Rutgers Scarlet Knights
2019-2020 Overall Rank: #104
Conference Rank: #12 Big Ten
Rutgers has been a bottom feeder of the Big Ten since joining the conference in 2014, but last season was the most promising in some time for the program. Coach Steve Pikiell led the Scarlet Knights to seven conference wins, which is as many as they had in the three previous seasons combined. Rutgers loses their leading scorer, but otherwise most of last season’s production is returning. Pikiell will look to build upon the progress made last season and could lead Rutgers to a .500 record in the Big Ten this year.
2018-19 Record: 14-17, 7-13
2018-19 Postseason: None
Coach: Steve Pikiell
Coach Record: 44-54 at Rutgers, 241-229 overall
Key Departed Players:
Eugene Omoruyi, Forward, 13.8 ppg
Issa Thiam, Forward, 3.8 ppg
Shaquille Doorson, Center, 3.7 ppg
Issa Thiam, Forward, 3.8 ppg
Shaquille Doorson, Center, 3.7 ppg
Key Returning Players:
Geo Baker, Junior, Guard, 12.2 ppg
Montez Mathis, Sophomore, Guard, 8.5 ppg
Ron Harper, Sophomore, Forward, 7.8 ppg
Peter Kiss, Junior, Guard, 6.0 ppg
Caleb McConnell, Sophomore, Guard, 5.5 ppg
Myles Johnson, Sophomore, Center, 4.8 ppg
Geo Baker, Junior, Guard, 12.2 ppg
Montez Mathis, Sophomore, Guard, 8.5 ppg
Ron Harper, Sophomore, Forward, 7.8 ppg
Peter Kiss, Junior, Guard, 6.0 ppg
Caleb McConnell, Sophomore, Guard, 5.5 ppg
Myles Johnson, Sophomore, Center, 4.8 ppg
Shaq Carter, Senior, Forward, 4.5 ppg
Mamadou Doucoure, Junior, Center, 0.3 ppg
Mamadou Doucoure, Junior, Center, 0.3 ppg
Key New Players:
Paul Mulcahy, Freshman, Guard
Akwasi Yeboah, Senior, Forward, Transfer from Stony Brook
Jacob Young, Junior, Guard, Transfer from Texas
Jacob Young, Junior, Guard, Transfer from Texas
Projection:
Top scorer Eugene Omoruyi has transferred, but Rutgers’ second through eighth leading scorers are all back this season. Geo Baker is primed for a breakout junior campaign after starting 60 games in his first two seasons. As a sophomore, Baker averaged 12.2 points, 3.1 rebounds and led the team with 4.1 assists and 1.6 steals per game. Baker made the Honorable Mention All-Big Ten last season and could easily find himself selected to an all-conference team this year. Ron Harper and Montez Mathis are the other two returning starters. Mathis started 23 games as a freshman, averaging 8.5 points and 2.9 rebounds. Harper started 18 games as a freshman and averaged 7.8 points and 3.1 rebounds. Both players should be improved as sophomores. Peter Kiss, Caleb McConnell, Myles Johnson, Shaq Carter and Mamadou Doucoure are all back which will give Rutgers a deep and experienced roster. Akwasi Yeboah and Jacob Young also give Rutgers some extra experience as transfers. Yeboah is a grad transfer from Stony Brook who earned First Team All-America East honors last season after the 6-6 wing averaged 16.7 points, 7.7 rebounds and 1.4 assists. Young joins the team as junior and is a former four-star recruit. He averaged 6.2 points and 1.7 rebounds as a sophomore at Texas. Lastly, Paul Mulcahy is the lone freshman on the roster and was a top-200 prospect. With an experienced and deep roster, Steve Pikiell’s team is no longer the easy win on the schedule that they once were. There is still work to be done to become a contender in the Big Ten, but progress is being made at Rutgers.
Projected Postseason Tournament: CBI/CIT
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 67.9 (287th in nation, 13th in conference)
Scoring Defense: 68.8 (105, 11)
Field-Goal Percentage: 41.9 (295, 12)
Field-Goal Defense: 42.5 (99, 10)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 6.2 (311, 12)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 31.2 (317, 14)
Free-Throw Percentage: 63.7 (339, 14)
Rebound Margin: 4.2 (50, 4)
Assists Per Game: 12.6 (242, 13)
Turnovers Per Game: 13.2 (195, 13)
Madness 2019 Men’s Basketball Recruit Rankings:
#154 Paul Mulcahy
