newjerseynewsroom.com

BY MATT SUGAM

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

PISCATAWAY – Defense, defense and more defense. That’s what Mike Rice preaches. It’s the cog in the system he believes is the blueprint to building a successful program.

And Rutgers needed a strong defensive performance today in an ugly, foul-filled game that had little to no rhythm.

“Most coaches after shooting 24 percent in the first half would be a raving lunatic,” Rice said. “I almost hugged each and every one of my players because I was proud you could be that bad on offense and not affect the way you defend.”

With their tenacious defense, the Scarlet Knights (3-1) were able to cause 26 turnovers and three blocks en route to a 66-52 win over Hampton (2-1).

Highlighting a game where effort made up for inconsitency was Dane Miller diving into the corner for a 50-50 ball. The result was the 6-7 point forward sliding into the drink tray, and a bucket of Gatorade falling on top of him.

“It’s what leaders are supposed to do” Rice said. “I don’t know what clicked, but there’s a difference in Dane. I hope this continues. I hope we build — now it’s going to be the third game. That’s infectious. That’s what leaders and now all of the freshmen look upon as the norm. You’re supposed to dive head first into the Gatorade.”

Along with Miller’s leadership continuing to grow, the other positive to take away from the win was the emergence of Glivydas Biruta.

The Lithuanian native recorded a double-double with 17 points and 12 rebounds. The highlight was a one-handed alley-oop from Jerome Seagers.

“The kid can jump,” Miller said of the alley-oop. “When he caught it, I was the first one to jump up. I didn’t understand how he caught it, and after he caught it, he dunked it and started yelling some Lithuanian stuff so I couldn’t understand him.”

Biruta was also able to stay out of foul trouble. Picking up early fouls became an issue for the sophomore last year, but he didn’t pick up his first foul until the 7:33 mark of the second half.

“That’s huge because now we can play him, now we always have a scorer in there, always have an offensive rebounder,” Rice said.

Rice also noted that playing zone helped Biruta stay out of foul trouble. While zone defense isn’t something the second year head coach is accustomed to, he’s growing to trust it more.

Now the Knights travel to Cancun for the back end of the Triple Crown Cancun Classic.

“I wouldn’t let them talk about it. I screamed and killed them every time. They’re excited to go to Cancun, to play. All the things that come with this trip,” Rice said. “I was very nervous about their minds already being on the airplane and putting their feet in the Pacific Ocean or whatever it is….The Gulf of Mexico. My son, Michael, who’s 13-years-old corrected me and you guys [reporters] couldn't.”

For more Rutgers basketball coverage follow Matt Sugam on Twitter @MattSugam and on Facebook.