Rutgers Basketball Preview 2021

PreviewsNCAAMBig Ten BasketballRutgers Scarlett Knights

Nov 8

Our Rutgers basketball preview 2021 - 22 observes that last season the Scarlet Knights did something they had not done in 30 years. That is, they went back to the NCAA Tournament. Under coach Steve Pikiell (80-77 Rutgers/5 years, 272-233 Overall/16years), the Scarlet Knights upset Clemson in the first round. In round two, they were also close to upsetting Houston, a team that would go to the Final Four, but blew a 10-point lead with 11 minutes to play. The final was 63-60. Although Rutgers loses some key players from last season, center Myles Johnson (8.0 PPG, 8.5 RPG) and guards Montez Mathis (8.3 PPG, 2.8 RPG) and Jacob Young (14.1 PPG, 3.4 APG), they still see a healthy number of experienced players return.

Scarlet Knights Frontcourt

Last year, as a freshman center, Cliff Omoruyi shot 63.2 percent from the floor while averaging 3.8 PPG and 4.0 RPG and playing 15.0 MPG. This year, the sophomore will start, as Pikiell is looking for the 6'‘11” big man to expand on the role he’s played. Our Rutgers basketball preview 2021 - 22 also sees former top-100 recruit Jaden Jones, a sophomore guard/forward, as being an integral part of this team’s success. He has the potential to be the Scarlet Knights’ top scorer. The rest of the frontcourt is unproven and could go either way.

Rutgers Basketball Preview – Backcourt

Geo Baker (10.1 PPG, 3.1 APG) and Ron Harper Jr. (14.9 PPG, 5.6 RPG) decided to return, and that’s good news for the Knights. Harper, who shot 44.1 percent from the floor, had a breakthrough season last year. Baker, a three-time All-Big Ten honoree, ranks fifth all-time at Rutgers in assists, seventh in three-pointers, eighth in steals, and 18th in points. More experience returns in the guise of Paul Mulcahy, a junior with fine two- and three-point shots, and Caleb McConnell, a dependable talent.