Rutgers Basketball: 2019-20 season preview for the Scarlet Knights

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NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 02: Geo Baker #0 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights reacts in the first half against the Purdue Boilermakers during quarterfinals of the Big Ten Basketball Tournament at Madison Square Garden on March 2, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

Starting lineup

Geo Baker

Even as a sophomore, this was indisputably Geo Baker’s team. He was groomed to take the mantle from Corey Sanders but was forced to do so a year early after Sanders’ surprising defection to professional basketball. Nevertheless, the co-captain averaging 12.2 points and 4.1 assists per game in 2018-19.

Rutgers will go as far as Baker takes them, plain and simple.

Montez Mathis

The guard showed promise during his freshman season, averaging 8.5 points per game. Montez Mathis will hope to improve upon his 3-point shooting, where he made just 23.9 percent of his attempts last season.

Myles Johnson

Myles Johnson is one of the few returning big men for the Scarlet Knights. The sophomore center will take on a much bigger role after averaging 4.8 points and 5.7 rebounds per game during his freshman year. He’ll need to be the leader of the frontcourt going forward.

Akwasi Yeboah

When Akwasi Yeboah committed to the Scarlet Knights, a spot in the starting lineup was far from assured. Then, Omoruyi left the program, leaving a whole at the forward position. Yeboah was a star at Stony Brook, averaging 16.7 points and 7.7 rebounds per game before entering the graduate transfer portal. He has the skills of a guard, but at 6-foot-6, he’ll likely be asked to play forward this season.

Ron Harper, Jr.

Ron Harper, Jr. is another promising forward hungry for more this season. In extended minutes last year, he averaged 7.8 points and 3.1 rebounds per game. Like many of his teammates, he’ll take on a bigger role in his sophomore season.

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