The Rutgers Scarlet Knights men’s basketball program, based in Piscataway, New Jersey, has a rich history and a loyal fan base. Competing in the Big Ten Conference, the Scarlet Knights have consistently made their mark on the national basketball scene.
A Storied History
Rutgers’ basketball roots date back to 1906. The program has had its share of ups and downs over the years, but has always managed to bounce back. In the early 1970s, under the leadership of coach Tom Young, the Scarlet Knights made their first NCAA Tournament appearance in 1976.
Recent Success
In recent years, Rutgers has enjoyed a resurgence under head coach Steve Pikiell. The team has consistently qualified for postseason play and has even made a run to the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 in 2022.
Home Court Advantage
The Scarlet Knights play their home games in the Jersey Mike’s Arena, a modern and state-of-the-art facility that has become a fortress for the team. With a capacity of over 8,000 fans, the arena is known for its lively atmosphere and passionate crowd.
Notable Players
Throughout its history, Rutgers has produced several notable players who went on to have successful careers in the NBA. Some of the most famous Scarlet Knights include:
Player | NBA Team | Accomplishments |
---|---|---|
Phil Sellers | Sacramento Kings | 1980 NBA All-Rookie Second Team |
Eddie Jordan | Washington Wizards | 1984 NBA All-Rookie First Team |
Quincy Douby | New York Knicks | 2006 NCAA Tournament All-Regional Team |
Key Statistics
Here are some key statistics for the Rutgers Scarlet Knights men’s basketball program:
Statistic | Value |
---|---|
Total NCAA Tournament Appearances | 13 |
Regional Finals Appearances | 2 |
Sweet 16 Appearances | 1 |
All-Americans | 3 |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: When was Rutgers founded?
A: 1766
Q: What conference does Rutgers play in?
A: Big Ten Conference
Q: Who is the current head coach of Rutgers?
A: Steve Pikiell
Q: Where do the Scarlet Knights play their home games?
A: Jersey Mike’s Arena
Q: Has Rutgers ever won an NCAA Tournament Championship?
A: No
Big Ten Conference
The Big Ten Conference is a college athletic conference that operates in the Midwestern United States. It consists of 14 member universities located in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. The conference currently sponsors 24 varsity sports (12 for men and 12 for women) and is a member of the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) for football.
The Big Ten was founded in 1896 with seven charter members: the University of Chicago, the University of Illinois, Northwestern University, Purdue University, the University of Wisconsin, the University of Michigan, and the University of Minnesota. The conference has expanded several times over the years, with the most recent additions being Maryland and Rutgers in 2014.
The Big Ten is one of the most prestigious and competitive athletic conferences in the United States. Its football programs have won 37 national championships, and its basketball programs have won 15 national championships. The conference also has a strong tradition in other sports, such as wrestling, volleyball, and track and field.
Basketball Schedule
The basketball schedule outlines the dates, times, and locations of upcoming basketball games for a particular team or league. It typically includes the following information:
- Date and time of game
- Location of game (arena, city)
- Teams participating in the game
- Ticket information (if applicable)
- Television or streaming information
- Historical data or records between teams (optional)
Rutgers Scarlet Knights Men’s Basketball Roster
The Rutgers Scarlet Knights men’s basketball roster for the 2022-23 season consists of the following players:
- No. 0 – Mawot Mag
- No. 1 – Jalen Miller
- No. 2 – Gavin Griffiths
- No. 3 – Caleb McConnell
- No. 4 – Braeden Moore
- No. 10 – Isaac Copeland
- No. 11 – Aundre Hyatt
- No. 13 – Chris Manon
- No. 15 – Ralph Agee III
- No. 23 – Oskar Palmquist
- No. 24 – Jaden Jones
- No. 33 – Antwone Woolfolk
Rutgers Scarlet Knights Men’s Basketball Tickets
Rutgers Scarlet Knights men’s basketball tickets offer fans an exciting opportunity to witness the team compete in thrilling NCAA Division I basketball games. The team plays its home games at the Jersey Mike’s Arena in Piscataway, New Jersey.
Tickets range in price depending on the seating section and the opponent. Single-game tickets are available for purchase online or at the arena box office. Season tickets offer a more cost-effective way to attend multiple games and enjoy exclusive benefits like priority seating and access to special events.
Games typically feature a lively atmosphere, with enthusiastic fans cheering on the Scarlet Knights. Fans can purchase concessions and merchandise at the arena, and parking is available nearby. The arena provides a comfortable and state-of-the-art experience for basketball enthusiasts.
Rutgers Scarlet Knights Men’s Basketball Highlights
- Record: 13-3 (6-2 Big Ten)
- NCAA Tournament: Projected as a 6-seed
- Key players:
- Caleb McConnell (10.9 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 5.5 APG)
- Ron Harper Jr. (18.7 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 2.0 APG)
- Cliff Omoruyi (11.8 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 2.7 BPG)
- Biggest wins:
- vs. Purdue (70-64)
- vs. Iowa (76-65)
- vs. Saint Peter’s (91-69)
- Biggest losses:
- vs. Michigan (71-60)
- vs. Ohio State (80-66)
- Strengths:
- Defense (21st in KenPom adjusted defensive efficiency)
- Rebounding (25th in rebounding margin)
- Weaknesses:
- Shooting (340th in 3-point field goal percentage)
- Free throw shooting (318th in free throw percentage)
Rutgers Scarlet Knights Men’s Basketball Rankings
- Associated Press Poll (AP): Ranked 18th in the preseason poll, their highest ranking since 1976.
