Rutgers basketball: Geo Baker making a case for Big Ten's most valuable freshman

Here is one number that speaks volumes about the impact Geo Baker is having on Rutgers University basketball: 32.1.

That’s Baker’s minutes per game. It ranks seventh in the Big Ten. No other freshman is in the top 10. In fact, the combo guard is on pace to become the Scarlet Knights’ first 1,000-minute rookie since Mike Rosario in 2008-09.

As conference play reaches the midway point with Nebraska’s visit to Rutgers on Wednesday (7 p.m. Big Ten Network), Michigan State shot-blocking machine Jaren Jackson Jr. is on pace to be the league’s Freshman of the Year. But you could make a strong case that Baker is the most valuable rookie.

“Now what he’s learning is, he’s a guy everyone’s keying on coming in,” Rutgers coach Steve Pikiell said. “I had him in (for a chat) yesterday and said, ‘These are the things you have to go through. Understand, they’re not going to give you a jump shot. You’ve got to be better than the scouting report.’”

Baker averages 11.5 points and 3.3 assists, the latter tops among Big Ten freshmen, while shooting .345 from 3-point range and .787 at the free-throw line. Most important, he’s a quick study. On Tuesday, after Baker struggled with poor shot selection in Sunday’s loss at Michigan, Pikiell replayed his shots and broke down the finer points of creating space while coming off screens.

Two hours later, in practice, Baker heeded the coach’s advice.

“He took one dribble and put up a shot from mid-range, and I told him, ‘You just made your life easier,’” Pikiell said. “We’re continuing to educate him on what it takes to be a good player in a great league, and the good thing is, he listens.”

His role will be pivotal as Rutgers (12-9 overall, 2-6 Big Ten) defends the RAC against much-improved Cornhuskers (14-8, 5-4). There's going to be hand-to-hand combat on the perimeter; Nebraska leads the Big Ten in 3-point defense (.308) while Rutgers ranks second (.312).

“They’re a better 3-point shooting team than us (the Huskers shoot a middling .352 compared to Rutgers’ abysmal .301), but when you don’t shoot the 3 well you have to do an unbelievable job of stopping the 3,” Pikiell said. “They have tremendous length, and we have a decent amount of length on the perimeter. They’ll switch one through four at times because of their versatility.”

Baker’s smart decision-making is a big reason why Rutgers ranks second in the Big Ten in fewest turnovers (10.9 per game) and turnover margin (plus-4.1). Of all the stark statistical turnarounds since Pikiell took charge — defense and rebounding have gotten the most notice — ball-handling has taken the biggest jump over the past year.

“You know our shooting woes: We’ve got to get shots up, and more turnovers means less shots,” Pikiell said. “We’ve got to manage the ball. Geo Baker has helped in that area. Corey (Sanders) has gotten better; Issa (Thiam) is a low-turnover guy. All that stuff has helped.”

Pikiell is aware of the proverbial freshman wall, and he counsels Baker on getting rest and taking care of his body.

“You always worry about that,” the coach said. “This is a long season for these guys.”

But Baker already has defied projections. This was a three-star recruit whose only other high-major suitor was Kansas State.

“That’s the way it is sometimes,” Pikiell said. “His skill set is something we desperately needed. Other teams have a lot of those guys. I told him, ‘We’re going to throw you to the wolves.’ That’s where our program is at. He’s learned by being thrown to the wolves.”

Staff Writer Jerry Carino: jcarino@gannettnj.com.