RUTGERS 2008-2009 SNAPSHOT

June 12, 2008


Head Coach: Fred Jill, Jr
2007-2008 Record: 11-20 (3-15 in Big East)

Returning Players:
Anthony Farmer, Senior (Point Guard)
Jaron Griffin, Senior (Guard/Forward)
JR Inman, Senior (Forward)
Hamady N'Diaye, Junior (Center)
Corey Chandler, Sophomore (Guard)
Earl Pettis, Sophomore (Guard)
Mike Coburn, Sophomore (Guard)

Incoming Players:
Michael Rosario, Shooting Guard
Christian Morris, Center
Patrick Jackson, Guard/Forward
Greg Echenique, Center

Incoming Transfer:
Jonathan Mitchell, Junior (Forward)*


Graduated Players:
Byron Joynes, Senior (Center)
Courtney Nelson, Junior (Guard)

Players Transferring Out:
Justin Sofman (Guard)

*Not eligible until 2008-2009 per NCAA transfer rules

Open Items/Issues:
Fred Hill is quickly breathing life into the Rutgers program with some excellent recruiting work. Hill is laying an impressive foundation for the Rutgers program and it is certainly needed. The Rutgers basketball program is building from the ground up, at least now you can see the blueprint clearly.

There are still a couple scholarships open, but Fred Hill has shown he will be very selective in the process. He is not filling holes just to have bodies in the spring. Right now the Scarlet Knights are awaiting final word from the NCAA that Greg Echenique will be cleared academically to play in 2008-2009. Echenique was originally a huge recruiting coup for the class of 2009, but since he attended one year of high school in Venezuela, he decided to pursue the opportunity to enroll as part of the 2008 class.

Summary:
While these is a new sense of excitement around the Rutgers program, they can not escape the fact that they have won a total of six Big East games the last TWO seasons combined, or one less than they did in Gary Waters' final season as head coach.

The key, again, for a drastic improvement will likely lay again with the experienced trio of Anthony Farmer, Jaron Griffin and JR Inman. Waiting for this trio to emerge as a productive group has been frustrating to RU fans and their coach, Fred Hill. If this trio continues to struggle leading the Scarlet Knights to wins, a full blown youth movement will likely take place. Actually, Fred Hill does have a bit of a dilemma, does he play his veteran players he inherited from the Waters' regime at the expense of the younger talent he recruited? Or, does he begin preparing for better days ahead and getting the new crop experience in the rough and tumble Big East?

Saying Rutgers is likely the most improved squad in the league is not much of a stretch. After all, they lost 15 league contests last season, 10 by more than 12 points including seven by more than 18, won just once in the league at the once feared RAC and also lost to in-state opponents such as Rider and St. Peter's. So, improving should not come with much difficulty. Winning just six games in the Big East shows significant progress, anything else might be gravy at this point because the veterans have not shown much potential for more.

The strength in the Rutgers' club will center on their guards. Mike Coburn and Corey Chander had a baptism by fire as freshman and a healthier Chandler should take a major step up this year. Coburn will be helped at the point by senior Anthony Farmer, but the player causing most of the excitement is Mike Rosario, a McDonald's All-American from St. Anthony's in Jersey City. Rosario is a tremendous shooter and comes from one of the great high school coaches. Rosario will have to face the pressure of being hailed as a savior by many hungry RU fans, adding to the pressure to perform. He will be helped by a very competent group of guards, but expect some period of adjustment as the Big East is filled with tough, experienced and athletic guards.

The area of the most improvement for this club is likely in the paint, just having depth alone is a big lift to their prospects. JR Inman returns as their leading scorer and rebounder and will try to stay out of Coach Hill's doghouse. Second leading rebounder and one of the league's best shot blockers, Hamady N'Diaye also returns and their depth is enhanced by Greg Echenique, a big and strong center from St. Benedict's and NYC mountain Christian Morris. Like all freshman, facing players their size and strength night in and night out will be an adjustment, but the rewards in the future will be big.

Rounding out the line-up on the wings is historically inconsistent Jaron Griffin, versatile Earl Pettis and incoming freshman Patrick Jackson. Again, potential is definitely within this group, realizing that potential is what will be needed to help RU eclipse goals next season.

Rutgers is an interesting group heading into the summer. They have a roster of 11 players and all are very capable of contributing at a solid clip. Fred Hill will have to juggle the under-achieving senior group, who definitely still have potential, with the promising younger core to get the results that are best for the program, next season and beyond. Rutgers should be thinking NIT this year and hoping everything falls into place and be a team improving at seasons' end.