COLUMN: Aundre Hyatt has stepped into leadership role for Rutgers men's basketball
With over five years of college basketball experience under a player’s belt, it is safe to assume they know what they are doing on the court. Considering his experience in the world of collegiate basketball, senior forward Aundre Hyatt has officially stepped in as a leader for the Rutgers men’s basketball team this season.
In his third year on the Banks, and without former guards Paul Mulcahy and Caleb McConnell, Hyatt is one of the team’s oldest and wisest players.
“He’s been a real good leader,” said head coach Steve Pikiell after the Mississippi State game last Saturday. “He scores the ball, he shoots. He’s playing with good confidence and we need that from our veteran guys and he’s been a terrific veteran guy for us.”
Despite the loss against the Bulldogs (10-2, 0-0), Hyatt led the Scarlet Knights (7-4, 0-1) with 18 points. He currently leads the team averaging 12.1 points per game, and is shooting a team-high 37.3 percent from beyond the arc.
In addition, Hyatt is second on the team in rebounds per game, only trailing behind senior center Clifford Omoruyi. Hyatt’s abilities on the glass are something that Pikiell commends him for.
“He’s been real consistent,” Pikiell said. “He’s been a good rebounder the last few three games too which has helped out a lot... He deserves a couple days off here and kind of figure this rebounding thing out, and I know he will be a big part of solving that problem.”
Hyatt’s guidance is huge for a Rutgers team that is full of young talent like sophomore guard Derek Simpson, freshman guard Gavin Griffiths and freshman guard Jamichael Davis.
As a senior leader, Hyatt has told his team that they need to focus on returning to the standard of play that the Knights have set in recent seasons.
“We just need to get back to the basics. Be more physical with the box out and hit and hold and I feel like we got it in us," Hyatt said. “I feel like we’re gonna overcome this obstacle. Gonna get back to Rutgers defense, Rutgers rebounding.”
Rutgers will get its chance to bounce back against Stonehill this weekend before it resumes its Big Ten schedule with a road matchup against Ohio State in the new year. Hyatt will be leading the Knights every step of the way as their schedule gets tougher.
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