The Rutgers Scarlet Knights kick off their 2014-15 season by taking on the tough George Washington Colonials at the RAC.
...here are five key storylines you'll want to keep an eye on.
1. Kadeem Jack
When we last saw Jack, he was still dealing with a thumb injury, but was taking part in his first live team practice and scrimmage. Coach Eddie Jordan indicated they were still unsure whether they'd have their senior forward for tonight's game and we haven't heard anything new since Thursday's practice.
We've talked about the ways the team can adjust if they need to, but the hope is that come 7pm, Jack is ready to go. As coach Jordan said last Thursday, everything looks better when Kadeem Jack is on the floor.
Whether he is or not will be a huge factor in this game.
2. Myles Mack and Bishop Daniels
With Jack potentially out, the Scarlet Knights will need others to step up in leadership roles. That usually means we'll see Myles Mack and Bishop Daniels step up.
Mack tends to lead a bit more quietly through example, but make no mistake?both players will be there to show their teammates how it's done.
They'll also have to take over significant roles on both ends of the floor. Rutgers will need a great defensive effort to slow the Colonials down, and that will start with guys like Daniels and Mack.
Keep an eye on freshman Mike Williams as well, as he has been growing into a bigger role in preseason and will probably be a big factor in the game.
3. Defense and Transition
Jordan has preached defense all preseason long, but we all know he wants to use this as a basis for a quick transition offense. George Washington isn't going to make that easy, which is a great early test for the Knights.
When Rutgers makes a defensive rebound, can they turn it around quickly and, more importantly, can they turn those rebounds into points?
4. How much will Shaq Doorson play?
We know that Greg Lewis will get a lot of minutes, but he cannot be on the floor the whole game. So expect to see freshman Shaquille Doorson quite a bit.
Doorson is a raw player, but has been improving all preseason and Jordan has sounded pleased with his progress. Coming from The Netherlands, Doorson has had to adjust to a quicker style of play against far more athletic and powerful players than he had faced in Europe.
There is nobody else to give Lewis a break at center, so the team will need Doorson to step up a little early this season.
5. How far has this team come?
This is a group which has been working hard to put Jordan's style of play in place and while he's been happy, he constantly talks about how much work is to be done.
He's going to have a real firm grasp on where the team is at by the end of this game, which is critical because in a couple of weeks the Scarlet Knights face Vanderbilt and potentially Virginia, with a trip to Clemson looming in the wings.
In fact there is very little "breathing space" on the schedule, so to sooner the team knows how good it is?or what it needs to do to get good?the better.
It's a tough early test, but one the team desperately needs.
...here are five key storylines you'll want to keep an eye on.
1. Kadeem Jack
When we last saw Jack, he was still dealing with a thumb injury, but was taking part in his first live team practice and scrimmage. Coach Eddie Jordan indicated they were still unsure whether they'd have their senior forward for tonight's game and we haven't heard anything new since Thursday's practice.
We've talked about the ways the team can adjust if they need to, but the hope is that come 7pm, Jack is ready to go. As coach Jordan said last Thursday, everything looks better when Kadeem Jack is on the floor.
Whether he is or not will be a huge factor in this game.
2. Myles Mack and Bishop Daniels
With Jack potentially out, the Scarlet Knights will need others to step up in leadership roles. That usually means we'll see Myles Mack and Bishop Daniels step up.
Mack tends to lead a bit more quietly through example, but make no mistake?both players will be there to show their teammates how it's done.
They'll also have to take over significant roles on both ends of the floor. Rutgers will need a great defensive effort to slow the Colonials down, and that will start with guys like Daniels and Mack.
Keep an eye on freshman Mike Williams as well, as he has been growing into a bigger role in preseason and will probably be a big factor in the game.
3. Defense and Transition
Jordan has preached defense all preseason long, but we all know he wants to use this as a basis for a quick transition offense. George Washington isn't going to make that easy, which is a great early test for the Knights.
When Rutgers makes a defensive rebound, can they turn it around quickly and, more importantly, can they turn those rebounds into points?
4. How much will Shaq Doorson play?
We know that Greg Lewis will get a lot of minutes, but he cannot be on the floor the whole game. So expect to see freshman Shaquille Doorson quite a bit.
Doorson is a raw player, but has been improving all preseason and Jordan has sounded pleased with his progress. Coming from The Netherlands, Doorson has had to adjust to a quicker style of play against far more athletic and powerful players than he had faced in Europe.
There is nobody else to give Lewis a break at center, so the team will need Doorson to step up a little early this season.
5. How far has this team come?
This is a group which has been working hard to put Jordan's style of play in place and while he's been happy, he constantly talks about how much work is to be done.
He's going to have a real firm grasp on where the team is at by the end of this game, which is critical because in a couple of weeks the Scarlet Knights face Vanderbilt and potentially Virginia, with a trip to Clemson looming in the wings.
In fact there is very little "breathing space" on the schedule, so to sooner the team knows how good it is?or what it needs to do to get good?the better.
It's a tough early test, but one the team desperately needs.
