wide, I would have to believe his stock has risen dramatically

ROSEMONT, Ill. -- Although Rutgers is 3-0 for the first time in eight years, Steve Pikiell isnt ready to make any declarations about his team just yet.Weve got a long ways to go, the first-year coach said. Im happy weve got to a good start, but it doesnt mean a whole heck of a lot to me, honestly.Were just trying to get these guys in the mode of defending and rebounding. It helps you win basketball games.Corey Sanders had 15 points, Mike Williams added 14 and nine rebounds and the Scarlet Knights used the defense-and-rebounding formula for a 66-59 victory over DePaul in the Gavitt Tip-Off Games on Thursday night.Deshawn Freeman added nine points and nine rebounds as the Scarlet Knight built a 46-27 rebounding edge.Eli Cain had 24 points on 8-for-13 shooting to lead DePaul.Billy Garrett had just five points for the Blue Demons (1-1) on 1-for-11 shooting before fouling out with more than eight minutes remaining.I can get a little bit concerned because its the second game in a row where hes got in foul trouble and hasnt shot the ball well, DePaul coach Dave Leitao said.You cant be talked about as one of the top seven, eight or nine best players in the (Big East) and not play well. Thats something we have to figure out.DePaul freshman Devin Gage suffered a right shoulder injury when he fell hard to the court with just under 12 minutes left. He did not return.Rutgers took control with a 12-2 run for a 31-22 lead. The Scarlet Knights had a 33-26 halftime advantage.Both teams shot poorly in the first half, but the difference for Rutgers was an 11-0 edge in second-chance points and a 29-8 first-half rebounding advantage.The Scarlet Knights continued to expand the lead at the beginning of the second half and took a 54-32 advantage (their biggest of the game) on a basket by Shaquille Doorson with 10:39 to play.I thought our guys were kind of locked in and did a really good job defensively, Pikiell said. Weve become a much improved defensive team and were a good rebounding team.DePaul made a furious late rally using pressure to pull within six points in the final minute, but dug too deep a hole.I think the beginning of the second half killed us, Cain said. We really couldnt get anything good on the offensive end.BIG PICTURERutgers: Although the Scarlet Knights are unbeaten, its way too early to tell whether the program is on the rebound. So far, the competition has been underwhelming (Molloy, Drexel and DePaul) and there was plenty not to like about this performance. Still, the defense and rebounding provide a good foundation to build upon.DePaul: The Blue Demons dont have a lot of offensive firepower to begin with, so scoring is especially difficult when Garrett has a poor shooting night. The lack of a post presence put all the pressure to provide offense on Cain, who had 21 points in the opener against Robert Morris.OLD FRIENDSPikiell and Leitao both were assistants under former Connecticut coach Jim Calhoun. Pikiell also played for Calhoun at UConn.Dave Leitao is like my hero, Pikiell said. He was my coach at UConn, I worked with him, he was mentor and I know what a great coach he is.UP NEXTRutgers looks to stay unbeaten when it hosts Niagara on Sunday.DePaul plays the second of three straight home games Sunday against Milwaukee. Kansas City Royals Store . On Tuesday, Ottawa placed forward Cory Conacher and defenceman Joe Corvo on waivers as trade rumours swirl around the Senators. Kansas City Royals Shirts . -- Hunter Smith scored the winner with just 12 seconds remaining in the third period as the Oshawa Generals edged the host Sarnia Sting 5-4 on Friday in Ontario Hockey League action. https://www.cheaproyals.com/ . According the Toronto Star, a knee injury will keep Sundin out of the lineup, which includes former teammates Gary Roberts, Darcy Tucker, Tie Domi and Curtis Joseph. Fake Royals Jerseys . Kozun faked to the forehand and beat Monsters starter, Calvin Pickard, pad side in the second round for the winner. Spencer Abbott also scored in the shootout for the Marlies (25-13-4). Custom Kansas City Royals Jerseys . The players spoke Jan. 13 during a Major League Baseball Players Association conference call after Rodriguez sued the union and Major League Baseball to overturn an arbitrators decision suspending him for the 2014 season and post-season. CLEVELAND -- Cubs manager Joe Maddon says he thinks he can get 30 to 40 pitches out of closer Aroldis Chapman in Wednesday nights Game 7 against the Indians?despite acknowledging a mistake by leaving in the left-hander for too long in Game 6.Some criticized Maddon for going to Chapman with men on base in the seventh inning Tuesday with the Cubs leading by five runs. Maddon figured to pitch Chapman with a decent lead rather than later in a tight game.If we had given up any runs (without Chapman), he would have thrown 20 more stressful pitches in the latter part of the game, Maddon said.So instead of waiting for a close game, Maddon prevented one by going to Chapman. Maddon does regret letting his closer start the ninth inning after the Cubs extended the lead on Anthony Rizzos?home run.The only mistake I made is I should have had somebody up for that first hitter in the ninth inning had Rizzo hit a home run, Maddon said. That was my mistake right there.Reliever Pedro Strop only started warming up after Ben Zobrist reached base in the ninth following Rizzos two-run shot. Chapman gave up a leadoff walk on five pitches in the bottom of the ninth before being pulled. Maddon thinks Chapman is still good for 30 to 40 pitches in Game 7 after throwing 20 in Game 6 and 42 in Game 5 on Sunday.?I absolutely think he can, Maddon said.The Cubs manager also says Chapmans free-agent status has changed in a posittive way after his past two outings in the seventh inning of World Series Games 5 and 6.ddddddddddddIndustry-wide, I would have to believe his stock has risen dramatically and how hes done it, Maddon said. Total team guy now. I cant emphasize enough how important it is to be communicative.Maddon says he tried to use Chapman for multiple innings after the Cubs traded for him midseason, but things didnt work out. After staying in touch with him -- Maddon praised Chapmans personal assistant in helping this cause -- the two came to an understanding, and Chapman was on board for a larger role.They are definitely luxury items, Maddon said. Theyre the best sports car, theyre the yacht, theyre the coolest, hottest plane in the air right now. Theyre different when you are that good. It requires a lot of communication to be on the same page and we achieved that.Maddon says he would love to have Chapman back next year, but the manager also says he wasnt sure of the teams financial situation heading into the offseason. Its assumed the veteran is looking for a multiyear deal. His World Series performance so far can certainly help his cause.Hes been an extremely large reason were in this moment right now, Maddon said. The perception has to have changed with him. And bully for him. ' ' '