field and the court facing off against big time teams. And currently with Jonathan Holloway and Pat Hobbs, Rutgers has good leaders who are both aligned and get what the sport is coming.</p>
<p id="Kwwpsp">The concern is that might not be enough. Rutgers only sin could be that it is a great academic school with athletics on the rise instead of being a college football blueblood. And of course, college basketball’s sin is that it’s not football.</p>
<p id="AnPH3n">Long term, I am worried about the direction realignment is sending things. Being good might not be enough. What will matter matter most is money. And the algorithm—even at the expense of what happens on the field.</p>
<p id="V6uX2C">And I’m not sure if I’m okay just cheering on bank deposits.</p>
https://www.onthebanks.com/2022/7/11/23203618/big-ten-conference-expansion-rutgers-greg-schiano-steve-pikiell-football-basketballDave White2022-06-22T06:47:19-04:002022-06-22T06:47:19-04:00Ask A Beat Writer: Post Season Q&A with Jerry Carino
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<img alt="NCAA Basketball: First Four-Notre Dame at Rutgers" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/nNbJkYVfdcMA0jDIWPk-YXvrOUo=/0x0:4678x3119/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/71002625/usa_today_17910998.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p id="qkOMzq">It is a tradition, which at this point has spanned a decade. The season wraps up and we talk to someone who has covered the team the longest. Jerry Carino writes for the Gannett New Jersey and has some of the best Rutgers basketball insights around.</p>
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<p id="btgwmy">So here we go:</p>
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<p id="udmx6N"><strong>OTB; This was an up and down season, most of the way, but with the fans back, it was arguably one of the most fun. How would you, professor, grade this season? Explain your work, please.</strong></p>
<p id="R8TotQ">JC: If we’re just grading entertainment value, the season was an A. So many nail-biter games and memorable moments. After the rocky start, the team was fun to watch. Tough defense and unselfish offense. A breakthrough fourth-place finish in the Big Ten. And it was deeply satisfying watching three guys who put a combined 13 seasons into the program---Geo Baker, Ron Harper and Caleb McConnell---lead the way. True Rutgers men, great representatives of the university. You may not see that kind of loyalty again.</p>
<p id="dqEjPS">But for an overall grade, B+. Steve Pikiell said this was his best team and it went 0-2 in the postseason, getting whacked by Iowa in the B1G Tourney and then exiting in the First Four after squeezing into the Dance. Thrilling ride, but this team was capable of more. That said, the bar for success at Rutgers is making the NCAA Tournament. When you lose sight of that, you risk becoming Pitt. </p>
<p id="YfEztF"> </p>
<p id="MQDaZA"><strong>OTB: What were the keys to the turnaround from—even late January—where it looked like this was going to be a good, but disappointing to Rutgers fans, team to going on the run they did?</strong></p>
<p id="sS9Pn5">JC: Paul Mulcahy came into his own as a floor general. It made everyone better and eased the burden off Geo Baker, whose play in other areas picked up as a result. Now, what happens when you play in a league with elite coaching like the Big Ten is this: Once Paul got rolling the other coaches went to school on him, so he fell back to earth a bit. But you saw extended glimpses of his potential. I expect another step forward next season.</p>
<p id="csK5o7"> </p>
<p id="vWHhuP"><strong>OTB: Ron Harper Jr. and Geo Baker are gone. What will their impact be on the program going forward? </strong></p>
<p id="GBZGnO">JC: Obviously replacing their scoring and clutch playmaking will be a challenge. But beyond that, their leadership, the tone they set, should leave a long-lasting mark. They entered a program that expected to lose and left one that expects to win. That’s a sea change, and they’re the biggest reasons for it. And they’re still giving back. If Harper makes it in the NBA, that will be the best possible advertisement for Rutgers basketball.</p>
<p id="OsM8yP">On the flip side, when you lose the two faces of the program’s only successful era in modern times, there’s going to be a hole. Those guys could take a punch, metaphorically speaking. Whether it was rebounding from a brutal loss or overcoming the onslaught of social-media negativity or saying the right words to a teammate or instinctively channeling what Pikiell wanted, those intangibles are not easily or automatically replaced. You saw Mulcahy and Cliff Omoruyi lose their composure in big games last year in ways that Baker and Harper never did. It’s up to them to step up and grab that mantle.</p>
