Rutgers Media Day 2014 – Men’s Basketball

By Dylan Mruczinski

Tuesday afternoon, Rutgers held their Media Day at the RAC in Piscataway as the inaugural Big Ten season approaches. ‘Excitement’ was the word of the day as every person in attendance understood the importance of a good start to the season.

Eddie Jordan meets with the media at the RAC. (Photo: James Stumper Jr.)

Second-year Head Coach Eddie Jordan started off the media conference composed and collected as he praised his staff and team for the work they have put in during the offseason. Perhaps the most compelling quote in Coach Jordan’s opening statement was “We’re excited about being in the Big Ten, the top conference in the country.” With plenty of NBA experience from himself and his staff, Coach Jordan appeared more than ready for the B1G competition ahead and will be looking to his two senior leaders in Myles Mack and Kadeem Jack to carry the team.

Coach Jordan stressed the importance of getting better everyday as the season progresses, something that Power Forward Kadeem Jack did tremendously last year. Coach Jordan even called Jack the impact player and strength of the team. The senior big man became a double-digit scorer for the Scarlet Knights last season (14.3 ppg) and has embraced the vocal leadership role of the team.

“My role is to keep the tone of the team, and bringing the high energy and high intensity to practice,” Jack said.

Coach Jordan believes Jack’s potential has yet to be fully tapped and has enjoyed watching the young man develop. Throughout the offseason, Kadeem has worked extensively on his 8-12 foot jumper along with bringing high intensity to practice day in and day out.

Another key to Eddie Jordan’s offense will be the NJ native, Point Guard Myles Mack. Mack was the lead scorer for Rutgers last season and has his mind set on a “Big Ten focus.” One thing Mack has worked on this offseason is coming off of ball screens, while keeping his lethal first step off the dribble intact. Myles Mack, once seen as a pure scorer in his high school days is ready to take on an up tempo style of play against Big Ten competition.

“We’re an East coast style team,” said Mack in reference to the up-tempo style of offense Rutgers will bring to its new conference. Mack has also worked on his on-the-ball defense, something that will be of vital importance come Big Ten play with the great guards the conference always boasts.

Senior Myles Mack is embracing his leadership role. (Photo: James Stumper Jr.)

Other than the seniors Mack, Jack, and Malick Kone, this is a young Rutgers squad in terms of experience. This team however, is bigger than last year, something that Coach Jordan stressed during his time at the podium. “Competing at the rim” something Coach Jordan has seen every practice from his team is another thing to be excited about. Junior Greg Lewis will certainly take on a bigger role in the front court. Coach Jordan called Lewis “the most consistent practice player” thus far and insisted that making his shots will be key to Rutgers success. Another exciting big man is Sophomore Junior Etou who looks to improve his already stout defense. Cousin of the Oklahoma City’s Serge Ibaka, Etou has been influenced by his relative’s angry defensive presence on the floor. With Coach Jordan wanting to bring a new style to the Big Ten, it will be important for Etou and the rest of Rutgers’ bigs to be disruptive.

The Scarlet Knights are also going to be looking toward some new faces for production. JUCO transfer Bishop Daniels is primed to see a ton of action to secure the back court. You could tell that Daniels has that natural born leadership throughout interviews and is a player that could play a bigger role this season than many anticipate. Freshman newcomers, D.J. Foreman and Mike Williams have impressed in practice along with Shaquille Doorson, a 6’11 Center from the Netherlands. These 3 youngsters offer a promising future for the Knights and will all play a role later in the season.

Overall, it seems that Eddie Jordan has done a quality job in just his first two years as Head Coach. The players all buy into the system and staff he has assembled. Most importantly, the future of Rutgers Men’s Basketball looks to be in good hands of an extremely confident and intelligent basketball mind. Many believe that Rutgers will struggle in its first season as a member of the Big Ten, with the help of a competitive non-conference schedule that won’t ease the transition. Yet the players and coaches alike are well aware of expectations and ready to excite.

Rutgers opens the regular season against George Washington home at the RAC on November 16^th after an exhibition game welcoming Baruch College on November 8^th.