College basketball 2023-24: Predictions, questions for New Jersey's D-1 teams
North Carolina. Indiana. Kansas. Kentucky. These states are synonymous with success in college basketball. While New Jersey doesn’t carry that kind of cachet, the Garden State has made a huge imprint on March Madness over the past two seasons.
How huge? Jersey sent five different programs dancing, including a 15 seed that advanced to the Elite Eight (Saint Peter’s), another 15 seed that went to the Sweet 16 (Princeton), and a 16 seed (FDU) that knocked off a No. 1.
Who will carry the slingshot in 2023-24? With just over a month to opening night, here are key questions and preseason projections involving all eight Division 1 men’s programs.
Rutgers basketball: 5 preseason questions
1. Will Steve Pikiell hand over the car keys?
Over the past four seasons, since the program turned the corner, Rutgers has ranked 264th, 295th, 214th and 231st nationally in tempo. With an influx of speed, this year’s personnel is best suited to run and press – and wants to play that way. In Pikiell’s 18-year head-coaching career his teams have cracked the top 200 in tempo just three times, with a peak of 170.
2. Can Cliff Omoruyi take the final step?
NBA scouts want to see an expanded offensive repertoire and more versatility on defense. If Rutgers’ schemes can foster some that while still taking advantage of his dominance in the paint (with mostly new guards who are learning the big man’s tendencies), the 6-11 senior center will go out with a bang.
3. Is the old Mawot Mag back?
The senior forward’s value as a four-position defensive stopper was on full display as Rutgers finished 3-8 after he tore an ACL last February. He’s been cleared for contact, but Pikiell is wisely bringing him along slowly. His ability to cover ground defensively will be a lynchpin this winter.
4. Are the perimeter defenders up to the task?
This is Pikiell’s biggest concern. The Scarlet Knights lost an elite defender (Caleb McConnell) and another disruptive one (Cam Spencer). There are four new guards in the rotation and they’re learning the coach’s standards. The athleticism and length are there; connectedness is the next step.
5. How big of an impact will Gavin Griffiths have?
The 6-foot-8 freshman from Connecticut will see plenty of playing time and has the potential to be a matchup nightmare as a sharpshooter. The earlier he hits stride, the more dangerous Rutgers will be.
Jerry Carino’s Big Ten forecast
1. Purdue; 2. Michigan State; 3. Maryland; 4. Wisconsin; 5. Illinois; 6. Indiana; 7. Northwestern; 8. Rutgers; 9. Iowa; 10. Ohio State; 11. Michigan; 12. Nebraska; 13. Penn State; 14. Minnesota.
Seton Hall basketball: 5 preseason questions
1. Will Kadary Richmond deliver consistently?
The 6-6 senior has the tools to be an elite point guard on both ends, and he’s shown that in spurts. Head coach Shaheen Holloway is pushing every button to draw it out regularly. Richmond’s summer was encouraging, and having St. John’s transfer (and good friend) Dylan Addae-Wusu in his ear daily might help as well.
2. Can the principals stay healthy?
Injuries to Richmond and wing Dre Davis snuffed out the Hall’s NCAA Tournament hopes last season. Holloway likes his players to practice hard, so finding that balance between playing tough and staying upright is essential.
3. Is there enough inside to hold the fort?
None of the bigs have proven high-major chops. Transfers Jaden Bediako and Elijah Hutchins-Everett are true centers and freshman forward David Tubek looks the part physically. They have to hold their own to give the Pirates’ capable backcourt a chance.
4. How much will the shooting improve?
On paper, Richmond (.444 from 3-point range last season), Davis (.409), Al Dawes (.382), Addae-Wusu (.364 last year, .381 in 2021-22) and much-improved sophomore Jaquan Sanders should create problems for opposing defenses. Much depends on ball-sharing and whether inside options can keep foes honest.
5. Does the defense remain stifling?
The Pirates’ owned the nation’s 20th-ranked defense in Holloway’s debut campaign. That will continue to be an emphasis. Replacing lockdown forward KC Ndefo won’t be easy, but if the depth is better, that will help.
Jerry Carino’s Big East forecast
1. Marquette; 2. Creighton; 3. UConn; 4. Villanova; 5. St. John’s; 6. Providence; 7. Xavier; 8. Seton Hall; 9. Georgetown; 10. Butler; 11. DePaul.
New Jersey mid-majors: 5 preseason questions
1. What will Princeton do for an encore?
The Ivy League champion wowed the nation by making the Sweet 16 for the first time since 1967. Three starters are gone, including superstar forward Tosan Evbuomwan, but six rotation players return. Size is the only drawback. If some help emerges for 6-foot-6 budding star Caden Pierce in the frontcourt, look out.
