Men's Basketball Hosts Annual Media Day
Oct 30 | Men's Basketball
PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Rutgers men's basketball held its annual media day Tuesday afternoon at the Rutgers Athletics Center. Third-year head coach Steve Pikiell conducted a press conference streamed live via RVision, before student-athletes met with the media to preview the upcoming season.
"I am thrilled about this year," Pikiell said. "I really like my team, we have great chemistry, guys play well together, we got some unique pieces that I am excited about. We are going to make some huge improvements, in the last two years we have improved in every area and I think that trend is going to continue so I am really excited for this season.
Rutgers welcomes a signing class that includes multiple (Montez Mathis, Ron Harper Jr.) four-star players for the first time since 2008. Junior college transfer Shaq Carter is a preseason Big Ten All-Newcomer selection by Street & Smith's.
"I'm really excited about the opportunity to play in my home state," Harper explained. "If we can do something great it can really create lifelong memories for me. I'm just going to keep working hard and stay humble, and great stuff will come."
Rutgers returns seven scholarship letterwinners, including a pair of 2017-18 redshirts, from a team that advanced to the 2018 Big Ten Conference quarterfinals at Madison Square Garden via victories over Minnesota and Indiana. It marked the first time RU won two conference tournament games since 1998.
"The team chemistry is great this year," sophomore guard Geo Baker said. "We do everything together. Our whole team is on the same page; we talk about it every day. There is just a different vibe this year. We are all Coach Pikiell's guys. I feel like we all have the same mindset, same goal and we have been very serious about that goal this season."
The Scarlet Knights open their 112th season of collegiate basketball versus regional foe Fairleigh Dickinson on Nov. 9 at 7 p.m. Fans have the opportunity to support the Scarlet Knights 17 times at the RAC, comprised of 10 conference contests, as well as multiple games against regional hardwood foes. Five Big Ten programs that have won NCAA men's basketball titles will compete in Piscataway. Eleven of Rutgers' 30 regular season games are against opponents ranked or receiving votes in the preseason AP poll.
"The returning guys have all gotten better," Pikiell said. "I am excited about the program and where it is from two years ago when I took over to now, I think we are getting better every year."
Fans can secure season tickets, flex ticket plans and single-game non-conference tickets online, or by calling 866-445-GORU (4678). Additional information can obtained by visiting RutgersGameday.com.
STUDENT-ATHLETE MEDIA DAY QUOTES
Montez Mathis: "As a player I just want to help the team win, and as a team I just want to win games. I do not really have any personal goals, just want the team to win, just get better every day."
Peter Kiss: "Whatever they throw at me, I am going to be ready for it. I am going to embrace the challenge and give my best."
Myles Johnson: "For myself, this season, I just want to help my team win in anyway shape or form, as long as we win the game that is all that matters. As a team, we definitely have the talent to shock some people. I cannot wait to get out of the tunnel for the first game and see our fans excited for this season."
Shaq Carter: "We are all just willing to work hard to get wherever we want to get to. We've been building good relationships in the locker room and with the coaches. I am just enjoying every moment."
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.
"I am thrilled about this year," Pikiell said. "I really like my team, we have great chemistry, guys play well together, we got some unique pieces that I am excited about. We are going to make some huge improvements, in the last two years we have improved in every area and I think that trend is going to continue so I am really excited for this season.
Rutgers welcomes a signing class that includes multiple (Montez Mathis, Ron Harper Jr.) four-star players for the first time since 2008. Junior college transfer Shaq Carter is a preseason Big Ten All-Newcomer selection by Street & Smith's.
"I'm really excited about the opportunity to play in my home state," Harper explained. "If we can do something great it can really create lifelong memories for me. I'm just going to keep working hard and stay humble, and great stuff will come."
Rutgers returns seven scholarship letterwinners, including a pair of 2017-18 redshirts, from a team that advanced to the 2018 Big Ten Conference quarterfinals at Madison Square Garden via victories over Minnesota and Indiana. It marked the first time RU won two conference tournament games since 1998.
"The team chemistry is great this year," sophomore guard Geo Baker said. "We do everything together. Our whole team is on the same page; we talk about it every day. There is just a different vibe this year. We are all Coach Pikiell's guys. I feel like we all have the same mindset, same goal and we have been very serious about that goal this season."
The Scarlet Knights open their 112th season of collegiate basketball versus regional foe Fairleigh Dickinson on Nov. 9 at 7 p.m. Fans have the opportunity to support the Scarlet Knights 17 times at the RAC, comprised of 10 conference contests, as well as multiple games against regional hardwood foes. Five Big Ten programs that have won NCAA men's basketball titles will compete in Piscataway. Eleven of Rutgers' 30 regular season games are against opponents ranked or receiving votes in the preseason AP poll.
"The returning guys have all gotten better," Pikiell said. "I am excited about the program and where it is from two years ago when I took over to now, I think we are getting better every year."
Fans can secure season tickets, flex ticket plans and single-game non-conference tickets online, or by calling 866-445-GORU (4678). Additional information can obtained by visiting RutgersGameday.com.
STUDENT-ATHLETE MEDIA DAY QUOTES
Montez Mathis: "As a player I just want to help the team win, and as a team I just want to win games. I do not really have any personal goals, just want the team to win, just get better every day."
Peter Kiss: "Whatever they throw at me, I am going to be ready for it. I am going to embrace the challenge and give my best."
Myles Johnson: "For myself, this season, I just want to help my team win in anyway shape or form, as long as we win the game that is all that matters. As a team, we definitely have the talent to shock some people. I cannot wait to get out of the tunnel for the first game and see our fans excited for this season."
Shaq Carter: "We are all just willing to work hard to get wherever we want to get to. We've been building good relationships in the locker room and with the coaches. I am just enjoying every moment."
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.
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