Transfers assimilate to Rutgers

With transfers from Pittsburgh, Iowa State and junior college necessary to fill the Rutgers men’s basketball roster, sophomore wing Kerwin Okoro’s assertion of a “misfits” perception was on point.

“A lot of people are doubting us. They think we’re the misfits or whatever, but we don’t pay attention to the outside,” Okoro said Friday. “We’re just in here working as hard as we can every day.”

Okoro transferred from Iowa State, and senior forward J.J. Moore came from Pittsburgh. The NCAA declared both eligible to play this year not long before the Scarlet Knights’ first official practice Friday at the College Ave. Gym.

The roster was officially down to eight players during head coach Eddie Jordan’s introductory press conference in the same building. With 12 players eligible for next year — freshman forward Junior Etou’s status is pending — practices can be longer.

“For the last week, we were able to play five with our entire team the last two workouts for an hour, but this was the first sustained practice where we could go more than an hour,” Jordan said. “So we went two-and-a-half, 2:45, so I just wanted to see how long they could last playing as hard as they can with the right behavior.”

Okoro received a nationally trending hashtag — #FreeOkoro — before even playing with Rutgers. The NCAA originally denied Okoro immediate eligibility after he transferred closer to home after his father and brother passed away.

Moore transferred from the Panthers and was deemed immediately eligible Thursday, just one day before practice officially began.

Both shared the attitude that whatever happens, happens.

“That’s definitely what it is, because at the end of the day, they’re either going to let you play or not,” Okoro said. “The whole time, I just stayed levelheaded, did what I had to do in my books and continued to work hard, continued to learn the system with coach [Eddie Jordan], learn everything about Coach Eddie’s system and my teammates and just kept it positive.”

Now eligible, Moore and Okoro both figure to be important members in Jordan’s rotation.

Moore could be Rutgers’ best solution for replacing former wing Dane Miller on a roster that otherwise lacks experienced wings. Okoro helps fill a shooting guard hole formed when Eli Carter and Mike Poole transferred.

Senior forward Wally Judge is certainly relieved both are available. He had to sit out the 2011-2012 season when he transferred from Kansas State.

“At first we thought we’d have to play with six people, and I don’t know if I’ve got enough wind for that one,” Judge said. “Just having everybody who’s able to practice with us now be able to come out and play in the game, it gives us more of a sense of togetherness because now those guys don’t feel left out and we don’t feel like we have to carry a burden.”

Now Jordan has a month to incorporate eight returnees and five newcomers into his system. He brings a wealth of collegiate and NBA knowledge, but he tries to hide his nostalgia.

Except when he stepped into the Barn.

“I call this ‘the shrine,’” Jordan said. “They said, ‘What does a shrine mean, Coach?’ Well, this is a shrine. So that’s why what’s important to me is behavior, competitiveness and [giving] great effort and harmony, because that’s what this building reminds me of.”

For updates on the Rutgers men’s basketball team, follow @JoshBakan on Twitter. For general Rutgers sports updates, follow @TargumSports.