Where is Rutgers ranked in the Big Ten Basketball Preseason Power Rankings?
After finishing the 2022-23 season as No. 10 in the Big Ten Conference, the Scarlet Knight will look to improve their conference record heading into the 2023-24 season. Where is Rutgers basketball ranked in the Big Ten Basketball Preseason Power Rankings?
According to On3, the Scarlet Knights are ranked No. 10 in their preseason Big Ten rankings as they gear up to kick off the 2023-24 season against the Princeton Tigers on November 6. Last season, Rutgers finished with a conference record of 10-10 and an overall record of 19-15.
With the absence of guards Cam Spencer and Paul Mulcahy, the Scarlet Knights will be searching for scoring in their backcourt heading into the upcoming season. Spencer and Mulcahy started a combined 62 games last season, scoring a combined average of 21.5 points per game.
Rutgers sophomore Derek Simpson and transfer guard Noah Fernandes will fill those empty backcourt positions for the Scarlet Knights. As a Freshman last season, Simpson averaged 12.7 points per game and started six games for the Scarlet Knights. As for Fernandes, the former UMass point guard is coming off a season-ending ankle injury and will look to provide some scoring for the Scarlet Knights in his last year of eligibility. Before his injury last season, he averaged 13.4 points and 4.1 assists in 11 games.
The Scarlet Knights will be anchored by their returning center, Cliff Omoruyi, one of the best rebounders and paint protectors. Omoruyi recorded 449 points, 325 rebounds, and 72 blocks for the Scarlet Knights last season.
Big Ten Basketball Preseason Power Rankings 🎯
Team by Team Breakdown: https://t.co/1eBxzjfLqv pic.twitter.com/Vq3PK2XfCb
— Jamie Shaw (@JamieShaw5) October 2, 2023
With the return of forward Mawot Mag from a season-ending ACL injury, the Scarlet Knights are adding one of the best defenders in the conference to their starting lineup. In 2022-23, Mag started the first 23 games of the season before a season-ending injury, averaging 5.3 rebounds and 7.8 points per game.
In the offseason, head coach Steve Pikiell and his staff added freshman Gavin Griffiths to their 2023-24 roster. Griffiths can easily be the top shooter in his class, something the Scarlet Knights were missing in 2022-23. According to 247Sports, Griffiths was the No. 20 recruit in the country, and he adds size, length, and athleticism to the Rutgers’ backcourt.
The biggest question for the Scarlet Knights is whether they can stay healthy, and can Pikiell get this group to play efficient defense while contributing consistent offense each night.
