But, Waters' inability to recruit in the tri-state area, his lack to show a set offense, and an unfortunate “Snowgate” incident (he missed a game due to a blizzard that grounded a flight back from Ohio) gave assistant Freddie Hill his chance and first win (of many more to come in the future).
In five years, respect was restored but Waters was gone to Cleveland St.
When I watched the press conference for Freddie Hill’s hiring, I couldn’t help but flashback to Greg Schiano’s hiring for Rutgers' football. His intensity, his love for New Jersey, and his goal to win a national championship were all there.
Quincy Douby, a former Rutgers' star shooting guard and current Sacramento King, once told me that people just don’t understand what Freddie Hill (and assistant Jim Carr) are capable of recruiting and coaching-wise.
QD credited Hill for his development into an All-American shooting guard and believes Hill’s NJ recruiting prowess will make RU a premier program sooner rather than later.
In 2005, Hill landed Newark Eastside’s Corey Chandler on a very early verbal commitment. In 2006, Senegalese seven foot center Hamady N’Diaye committed. 2007 brought RU’s first McDonald’s All-American, Mike Rosario of St. Anthony’s. And in March, St. Benedict’s center Gregory Echenique completed the Hurley family duo of commits for the Scarlet Knights.
Freddie Hill has the ball rolling for Rutgers' basketball. Very soon, RU fans will be able to take in new memories of postseason hoops. The Scarlet Knights' program is on the rise…and there is no stopping that.
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