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NCAA Basketball Power Rankings: Seton Hall soars, Auburn drops

By Lukas Harkins

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JANUARY 15: Seton Hall Pirates players react at the end of the game against the Butler Bulldogs at Hinkle Fieldhouse on January 15, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Seton Hall defeated Butler 78-70. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JANUARY 15: Seton Hall Pirates players react at the end of the game against the Butler Bulldogs at Hinkle Fieldhouse on January 15, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Seton Hall defeated Butler 78-70. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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EAST LANSING, MI – DECEMBER 08: Harper Jr. of Rutgers looks on. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI – DECEMBER 08: Harper Jr. of Rutgers looks on. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

. Rutgers Scarlet Knights. 21. player. 452. .

Rutgers has been one of the nation’s most pleasant surprises so far this season. While many people might have expected a nice campaign from the Scarlet Knights culminating in competing on the bubble for an NCAA Tournament bid, it is unlikely many would have projected them joining the Top 25. Yet, that is what the Scarlet Knights have earned through the first two months of this season. Behind sensational defense and a couple of standout scorers, Rutgers sits at 14-4 (5-2 B10) on the season.

During this past week alone, Rutgers secured back-to-back solid home wins over Indiana and Minnesota. This pushed the team into a current tie for second-place (with Illinois) in the best conference in the country. The Scarlet Knights have been impressive at just about every turn this season as they have emerged as a clear-cut NCAA Tournament team in the future. They are, though, just 1-4 in games outside of Piscataway so I am a bit wary of how this team performs away-from-home.

Leading the way for the squad so far this season has been Ron Harper Jr., a 6-foot-6 sophomore wing averaging 11.6 points per game. Geo Baker is highly-regarded as arguably the team’s best player but Harper has been excellent as of late while Baker has been hampered by injury. Myles Johnson, another sophomore, has also been excellent this season while anchoring the paint for the Scarlet Knights. He leads the team in rebounding (8.2) and blocks (1.5).

Rutgers will need Baker back at 100% health to make a significant run this season but they are 4-1 with him either out of the lineup or coming off the bench during this past month. The Scarlet Knights are defensively-oriented but have a few unsung offensive weapons.

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