<p id="KqzNg2"> </p>
<p id="1kSYZC"><strong>OTB: With Caleb McConnell back, how do you expect him to impact the roster. We know he’s the reigning DPOY, but can he add offense to his arsenal as well?</strong></p>
<p id="366ads">JC: I expect him to be the best overall player on the team. There’s a lot that he didn’t show offensively because he deferred to Harper and Baker and embraced his role as a junkyard dog. Last summer and fall he was the program’s most efficient offensive player in the practice stats the staff charted. So yes, I believe there is room for him to grow offensively. From a leadership standpoint, he’s invaluable.</p>
<p id="27SXFk"> </p>
<p id="kuzvkl"><strong>OTB: What can fans expect from transfer Cam Spencer?</strong></p>
<p id="xbh87H">JC: I really don’t know. I’ll be watching him closely when I see the team work out this summer and fall. Obviously they’re counting on him to score from the perimeter and stretch defenses, so he’ll be important. Pikiell also feels like Mawot Mag and Audre Hyatt are ready to take the next step—I’ve heard him mention that a couple of times since the season ended.</p>
<p id="PngEsV"> </p>
<p id="sRpl6T"><strong>OTB: What have you heard about the two other newcomers, Derek Simpson and Antwone Woolfolk?</strong></p>
<p id="3SYYaq">JC: I’ve seen Simpson play a couple of times. He’s going to be really good. He attended his public high school for four years, he played AAU ball for one team, he’s been coached by his father who was a terrific New Jersey college player, has a high basketball IQ. So like Ron Harper (who had a similar background), I expect his loyalty and coachability will be off the charts. Like Geo Baker, he’s a sneaky-good athlete who can shoot, get to the rim and get in the passing lanes. And he’s a prolific winner. Rutgers is deep in the backcourt so my guess is he plays a rotational role this year and really starts to make an impact as a sophomore.</p>
<p id="dCTlQ6">The staff sees Woolfolk as raw and moldable after he played multiple sports in high school. They like his physicality. He’ll need some time to develop.</p>
<p id="QmPTAp"> </p>
<p id="FpCth9"><strong>OTB: With the ball likely running through Paul Mulcahy and Cliff Omoruyi next season, how will Rutgers look different?</strong></p>
<p id="bzvblt">JC: Rutgers should run its offense through the post. It should be pick-and-roll heaven with Paul and Cliff. Cliff was nearly unstoppable around the rim by the end of last season and in practice, you could see a mid-range game developing. I do think he has work to do defensively, which is why I said Caleb will be the team’s best all-around player, but Rutgers has a force in the paint on offense and, as he did with Jameel Warney at Stony Brook, I expect Pikiell to ride that hard.</p>
<p id="U43hzV"> </p>
<p id="jjDBIG"><strong>OTB: What is your early take on the Big Ten next season?</strong></p>
<p id="z3496y">JC: The league is losing a ton of talent. I get why Indiana is considered the favorite because everyone else is losing so much, but I’d like to see the Hoosiers navigate a season as the hunted before I believe they can do it. You could make a case things are wide open enough for Rutgers, which is still on the experienced side, to remain in the upper half. But you can also make a case that the league’s run of getting 8-plus teams in the Dance is likely over. RU may need its non-conference resume to be a net-plus to return to the NCAAs.</p>
<p id="ciwkWY"> </p>
<p id="Z3LOYP"><strong>OTB: Rutgers landed a commitment from a top player in Gavin Griffiths. Now that the Baker-Harper-McConnell era is reaching it’s conclusion, has the Pikiell era gone as you expected? What is the ceiling for Steve Pikiell going forward?</strong></p>
<p id="BZXCHq">JC: Yes, this is what I foresaw when Steve was hired. He built a winning program by finding the right mix of guys and coaching them up. Recruiting rankings and stars are overrated. Mamadou Doucoure, Montez Mathis and Jaden Jones were four-star prospects. People celebrated when they committed. Geo Baker, Caleb McConnell, Ron Harper and Myles Johnson were three stars or less. With the exception of Harper (because he’s local and we all knew he was better than his rating), people shrugged when they committed.</p>
