Redshirt freshman forward Kadeem Jack battles Seton Hall's Brandon Mobley for a rebound Feb. 8 at the Louis Brown Athletic Center. (Keith Freeman / Senior Staff Photographer)
Rutgers head men’s basketball coach Mike Rice called Kadeem Jack the hardest worker during his season-opening press conference. But the redshirt freshman injured his foot days later, returning to action only in time for Big East play.
Jack, Rice’s top recruit in 2011, continues to see increased playing time. He scored 4 points, recorded three rebounds and nabbed a pair of steals Feb. 8 against Seton Hall — all career highs.
“He’s still figuring things out,” Rice said. “It’s more glaring because everybody’s been through three months of the season. … They had 19 or 20 games to get the rust off. He’s progressing very nicely.”
Rice said Monday he continues to consider starting Jack on Wednesday at No. 23 Notre Dame. Jack, freshman Derrick Randall and junior Austin Johnson will vie for time at center, Rice said.
Freshman forward Greg Lewis will also see increased playing time in South Bend, Ind., Rice said.
“He’s just playing much better in practice, to be honest with you,” the second-year head coach said.
But Jack figures to be the biggest beneficiary of Rice’s lineup adjustments. His 6-foot-9 frame and athleticism match up with the Fighting Irish’s frontcourt.
But Jack first has to master Rice’s demands in practice, a daunting task.
“It’s the intensity and purpose. … It’s hard to pick up on that once you come back off an injury,” Johnson said. ”[Jack's] doing a good job. Every game he plays, he shows a little bit more. As the season progresses, so will he.”
Knight Note: Freshman wing Malick Kone had an MRI on his knee this week after dealing with a lingering injury, Rice said. Kone missed time earlier in the season with a similar condition.
Rice and the Scarlet Knights coachings staff continue to await its results.
— Tyler Barto
