Rutgers Basketball: 2020-21 season preview for the Scarlet Knights

MADISON, WISCONSIN - FEBRUARY 23: Head coach Steve Pikiell of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights meets with Geo Baker #0 in the first half against the Wisconsin Badgers at the Kohl Center on February 23, 2020 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

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Photo by Benjamin Solomon/Getty Images /

Key Reserves

Like every program, the success of Rutgers will hinge on their bench unit this season. Luckily, they set up well in that department, thanks to one of the best recruits in school history.

Cliff Omoruyi – Center

The hype surrounding Cliff Omoruyi in Piscataway is unreal. The top-50 recruit is strong and powerful and should quickly follow in the path of Myles Johnson in terms of dominant interior presences for the Scarlet Knights. He’s the second-best recruit Rutgers has brought in during the 247Sports era, trailing only the Class of 2008’s Mike Rosario.

Paul Mulcahy – Small Forward

Paul Mulcahy averaged 18.2 minutes per game as a freshman but didn’t show much, averaging 3.7 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game. His value off the bench as a sophomore should be as a sharpshooter: Mulcahy hit 33.3 percent of his three-pointers last season, though that dropped to 25.0 percent during conference play.

Mamadou Doucoure – Power Forward

After starting as a freshman, Mamadou Doucoure has been nowhere to be seen over the past couple of years. That’s not going to work as a senior. The big man averaged just 5.5 minutes per game last season, but he’ll be an important veteran presence on a team that will be young on the bench, especially without Caleb McConnell.

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