NCAA Basketball: Updated early top-25 power rankings for 2020-21 season

NCAA Basketball power rankings – Rutgers Scarlet Knights

The premature end to the season deprived Rutgers of their likely first NCAA Tournament bid in 20 years. But don’t expect them to fall back towards the bottom of the Big Ten once again, as they return the majority of their overall production. Only Akwasi Yeboah is gone from the rotation and there’s a clear replacement for him with top-50 forward and prized recruit, Cliff Omoruyi.

The two key returning players for the Scarlet Knights are guards Geo Baker and Ron Harper Jr. Both are double-digit scorers and two-way players who should continue to grow and develop. Montez Mathis, Caleb McConnell and Jacob Young were under the radar contributors, while big man Myles Johnson (7.8 ppg and 7.9 rpg) is set to be one of the best big men in the Big Ten next season.

This was one of the better defensive units in the country last season and that should continue in 2020-21. The offense has plenty to improve as well, including their bottom-10 ranking in free throw shooting. Considering that many of their games were close, improvement in that area will be pivotal. That, and being able to steal a few games on the road. If Omoruyi can have a big impact as a freshman, look for the Knights to not be a one-hit-wonder.