I tried to cover as many points as I could in this episode. It’s upsetting to see a four year guy like Mulcahy leave the program, but this is an example of what the current climate in college basketball is like right now.
Mulcahy made a big impact on Rutgers men’s basketball and was a core member of the group that turned the program into a winner. He has meant a lot with both his on and off the court contributions. Mulcahy also was a New Jersey recruit with national offers that could have left but chose to stay home. His impact was significant.
He leaves the program 4th all-time in assists with 457 in his career. During the 2021-2022 season, Mulcahy became the first Rutgers player to average more than 5+ assists in 27 years since Brian Ellerbe during the 1984-1985 season. Mulcahy averaged career highs as a junior with 9.0 points, 5.3 assists and 4.1 rebounds. Mulcahy finishes his Rutgers career with 121 games played and 81 starts. His career averages include 6.8 points, 3.8 assists, 3.4 rebounds, and 0.9 steals in 27.5 minutes per game. Mulcahy is shooting 45.1% from the floor, 36.4% from three-point range and 71.6% from the foul line in his career.
While there were high points and Rutgers was at its best when Mulcahy was as well, there were moments of frustration too. Paul wore his heart on his sleeve and it always showed, for better or for worse. His charity work and donations, both with NIL and without, were noble and extremely positive.
The timing of Mulcahy’s departure is obviously an issue. That’s the worst part. He has the right to do what he feels is best for him and absolutely should. But leaving the program in this state as the middle of June approaches is not a good thing. I do think him leaving this way negatively impacts his legacy, which I detail in this episode.
At the end, Mulcahy did many positives for Rutgers and should be thanked for his contributions by all fans. At the same time, his departures is a complicated ending.
You can listen and watch this episode of The Scarlet Faithful podcast below.
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Gulp! So where do you begin trying to figure this one out? I guess we’re left to speculate unless & until PM decides to tell us. Not a good look, but he’s gone and, as a believer in the whole being greater than the sum of the parts, the program moves on. I would ask PM one small favor, however. Don’t show up in a Michigan uniform! One last thought for Spencer & PM to mull over. When decisions are made solely or primarily based on the money, they typically end up being regretted. So, if “it’s all about the Benjamins” for these guys – adios amigos!
Great podcast. At times it was as if you were debating yourself. I couldn’t agree more that the sky is not falling but let’s face it there is a bigger picture problem that we all must acknowledge. Mulcahy is a kid who seemingly loves Pikiell and being a part of the RU community. He is a Jersey guy who enjoyed playing close to home. And yet…RU simply can’t compete with the NIL money that so many other schools can float out there. You would have to think that if RU could come even close to matching what other schools are offering that Paul would stay. Cam had already left Loyola so we should’ve all recognized that it was distinctly possible with him. But Paul leaving a place and coach that he loves and knowingly doing irreparable damage to his legacy is a really bad sign. Does anyone really think that if Cliff could accept NIL money that he’d still be here?
Paul leaving is much more palatable and he would always be thought of part of the core (Myles, Ron, Geo, and Caleb). Paul has a home here at Rutgers, where as Cam he is just a journey man, with no real home. Parents and kids of Division 1 athletes needs to assess that in this new portal world. Just like any one of use who entertains job offers, we evaluate the pros and cons of the situation. The one stark difference with college is having a connection to an institution and feeling of you are always welcomed home. Myles, Paul, Savon Huggin and many others who have toiled for Rutgers and left for one final season some place else will always have a home ‘On The Banks.’ Where as Cam I don’t think he has a home at Rutgers or even at his prior institution, nor his future institution.
I guess I’m in the minority on the PM issue and your views Aaron. I say that because we don’t have all the facts on PM or RU’s NIL status.
Re Paul: I’ll speculate that he recently received an offer far higher than Pike offered. That is why he waited to this late date. I’ll also guess that Pike was not willing to match or negotiate—the latter would set a bad precedent. (Likely Pike has various factors to consider, including: relative value to the team; $$$ available this year for NIL; comparison to NIL others on the team are receiving; holding NIL $$$ for next year when beaucoup $$$ will be needed for Harper, Bailey and other VERY highly ranked kids, etc.)
Re NIL war chest: we don’t know how much RU, specifically mbb, has available. (We can be almost certain no HC will ever say they have enough.). All we know is that KotR has raised $1.5mm. We don’t know how much kids are earning in Rutgers Edge or how much Geo/The Knight Society have raised (and if that is only for men).
