Corey Sanders is leading Rutgers basketball’s rise in the Big Ten, exciting all college hoops fans in the process.
When Rutgers started the 2016-17 season, no one expected much.
The Scarlet Knights had a new head coach in Steve Pikiell, with Corey Sanders, their leading scorer, returning. Otherwise, it was just another season where the Scarlet Knights were expected to get blown out routinely.
What has transpired in the first 24 games is amazing, at least by Rutgers standards. The program is 13-11, having almost doubled their seven wins from last year’s Eddie Jordan-led disaster.
Steve Pikiell is changing the culture at Rutgers, especially on defense. His team brings a relentless energy, out working opponents routinely. The Scarlet Knights are allowing only 66.4 points per game, down from an astronomical 81 in 2015-16.
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Busting Brackets
With seven games remaining on the Big Ten schedule, plus the Big Ten Tournament, Rutgers has a realistic chance to finish at .500 for the first time since 2005-06. In fact, if they can string together some wins, the program could make its first NIT in over 10 years.
Having said that, Rutgers would not be 13-11 without Corey Sanders. In fact, had Sanders not been in the equation, we wouldn’t even be talking about the Scarlet Knights now.
Although, not many people are familiar with him, Corey Sanders has all the ingredients of a superstar. He plays hard on both ends of the floor, pushing the tempo on offense and routinely guarding the other team’s best player on defense.
If Melo Trimble wasn’t in the picture, Corey Sanders would be the most talented guard in the Big Ten. However, in my opinion Sanders is the most exciting guard in the Big Ten, with Miles Bridges taking the honor among Big Ten forwards.
Every time you watch Rutgers play, Corey Sanders jumps off the screen. He’s faster than most college players and can take any opponent off the dribble. In addition, his leaping ability is extremely impressive for a 6-foot point guard.
https://twitter.com/RutgersOnBTN/status/822886558994866176
Throughout non-conference action, Sanders played the role of distributor instead of scorer. However, with Rutgers offense struggling against the more talented Big Ten schedule, the Scarlet Knights leaned on Sanders much more.
Like any superstar, he has taken it in stride, averaging over 15 points over 11 conference games. In addition, his 29.8 percent usage rating ranks fifth in the Big Ten, per KenPom.
The one thing that separates stars from superstars is the “clutch” gene. Now, Sanders hit a lot of clutch shots last year, but they don’t mean as much in losses. This season, he’s been able to hit big shots in winning efforts and that carries much more weight.
So far this year, Rutgers already has won two Big Ten games. That may not sound like a lot, but prior to this season the Scarlet Knights had only one win in their last 33 conference games.
With that said, Rutgers two conference wins came in games that Sanders absolutely took over. In their first Big Ten win, a 66-65 nail biter versus Nebraska, Sanders led the way with 25 points and hit the game-winning shot with one second left.
Congratulations to @CoachPikiell on his first @B1GMBBall win!@C_Sanders3 shows why you always follow your shot: https://t.co/oe0pgRCbYN
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) January 21, 2017
Two weeks later, on the road in Happy Valley, the Scarlet Knights edged Penn State 70-68 for their first-ever Big Ten road victory. Sanders also scored 25 points in that game, showing off his shooting skills in the process.
He buried four shots from beyond the arc and added six rebounds and three steals.
One of the most exciting plays of the game came from Sanders, a three-point field goal that gave Rutgers their biggest lead of the game. However, because it was Corey Sanders, it obviously couldn’t be just a plain jump shot.
No, he was able to showcase all of his skills on one spectacular play, creating an instant highlight in the process.
Corey Sanders tho pic.twitter.com/BaeHHO8vpy
— Big Ten Geek (@bigtengeek) February 4, 2017
Moving forward, Rutgers is in good hands with Corey Sanders and Steve Pikiell. We know that Pikiell will be around for a long time, but Rutgers fans are worried that Sanders could test the NBA Draft process.
After last season, he declared for the 2016 NBA Draft, only to withdraw his name and return to play for Steve Pikiell.
It would make sense for Sanders to return to Rutgers for at least one more year.
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First off, as the main scoring option for Rutgers, it’s possible that he doesn’t get drafted. NBA teams see him as a classic point guard rather than a scorer. That’s why he started the year as a pass-first guard, so NBA scouts could see him distribute.
Jerry Tarkanian did the same thing for Chris Herren in his senior season at Fresno State.
At this point, Sanders can’t survive in the NBA as a score-first guard. He gets most of his points off the dribble, something he will have trouble with at the next level. If Sanders can improve his jump shot, he’ll have a much better chance to score in the NBA.
Otherwise, his best bet is to show teams he is the pass-first guard they’re looking for.
Secondly, Steve Pikiell is building something special at Rutgers. He and Sanders get along well, so it’s in both of their best interests to see things through.
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Plus, the only rotation player graduating this year is C.J. Gettys, meaning the cupboard will be stocked if Sanders decides to stick around.