Busting Brackets
Fansided

Big Ten Basketball: Badgers to turn NCAA Tournament momentum into Big Ten title

By Bryce Bennett

Dec 28, 2014; Madison, WI, USA; The Big Ten Conference logo on the Kohl Center Court during pre-game warm-ups before the Wisconsin Badgers take to the floor to play the Buffalo Bulls at the Kohl Center. Mandatory Credit: Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 28, 2014; Madison, WI, USA; The Big Ten Conference logo on the Kohl Center Court during pre-game warm-ups before the Wisconsin Badgers take to the floor to play the Buffalo Bulls at the Kohl Center. Mandatory Credit: Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 8, 2015; Piscataway, NJ, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights cheerleaders and mascot during timeout of game against the Central Connecticut State Blue Devils at the Louis Brown Athletic Center. Rutgers Scarlet Knights defeat the Central Connecticut State Blue Devils 75-59. Mandatory Credit: Jim O'Connor-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 8, 2015; Piscataway, NJ, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights cheerleaders and mascot during timeout of game against the Central Connecticut State Blue Devils at the Louis Brown Athletic Center. Rutgers Scarlet Knights defeat the Central Connecticut State Blue Devils 75-59. Mandatory Credit: Jim O’Connor-USA TODAY Sports /

14. Rutgers Scarlet Knights

2015-16 record: 7-25 overall, 1-17 in Big Ten

Head coach: Steve Pikiell (first year)

Notable departures: Bishop Daniels, D.J. Foreman, Omari Grier, Greg Lewis

Notable returnees: Corey Sanders, forward Deshawn Freeman, guard Mike Williams

Notable newcomers: Three-star SF Issa Thiam, un-ranked F Eugene Omoruyi, JUCO transfer PF Candido Sa, two-star SF Matt Bullock

First year man Steve Pikiell has his work cut out for him. The Scarlet Knights program is a dumpster fire of epic proportions. A year of double-digit wins would show marked improvement from a 7-25 record last year.

Looking for bright spots in the program is difficult. Their top three scorers from last season return, but the top two were suspended for multiple games last year and one is recovering from a knee injury. Rutgers has early season tests against DePaul and Miami, but just getting through the non-conference portion at or above .500 would be an accomplishment.

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