2. Can FDU keep the momentum going?
The Knights made history by taking down top-seeded Purdue in the NCAA Tournament. Three starters are back and the school wisely made a continuity coaching hire as assistant Jack Castleberry took the torch from Iona-bound Tobin Anderson. Look for more running and gunning in Hackensack.
3. Is this finally Rider’s year?
As Iona rebuilds, the door swings wide open in the MAAC. With three starters back from the second-place squad and some high-impact newcomers, Rider has a real shot to make the Big Dance (last trip: 1994). The Broncs have been in this position before – but they've been unable to get over the hump in March.
4. Can Monmouth compete in the Coastal?
The Hawks were a perennial contender in the MAAC, but the football-driven move to the Colonial (since renamed Coastal) yielded rough dividends in year one – a 5-13 mark and 12th-place finish. The arrival of King Rice’s son Xander Rice at point guard (14 ppg at Bucknell) should help.
5. How quickly will Saint Peter’s and NJIT’s coaches affix their stamp?
Bashir Mason inherited a tricky situation at Saint Peter’s last year after most of the program scattered, and the Peacocks struggled to a 14-18 record and 10th place in the MAAC. They did play better down the stretch, but will need more offense to take the next step. NJIT welcomes former Seton Hall center and assistant Grant Billmeier home after a 7-23 struggle in 2022-23. Known for his player development, Billmeier has a huge and intriguing freshman class to work with.
Jerry Carino’s preseason All-New Jersey team
Player of the Year: Cliff Omoruyi, Rutgers (Sr. C)
Matt Allocco, Princeton (Sr., G)
Kadary Richmond, Seton Hall (Sr., G)
Ansley Almonor, FDU (Jr., F)
Caden Pierce, Princeton (So., F)
Mervin James, Rider (Sr., F)
What the preview magazines project
FDU
Last Year: 21-16 overall, 10-6 NEC (tie 2nd place), NCAA Tournament.
The Almanac: 2nd place; Ansley Almonor 1st team All-NEC; Sean Moore 2nd team All-NEC.
Blue Ribbon: 2nd place; Ansley Almonor and Sean Moore 1st team All-NEC.
Lindy’s: 4th place; Ansley Almonor 1st team All-MAAC; Joe Munden Jr. 2nd team All-NEC.
Monmouth
Last Year: 7-26 overall, 5-13 Colonial (tied for 12th place).
The Almanac: 11th place.
Blue Ribbon: 7th place; Xander Rice Newcomer of the Year.
Lindy’s: 12th place.
NJIT
Last Year: 7-23 overall, 4-14 America East (8th place).
The Almanac: 9th place.
Blue Ribbon: 8th place.
Lindy’s: 9th place.
Princeton
Last Year: 23-9 overall, 10-14 Ivy (tie 1st place), NCAA Tournament Sweet 16.
The Almanac: 2nd place; Matt Allocco 1st team All-Ivy; Caden Pierce 2nd team All-Ivy.
Blue Ribbon: 3rd place; Matt Allocco 1st team All-Ivy.
Lindy’s: 2nd place; Matt Allocco and Caden Pierce 1st team All-Ivy; Dalen Davis Newcomer of the Year.
Rider
Last Year: 16-14 overall, 13-7 MAAC (2nd place).
The Almanac: 5th place; Mervin James 1st team All-MAAC.
Blue Ribbon: 1st place; Mervin James 1st team All-MAAC.
Lindy’s: 1st place; Mervin James Player of the Year; Allen Powell 2nd team All-MAAC.
Rutgers
Last Year: 19-15 overall, 10-10 Big Ten (tied for 9th place), NIT.
The Almanac: 11th place; Cliff Omoruyi 2nd team All-Big Ten.
Blue Ribbon: 9th place; Cliff Omoruyi 1st team All-Big Ten.
Lindy’s: 10th place; Cliff Omoruyi 1st team All-Big Ten.
Saint Peter’s
Last year: 14-18 overall, 7-13 MAAC (10th place).
The Almanac: 10th place.
Blue Ribbon: 11th place.
Lindy’s: 9th place.
Seton Hall
Last year: 17-16 overall, 10-10 Big East (tie for 6th place), NIT.
The Almanac: 9th place.
Blue Ribbon: 8th place.
Lindy’s: 8th place.
Jerry Carino has covered the New Jersey sports scene since 1996 and the college basketball beat since 2003. He is an Associated Press Top 25 voter. Contact him at jcarino@gannettnj.com.
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: College basketball 2023-24: Predictions for New Jersey teams