A Little About Rutgers

[Rutgersal]

Mike Rosario is Rutgers Michael Jordan. He was the MVP of one of the best High School teams in high School Basketball History, St Anthonys of Jersey City. Mike is the team leader who leads by example thanks to his tremendous work ethic and unselfish court demeanor. We count on him to be our primary scorer and if he is having an off night, he helps out in other ways, such as getting assists and rebounds. Against UMass Mike was our leading rebounder. Mike is a tremendous shooter and defender and is working on improving his handle. His love for the game is vast. I don't think its a stretch to say that by his senior year, Mike will be regarded as one of the best players in college basketball.

Mike Cobourn is our point guard and hails from a powerful Mount Vernon,NY basketball program. Mike is actually a two guard playing the one, but seems to have grown into his new role. He's doing a much better job distributing the rock than our previous point guards and has at times demonstrated a deft shooting touch.

Greg Echinique is Rutgers' Michael Beasley. Greg is a load in the middle and is a threat to score in the paint, and is also a ferocious rebounder.

UF Transfer Jonathan Mitchell is a key reason why we are much improved this year. He's brought leadership and ability to score and rebound to the mix, which is why we look much better this year, than in previous years.

Hammerin Hamady Ndiaye is a 6'11" shot blocker who comes off the bench and provides rebounding and scoring punch. He's only played the game something like 7 years and this has been his best year thus far. If he continues to improve, he'll have a chance to play in the NBA.

Our coach in his radio show described 6'8" forward Dane Miller as Rutgers Magic Johnson. Dane can play all five positions. He is getting better every game and I am excited about his potential.

Small Forward Patrick Jackson was quiet against UMass but provided needed scoring against other opponents.

For quite some time, Rutgers has been playing shorthanded, as we did not have a full roster thanks to attrition (transfers, coaching change etc) this is probably the first year in quite a while, where we have a full complement of players.

If Rutgers was playing Florida in football, I'd feel more confident in our prospects. The basketball team is a work in progress and all I want from them is to get better every game.

[luciaboy]

say what? you feel better about playing the number one team in football than a top 40 team in basketball? it sounds to me like you have the much better team in basketball especially with MJ, Magic, and Michael Beasley

[HALLGATOR]

Thanks for the insight into your program. Looking forward to a good game tonight.

[Go2gtr]

Appreciate the post. Rutgers will be a stern test and we are definitely in for a game.

[JerseyGator01]

I've followed Rutgers football for years. Trust me, you wouldn't want to play the Gators in the Swamp. Ugly. But I think they will get much better once Paterno retires.

I'm surprised that the basketball team hasn't done better of late given that so few programs in the area excel other than Villanova on a consistent basis. The basketball program has a lot of potential there given the hotbed of recruiting that is NJ basketball.

[Go2gtr]

Originally Posted by JerseyGator01

But I think they will get much better once Paterno retires.

Why?

[GhettoGator]

local recruiting

[Donzo]

Thanks for the Rutgers breakdown.

[UFco2001]

Thank you!

[themistocles]

Interesting, albeit a bit biased.

Certainly Rutgers will be tough opposition especially since this is really a home game for the Knights.

Because the Gators are really pretty thin, especially in the backcourt, playing back to back games may make it difficult for them to maintain the defensive intensity they had against Michigan State last night.

[GatorSieg]

Originally Posted by themistocles

Interesting, albeit a bit biased.

Certainly Rutgers will be tough opposition especially since this is really a home game for the Knights.

Because the Gators are really pretty thin, especially in the backcourt, playing back to back games may make it difficult for them to maintain the defensive intensity they had against Michigan State last night.

Unless the Gators are completely wiped out from the intensity of the MSU game, Rutgers doesn't have the offensive firepower than MSU's guards did - or the rebounding/strength of their bigs. The Gators should have an easier time on the defensive end, and hopefully the press will be disruptive enough they can build a comfortable margin early.