After a sluggish season in 2023-24, the Rutgers Scarlet Knights are back to contend in the Big Ten in 2024-25. That is largely in part due to a historic freshman class. However, concerns about not having impactful returning players from last season’s team could easily make things tough.
Seeing Derek Simpson depart in the portal, along with outstanding big Clifford Omoruyi, certainly hurts Rutgers. Still, they have quickly moved on with some major additions of their own via the transfer portal. Head Coach Steve Pikiell has completely changed the direction of the Rutgers Basketball program, from once the laughing stock of the Big Ten, into a team that no one wants to face especially in Piscataway, New Jersey.
It will be interesting to see if Rutgers has the right tools for their incoming freshman class which includes two players rated as composite top five players according to 247 Sports. Both players will have to step right in and play very important minutes if the Scarlet Knights want to get back to the NCAA Tournament for the third time in five seasons. It is no doubt a historic freshman class for Rutgers, time will tell if they can deliver.
Rutgers Big Ten Basketball Preview 2024-25: Historic Freshman Class
Coach Pikiell has had an up-and-down tenure as he prepares for his 9th season as the Head Coach of the Scarlet Knights. Not making the tournament the past two seasons has certainly put him among the coaches on the hot seat in the Big Ten. One thing is for sure, Pikiell hasn’t let that bother him as he went out and made history for the school by bringing in a Top 10 overall recruiting class for the 2024-25 season.
The two gems of the historic class are Ace Bailey from Powder Springs, Georgia, the number two overall player in the class just behind Duke’s Cooper Flagg. The second of the dynamic duo for Rutgers is Dylan Harper, the son of Ron Harper and younger brother of former Scarlet Knights star Ron Harper Jr. The RAC in Piscataway is certainly going to have some fun nights this season.
Raphael Davis from the Big Ten Network took to social media to suggest that Rutgers’ Harper paired with key returning guard Jeremiah Williams could be the Big Ten’s best backcourt.
Do you agree with @RaphealDavis3 on the best B1G backcourt? 👀#B1GMBBall x @RutgersMBB pic.twitter.com/io7zQte9nA
— Big Ten Men's Basketball (@B1GMBBall) July 19, 2024
Other Players Ready to Make Noise
The historic recruiting class won’t be enough for Rutgers to compete for the Big Ten, so Coach Pikiell went out and got plenty of other impact players to try to help the pair of five-stars. They will be joined by three other freshmen in Piscataway: Lathan Sommerville, Bryce Dortch, and Dylan Grant.
Certainly, the team took its bumps in the portal, but they were able to grab some solid pieces right back. Rutgers struggled to shoot the ball last season, so besides adding Bailey and Harper who can shoot the ball plenty, the Scarlet Knights picked up Tyson Acuff from Eastern Michigan who averaged 21 points per game last season. Jordan Derkack (Merrimack) and Zach Martini (Princeton) will also help with some shooting with both being length wing players.
The biggest question mark will be where Rutgers turns in the post, Omoroyi was a big-time rebounder and low-post threat for the team in his four seasons in Piscataway. Sommerville is a nice piece at 6’9 and 240 pounds but needs time to adjust to the Big Ten, especially as a true freshman.
They need someone to come into their own in the post. Other than that, Rutgers should have plenty of shooting power to compete with nearly anyone in the league. The squad has been putting in the work, which can be seen in a post shared on Rutgers Basketball’s X page.
Practicing like it’s gameday. 🤫#TheKnighthood🛡️⚔️ pic.twitter.com/3ZCYEmzDoO
— Rutgers Men’s Basketball 🏀 (@RutgersMBB) July 27, 2024
Nothing Comes Easy in the Big Ten
Rutgers’ path to competing for the Big Ten Championship certainly won’t come easy. They get a very nice home schedule with plenty of games at the RAC to try and beat some of the best the league has to offer. Those home games include Illinois, Iowa, Michigan State, Minnesota, UCLA, USC, and Wisconsin. All of them have been to or have been in the running for the NCAA Tournament in the last handful of seasons, much like Rutgers.
The 2024-25 @bigten opponents slate is set ✅#TheKnighthood🛡⚔️ pic.twitter.com/NcKe0oK8Zv
— Rutgers Men’s Basketball 🏀 (@RutgersMBB) May 1, 2024
The road slate in the Big Ten is hard for every team, but the Scarlet Knights might have gotten an ugly draw. They will have to travel to Oregon and Washington, along with stops at Indiana, Maryland, Nebraska, Northwestern, and Ohio State. That leaves a pair of match-ups against Michigan and Penn State, along with two very tough games against reigning Big Ten Champion Purdue as well.
Fun to Watch, But Championship Worthy?
No doubt the 2024-25 Rutgers team is going to be a team to watch. Especially with two very likely lottery picks in the next NBA Draft. If coach Pikiell can get someone going in the post, then this team might have the recipe to compete near the top of the standings. For now, all that can be expected is how entertaining they will be. A hot ticket to have, but championship-worthy? Not quite.
