Busting Brackets
Fansided

Big Ten Basketball: Predicting teams at the bottom for 2019-20 season

By Brandon Simberg

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 01: Juwan Morgan #13 of the Indiana Hoosiers works against Deshawn Freeman #33 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights in the second half 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: Juwan Morgan #13 of the Indiana Hoosiers works against Deshawn Freeman #33 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights in the second half 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) /
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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) /

11. Rutgers

2018-2019 conference record: 7-13

Key players lost: Eugene Omoruyi

Key players returning; Geo Baker, Shaq Carter, Montez Mathis, Ron Harper Jr., Myles Johnson

Key newcomers: Jacob Young, Akwasi Yeboah

Prior to the surprising news that Eugene Omoruyi was transferring, Rutgers was on track to bring back the majority of their minutes and be primed for a possible run at the NCAA Tournament.

All hope is not lost in Piscataway as several key players return. Geo Baker showed promise in his sophomore season as a shot-maker and creator. Additionally, freshman Montez Mathis and Ron Harper Jr. seemingly got better every night. Mathis is a potential breakout candidate as an All-Big Ten caliber player.

Myles Johnson also showed promise in his freshman season, and the 6’10 big man will need to play a crucial role in rebounding for the Scarlet Knights. However, the athleticism of Mathis and Harper Jr. on the wing will help in that department.

Just like Indiana, Rutgers also ranked poorly in three-point shooting numbers. Baker’s return will help, along with Peter Kiss who will need to improve on his 30 percent mark from last season. The additions of transfers Jacob Young and Akwasi Eboah should also help them shoot the ball better.

The loss of Omoruyi hurts this team’s potential but there is a large opportunity for growth. The RAC is another brutal place to play that should help the Scarlet Knights pick up home wins. The future is bright with younger talent on the roster and they shouldn’t be the joke of Big Ten basketball anymore, but I still think making the tournament is probably a year away.

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