PISCATAWAY — Rutgers center Cliff Omoruyi isn’t regularly mentioned in the same breath as Michigan’s Hunter Dickinson, Indiana’s Trayce Jackson-Davis, and Purdue’s Zach Edey when people discuss the best big men in the Big Ten, but Steve Pikiell thinks he should be.
“He’s right there with all those guys,” Pikiell — who is entering his seventh season as Rutgers’ head coach — said of the 6-11 Omoruyi following Thursday’s practice in Piscataway. “Cliff averaged 12 and eight last year. He can definitely be a double-double guy this year.”
With both Ron Harper Jr. (15.8 points, 5.9 rebounds) and Geo Baker (12.6 points) — the Scarlet Knights’ top two scorers from last season’s team that made the NCAA Tournament — no longer in Piscataway, the door is open for Omoruyi to emerge into a major focal point for Rutgers. He had 15 points, six rebounds, three assists, one block, and was 7-9 from the field last March in the NCAA Tournament against Notre Dame.
“I’m excited about his development,” Pikiell said. “He’s going to get more shots and he’s going to have a bigger role. Cliff can knock down shots regularly from 17-feet and also step out to the three-point line. He’s really becoming a better all-around offensive player. He’s much more skilled.”
With Omoruyi, reigning Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year Caleb McConnell (7.1 points, 5.3 rebounds), and Paul Mulcahy (nine points, 5.3 assists, 4.1 rebounds) — Pikiell has a foundation in place to remain right in the mix for an NCAA Tournament bid. The key will be whether or not this team generates enough offense following the losses of both Harper and Baker.
Pikiell believes that Loyola (Maryland) transfer Cam Spencer (18.9 points), freshman guard Derek Simpson, and veterans Aundre Hyatt, Jalen Miller, Mawot Mag, and Dean Reiber can all help pick up the slack for Rutgers, who is aiming to make its third straight NCAA Tournament for the first time in program history. The Scarlet Knights have made the last two NCAA Tournaments and would have been selected in 2020 if the event wasn’t cancelled due to COVID-19.
Any hopes of accomplishing that though, are directly tied to whether or not Omoruyi can emerge into one of the top big men in the Big Ten and ultimately, the country.
“Players always say that they want a bigger role,” Pikiell added. “For Cliff, here it is. I wish we could have guys like Ron (Harper Jr.) and Geo (Baker) stay forever, but that’s not the way things work. When people leave, it opens up opportunities for others. That’s what Cliff has this year.”
