Men’s Basketball Attends 2019 Big Ten Media Day
Oct 02 | Men's Basketball
Pikiell, Baker, Carter and Harper Jr. participated in a rotation of interviews with various electronic and digital media, including BTN, ESPN, FOX, CBS Sports and NCAA.com, in addition to participating in a media roundtable with local and national writers. The event was broadcast live on BTN to 60 million households in the United States and Canada.
Pikiell opened the day with a press conference to the gathered contingent of media members. The Scarlet Knights' leader provided an update about the state of the program, addressing the excitement for the upcoming season.
"We have a lot of great things going on at Rutgers," Steve Pikiell said. "It's been a terrific year. We just opened a brand-new practice facility. Thanks to Pat Hobbs, our athletic director and all the great people in Rutgers nation, it's as good a practice facility as there is in the country. Really exciting. We went to Spain this summer with our team, took a tour. Our student-athletes are great kids with the highest grade point average in school history, 3.1 grade point average with our basketball team. I'm very, very excited, heightened expectations, too, and I like that. But I'm truly honored in my fourth year to be the head coach at Rutgers, and looking forward to some great things this season."
Participating in the event for the second straight season was co-captain Geo Baker. As a sophomore last season, the Derry, N.H. native was an Honorable Mention All-Big Ten selection by the Coaches and Media and Third Team All-Met honoree.
"I'm ready to take it out on the court and prove something," Baker said. "We have a special team this year. I'm trying to take it one step at a time to get where we want to be. Our team is going to be really gritty and aggressive. We want to keep that mentality."
Ron Harper Jr. made an instant impact in his first season in Piscataway. He showed his continued growth over the summer as the team's leading scorer on the program's summer tour to Spain (17.0 ppg over four games), while also using the opportunity to forge close bonds with his teammates.
"On that trip, on and off the court we really got to know each other," Harper explained. "We got closer than we've ever been before. We have a really team-oriented style and we are truly a family. This is the tightest bond I've ever had with a group of teammates. We know we can do something special this year."
Fellow captain Shaq Carter prepares to spend his final campaign On the Banks as one of the team's two seniors. As one of the older players on the team, he seeks to provide leadership to make the most of his final collegiate season.
"This was a big opportunity for me to be able to go to Chicago and have the opportunity to represent Rutgers," Carter said. "I'm going to do whatever Coach needs from me and do whatever I can do to help the team. I just always try and stay positive and help motivate my teammates. I've tried to always stay focused and be a consistent voice in the locker room."
Rutgers held its first official preseason practice on Thursday at the RWJ Barnabas Health Athletic Performance Center. The Scarlet Knights open their 113th season of collegiate basketball on Thursday, Nov. 7, versus Bryant at the RAC. Season tickets and flex plans are now available.
✈️🛬
— Rutgers Basketball 🏀 (@RutgersMBB) October 2, 2019
Smooth ride tonight to the Windy City for #B1GMediaDay.
🛡⚔️ #GardenStatement pic.twitter.com/ErnL7z9Ubm
💨🏒🎮🔫🏀
— Rutgers Basketball 🏀 (@RutgersMBB) October 2, 2019
All fun and games tonight with our @B1GMBBall family at @DaveandBusters before we get down to business for #B1GMediaDay tomorrow in Chicago.#GardenStatement 🛡⚔️ #B1GMBBall pic.twitter.com/omDmSgzFmx
They return a lot of experience. @CoachPikiell brought @Geo_Baker_1 and @__RHJR to the desk to talk @RutgersMBB with @BTNDaveRevsine at #B1GMediaDay. pic.twitter.com/Uxa83uHUxv
— Rutgers On BTN (@RutgersOnBTN) October 2, 2019
Looks like @RutgersMBB has more options this year, but the early schedule is as tough as it gets. Watch @CoachPikiell's full comments from the #B1GMediaDay podium. pic.twitter.com/OWgcAN49ej
— Rutgers On BTN (@RutgersOnBTN) October 2, 2019
How's your Wednesday going?#B1GMediaDay x #GardenStatement pic.twitter.com/Ka0CiZn1IA
— Rutgers Basketball 🏀 (@RutgersMBB) October 2, 2019
.@__RHJR with the hype behind the lens for @Geo_Baker_1. @RutgersMBB x #B1GMediaDay pic.twitter.com/JaBZhPplSa
— Rutgers On BTN (@RutgersOnBTN) October 2, 2019
First Practice ✔️#B1GMediaDay ✔️
— Rutgers On BTN (@RutgersOnBTN) October 2, 2019
Is it time for @RutgersMBB yet? pic.twitter.com/qJLAbXzZH0
🎥 ALL ACCESS 🎥
— Rutgers Basketball 🏀 (@RutgersMBB) October 3, 2019
Behind the scenes with the guys from #B1GMediaDay yesterday.
🛡⚔️ #GardenStatement pic.twitter.com/BoFK9vIHFf
Follow Rutgers men's basketball on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.Back safely in Jersey after a jam packed #B1GMediaDay in Chicago.
— Rutgers Basketball 🏀 (@RutgersMBB) October 3, 2019
36 days 'til we #PackTheRAC...Y'all ready?
🛡⚔️ #GardenStatement pic.twitter.com/sUrCl7eSJU