<p id="mfKJEh">Pikiell is going to recruit based on relationships and his own evaluations, not some national recruiting analyst’s. He’s going to consider factors that no fan can see, like the prospect’s family and outside influences (and learn from recent mistakes in that area). And he’s going to be somewhat limited by the NIL, because the <a href="https://knightsoftheraritan.com/">Knights of the Raritan</a> have rightly decided to put their resources toward returning Rutgers athletes and not recruits. It worked out that nobody had to break the bank for an NIL to get Griffiths. Moving forward, that will be a rarity for a player ranked that high.</p>
<p id="GqYWJg">My point is, Pikiell will continue to do what he’s been doing. Which brings us back to my earlier point: The fairest way to evaluate him is by NCAA Tournament appearances (and it certainly doesn’t hurt that he runs a program that alums can be proud of). His ceiling is whatever the vagaries of March will bring. That’s how most non-blueblood programs live, and it’s a lot better than the alternative. Ask Pitt fans.</p>
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<p id="4sj2c9"><strong>Thanks, Jerry.</strong></p>
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<p id="ZpWo9S"><strong>And in other cool news, in case anyone was wondering, I got a great Father’s Day and former Rutgers player Geo Baker is just a very good person. Check out his tweet for more: </strong></p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Got a chance to do something pretty cool today <a href="https://twitter.com/KnightSociety_?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KnightSociety_</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Dave_White?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Dave_White</a> ❤️ <a href="https://t.co/6CBzr1OzFI">pic.twitter.com/6CBzr1OzFI</a></p>— Geo Baker (@Geo_Baker_1) <a href="https://twitter.com/Geo_Baker_1/status/1538588221789065218?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 19, 2022</a>
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https://www.onthebanks.com/2022/6/22/23178188/jerry-carino-geo-baker-caleb-mcconnell-gavin-griffiths-beat-writerDave White2022-06-02T06:56:55-04:002022-06-02T06:56:55-04:00Unfinished Business: 4 Thoughts on Caleb McConnell’s Return
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<img alt="NCAA Basketball: First Four-Notre Dame at Rutgers" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/99aeWTCyGax6l1z0Ww7oarPBtFE=/0x0:2648x1765/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/70934583/usa_today_17910662.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p id="rcaR3u">Rutgers fans got some welcome news late last night. The reigning Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, Caleb McConnell, is <a href="https://www.onthebanks.com/2022/6/1/23132715/caleb-mcconnell-return-rutgers-basketball-nba-draft-withdrawal-big-ten-defensive-player-of-the-year">returning</a> to Rutgers for his fifth season on the banks. He is using his COVID extra season of eligibility. Along with that, he is the first Scarlet Knight to sign a major NIL deal with newly formed Rutgers collective <a href="https://twitter.com/jonnew/status/1532181352677789696">Knights of the Raritan</a>. So, what does Caleb returning to the banks mean for Rutgers?</p>
<p id="s6b9G1">Four Thoughts</p>
<p id="0sbwXh"><strong>Starting Five Set: </strong>Rutgers core is back and it’s a solid one. Developing superstar big man Cliff Omoruyi will man the paint, with Paul Mulcahy back to dish him the ball. McConnell at the wing. Newly arrived transfer Cam Spencer will probably start at two guard. There’s a question about who starts at the four, but I’d think Audre Hyatt would get the nod there. He played the most minutes of anyone who could play the position, though I imagine there’s a chance you could see Mawot Mag—or maybe even Dean Reiber—manning the spot. It’s a sold starting five, which—while missing the scoring punch of Geo Baker and Ron Harper Jr—has some offensive options at all five positions.</p>
<p id="ggvdiA"><strong>How Does a Defensive Player of the Year Develop: </strong>We all saw what McConnell could do last season from game saving blocks, to a ton of steals, to shutting down Johnny Davis—one of the best scorers in the Big Ten. So, how does he follow that up? Well, in the NCAA Tournament, he stunned us all by dropping in 23 points and 11 rebounds, but that is very likely an outlier. The guess here is he will play as he always has, within himself and taking good shots. If a player who averaged about 7 points last year can up that to around 9, while still playing lockdown defense, we should all be happy campers.</p>
