Rutgers Scarlet Knights NCAA Basketball Betting
Heading into year nine of Steve Pikiell’s tenure at Rutgers, the Scarlet Knights have taken a small step back over the past three seasons. The team’s defense under Pikiell has remained elite, but the offensive identity has been heavily lacking. To try to change that trend, Pikiell went out and landed the 6th ranked recruiting class (On3) in the class of 2024. We are skeptical about how the young core will fare over the course of a full season, but Rutgers, at the very least, will be an exciting team to keep an eye on.
Just three players return to Rutgers following a disappointing 2023-24 campaign. Jeremiah Williams (12 ppg) is the most proven of the trio, a former Temple transfer who had a big impact once he suited up for the first time in February, sparking a four-game winning streak for the Scarlet Knights. Williams can score, pass, and defend at a high level, and his leadership role will be something to monitor in the upcoming season.
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Jamichael Davis (6 ppg) is the other returner in the Scarlet Knights’ backcourt, a 6-2 guard who showed flashes of potential throughout his freshman season. Davis struggled from the field during his freshman year, a mark that needs to improve if he hopes to have a big impact for Rutgers in 2024-25. The final returner for the Scarlet Knights is center Emmanuel Ogbole (2 ppg). Ogbole’s large frame (6-10, 260 lbs) makes him an undeniable presence in the paint and a possible starter in the frontcourt as a junior.
Ten rotational players left Rutgers this offseason, including six of the team’s top eight scorers. The backcourt lost Derek Simpson (8 ppg), Noah Fernandes (6 ppg), Gavin Griffiths (6 ppg), and Austin Williams (4 ppg). In the frontcourt, Aundre Hyatt (11 ppg, 5 rpg), Cliff Omoruyi (10 ppg, 8 rpg), Mawot Mag (9 ppg, 4 rpg), Antwone Woolfolk (3 ppg), Oskar Palmquist (3 ppg), and Antonio Chol (2 ppg) all left.
Four transfers join the Scarlet Knights’ roster this season, with the biggest name being Merrimack transfer Jordan Derkack (17 ppg, 6 rpg, 4 apg at Merrimack).
Derkack can do it all at 6-5, a guy who can play the 1-3 and defend at a high level. The only knock to Derkack’s game is his three-point shooting (27.5% 3P), but he makes up for it with his rebounding and playmaking abilities. Tyson Acuff (22 ppg, 4 rpg at Eastern Michigan) was a top ten scorer in the country this past season at Eastern Michigan, and he, too, will join the Scarlet Knights. We project Acuff to come off the bench for the Scarlet Knights, but he’s a guy who could really provide a scoring spark off the bench if he can translate his game up from the MAC.
In the frontcourt, Rutgers added Zach Martini (8 ppg at Princeton) and PJ Hayes (11 ppg at San Diego). Martini became a viable floor-spacer at Princeton this past season, shooting 38.5% from three and will look to do the same for the Scarlet Knights. Hayes is another guy who can space the floor, playing either the three or the four, after shooting 39.7% from three last season on 184 attempts for San Diego. These two additions give the Scarlet Knights a needed boost in three-point shooting, but sacrifices on the defensive end, especially in Big Ten play.
The incoming recruiting class is where things get really fun for Pikiell and Rutgers. The Scarlet Knights added the 6th ranked recruiting class (On3), including two five-star talents. Dylan Harper (5*, NAT 3) should step in and be the starting point guard from day one as an elite playmaker and scorer. Ace Bailey (5*, NAT 2) was a late riser in the class of 2024 recruiting rankings but has risen for good reason. Bailey is a freak of nature athletically, always ready to give his team a boost with a highlight reel dunk, steal, or block.
Latest NCAA Tournament Results
| YEAR |
RESULT |
| 2022 |
Lost First Four vs. (11) Notre Dame 87–89 (2OT) |
| 2021 |
Lost Second Round vs. (2) Houston, 60–63 |
| 1991 |
Lost First Round vs. (8) Arizona State 76–79 |
| 1989 |
Lost First Round vs. (4) Iowa 73–87 |
| 1983 |
Lost Second Round vs. (1) St. John's, 55–66 |
| 1979 |
Lost Sweet Sixteen vs. (10) St. John's 65–67 |
2024-2025 NCAA Basketball Top Teams
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