I don’t share the opinion that PM’s departure will incite wealthy donors to suddenly contribute. The need for more $$$ has been out there for a long while. If those wealthy folks were inclined to give, they would have done so by now iMHO.
I wonder how much the negativity about Paul factored into his decision to leave. Some fans were really putting him down, including a knock on his headband.
I’m sure Pike knew what was going on. I doubt that June 9 was a big shock to him.
pj43
June 9, 2023 at 3:20 pm
Gulp! So where do you begin trying to figure this one out? I guess we’re left to speculate unless & until PM decides to tell us. Not a good look, but he’s gone and, as a believer in the whole being greater than the sum of the parts, the program moves on. I would ask PM one small favor, however. Don’t show up in a Michigan uniform! One last thought for Spencer & PM to mull over. When decisions are made solely or primarily based on the money, they typically end up being regretted. So, if “it’s all about the Benjamins” for these guys – adios amigos!
Aaron Breitman
June 9, 2023 at 11:37 pm
NIL is a factor and he is being pursued by Kansas, Kentucky, Gonzaga and West Virginia to name a few.
BataliBoli98
June 9, 2023 at 10:05 pm
Great podcast. At times it was as if you were debating yourself. I couldn’t agree more that the sky is not falling but let’s face it there is a bigger picture problem that we all must acknowledge. Mulcahy is a kid who seemingly loves Pikiell and being a part of the RU community. He is a Jersey guy who enjoyed playing close to home. And yet…RU simply can’t compete with the NIL money that so many other schools can float out there. You would have to think that if RU could come even close to matching what other schools are offering that Paul would stay. Cam had already left Loyola so we should’ve all recognized that it was distinctly possible with him. But Paul leaving a place and coach that he loves and knowingly doing irreparable damage to his legacy is a really bad sign. Does anyone really think that if Cliff could accept NIL money that he’d still be here?
RUONE
June 10, 2023 at 9:49 am
Paul leaving is much more palatable and he would always be thought of part of the core (Myles, Ron, Geo, and Caleb). Paul has a home here at Rutgers, where as Cam he is just a journey man, with no real home. Parents and kids of Division 1 athletes needs to assess that in this new portal world. Just like any one of use who entertains job offers, we evaluate the pros and cons of the situation. The one stark difference with college is having a connection to an institution and feeling of you are always welcomed home. Myles, Paul, Savon Huggin and many others who have toiled for Rutgers and left for one final season some place else will always have a home ‘On The Banks.’ Where as Cam I don’t think he has a home at Rutgers or even at his prior institution, nor his future institution.
RUinChiTown
June 10, 2023 at 1:49 pm
I guess I’m in the minority on the PM issue and your views Aaron. I say that because we don’t have all the facts on PM or RU’s NIL status.
Re Paul: I’ll speculate that he recently received an offer far higher than Pike offered. That is why he waited to this late date. I’ll also guess that Pike was not willing to match or negotiate—the latter would set a bad precedent. (Likely Pike has various factors to consider, including: relative value to the team; $$$ available this year for NIL; comparison to NIL others on the team are receiving; holding NIL $$$ for next year when beaucoup $$$ will be needed for Harper, Bailey and other VERY highly ranked kids, etc.)
Re NIL war chest: we don’t know how much RU, specifically mbb, has available. (We can be almost certain no HC will ever say they have enough.). All we know is that KotR has raised $1.5mm. We don’t know how much kids are earning in Rutgers Edge or how much Geo/The Knight Society have raised (and if that is only for men).
I don’t share the opinion that PM’s departure will incite wealthy donors to suddenly contribute. The need for more $$$ has been out there for a long while. If those wealthy folks were inclined to give, they would have done so by now iMHO.
ru68
June 10, 2023 at 9:57 pm
I wonder how much the negativity about Paul factored into his decision to leave. Some fans were really putting him down, including a knock on his headband.
I’m sure Pike knew what was going on. I doubt that June 9 was a big shock to him.
Myron Baugh
June 10, 2023 at 4:48 pm
Good Bye Benedict Arnold Jr See you interested in the Chinese Basketball League in 3 years
William Lindengrass
June 11, 2023 at 11:00 pm
IMO PAUL DID TO RUTGERS WHAT GRONKOWSKI DID TO THE PATROITS. WAITED AND WAITED TILL COACH HAS TO SCRAMBLE!!