Busting Brackets
Fansided

Big Ten Basketball: Breaking down each program’s 2018 recruiting class

By Lukas Harkins

EAST LANSING, MI - JANUARY 26: General view of the Breslin Center. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - JANUARY 26: General view of the Breslin Center. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 02: Head coach Pikiell of Rutgers. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 02: Head coach Pikiell of Rutgers. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

Rutgers Scarlet Knights

Class rankings: 9th in Big Ten, 40th nationally

Commitments: Ronald Harper (147), Montez Mathis (122), Caleb McConnell (255)

Finding positive news regarding Rutgers basketball has not been easy in recent years. The Scarlet Knights have not reached the NCAA Tournament since 1990-91 and have not had a winning record in conference play since that season. That was back when they were in the Atlantic 10. In addition, they have gone without a winning season overall for the past 12 seasons. In four seasons as a member of the Big Ten, Rutgers has finished just 9-63 (.125).

Even though the team’s top two scorers from 2017-18, Corey Sanders (NBA Draft) and DeShawn Freeman (graduation), there is hope for improvement. The next three leading scorers are all returning, including to-be sophomore Geo Baker. More importantly, though, head coach Steve Pikiell is bringing in Rutgers’ best recruiting class since 2011.

Leading the way for this class is shooting guard Montez Mathis. A 6’4″ scorer from Maryland, Mathis should help fill the hole left by Sanders. He is an excellent rebounder for his size and is developing as a playmaker. Not many players attack the basket stronger than Mathis and he should immediately find a spot in the rotation.

Arguably the biggest weakness of Rutgers last season was their 3-point shooting. They shot just 28.9% from deep in 2017-18 (347th in the country) and desperately need to improve. This is where incoming freshman Ronald Harper comes in. Coach Pikiell clearly appreciates Harper’s shooting ability and how he can affect a game, stating:

"“He shoots it. He really is a terrific shooter, deep range. He’s got a 7-foot-2 wingspan, a size 18 sneaker. He’s 6-foot-6 with great size. He knows how to play. He’s really going to help our wing spot a great deal.”"

Lastly, Caleb McConnell brings excellent size to the point guard position at 6’5″. He sees the floor well and is eager to seek out teammates. McConnell is a willing passer that should work well with the other incoming recruits. He will do an excellent job setting up the shooters and scoring on the roster.

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