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5 questions with Rutgers’ Steve Pikiell

Steve Pikiell is determined to lead Rutgers back to the NCAA Tournament. After missing out on March Madness for the first time in three seasons, the 55-year old head coach has laser focus entering the upcoming year. I caught up with Pikiell this week in Piscataway to discuss last season’s disappointment, Cliff Omoruyi’s decision to return to school, and much more.

Jon Rothstein: What was it like watching the NCAA Tournament last spring after you were a part of the event in the two previous seasons?

Steve Pikiell: It’s like anything else — when you work extremely hard for something, you want it to happen. It was disappointing to not make it, but I think we should have been in the NCAA Tournament. We beat several teams who were in the NCAA Tournament — including Purdue on the road — who was a No. 1 seed. But it’s all good. I’m used to being knocked down, but I always get up.

Rothstein: The Big Ten has had 26 teams qualify for the last three NCAA Tournaments, but only one has reached the Elite Eight and none have reached the Final Four. Why do you think teams from the Big Ten have struggled in the NCAA Tournament?

Pikiell: The Big Ten is a monster. People have nothing else to point at in terms of our league, so that’s where they’re going to go. Do people think coaching against Tom Izzo is easy? Do people think coaching against Fran McCaffery and Matt Painter is easy? There’s so many different styles in our league to prepare for. And look at the teams from our league who didn’t make the NCAA Tournament — Michigan had two first round picks in the NBA Draft and Ohio State had another. Those teams didn’t make the NCAA Tournament, but it’s not like they were easy to play against because of how talented they were. I’ll stand by this league. We can play with anyone and a team from the Big Ten could win the whole thing next year.

Rothstein: You lost two guys — Paul Mulcahy and Cam Spencer — to the transfer portal in the offseason, but you’ve been very positive about those two young men and the gratefulness that you have because you were able to coach them. How do you compartmentalize those feelings in this current landscape?

Pikiell: You just enjoy one year at a time. Kids have a lot of options now — it’s good for them. It’s good sometimes too to get new guys and allow other guys to get other opportunities. I never want anyone to leave. You’d love to keep all of your guys in the program every year, but in today’s and age you don’t see that anymore. You just have to embrace the times that we’re in and enjoy each team the year that you have them. Then at the end of that year you have to focus on the next year. I’m excited though. I’m excited that Cliff (Omoruyi) is back. I’m excited that Aundre (Hyatt) is back. I’m excited that Derek (Simpson) is back. I’m also excited about the new guys in our program. Mawot Mag (ACL) is healing and it will be great to have him back. I think he’s the best defender in the country — hopefully he’ll take over for Caleb McConnell. I feel really good about this team. I know people will doubt us — that’s what they do — and that’s great.

Rothstein: You mentioned Mawot Mag (7.8 points, 5.8 rebounds), who was a key utility player for you last season before he suffered a knee injury. What is the timetable for when he’ll be fully cleared?

Pikiell: He’s been great. I wish I could predict the future, but right now he’s way ahead of schedule. Hopefully we’ll have him back at the beginning of the season. That’s what the goal is.

Rothstein: Another guy that’s back is Cliff Omoruyi (13.2 points, 9.6 rebounds) after testing the NBA Draft process. What do you envision for his production level next season after he’s already shown such tremendous progression throughout his career?

Pikiell: His career has already been unbelievable. He’s become a first-team all-defensive team member in the Big Ten. He’s one of the best big guys in the country. He went through the whole NBA Draft process and it was great for him. He went to the combine and he did a really good job in his workouts. I expect him to come back and have a monster year. He’s become a really good leader. His development has been crazy. I think during his freshman year he led the league in fouls per minute and now he’s on the all-defensive team. I’m excited to have him back and he came back to graduate. I’m just blessed to have him. I think at some point soon the rest of the country is going to start talking about him as one of the best big men in the country and the best big man in the Big Ten along with Purdue’s Zach Edey, who was the National Player of the Year last season.

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