PISCATAWAY – It’s only an exhibition game, but one thing appears abundantly clear about Rutgers basketball for the 2024-25 season: There’s never going to be a dull moment.
Freshmen phenoms Dylan Harper (20 points) and Ace Bailey (25 points, 8-of-18 on 3-pointers) wowed the raucous Jersey Mike’s Arena crowd of 4,200, but Rutgers showed its youth down the stretch and couldn’t hold onto the lead as St. John’s prevailed 91-85.
Harper and Bailey delivered exactly what one might expect: Highlight-reel moments, big production and some rookie defensive lapses. On that last count, they’ll only improve as the season goes on.
The Johnnies rallied from a 13-point deficit thanks to a forceful showing on the offensive glass and dominance in the paint. Rutgers owns the No. 25 ranking in the Associated Press Top 25, but St. John’s, which just missed the cut, looks worthy.
FIVE TAKEAWAYS
1-Rutgers bench, thumbs up
Jordan Derkack and P.J. Hayes don’t get top billing or even secondary billing for Rutgers, but they were essential for the Scarlet Knights Thursday.
Derkack notched the ultimate glue-guy effort. The Colonia High School grad and Merrimack transfer posted four rebounds, two blocks, a steal and an assist in first-half relief of Jeremiah Williams. His spectacular block of Aaron Scott, which stymied a fast break as flew into the play from way behind, sparked a standing ovation.
San Diego transfer Hayes, the last guy added to the roster in the offseason, was a model of effiency: 13 points on 4-of-4 shooting from the field, including 2-of-2 from deep. He made all three of his free throws, handed out two assist and didn’t turn the ball over once. He also used the shot fake to freeze St. John’s defense on multiple occasions.
2. Kadary Richmond came on strong
The Richmond-Harper showdown didn’t materialize as expected for a few different reasons.
For starters, Steve Pikiell had Jeremiah Williams defend Richmond to start and then subbed in Jordan Derkack to the job after Williams picked up two fouls.
Richmond did start out defending Harper, but only played seven first-half minutes due to foul trouble.
When Richmond left the game, St. John’s led 17-8. Then Rutgers went on a 22-0 run.
The Johnnies looked lost on offense without the postgrad transfer from Seton Hall, who picked up his third foul early in the second half. But he finished strong, tallying 9 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists.
When it counted, he was in full command. Despite Rutgers’ star power, he was the best player on the court over the final five minutes.
3. Starting lineup surprise
There was one minor surprise in the starting lineup as Pikiell sent sophomore guard Jamichael Davis out with Harper, Bailey, Williams and center Emmanuel Ogbole. That’s three guards, a wing and a big, and St. John’s took advantage by posting a 10-4 rebounding edge early on, including four quick second-chance points.
Zach Martini, Derkack and freshman Lathan Sommerville were the first wave off the bench, with Hayes and postgrad guard Tyson Acuff rounding out the 10-man rotation. Acuff’s entry was a bit of a surprise since he’s had just a week of practice under his belt after missing three-and-a-half months due to a fractured foot. He looked rusty.
Freshmen forwards Dylan Grant and Bryce Dortch did not play.
4. Tough night for three-headed center
Pikiell is going to use a three-headed monster at center with the brutish Ogbole, the talented but raw Sommerville and the experienced Martini. The rotation there clearly needs some tinkering because St. John’s owned the battle in the post with 6-foot-9, 240-pound junior Zuby Ejiofor (27 points, 13 rebounds), a vastly improved player who Rick Pitino is sky-high on.
St. John’s went plus-9 on the glass, including a 21-13 edge on the offensive glass, and outscored Rutgers 46-30 in the paint. Ogbole struggled with his positioning. It will be interesting to see how much longer he gets the starting nod.
5. Midseason atmosphere
The fan turnout of about 4,240 was undoubtedly hampered by the Mets and Yankees playing in the league championship series, and the fact that this was televised on the Big Ten Network (with former Rutgers center Austin Johnson as the analyst). But it was still a huge crowd for a game that doesn’t count, and the folks who showed up brought regular-season intensity.
And the turnout along press row – 40 media members and 20 NBA scouts – was unprecedented for any game in this building. There were games in the not-to-distant past when you could count the reporters and scouts on one hand.
Times have changed on the banks.
Jerry Carino has covered the New Jersey sports scene since 1996 and the college basketball beat since 2003. Contact him at jcarino@gannettnj.com.
