RUTGERS
The ALMANAC
The Scoop
From the Coach Road to Success Rutgers Scarlet Knights HOME COURT Jersey Mike’s Arena (8,000) CONFERENCE Big Ten HEAD COACH Steve Pikiell (7th Season) When Steve Pikiell arrived six years ago, Rutgers hadn’t been to the NCAA Tournament since 1991. Kevin Bannon couldn’t get the Scarlet Knights there in four tries. Neither could former coaches like Gary Waters (five years), Fred Hill (four), Mike Rice (three) or Eddie Jordan (three).
Pikiell was all set to finally get there in 2020, but the tourney was scrapped due to COVID. But then, it finally happened. Rutgers has sustained success the last couple years, going to the NCAA Tournament as 10-seed in 2021 and earning a First Four appearance last season.
Pikiell has made Rutgers nationally relevant, which isn’t an easy accomplishment.
But now Pikiell will have to figure out how to replace the scoring of his top two guys: Ron Harper Jr. (15.8 points per game) and Geo Baker (12.6). This duo didn’t just put the ball in the basket; they also grew up in the program and became leaders.
Despite losing Harper and Baker, Pikiell has a realistic chance to make it three straight NCAA Tournament appearances. He has one of the top big men in the league returning in Cliff Omoruyi, one of the Big Ten’s best point guards in Paul Mulcahy and arguably the best defender in the country in Caleb McConnell — who opted to return for a fifth season.
“The great part is that all three of those guys have made a jump from last season,” Pikiell said.
The ALMANAC
The Scoop
From the Coach Road to Success Rutgers Scarlet Knights HOME COURT Jersey Mike’s Arena (8,000) CONFERENCE Big Ten HEAD COACH Steve Pikiell (7th Season) When Steve Pikiell arrived six years ago, Rutgers hadn’t been to the NCAA Tournament since 1991. Kevin Bannon couldn’t get the Scarlet Knights there in four tries. Neither could former coaches like Gary Waters (five years), Fred Hill (four), Mike Rice (three) or Eddie Jordan (three).
Pikiell was all set to finally get there in 2020, but the tourney was scrapped due to COVID. But then, it finally happened. Rutgers has sustained success the last couple years, going to the NCAA Tournament as 10-seed in 2021 and earning a First Four appearance last season.
Pikiell has made Rutgers nationally relevant, which isn’t an easy accomplishment.
But now Pikiell will have to figure out how to replace the scoring of his top two guys: Ron Harper Jr. (15.8 points per game) and Geo Baker (12.6). This duo didn’t just put the ball in the basket; they also grew up in the program and became leaders.
Despite losing Harper and Baker, Pikiell has a realistic chance to make it three straight NCAA Tournament appearances. He has one of the top big men in the league returning in Cliff Omoruyi, one of the Big Ten’s best point guards in Paul Mulcahy and arguably the best defender in the country in Caleb McConnell — who opted to return for a fifth season.
“The great part is that all three of those guys have made a jump from last season,” Pikiell said.
