Derek Simpson’s drive to tie the game with the overtime clock winding down resulted in his shot rolling off the left side of the rim and the ball getting knocked away as time expired. And with that painful ending, it was over. Rutgers had lost to Hofstra 88-86 in a season ending loss that felt appropriate. To read more on my game recap, click here.
I highly recommend watching the Rutgers postgame press conference below. Head coach Steve Pikiell, Caleb McConnell and Paul Mulcahy spoke in a very emotional address to the media. It’s worth taking time to listen to what they have to say about each other and the program.
Also below are game highlights, my reaction video and more.
Game Highlights
Rutgers Press Conference
Hofstra Press Conference
AB’s Reaction Video
Rutgers Full Box Score
#
Player
PTS
FG
3FG
FT
OR
DR
REB
A
PF
TO
BL
ST
MIN
+/-
0*
SIMPSON, DEREK
19
8-16
1-3
2-3
1
0
1
4
2
4
0
1
40
-4
4*
MULCAHY, PAUL
9
3-6
0-2
3-3
2
1
3
5
3
2
0
0
40
-4
10*
SPENCER, CAM
22
8-16
6-11
0-0
1
7
8
5
1
0
1
1
39
2
11*
OMORUYI, CLIFFO
14
6-8
0-0
2-3
2
3
5
0
3
0
1
2
32
4
22*
MCCONNELL, CALE
13
6-12
0-1
1-4
3
2
5
3
2
2
0
2
41
-5
1
PALMQUIST, OSKA
0
0-1
0-1
0-0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
2
-4
5
HYATT, AUNDRE
5
2-5
1-2
0-0
0
2
2
0
1
0
1
1
17
7
13
WOOLFOLK, ANTWO
4
2-5
0-0
0-0
3
1
4
1
1
2
0
0
13
-6
TM
TEAM
–
–
–
1
1
2
0
0
TOTALS
86
35-69
8-20
8-13
13
17
30
18
14
10
3
7
GAME PCT
50.7
40.0
61.5
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Given the benefit of a tall glass of scotch (Hedonism brand) and some time my BP has returned to normal. First, I am very happy we sent McConnell out with many defensive accolades including the RU steal record. Being mentioned, as a player, not a coach, in the same breath as Eddie Jordan is an elite achievement. McConnell worked hard, endured much, grew and lead. He made the university, community and state proud. I wish him the very best in the future.
Second, after complaining endlessly about Paul Mulcahy and the coach’s favoritism toward him I hope he loses the headband and returns for another season, just not as PG. Between Mulcahy, Hyatt, Mag and incoming talent we’d have talent and experience. Mulcahay is a very good distributor of the ball. If he works on his three-point shooting during the off season, he could be a significant piece of next year’s team. Simpson and Spencer are perfectly capable of bringing the ball up court and setting the offense.
I did not view the Hofstra game the way many fans did. I hate to lose. Hofstra beat us. It was one of the most exciting games of the season. Hofstra was well coached and figured out that moving down court before our defense could get set was a formula for competing and winning. They played well but so did we. I don’t blame Simpson for missing the shot that would have resulted in a second overtime. He’ll make that shot going forward. His growth was astonishing once he was given playing minutes.
We’ll see what the portal puts and takes yield for next season. Along with player growth we need our coaching staff to improve as well. It took way too long to develop bench strength. I don’t agree with the many RU self-appointed experts that make comments like Woofolk, Palmquist and Reiber aren’t conference caliber talent. They are undeveloped talent and that falls on the coaches.
I’ve read the comments about Ewing joining the staff. If that is remotely possible imagine how Omoruyi would develop under his tutelage. Even if we could get him as a consultant just to work with our centers we’d reap the benefits. The talent is there but it remains very raw.
At times I’ve been very critical of our coaching. I’ll be the first to admit that this coaching is the best we’ve had in decades. Going from good to great requires an ability to learn and adapt. It requires optimizing the talent you have versus forcing the same failed tactics over and over. Players can grow but so can coaches. I love the gritty defense we put on the court almost every game but the ability to adjust to what the other team is doing is vital to our success.
We’ve already renewed our football tickets and as soon as the basketball tickets renewal period is announced we’ll renew those as well. Meantime, I’m going to put on a heavy jacket and watch the spring scrimmages for Men’s and Women’s soccer.
Henry Rutgers
March 18, 2023 at 1:15 pm
Given the benefit of a tall glass of scotch (Hedonism brand) and some time my BP has returned to normal. First, I am very happy we sent McConnell out with many defensive accolades including the RU steal record. Being mentioned, as a player, not a coach, in the same breath as Eddie Jordan is an elite achievement. McConnell worked hard, endured much, grew and lead. He made the university, community and state proud. I wish him the very best in the future.
Second, after complaining endlessly about Paul Mulcahy and the coach’s favoritism toward him I hope he loses the headband and returns for another season, just not as PG. Between Mulcahy, Hyatt, Mag and incoming talent we’d have talent and experience. Mulcahay is a very good distributor of the ball. If he works on his three-point shooting during the off season, he could be a significant piece of next year’s team. Simpson and Spencer are perfectly capable of bringing the ball up court and setting the offense.
I did not view the Hofstra game the way many fans did. I hate to lose. Hofstra beat us. It was one of the most exciting games of the season. Hofstra was well coached and figured out that moving down court before our defense could get set was a formula for competing and winning. They played well but so did we. I don’t blame Simpson for missing the shot that would have resulted in a second overtime. He’ll make that shot going forward. His growth was astonishing once he was given playing minutes.
We’ll see what the portal puts and takes yield for next season. Along with player growth we need our coaching staff to improve as well. It took way too long to develop bench strength. I don’t agree with the many RU self-appointed experts that make comments like Woofolk, Palmquist and Reiber aren’t conference caliber talent. They are undeveloped talent and that falls on the coaches.
I’ve read the comments about Ewing joining the staff. If that is remotely possible imagine how Omoruyi would develop under his tutelage. Even if we could get him as a consultant just to work with our centers we’d reap the benefits. The talent is there but it remains very raw.
At times I’ve been very critical of our coaching. I’ll be the first to admit that this coaching is the best we’ve had in decades. Going from good to great requires an ability to learn and adapt. It requires optimizing the talent you have versus forcing the same failed tactics over and over. Players can grow but so can coaches. I love the gritty defense we put on the court almost every game but the ability to adjust to what the other team is doing is vital to our success.
We’ve already renewed our football tickets and as soon as the basketball tickets renewal period is announced we’ll renew those as well. Meantime, I’m going to put on a heavy jacket and watch the spring scrimmages for Men’s and Women’s soccer.