<p id="q51SR8"><strong>Is the roster set? </strong>That’s a big questions. There are still two scholarships open. There aren’t any major holes on the team, but at the same time, it doesn’t look like Rutgers has been able to replace the scoring from Harper Jr. Last month, Rutgers pursued and thought they had a good chance to land St. Bonaventure transfer Kyle Lofton, so it’s clear that if the right fit comes along, coach Steve Pikiell will jump at it. There are still a few more players in the portal, but it’s not clear who fits right now. In his <a href="https://www.app.com/story/sports/college/rutgers/2022/06/01/rutgers-basketball-caleb-mcconnell-returning-his-5th-year/9760760002/">article about McConnell</a>, Jerry Carino hinted there might be a developmental big man on the horizon. It will be fascinating to watch.</p>
<p id="FV8tlo"><strong>Steve Pikiell is Working Things His Way: </strong>This was going to always be an interesting offseason, with so many different pieces in and out of the program. So far, it looks like a win. No one entered the transfer portal, which is a minor miracle this day and age. He lost two seniors and Jaden Jones to life opportunities. But he retained his core, added a big time transfer and a big name freshman in Derek Simpson. Antwoine Woolfolk has potential and players that Pikiell has been touting for years seem to be on the precipice of breaking out. This is how Pikiell has always worked in his career and it has been successful for him. He doesn’t raid the transfer portal and he doesn’t add a ton of highly ranked guys no matter the spot and try to make them fit. He tries to build a team in his image. This roster is the same but different. We shall see how it all shakes out starting in, according to Jon Rothstein, 153 days.</p>
https://www.onthebanks.com/2022/6/2/23151352/unfinished-business-4-thoughts-on-caleb-mcconnells-return-rutgers-basketball-big-tenDave White2022-03-22T18:51:53-04:002022-03-22T18:51:53-04:00The R Fund Promotes Rutgers Giving Day on March 23
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<img alt="Big Ten Tournament - Iowa v Rutgers" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/NjiTQncyxB5AN1Ie9l_Xx3fdCs0=/0x380:2667x2158/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/70659298/1384346476.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p id="1fCuTr">It’s exciting times for Rutgers Athletics.</p>
<p id="6YlQdw">Today is March 23rd and it is Rutgers Giving Day.</p>
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<p id="faUDj1">A 24-hour, daylong celebration of Rutgers excellence and scarlet pride. For one day, our community will unite to give back and help Rutgers help the world. Throughout the day, you can participate in any of the hourly and daylong challenges and join in on social media to earn support for your favorite Rutgers schools and programs. </p>
<p id="RHH4IV">It will run all day from 12 midnight until 11:59 pm. And there’s a bit of a competition. You see, the top four teams with the most Donors (not dollars) will receive an extra bonus to benefit their program. First place will receive an extra 8,000, second place 5,000, third place 2,500 and fourth place will receive an extra thousand. So, if you’re a fan of say Men’s Basketball, get all your friends to donate to that program too and grab some extra benefits.</p>
<p id="3moLJP">In 2021, there were 1,151 donors and Rutgers wants to beat that number this season. So get your giving on. You can donate to your chosen program by <a href="https://go.rutgers.edu/nq2fffyq">clicking this link</a>.</p>
<p id="FjOEw8">Can’t give a monetary gift this year? Well, my friend, you can still help with <a href="https://givingday.rutgers.edu/pages/ru-social-media-challenges">Rutgers Social Media Challenge</a> to help spread the word. Remember, it’s not about how much you give. It’s about how many of us are giving. It’s about our community rallying to support Rutgers Scarlet Knights as they grow as students, athletes, and leaders in our community.</p>
<p id="yqbrxL">Donate and tweet at <a href="https://twitter.com/R_Fund">@R_Fund</a> and you’ll receive a cool personalized wallpaper on Twitter. Look below, and you can see our example here.</p>
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<p id="taserA">Good luck, thank you and Go RU!</p>
https://www.onthebanks.com/2022/3/22/22980189/the-r-fund-promotes-rutgers-giving-day-on-march-23Dave White2022-03-17T00:16:09-04:002022-03-17T00:16:09-04:00Season Over: 4 Thoughts On Rutgers 89-87 Double Overtime Loss to Notre Dame
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<img alt="Notre Dame v Rutgers" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/o7J_BSyNPT9g5X4xYuOf5HS1ZzE=/0x0:3000x2000/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/70634009/1385879023.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p id="Lf7DSO">Season over. The Scarlet Knight drop an absolute heartbreaker—as it goes in March—as <a href="https://www.onefootdown.com">Notre Dame</a> put an offensive rebound in with 1.9 seconds left.</p>
