Tariq Francis made most of his Rutgers debut, leading his new team with 20 points as Scarlet Knights handled Rider in season opener. (Photo by Rutgers Athletics)
PISCATAWAY, N.J. — Tariq Francis has heard his fair share of skeptics over the years.
He’s too small, some said. Others wondered, how would he adjust to a higher level? Even more cynics questioned whether his defensive skills would meet the demanding standards of his new head coach, Steve Pikiell.
To add to the fire, the NJIT transfer had no idea he would be starting his first game at his new home until Rutgers was about to emerge from the locker room Wednesday.
Just as he has throughout his career, Francis made sure all the naysayers did not matter.
The junior guard, who has made a living silencing doubters, did so again Wednesday, scoring a game-best 20 points in leading Rutgers to a commanding 81-53 victory over in-state rival Rider that revealed more about the Pittsburgh native and his character than any superlatives would be able to.
“I definitely think it motivates me a lot,” Francis said of the persistent uncertainty surrounding his game. “All my life, I’ve been hearing some things, so I definitely want to overcome those things and just show people that I can compete on any level and dominate on any level, no matter who I’m playing against. When I heard the news, it was just, ‘alright, let me be one of the guys who could start it off for us and give us one of those runs.”
Francis did exactly that on Wednesday, draining a pair of threes early in the first half to ignite a 13-0 Rutgers run that wrested control of the game from a scrappy Rider side in the opening minutes and affirmed the Scarlet Knights’ status as aggressors and the better team. His 20-point effort was the 23rd of his career, one whose experience continues to prove plentiful as he traverses a course with a much younger and newer team that fans on the banks have been accustomed to in recent years.
“It definitely helps me,” Francis said of his time at NJIT, where he was named the America East Conference rookie of the year. “Coach (Grant) Billmeier’s a great guy, a great coach, he definitely helped me get better. And then transitioning here, Coach Pikiell’s another great coach. Brandin Knight, Coach T.J. (Thompson), Coach (Marlon Williamson), all of those guys helped me get better and just perfect my game. Then my teammates helped put me in position to do what I think I’m capable to do.”
“I’ve never seen a plus-minus of 30,” Pikiell gushed. “That’s a heck of a number. He rebounded the ball. I was very nervous with (Rider’s) two backcourt guys (Flash Burton and Zion Cruz), but the job that these guys did in the backcourt was awesome. Riq was really good and he’s been that way for us since he got here in June.”
As far as his defense translating, Pikiell noted that Francis has led Rutgers in steals since the team convened for summer workouts. Fellow guard Jamichael Davis has also noticed a growth in his teammate’s prowess, stemming from being his defensive matchup in practice.
“I think he’s a great defender,” Davis said. “At first, it was me and him competing, him guarding me, but he’s a great defender. He’s got speed, he’s physical, and he’s willing to take that challenge and take that personal. I think that’s gonna be good for him in the long run.”
So too will be the acclimation to his new surroundings. When asked about the easiest adjustment since shifting downstate from Newark, Francis hinted at the change of scenery, citing an improvement in his psyche and older teammates such as Davis and Dylan Grant, who have been sounding boards about what to expect in the Big Ten.
“Just being able to be around guys who I already knew before,” Francis added. “(They’re) helping me and kind of giving me advice, letting me know what things are gonna be before they happen; and kind of being able to adjust on the fly as well as knowing what’s gonna come in the future.”
Having played 54 college games before arriving at Rutgers, the knowledge of having stepped between the ropes was also crucial for Francis in his first attempt at a high-major. In fact, he considered that beneficial to his debut as a Scarlet Knight, having a resume and his own conviction to fall back on and use as a foundation to propel him.
“I think it was a good experience the first time out here, the first time putting on a Rutgers jersey in a real game,” he said. “My teammates helped me adjust to it, (Pikiell) put me in good positions, so I felt like I was very comfortable out there. I think I’ve still got more to give in other aspects, but I was able to get comfortable quicker because of everybody around me.”
“I’m a junior, so I’ve played collegiate games before. You’re always gonna have those first-game jitters, but you just gotta trust in yourself, trust in your teammates and trust in your work.”
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