Men’s Basketball Focuses Forward

PISCATAWAY - For the second time in as many years, Rutgers men's basketball concluded its season with positive momentum under head coach Steve Pikiell.

The Scarlet Knights advanced to the Big Ten Conference quarterfinals at Madison Square Garden via victories over Minnesota and five-time national champion Indiana. It marked the first time RU won two conference tournament games since 1998.

"I think you're getting a dose of what we can be at Rutgers," said Pikiell post-game in March at the World's Most Famous Arena. "I'm so excited about the future. I really am. And we're going to get better and better."

Rutgers, which played the toughest conference schedule in the Big Ten according to Ken Pom analysis, ranked 17th nationally in both scoring defense and offensive rebounding, while placing 26th in 3-point FG% defense. RU was among the top three in the Big Ten in nine statistical categories.

The 2017-18 roster included four contributing seniors who "brought a lot of respect to the uniform" according to Pikiell. All are expected to earn their degrees in May.

Fortunately for the RU faithful, the RAC hardwood will be well-stocked, as the Scarlet Knights welcome at least five newcomers to the floor in 2018-19. Two of the newcomers, Peter Kiss and Myles Johnson, experienced the transition process this past season, practicing with the team while benefiting from redshirt designations.

Kiss was not be able to compete in games under NCAA guidelines after transferring from Quinnipiac, where he was a unanimous MAAC All-Rookie team selection in 2016-17.

"Peter is a versatile wing player who loves to practice and is as athletic as anyone in our program," said Pikiell. "He can really shoot the ball and make plays. He's gained 13 pounds since he arrived on campus. Peter has three years to play. People are really going to like the energy he competes with. He's a great addition."

Johnson was as a Long Beach Press Telegram First Team Dream Team selection at Long Beach (Calif.) Polytechnic High School before signing with the Scarlet Knights in May of 2017.

"Myles is pursuing an engineering degree and made the Dean's List, so we are really proud of that," said Pikiell. "He's also lost 28 pounds since arriving on campus. He has terrific hands and scores around the basket. He has a 7-foot-7 wing span to block shots. We are really excited about his development. Myles has a really good feel for the game and is one of our better passers."

This past November, Pikiell announced a signing class comprised of junior college sophomore Shaq Carter and high school seniors Ron Harper, Jr. and Montez Mathis. The basketball exploits of the heralded haul was extensive at the time, but only grew larger from their impressive campaigns this past season.

With Carter imposing his will in the frontcourt, Eastern Florida State College advanced to the NJCAA National Championship Tournament Final Four for the second straight season. The NJCAA Pre-Season All-American shot 58.5 percent from the field in 34 games for the 30-5 Titans, scoring in double digits 13 times and registering 10-plus rebounds on eight occasions, including 21 in an 88-58 win over Santa Fe College. Carter earned his second, Second Team All Mid-Florida Conference honor in the process.

"At 6-9 and about 260 pounds, Shaq is a low post scorer who can really pass the ball and has range to 15 feet," said Pikiell. "He played on one of the country's best junior college teams and made it to the Final Four. Eastern Florida State won a ton of games in his two years there. He's a great young man and a good worker from a terrific program that has done nothing but win."

Harper helped Don Bosco Prep to the New Jersey Tournament of Champions (TOC) Final for the second consecutive year. He averaged 20.8 points-per-game, including 31 points in the TOC final, to help the Ironmen to a 29-3 record and the State Non-Public A and Bergen County Jamboree titles. Harper was an NJHoops.com First Team All-State, NJ.com Second Team All-State and First Team All-Bergen County selection.

"Don Bosco had an unbelievable year with Ron in the lineup, making it all the way to the TOC final," said Pikiell. "He scored his 1,000^th-point in the championship game. He's a versatile player that we are very excited to have. He scores in a lot of ways and knows how to play. Ron can shoot, pass and dribble. We're very happy to have a first team all-state selection from New Jersey."

Mathis, a consensus four-star recruit rated among the top 100 players nationally, helped John Carroll High School to a 29-8 mark and the MIAA "A" Conference title in 2017-18. He earned First Team All-Baltimore County League and first team all-conference honors.

"Montez played a tremendous amount of basketball and had a great year," said Pikiell. "John Carroll is one of the best teams in the Maryland area. Montez really scores and does so in a lot of different ways. He's one of the terrific athletes coming out of Maryland. He can do a lot of things with his versatility and he's a good defender. We're really looking forward to getting him up here this summer."

The excitement about the future at 83 Rockafeller Road is prevalent not only on the court, weight room and offices inside the RAC, but outside as well, where the RWJBarnabas Health Athletic Performance Center continues to rise.

"We're going to put this program in a good place, where we have good players in every class," said Pikiell. "I'm very confident in what we're doing. I'm confident in the build that we have. Our athletic director is the best. We're building practice facilities. We compete in the best league in the country. I feel really good about where we are."

Follow Rutgers men's basketball on Facebook (www.facebook.com/RutgersMBB), Twitter (www.twitter.com/RutgersMBB) and Instagram (www.instagram.com/RutgersMBB) for additional news and updates.

Schedule

Players Mentioned

Myles Johnson

Peter Kiss

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