<p id="9wiyZ4">Four Thoughts</p>
<p id="Ib3MHv"><strong>No One Wants to Hear This: </strong>That was a great basketball game. Both teams threw haymakers. Both teams made huge mistakes. <a href="https://www.onthebanks.com">Rutgers</a> came up one stop short. Geo Baker missed a fadeaway at the buzzer in regulation. Paul Mulcahy and Ron Harper Jr. hit huge threes in both overtimes. Notre Dame just had one last punch. Disappointing. Just like last year this is going to take a long time to get over. Not how you wanted this crew to go out.</p>
<p id="Zw4gdh"><strong>Caleb McConnell: </strong>McConnell, if this is his last game in a Rutgers uniform, was so, so good. He had 18 points in the first half and finished with 23. He had 11 rebounds. He had a block, a steal and two assists. It was the kind of complete game you hope to see out of the defensive player of the year. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough. But if this is how he goes out, it is an impressive way to go out.</p>
<p id="JyJtM2"><strong>The Defense Just Wasn’t There: </strong>For all Steve Pikiell preaches, the defense just wasn’t on tonight. Cliff Omoruyi could not stop the mobile big man in Paul Atkinson Jr. The big guy got to the rim at will and scored 26 points, including the game winner. He was the difference. Ugh. It’s so hard to write about. The five out offense was difficult for Rutgers to defend because they could not help for fear of losing a three point shooter. Notre Dame got the rim at will and Rutgers had no answer. It’s March. It happens. </p>
<p id="9zDrvI"><strong>Culture Changers: </strong>The entire starting squad was fantastic on offense. Ron had 22. Geo Baker took over in the second half and had 19 points. These players are going to go down in Rutgers lore as the ones who turned it around. They are hurting right now. They didn’t want to go out this way, but it’s how it goes in March. Be thankful for these players and what they’ve given us. This was a disappointing game, but not a disappointing era. There are a lot of offseason questions that we will look at over the coming weeks, but for now... we mourn.</p>
https://www.onthebanks.com/2022/3/17/22982442/season-over-4-thoughts-on-rutgers-89-87-double-overtime-loss-to-notre-dameDave White2022-03-13T21:11:22-04:002022-03-13T21:11:22-04:00Unfinished Business: 4 Thoughts On Rutgers NCAA Bid
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<img alt="Big Ten Tournament - Quarterfinals - Iowa vs Rutgers" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/AZeSlGVuyKyqZz_xUz1v0cRlx10=/0x23:2146x1454/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/70618015/1384364367.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p id="75hHb2"><a href="https://www.onthebanks.com">Rutgers</a> made the NCAAs for second straight season and third time in a row if you count 2020. That is remarkable. </p>
<p id="MwnY73">Four Thoughts</p>
<p id="5saRYW"></p>
<p id="1uT448"><strong>Two Years In A Row: </strong>This program did it. From Steve Pikiell on down. To Geo Baker and Ron Harper Jr. to Montez Mathis for being one of the first top recruits to give the team a chance before it was anything to... now. Can you believe what is going on here in Piscataway? The Scarlet Knights are dancing for two years in a row! And this season, with fans in the stands? What a reward. The ups, the downs, the questions and the answers. Here we are.</p>
<p id="qSaOCs"><strong>Mike Brey Revenge Game: </strong>It probably means nothing to the current team, but it means something to the fans. In the aftermath of the Mike Rice scandal, then governor Chris Chirstie went to Mike Brey for advice. Brey’s advice was the shut down the program for the season and find the right coach. It was yet another hit in an offseason of hits that hurt Rutgers basketball. It’s a chance to prove that Brey was wrong and that Rutgers belongs all along.</p>
<p id="SqdACJ"><strong>The Play-In Counts: </strong>I can just see this being an issue amongst fans. After a season like this, you take it and go and beat the team you are matched up against. Rutgers had a rough run early and then a remarkable run late. They are still one of the top teams in the country this season and maybe being in the play-in motivates. Rutgers has a real chance to make a run. All the fretting about transfers and bench play and consistency can be put to rest. Rutgers is here. Now it’s just time to win.</p>
