The volatility of suspended coach Mike Rice has dominated headlines in Piscataway, N.J., in recent weeks.
The emergence of Myles Mack, however, could be the story line soon.
After an admittedly disappointing freshman season, the soft-spoken and undersized lead guard out of St. Anthony of Jersey City has come into his own, the driving force in the Scarlet Knights’ solid 8-2 start along with backcourt mate Eli Carter, another standout sophomore.
Mack is averaging a shade under 16 points and 2.9 assists per game, both second on Rutgers, numbers that are on the rise. He’s constantly in attack mode, taking and making big shots from all spots on the floor, a trait which impressed associate head coach David Cox the first time he saw Mack in an AAU tournament prior to his freshman year.
“He was a jet and he made every shot back then,” Cox recalled. “Not much has changed.”
Mack is averaging over 18 points a game in Rutgers’ last six contests, five of them wins, and notched 23 points in a recent 88-79 win over UAB.
Mack is shooting just over 60 percent from the field, up from 38 percent last year when he averaged 9.8 points per game, and a blistering 52 percent from 3-point range.
“Basically everything he throws up hits the net,” senior forward Dane Miller said. “He’s strong, more confident — a lot more confident.”
Mack is also becoming a leader for Rutgers now that he has been moved to the starting point guard spot. As a freshman, he rarely spoke on the court.
But this year, he is directing traffic, telling his teammates what to do and where to go.
“I think these guys trust me to do that by what I’m saying,” Mack said.
Naturally soft spoken, he credits his new vocal ways to speech class.
“That’s helping with my leadership,” Mack said. “Just to know how to speak up in certain situations, talking in front of everybody. I’m not used to that.”
As it does for most sophomores, the game is slowing down for the speedy Mack. He is seeing plays before they develop and not getting caught by surprise. Despite his lithe 5-foot-9 frame, Mack has made a habit of finishing around the basket, particularly in transition, a nod to his toughness, creativity and newfound confidence.
“The game is becoming a lot easier,” he said. “I’m taking my time with stuff, not being rushed by anybody.”
All Mack knew was winning in high school, going undefeated his senior year at St. Anthony and winning a state championship alongside Kyle Anderson, who is now a freshman at UCLA. His commitment — Mack also held offers from Connecticut, DePaul, Marquette, Miami, Providence, St. John’s, Seton Hall and Virginia — was seen as a major coup for Rice and Co. on the recruiting trail.
“He’s living up to what we expected him to be coming out of high school,” Cox said.