Busting Brackets
Fansided

Big Ten Basketball: Ranking the head coaches for 2018-19

By Bryan Mauro

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 12: A general interior view of the empty court during the semifinals of the 2011 Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament at Conseco Fieldhouse on March 12, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 12: A general interior view of the empty court during the semifinals of the 2011 Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament at Conseco Fieldhouse on March 12, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 15
Next
PISCATAWAY, NJ – FEBRUARY 03: Head coach Steve Pikiell of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights reacts on the sidelines against the Purdue Boilermakers during the first half of a game at Rutgers Athletic Center on February 3, 2018 in Piscataway, New Jersey. Purdue defeated Rutgers 78-76. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PISCATAWAY, NJ – FEBRUARY 03: Head coach Steve Pikiell of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights reacts on the sidelines against the Purdue Boilermakers during the first half of a game at Rutgers Athletic Center on February 3, 2018 in Piscataway, New Jersey. Purdue defeated Rutgers 78-76. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

13. Steve Pikiell

When Steve Pikiell was hired to be head coach at Rutgers, he was the next in a long line of coaches who have tried to bring the once proud program back to relevance. The man the Pikiell took over for was none other than Rutgers legend Eddie Jordan. Jordan was a significant member of the Rutgers final four team in 1975. Those days are long past in Piscataway.

The former Stony Brook coach had one order of business when he arrived at Rutgers three years ago. That philosophy was the importance of defense. Defense travels, and Rutgers as a team was already deficient on offense when Pikiell arrived. Outside of star Corey Sanders, the Scarlet Knights had no one on offense who would scare you. The Scarlet Knights also had a penchant for playing in many non-competitive games in the Big Ten. With the infusion of defense, and the ability of Pikiell to recruit good talent has the Scarlet Knights trending up.

Rutgers plays their home games at the Rutgers Athletic Center or the RAC for short. If Pikiell can continue to get fans to remain excited about Basketball, the RAC is one of rowdiest arenas in the league. It can be a nightmare for opposing teams. Rutgers has some talent on this current roster in which to build around. Guards Geo Baker and Eugene Omoruyi are two players that are going to try to help get Rutgers back to the top. Defense is their calling card and that is what they have relied on to win games. With Corey Sanders now in the NBA, Pikiell is going to have to get creative with the offense. If the offense ever clicks Rutgers won’t be a push over for long.

Home/Big Ten