<p id="8QN39f"><strong>#WeRWithU: </strong>Here is your chance to make a difference. Rutgers and the RFund is asking you to donate 11 dollars toward our seed. Help our program out <a href="https://giving.scarletknights.com/campaigns/mens-basketball-303901#/">here.</a></p>
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https://www.onthebanks.com/2022/3/13/22976163/unfinished-business-4-thoughts-on-rutgers-ncaa-bidDave White2022-03-11T17:15:04-05:002022-03-11T17:15:04-05:00Unfinished Business: 4 Thoughts on Rutgers 84-74 Loss to Iowa in the Big Ten Tournament
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<img alt="Big Ten Tournament - Iowa v Rutgers" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ZAw6PQnViQ7vRfC8OvEmToNOXO0=/0x0:4000x2667/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/70610965/1384346544.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p id="JyakMD"><a href="https://www.onthebanks.com">Rutgers</a> ran into the Iowa Hawkeye buzzsaw and despite a great start could not keep. They fell by ten.</p>
<p id="SPBOXN">Four Thoughts</p>
<p id="2T2NdP"><strong>Dayton or the </strong><strong>NIT</strong><strong>: </strong>That’s the question right now. It’s why Pikiell was pressing with thirty seconds to go. The Scarlet Knights couldn’t afford to get analytically blown out, even though they were playing a quad 1 team. Rutgers was able to whittle a lead down to ten for the final score and we will see how that affects Rutgers on Selection Sunday. It’s a big question and one we will be sweating out Sunday night. By the eye test, Rutgers has done enough to get into the NCAAs, even if it’s the last team in. But, with some bid stealers still out there and the losses to Lafayette and UMass still hanging over their heads in terms of metrics, the potential to be the top seed in the NIT is still there. Bite your fingernails until we find out.</p>
<p id="Ks9VHS"><strong>Tight Whistle: </strong>That’s going to be the story of this game. The referees didn’t want Rutgers to play their physical style of defense against the Hawkeyes. Iowa was able to get to the line 27 times and made a remarkable 25 of their shots. That was the difference right there. If Rutgers even cuts that in half it’s a much different game. The fouls were fouls, even that cylinder call is the right call—even if it is a dumb one. But, when you take away Rutgers ability to play tough, physical defense, it’s going to be a long night. And then Dave VanDyke took two technical fouls and got ejected. It was not a good night for the stripes.</p>
<p id="U29EjL"><strong>On Offense, Rutgers was Good: </strong>Rutgers was good enough offensively to survive a down game from Ron Harper Jr. Geo Baker had 23, Cliff Omoruyi was incredibly impressive with 17 and Paul Mulcahy had 13 and 9 assists. Offense wasn’t the problem—they even sprinted out to a quick 15-5 lead. But Iowa’s zone fluster Rutgers just long enough to allow them to make a run and get back in it and then the whistles started. It’s a shame too. Could have been a fun ending other wise.</p>
<p id="uxNdLC"><strong>On the Boards: </strong>The other weakness has been something that has flustered Rutgers all year. Iowa out rebounded the Scarlet Knights 34 to 28. Keegan Murray was great with 26 points and 4 offensive rebounds. It felt like the Scarlet Knights could not complete defensive possessions, and Iowa had 8 offensive boards. Even though Rutgers had 10 offensive boards themselves, they couldn’t make Iowa pay. Let’s face it, Iowa is probably the hottest team in the Big Ten right now—and Rutgers couldn’t match it. </p>
<p id="X9pbYj">So, now we sweat. See you Sunday.</p>
https://www.onthebanks.com/2022/3/11/22973372/unfinished-business-4-thoughts-on-rutgers-84-74-loss-to-iowa-in-the-big-ten-tournamentDave White2022-03-06T15:59:06-05:002022-03-06T15:59:06-05:00Unfinished Business: 4 Thoughts on Rutgers 59-58 Win Over Penn State
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<img alt="Penn State v Rutgers" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/KGoq1XXq1sz62TZpMsi_ka_WXcM=/0x1:6606x4405/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/70586639/1238985170.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p id="ZB9kBZ"><a href="https://www.onthebanks.com">Rutgers</a> <a href="https://www.onthebanks.com/2022/3/6/22964452/rutgers-survives-59-58-on-senior-day-to-complete-best-big-ten-regular-season-finish-penn-state-rac">grinded one out</a>—one that you originally thought was going to be a laugher—here on senior day. </p>
<p id="OVrRZ0">Four Thoughts:</p>
