Takeaways: Is Budd Clark the best mid-major guard in college basketball?

On Wednesday night, Rutgers beat Merrimack 74-63. The Warriors kept the game close despite being near 20-point underdogs against the nation’s No. 24-ranked team.

Here are my takeaways from Wednesday’s game:

— Is Budd Clark the best mid-major guard in the country? I think he might be. Across all college basketball (not just mid-majors), he’s ranked No. 8 in possession percentage and No. 46 in assist rate. Clark has at least 19 points in all four games for the Warriors this season, and going back to last season, he has at least 18 points in seven of his last nine games.

Clark gave Rutgers fits on his drives. He was slippery, making him difficult for the Scarlet Knights (or anyone else) to defend.

We’re seeing something special with him. There have been a lot of really good players to come through the Merrimack program since Joe Gallo arrived — Jordan Derkack on the other side last night being one of them — but Clark has a chance to be the very best.