Even in its greatest year as a Large 10 member, Rutgers could not earn at the house of horrors that is Value Metropolis Arena.
The No. 11 Scarlet Knights keep on being winless in Columbus immediately after slipping to No. 23 Ohio Condition, 80-68, on Wednesday in a wild game that showcased officiating controversy, much more injury for Rutgers and a 28-point next-half swing for the Buckeyes.
The loss marked the end of any significantly-fetched aspiration of a fantastic typical year and, according to senior guard Geo Baker, serves a wake-up simply call for the Scarlet Knights.
“I think it humbled us a small bit,” he explained. “We obviously wished to go undefeated, (but) there are some matters we have to function on and now we know that … our workforce was exceptionally confident coming in. I experience like our men are going to look at our errors and discover from them and get greater.”
Ohio State thrived where by it commonly does: acquiring to the cost-free throw line and crashing the offensive glass. The Buckeyes built 22 totally free throws (25% of their details, appropriate about their season regular) and corralled 12 offensive rebounds that led to 12 2nd-prospect points. The Scarlet Knights, outrebounded 45-25 on the evening, could not cease them.
“I have to do a much better task as a mentor acquiring these guys completely ready for the two matters they do effectively,” Pikiell explained. “We desired to defend devoid of fouling and we didn’t do that now.”
In this article are five observations from the contest:
The highway whistle showed Myles Johnson’s benefit
Gamers and supporters alike had been fuming with the officiating crew during and just after the contest. Now they know how Illinois admirers felt Sunday.
The deserves of the officiating and how a great deal it influenced the ultimate consequence aside (check out the five fouls on Johnson and make a decision for your self), the whistle demonstrated how critical Myles Johnson is to Rutgers’ achievements on both equally ends of the flooring.
In the 15 minutes he was on the court, Rutgers outscored (+16) and outrebounded (+4) the Buckeyes even with his stats (2 points, two rebounds) not popping off the webpage. In the 25 minutes Johnson was off the court docket, Rutgers was tripled up on the boards (36-12) and outscored by 28 factors. In the final 8 minutes and 44 seconds right after he fouled out, Ohio Point out outscored the Scarlet Knights 28-9.
Johnson has struggled with foul issues his complete profession, and it is not probable that spot will get cleaned up abruptly, nor will the road whistle quickly mature kinder. Even now, his involvement on the ground is essential to the Scarlet Knights’ results, so the additional he can slash down on his foul rate (6. for each 40 minutes) this time, the superior.
“Myles has been taking part in truly very good, so only possessing him on the courtroom for 15 minutes with out Cliff is not a great factor,” Pikiell said. “He acquired some fouls early and he never truly obtained into the flow. He’s a excellent player. He’ll bounce again and hopefully we discover a whole lot from this.”
Rutgers requirements Cliff Omoruyi back again immediately
With the freshman center out because of to a knee sprain, junior Mamadou Doucoure served as the backup heart. He performed 21 minutes on Wednesday, additional than he played in his earlier six appearances merged (20 minutes).
Doucoure produced a pair of great plays, which include a dunk that obtained his teammates leaping, but the fall off in Rutgers’ quality was noticeable when he replaced Johnson, particularly on the defensive conclude. Even now, he performed a the vast majority of the minutes guiding Johnson. Freshman Dean Reiber, the fourth middle on the depth chart when Rutgers is at full strength, played just two minutes.
“He arrived in and played tough,” Pikiell claimed of Doucoure. “I knew if I named on him, he’d go in and engage in tricky and which is what he did.”
The more quickly Omoruyi will get back again, the greater for the Scarlet Knights. For each Pikiell, he’s not pretty all set however.
“He hasn’t practiced or done anything at all like that,” Pikiell stated. “I’m thankful we have some times off right here so ideally his knee will continue to strengthen, but he’s not prepared to get again on the court docket.”
Geo Baker seeking much more like himself
Although it was not his best recreation statistically — he completed with 8 details on 3-of-12 capturing, 3 rebounds and an support — Baker appeared his most cozy considering that returning from a large ankle sprain earlier in the time, especially on the defensive end.
“I’m out there taking part in, I’m very good,” Baker mentioned. “Everything feels good out there. Just bought to get far better.”
The damage bug is ravaging Rutgers
Guard Jacob Youthful fell difficult next a dunk endeavor in the next fifty percent, producing an harm he did not return from, which turned out to be the nail in the coffin for Rutgers. If he misses important action mainly because of it, Rutgers can be down three members of its rotation for its future video game towards Purdue if Omoruyi and freshman forward Mawot Mag also do not recuperate in time.
No subject how gifted the roster is, it will be really hard for Rutgers to acquire devoid of depth.
This and That
Some free observations from Wednesday’s game…
— Magazine was not in his walking boot (at the very least not when the Massive Ten Community cameras showed him). A good indicator for Rutgers, which wants its depth again in the worst way.
— Ron Harper Jr. experienced his worst match in Major Ten play and it was however very, very superior: workforce-high 20 points on 40% shooting and 6 rebounds. He did not rating as significantly as common, but he showcased the numerous techniques he can place up details. He even bought the shooter’s roll. The All-Major 10 campaign rolls on.
— The forthcoming holiday break split could not arrive at a superior time for the Scarlet Knights.
“It’ll be great for us mentally,” Baker stated. “We’ll be in a position to check out movie and learn from the reduction.”
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Brian Fonseca may well be attained at bfonseca@njadvancemedia.com.
