Rutgers Scarlet Knights

2023-2024 Result: 15-17 record (7-13 Big 10)

Projected Starting Lineup

Head Coach: Steve Pikiell (9th season)

Guard: Dylan Harper (FR)

Guard: Jamichael Davis (SO)

Guard: Jeremiah Williams (SR)

Forward: Ace Bailey (FR)

Center: Emmanuel Ogbole (JR)

Key Additions

Dylan Harper (5-star recruit)

Ace Bailey (5-star recruit)

Zach Martini (Princeton)

Tyson Acuff (Eastern Michigan)

Jordan Dercack (Eastern Michigan)

PJ Hayes IV (San Diego)

Key Losses

Derek Simpson

Mawot Mag

Cliff Omoruyi

Gavin Griffiths

Aundre Hyatt

Noah Fernandes

Austin Williams

The best recruiting class in Rutgers history is here. Two five-star recruits in Dyland Harper and Ace Bailey have touched down in Newark for a new era of Scarlet Knight basketball. Rutgers lost a lot of production from last year, however, with Clifford Omoruyi, Aundre Hyatt, and Mawot Mag all leaving. Jeremiah Williams, a senior and returning leading scorer will offer some veteran presence, but for the most part, the youth of the Scarlet Knights will be heavily relied upon this season. They did bring in some scoring from lower majors in Tyson Acuff and Jordan Derkack who could help keep the team afloat if the youth is showing some growing pains, especially in conference play, but neither shoots the ball well from distance.

The Rutgers defense will look far different than it did in 2023. There is no more Cliff Omoruyi to protect the rim or length of Mawot Mag to disrupt passing lanes. Derek Simpson is gone. This defense will be much different. Rutgers will likely play at a much faster pace due to their offensive talent, which will already make them slightly worse defensively. On top of that, 2 blocks a night and a handful of shot disruptions are not there with Emmanuel Ogbole. He averaged half a block in just over 8 minutes per game last year, so there is potential, but the experience is not there. Jamichael Davis and Jeremiah Willams will help hold down the backcourt defensively with 5-star freshman Dylan Harper. Harper has the length and athleticism as a 6 ‘6 guard to really disrupt opposing players. The other 5-star, Ace Bailey, will be an important piece of the defense too after they lost Mag. Bailey has the size, length, and athleticism to guard several positions, but the concern is his frame holding up against some of the bigger guys he will defend at just 6 ‘10, 200 pounds. The Rutgers defense will take a step back, but the offense will be much improved.

Rutgers will play faster. They have Dylan Harper to run the show and essentially three other guards, one of them being 6 ‘10 Bailey, so they will get out and run. Jeremiah Williams was the leading scorer last year at just over 12 points per game. His opportunities will likely go down with Harper and Bailey rightfully demanding shots. They both seem like the real deal, but where so much will be asked of them, it is safe to assume that there will be growing pains in Newark this season. However, by season’s end, this offense should be clicking. The biggest hindrance to this offense succeeding will be the perimeter shooting and the development and readiness of the 5-stars. Davis and Williams both shot the three at less than 25% last season, but they are both needed for defensive purposes, so the hope would be that they got in the gym this offseason and will see improvement in their numbers. For now, we can only assume that they are non-shooters, which will pose issues for the spacing of the Rutgers offense. They did bring in some nice scoring options via the portal off the bench in Tyson Acuff and Jordan Derkack if there are issues scoring in the starting lineup. The Scarlet Knights have a chance to have one of their best seasons in a long time.

Top recruits going to Rutgers is something I never thought I would see. Yet here we are with two of the top recruits from the 2024 class leading the charge for the Scarlet Knights. The inexperience will show, but the talent is undeniable and should have the Scarlet Knights in a position to hang with most teams in the BIG 10 and potentially get back to the Big Dance after a dreadful 2023-24 season.