Busting Brackets
Fansided

Rutgers Basketball: 2018-19 season preview for the Scarlet Knights

By Holden Walter-Warner

EAST LANSING, MI - JANUARY 10: Geo Baker #0 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights defends during a game against the Michigan State Spartans at Breslin Center on January 10, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - JANUARY 10: Geo Baker #0 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights defends during a game against the Michigan State Spartans at Breslin Center on January 10, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 5
Next
NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 01: Corey Sanders #3 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights celebrates with teammates after dunking the ball in the first half against the Indiana Hoosiers during the second round of the Big Ten Basketball Tournament at Madison Square Garden on March 1, 2018 in New York City (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 01: Corey Sanders #3 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights celebrates with teammates after dunking the ball in the first half against the Indiana Hoosiers during the second round of the Big Ten Basketball Tournament at Madison Square Garden on March 1, 2018 in New York City (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

Rutgers Basketball will continue attempting to find their footing in a Big Ten developing at an accelerated pace. Can the Scarlet Knights move up the ladder?

“…then there’s the Rutgers Scarlet Knights.”

You’ll have to excuse fans of the Piscataway school for tiring of the phrase, or something of a similar ilk. It just always feels as if the Scarlet Knights are operating on the periphery, a footnote after a conversation they can never join.

Being an afterthought in two of college sports’ biggest domains is difficult. Nevertheless, hope springs anew as the next college basketball season tips off.

There were signs of promise during the second year of Steve Pikiell’s tenure. A promising freshman emerged in guard Geo Baker. The Scarlet Knights reeled off six straight wins to start the season. They were even competitive not once, but twice in games against Michigan State.

Rutgers even won some major games, like an upset over then No. 15 ranked Seton Hall in the Garden State Hardwood Classic, a result they’ll hope to repeat on December 15.

And who could forget the memorable run through the Big Ten Tournament, where the Scarlet Knights took down Minnesota and Indiana before giving Purdue a run for their money?

This is a new year. While there’s reason for optimism, there’s also a reason for pessimism following the exit of the most hyped player in recent Rutgers memory, Corey Sanders.

Here’s a full preview of the 2018-19 season for the Rutgers Scarlet Knights.

Home/Rutgers Scarlet Knights