PISCATAWAY, N.J. - Rutgers men's basketball is back at home to take on the Central Connecticut State (0-6) on Saturday.
The Scarlet Knights are off to a (4-1) start to the 2022-23 season. Head coach
Steve Pikiell looks to continue RU's non-conference home dominance as RU is (22-1) in those games dating back the last three seasons. Pikiell loved the approach on Tuesday night as RU defeated Rider by 30 points.
"These players were locked in on both ends and were really passing the ball," Pikiell said. "You learn a lot from the games you don't play well in. We played a great 20 minutes in the second half versus Temple but it's a 40-minute game so today we played hard until the end. We're getting the guys a lot of minutes and some guys are having roles they never had before. There's a lot more to learn and we can keep getting better."
Rutgers defensive dominance
Junior guard Cam Spencer is currently tied for the leas in the country with 20 total steals. He is also second in the country in steals-per-game through five games.
Rutgers is third in the country in steals-per-game (12.6) and fourth in the country in total steals (65). Rutgers is first in the Big Ten Conference in both steals categories. Rutgers is tied for third in the country in turnover margin (+9) and is tied for 8th in the country in total turnovers forced (103). Rutgers is second in the country in three-point defense percentage (19.8 percent). Rutgers is 12th in the country in total field goal percentage defense (34.6 percent). Rutgers is 13th in the country in points allowed per game (53.6).
Last time out
The Scarlet Knights got back on track at home on Tuesday night. RU featured a strong defensive performance and held Rider to 25 percent shooting from the field to propel a 76-46 victory over the Broncs at Jersey Mike's Arena.
"The defense today was great, and we played against a very dangerous team," head coach
Steve Pikiell said. "I was concerned with this game, but our approach was good. These guys all got opportunities to play. Cam (Spencer) continues to do good things for us and (Antwone Woolfolk) is getting better and better. There were a lot of great plays from all of the guys, and I liked our energy for 40 minutes."
RU had 26 points off of turnovers and held Rider to 15 percent shooting from long range. The team collected ten steals and seven blocked shots. Junior guard Cam Spencer made all three of his three-pointers in the first half and finished with 19 points and a pair of assists on the offensive end. His 19 points were a Rutgers-high through his first five games in Scarlet. Freshman Antwone Woolfolk had a career-high in points (eight) and rebounds (nine). Woolfolk played his most minutes thus far (19) and four of his rebounds came on the offensive end. Junior center
Clifford Omoruyi had a game-high 20 points and 12 rebounds marking his third double-double of the season. "Big Cliff" had four blocked shots and two steals on the night.
History with Central Connecticut St.
Rutgers is undefeated agaisnt the Blue Devils in four appearances and last defeated Central Conn. St. last season on Jan. 1 79-48 at Jersey Mike's Arena. RU head coach
Steve Pikiell worked as an assistant coach for the Blue Devils from 1997-2001 under head coach Howie Dickenman.
Stats that stand out through 5 games
Junior center
Clifford Omoruyi is leading RU with 18.0 points-per-game and has been a force to be reckoned with in the paint thus far. Omoruyi is averaging 10.8 rebounds and shooting 50.7 percent from the field.
"He's really grown and now he's understanding how teams are playing him," Pikiell said. "He can now beat you from outside the paint and teams have to step out and guard him there. His development is going to be huge for us."
Junior transfer Cam Spencer has been just as advertised on the offensive side of the floor. The Davidsonville, Md. Native is leading the team with 17.2 points-per-game and 3.6 assists. Spencer is shooting a clean 50 percent from the field He also leads the team thus far with 32.6 minutes-per-game. He has 20 steals in the first five games of the season.
Senior forward
Aundre Hyatt has been a huge contributor on the offensive side of the ball averaging 12.6 points and shooting 31.6 percent from three point range. He's averaging 5.4 rebounds in 28.6 minutes thus far.
Clifford Omoruyi, Dunk King
Junior center
Clifford Omoruyi has continued his success from last season being one of the nation's top dunkers. He led the country in dunks heading into the NCAA Tournament last season and is off to another hot start in 22-23. Omoruyi has 16 dunks in five games thus far (3.6 per-game). That is good for third-best in the country.
Obstacles
Senior point guard
Paul Mulcahy (shoulder) exited the game against UMass Lowell in the first half and didn't return and did not play in the games against Temple and Rider. Senior guard
Caleb McConnell (knee) has yet to play in the first five games this season.
