{"id":161836,"date":"2025-10-09T10:30:00","date_gmt":"2025-10-09T14:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=161836"},"modified":"2025-10-09T09:28:02","modified_gmt":"2025-10-09T13:28:02","slug":"rutgers-basketball-2025-26-preview-final-chance-for-steve-pikiell","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/10\/09\/rutgers-basketball-2025-26-preview-final-chance-for-steve-pikiell\/","title":{"rendered":"Rutgers Basketball 2025-26 Preview: Final Chance for Steve Pikiell"},"content":{"rendered":"

After having two players drafted in the top 10, Rutgers basketball head coach Steve Pikiell will have plenty of work to do in 2025-26. Sure, it was impressive to see both Dylan Harper<\/a> and Ace Bailey<\/a> make an impact for the Scarlet Knights last season. Unfortunately, it didn’t turn into team success for Rutgers. Thus, Coach Pikiell will likely have one final chance to keep himself from losing his job after the 2025-26 season.<\/p>\n

Let’s look closely at what the Scarlet Knights bring to the table in the Big Ten.<\/p>\n

Rutgers Basketball 2025-26 Preview: Final Chance for Steve Pikiell<\/h2>\n

Roster Outlook<\/h3>\n

Rutgers will have plenty of new faces in 2025-26 with a roster headlined by seven incoming freshmen. That’s going to be a group of players that will have to contribute quickly. Luckily, the Scarlet Knights have a pair of sophomores ready to take the next step. Dylan Grant<\/a> and Bryce Dortch<\/a> ended up having to contribute quite a bit during the final month of the 2024-25 season. Now they will be looked at as leaders this season. Alongside JaMichael Davis<\/a>, Rutgers certainly has some depth to try and make up for the massive departures in the ball-handling department. As for the front court, a key returner is junior Emmanuel Ogbole<\/a>, who started 15 games at center last season.<\/p>\n

The newcomers aren’t only freshmen, as Rutgers was able to grab a couple of key cogs from the transfer portal. That group is highlighted by 6-foot-11 junior big man Baye Fall<\/a>, who had high regard coming out of high school but has only played 13 career games between Arkansas and Kansas State. Now he has a chance to star in the Big Ten. Bringing in guard depth was key as well, as former George Washington guard Darren Buchanan Jr<\/a> arrived in Piscataway after averaging 13 points per game in two seasons at GW.<\/p>\n

Two of the aforementioned freshmen were 4-star recruits, and the top player from Ohio, Dorian Jones<\/a>, should make an instant impact. As should Chris Nwuli<\/a>, who already put in time playing AAU ball with fellow Rutgers freshman Lino Mark<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The Knights also brought in some international talent from Bosnia and Romania, Harun Zrno<\/a> and Denis Badalau<\/a>. The rest of the class is rounded out by Gevonte Ware<\/a> and Kaden Powers<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Rest of the Roster:<\/h4>\n

Tariq Francis<\/a> (Transfer), Max Fradkin<\/a> (Sophomore)<\/p>\n

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Scrimmage highlights \ud83d\udc40\ud83c\udfa5\ud83d\udd25#TheKnighthood<\/a>\ud83d\udee1\ufe0f\u2694\ufe0f pic.twitter.com\/lUoeM1kO9e<\/a><\/p>\n

— Rutgers Men\u2019s Basketball \ud83c\udfc0 (@RutgersMBB) October 6, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n