Busting Brackets
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Big Ten Basketball: 2020-21 power rankings heading into league play

By Ryan Kay

ANN ARBOR, MI - FEBRUARY 08: Marcus Bingham Jr. #30 of the Michigan State Spartans battle for position against Austin Davis #51 of the Michigan Wolverines in the first half of the game at Crisler Arena on February 8, 2020 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MI - FEBRUARY 08: Marcus Bingham Jr. #30 of the Michigan State Spartans battle for position against Austin Davis #51 of the Michigan Wolverines in the first half of the game at Crisler Arena on February 8, 2020 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /
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Rutgers Scarlet Knight Ron Harper Jr. Catalina Fragoso-USA TODAY Sports
Rutgers Scarlet Knight Ron Harper Jr. Catalina Fragoso-USA TODAY Sports /

Wins

*Sacred Heart
*Fairleigh Dickinson
*Hofstra
*Syracuse
*@Maryland

Losses

None

KenPom ranking: 19

Reasons for Hope: They have two quality wins over Power Five teams as they beat Syracuse and Maryland. Rutgers has beaten every team that they have faced by double digits. Their defense like Wisconsin’s has been amazing as they have not given up more than 75 points and in four games they have held their opponents to 69 or fewer points. They are undefeated thus far and they have played really good basketball against two good teams in their past two games.

Reasons to be Pessimistic: Not many reasons to be pessimistic except for they have not beaten a ranked team yet and they trailed Maryland in the 1st half. Rutgers offense could put more points on the scoreboard against top their opponents but their defense is so good that they may not have to.

Brief Overview of the Season

The good news is that Rutgers has key players returning including Geo Baker, Montez Mathis, Ron Harper Jr., and Jacob Young. Harper is playing very well averaging over 23 points a game and Young and Mathis are the second and third-leading scorers.

Myles Johnson has helped the Scarlet Knights front line as he is Rutgers’ 4th leading scorer. Harper and Baker have been productive on the offensive end and have helped Rutgers play well for the majority of this season thus far.

Rutgers head coach Steve Pikiell is in his 5th season at the helm and has the Scarlet Knights going in the right direction. This team was not supposed to compete for the Big Ten title this season and even though they are undefeated and ranked, they are still those who underestimate them competing for a Big Ten title. Rutgers may surprise many in the Big Ten and they will have another opportunity coming up when they play Illinois on Sunday.

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