The Rutgers Men's Basketball team held Media Day inside Jersey Mike's Arena on Friday. The Knight Report was able to take in practice for a third time this preseason and see how the team has progressed.
Below you can see some of the notes from our staff who was able to observe practice on the afternoon.
-- No freshman Antonio Chol or senior Caleb McConnell. They were in the training room, however their ailments aren’t nothing to be worried about and they should be good to go soon. Chol did make a brief appearance, but not for long. McConnell was not there, which isn’t the best of signs, but not concerned just yet.
– Dean Reiber was back at practice today, he previously missed last week. He appears to be fully healthy now working with the first team with McConnell out today. The first team was as follows: Mulcahy, Spencer, Mag, Reiber and Omoruyi.
-- The team worked a ton of defense and rotations. Head coach Steve Pikiell did a lot of teaching, especially with Antwone Woolfolk.
-- Woolfolk is a candidate to be a fast developer given he has to go up against Cliff Omoruyi every day. Pikiell likes his football background and the growth potential is there. He’s still learning, but he can finish around the rim.
-- Everybody likes a good walk-on, and not saying he will play or anything, but Logan Stephens did well on Friday. He was quick driving to the lane against the first-team defense, and hit a long 3-pointer.
-- Cam Spencer has some work to do defensively. He lost his guy twice in one sequence, and then gave up a mid-range basket to Jalen Miller coming off a screen.
-- However, Spencer is the good 3-point shooter he is billed to be. He was knocking down long-range shots and telling his teammates about it. Not to mention he has very nice form and a pretty quick release. There’s no reason why he shouldn’t average an easy 10+ppg this season. He doesn’t miss free throws.
-- Miller was able to connect on some jump shots near the foul line, and he was his normal pesky self on defense. He had quick hands all practice and stole the ball off an inbounds play.
-- Derek Simpson got off to a slow start with a turnover and some missed shots, but he showed he had a short memory as he bounced back. The freshman guard displayed some good passes in transition.
-- Aundre Hyatt looked like he was was working a lot on his post up game, but he had some nice passes in practice, too.
-- Cliff Omoruyi was solid on both ends of the floor. Expect to take the next step. He was dunking and blocking everything, even from behind. Not to mention he has just about perfected his touch around the rim.
-- Oskar Palmquist spent time at a few positions including center and forward. He’s turning into a key bench piece in terms of leadership and was making his corner 3-pointers. There was one moment where he almost took out Omoruyi on a fast break, but he was able to catch the preseason All-Big Ten pick.
-- Mawot Mag also impressed a great deal. He was hitting shots he wouldn’t think about taking probably a year ago including a turnaround fadeaway which was beautiful. A lot is expected from Mag this year if he can stay injury free. From the looks of it, he will start.
-- Paul Mulcahy was vocal and the main ball handler as expected. Pikiell said he’s still growing, which is remarkable.
– Some of the The Patrick School recruits were here today, as was their head coach Chris Chavannes.
-- Assistant coach Karl Hobbs was out recruiting.
-- TKR talked to a handful of players we didn’t get at practice either in August or earlier this month such as Chol and Palmquist.
-- Stay tuned for video of a long press conference with Pikiell.
-- Remember, fans are able to attend the exhibition scrimmage against Fairfield on Oct. 30. Rutgers will also be going up against North Carolina in a "not so secret scrimmage" as well.
Follow Chris Nalwasky on Twitter @ChrisNalwasky.
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