<p id="aaQF8n"><strong>Nothing Comes Easy For These Guys: </strong>It looked like they were going to cruise. They were up 15 in the second half. The RAC was rocking with one of the best atmospheres of the year. But then Penn State came roaring back as Sam Sessoms became tough to guard and Seth Lundy got hot from deep. I don’t know how good Micah Shrewsberry’s recruiting is right now, but if they continue to get players, they are going to be very good very soon. Meanwhile, Rutgers missed free throws and their offense went cold. But once Penn State tied it, Rutgers found ways to get to the hoop and get fouled. They didn’t make all of them, but they made enough and survived one of the worst inbound passes I’ve seen. They dodged a bullet to get to 12-8 in the Big Ten. Who would have thought it? This game ended exactly the way <a href="https://www.onthebanks.com/2022/3/6/22964469/rutgers-wins-on-senior-day-perfect-ending-mens-basketball-big-ten-geo-baker-ron-harper-jr-mcconnell">you would expect it to for this team</a>.</p>
<p id="JogGBZ"><strong>These Guys Are So Easy to Like: </strong>Geo Baker, Ron Harper Jr., Caleb McConnell, Ralph Gonzales-Agee, and Luke Nathan—stand up and take a bow. These players, particularly the first three, brough Rutgers to relevance and beyond. They played tonight like they love this place more than anywhere else. Ron Harper scored 15. Geo Baker had his key assists. Caleb McConnell hustled on defense all afternoon. They found a way to survive. And, in the postgame, when the five seniors addressed the crowd, Geo put it best: “Would you expect any different?”</p>
<p id="d04GHf"><strong>It Doesn’t Get Easier: </strong>Now that the regular season is over, Rutgers is either finishing 4th or 5th in the Big Ten depend on the outcome of tonight’s Iowa Illinois game. And then the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/big-ten-basketball-tournament">Big Ten Tournament</a> looms. While the Scarlet Knights have a very good NCAA resume, it is also a very confusing one. It would behoove Rutgers to win their first round game at least and right now it seems like everyone is playing well. Even Nebraska. Don’t expect a cake walk for the Scarlet Knights.</p>
<p id="1nw0Fp"><strong>Easily the Best Atmosphere of the Year: </strong>The fans didn’t come to play, they came to celebrate and bury the Nittany Lions. It started in the tear-filled pregame ceremony (including a cool “Dy-lan Har-per” chant from the student section) and crested during the defensive stands during the game. I don’t know who could hear any plays being called out during the game it was that loud. Think about how remarkable that is from where the program was just six years ago. From being able to hear a pin drop to not being able to hear the person next to you. Going forward, these are the crowds the RAC can expect.</p>
https://www.onthebanks.com/2022/3/6/22964576/unfinished-business-4-thoughts-on-rutgers-59-58-win-over-penn-stateDave White2022-03-02T21:25:55-05:002022-03-02T21:25:55-05:00Unfinished Business: 4 Thoughts On Rutgers 66-63 Win Over Indiana
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<img alt="Rutgers v Wisconsin" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/QVyytPmkb7AdN8zVe7EJRDAwWCc=/0x0:3000x2000/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/70572660/1370234453.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p id="JOAHws"><a href="https://www.onthebanks.com">Rutgers</a> stepped up down the stretch. Twice they came back from 7 down. Then they ended it. One more for all the marbles.</p>
<p id="IDUegH">Four Thoughts</p>
<p id="u6fh8J"><strong>Ron Fire: </strong>As Ron Harper Jr. goes, so goes Rutgers. And we had a Ron Party tonight. The senior, on the road opened the game with a bucket and ended the game with a bucket. He had 19 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists. He was dominant and took over the game. Take a bow, Ron Harper. That three to basically end the game was cold blooded. How lucky have we been to watch Harper and Geo Baker be two of the most clutch players we have seen here on the banks. Savor this folks. What a game. What a win.</p>
<p id="K49RT0"><strong>Cliff Omoruyi at the line: </strong>Boy, did the sophomore show up on the road. The big man, after starting 1-4 from the line hit four clutch free throws down the stretch to pull away from Indiana. More cold blooded play. Omoruyi helped bottle up Trayce Jackson Davis to only 8 points in the last 30 minutes of the game. He rebounded the ball, finishing with 12 boards to go with 13 points. He was a force in the middle and is developing into one of the best big men in a conference full of them. Wow.</p>