- Coaches Poll (Coaches): Ranked 14th in the preseason poll, their highest ranking ever.
- KenPom: Projected to finish 12th in the Big Ten and 40th nationally.
- NET: Projected to finish 12th in the Big Ten and 45th nationally.
- BPI: Projected to finish 11th in the Big Ten and 44th nationally.
- Sagarin: Projected to finish 12th in the Big Ten and 43rd nationally.
- ESPN’s Basketball Power Index (BPI): Projected to finish 12th in the Big Ten and 40th nationally.
Rutgers Scarlet Knights Men’s Basketball News
- Geo Baker Named Team Captain: Senior guard Geo Baker has been named the sole captain of the 2022-23 Rutgers men’s basketball team.
- Schedule Released: The Scarlet Knights’ 2022-23 schedule has been announced, featuring tough road tests at Michigan, Ohio State, and Indiana.
- New Coach on Staff: Former Towson head coach Pat Skerry has joined the Rutgers staff as an assistant coach.
- Recruiting Update: The Scarlet Knights have added three-star forward Ryan Pettiford to their 2023 recruiting class.
- Injury Update: Senior center Cliff Omoruyi is expected to miss the start of the season due to a knee injury.
- Upcoming Games: Rutgers tips off the regular season on November 7th against the Fairleigh Dickinson Knights.
- National Rankings: The Scarlet Knights are currently ranked 88th in the preseason AP Poll and 86th in the Coaches Poll.
Rutgers Scarlet Knights Men’s Basketball Stats
- Head coach: Steve Pikiell (7th season)
- 2022-23 season record: 18-14 (11-9 Big Ten)
- Conference: Big Ten Conference
- Home arena: Jersey Mike’s Arena (capacity: 8,500)
Program history
- NCAA Tournament appearances: 12
- NCAA Tournament wins: 6
- Final Four appearances: 0
- National championships: 0
Individual statistics (2022-23 season)
- Leading scorer: Cam Spencer (17.2 PPG)
- Leading rebounder: Clifford Omoruyi (9.4 RPG)
- Leading assists: Paul Mulcahy (6.4 APG)
Team statistics (2022-23 season)
- Points per game: 71.2 (160th in Division I)
- Field goal percentage: 44.3% (240th in Division I)
- Three-point field goal percentage: 34.2% (179th in Division I)
- Free throw percentage: 71.7% (242nd in Division I)
- Rebounds per game: 37.6 (83rd in Division I)
- Assists per game: 14.7 (86th in Division I)
- Turnovers per game: 11.8 (292nd in Division I)
- Blocks per game: 4.2 (48th in Division I)
Rutgers Scarlet Knights Men’s Basketball History
- Early Years (1895-1942): The program began in 1895 and achieved success early on, winning the Metropolitan Intercollegiate Basketball League championship in 1912.
- Post-World War II Era (1945-1970): The team struggled in the postwar years, with only a few NCAA Tournament appearances.
- Tom Young Era (1971-1982): Coach Tom Young led Rutgers to its first NCAA Tournament Sweet Sixteen in 1976.
- Sue Wicks Era (1986-1998): Coach Sue Wicks became the first woman to lead a men’s basketball team to the NCAA Tournament, doing so in 1989.
- Gary Waters Era (1998-2010): Coach Gary Waters guided the Scarlet Knights to the NIT championship in 2004 and the NCAA Tournament Sweet Sixteen in 2006.
- Eddie Jordan Era (2010-2016): Coach Eddie Jordan was unable to replicate Waters’ success, leading to his resignation.
- Steve Pikiell Era (2016-Present): Coach Steve Pikiell has revitalized the program, leading it to its first NCAA Tournament appearance in a decade in 2021.
Rutgers Scarlet Knights Men’s Basketball Coach
Steve Pikiell is the current head coach of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights men’s basketball team. He has been with the team since 2016 and has led them to three NCAA Tournament appearances, including a Sweet 16 appearance in 2022.
Rutgers Scarlet Knights Men’s Basketball Recruiting
The Rutgers Scarlet Knights men’s basketball team has been actively recruiting talented players to bolster their roster for the upcoming season. Under the guidance of head coach Steve Pikiell, the team has secured several promising commitments and is poised to make a significant impact in the Big Ten Conference.
Notable recruits include:
- Derek Simpson, Jr.: A 6’8" forward from Delaware, Simpson is a versatile and athletic player who can contribute in multiple areas.
- Geo Baker: A 6’4" guard from New Jersey, Baker is known for his exceptional ball-handling skills, court vision, and leadership abilities.
- Myles Johnson: A 6’10" center from Virginia, Johnson brings size, rebounding, and defensive presence to the frontcourt.
- Caleb McConnell: A 6’2" guard from Pennsylvania, McConnell is a tenacious defender with a high basketball IQ.
- Jaden Jones: A 6’8" forward from Ohio, Jones is a skilled scorer and rebounder with a strong work ethic.
These recruits, along with returning players, form a promising core for Rutgers. The team aims to continue building on their successes and establish themselves as a competitive force in the NCAA Tournament.