When Mike Poole met with Rutgers coach Mike Rice last week, he saw plenty of himself. It took Rice 16 years in coaching to get to a Big East program as a head coach, while for two years Poole patiently waited for his time to come at St. Benedict’s Prep (N.J.) until emerging his senior year.
“We both have something to prove, we both are hungry guys, we both want to win,” said Poole, a Queens native. “People didn’t think he was going to get the job, people didn’t think I could play at this level. It just clicked.”
As a result, Poole said, he felt comfortable with Rice, and committed to Rutgers Monday afternoon, becoming Rice’s first recruit. He plans to sign his National Letter of Intent this week.
Rice coached three years at Robert Morris, reaching the NCAA Tournament the last two years and nearly upsetting Villanova last March with a group of scrappy overachievers.
“Mike Poole fits the model of player for Mike Rice,” Poole’s advisor, Nate Blue, said.
The 6-foot-6 wing, who averaged 10.8 points, 6.1 rebounds and 3.2 assists while shooting 49.7 percent this past season for the 20-1 Gray Bees over the winter, liked the Big East school’s campus, the home-like atmosphere, and immediate playing time being offered. The presence of forward Gil Biruta, a teammate at St. Benedict’s, was an added bonus.
“I’m excited to be playing in the Big East, I’m excited to play for a new coach and an up-and-coming program,” said Poole, who plans to major in criminal justice. “It’s another step in my life. I’m ready to play college basketball and get my college education.”
Poole drew interest, Blue said, from a variety of Division I programs. Boston College, Rhode Island, Quinnipiac, Connecticut, and Seton Hall were all involved in varying degrees. Poole, in fact, had a scheduled visit to Seton Hall this week that was rescheduled several times, Blue said.
“He’s where he wants to be,” Blue said. “He’s in the Big East playing for a coach who just came from the NCAA Tournament.”
Poole didn’t received much playing time his first two years at St. Benedict’s for Danny Hurley, who recently took the job at Wagner College. He eventually adjusted to the demanding Hurley, thriving for the nationally-ranked Gray Bees. He broke out his senior year, earning a starting job, after an impressive summer on the AAU circuit.
“At times he was really a crucial player for them,” talent evaluator Tom Konchalski said. “He can be good, he improved tremendously the last year. I think it’s a matter of confidence and being more assertive. He has good length, has athletic ability and is skilled.”