<p id="4tTeph"><strong>The Paul Mulca-cident: </strong>Okay, the comments should be good on this one. Paul Mulcahy has been frustrated by the lack of foul calls he’s been getting the past four games. You could see it in his body language and it all boiled over tonight in the final 20 seconds. With Rutgers up three, and corralling a rebound, Geo Baker threw a long pass to Paul. All Paul had to do was take the foul, make the free throws and get on the plane. But he did not handle the Xavier Johnson foul well and threw an open hand back at him. It cost Rutgers, nearly dearly. He got a flagrant two. Thankfully, Aundre Hyatt made the one and one (with a smile on his face) and Rutgers survived the Parker Stewart three to tie. I can’t say if Mulcahy will be suspended for Sunday, but I’d be surprised if he was. Either way, it was a boneheaded play of frustration that could have cost the Scarlet Knights.</p>
<p id="uy55xk"><strong>Step 1: </strong>Okay, this was step one of two. Now, we get back to Jersey Mike’s and we say goodbye. Be there to salute Geo Baker, Luke Nathan, Ralph Gonzales-Agee, Ron Harper Jr and Caleb McConnell (yes, the two of them could come back, but let’s not take chances). Then it’s time to be loud and close the season with a win over the pesky <a href="https://www.blackshoediaries.com">Penn State Nittany Lions</a>. There’s still the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/big-ten-basketball-tournament">Big Ten Tournament</a>, sure, but let’s not leave it up to chance. Tonight was one for the ages. Now, let’s talk about Sunday forever. What a season it has been.</p>
https://www.onthebanks.com/2022/3/2/22959273/unfinished-busines-4-thoughts-on-rutgers-66-63-win-over-indianaDave White2022-02-26T21:24:16-05:002022-02-26T21:24:16-05:00Unfinished Business: 4 Thoughts on Rutgers 66-61 loss to #13 Wisconsin
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<img alt="NCAA Basketball: Wisconsin at Rutgers" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/bWHMQxSClB8hQFUxsWubEylayRQ=/0x362:2746x2193/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/70555726/usa_today_17775388.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p id="6D4GPq">After a rough first half, the Scarlet Knights battled back to take the lead only to fall too far behind in the last two minutes to come back again.</p>
<p id="UmXqno">Four Thoughts</p>
<p id="ICQRVI"><strong>Can’t Figure Them Out: </strong>28 games into the season and I still can’t figure the Scarlet Knights out. During the first half, where <a href="https://www.onthebanks.com">Rutgers</a> got good look after good look, but nothing went down, I thought they were just out of gas. Then Geo Baker gives it one last go around and goes off in the second half and it reignites the team. They had the lead, but could never put the <a href="https://www.buckys5thquarter.com">Wisconsin Badgers</a> away and now their backs are truly against the wall. Rutgers has to win its next two games or be faced with a deep run in the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/big-ten-basketball-tournament">Big Ten Tournament</a> in order to get into the NCAAs. This team has given us a ton of memories, but it’s possible it’s all petering out now. </p>
<p id="W7hU4u"><strong>Wisconsin For Three: </strong>The Badgers haven’t been a good three point shooting team this season, but they were today. They shot 9-20 for 45% and that was the difference. Rutgers played them well defensively but Chuckie Hepburn made one from the R and Brad Davidson decided he was a younger man again. And though Caleb McConnell made him work, Johnny Davis was a better player this time around, scoring 19, including 6-7 from the free throw line.</p>
<p id="NgIi75"><strong>The RAC was the RAC in the second half: </strong>When the Scarlet Knights went on a run, the building got loud. There were a few defensive possessions where my ears were ringing, but this is where we see how good the Badgers are. They made shots in the clutch. They are the best Big Ten Road team and it showed tonight. The fans came ready, however.</p>
<p id="h3X48r"><strong>Backs Against the Wall: </strong>So here we go. Rutgers travels to Indiana where they have been successful the past few years on Wednesday and then face Penn State at home on senior day. Is this team out of gas? Or do they have it in them to dig deep one more time? I don’t know. I’m exhausted just thinking about it.</p>
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<cite>Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images</cite>
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https://www.onthebanks.com/2022/2/26/22952856/unfinished-business-4-thoughts-on-rutgers-66-61-loss-to-13-wisconsinDave White