Big Ten Basketball: Preseason power rankings for 2021-22 season

Rutgers basketball and head coach Steve Pikiell seem to be a perfect match, but he’ll need to build on their success from a season ago. He made his NCAA Tournament appearance as a head coach for the Scarlet Knights after finishing sixth in the Big Ten basketball ranks in 2020-21.

The Scarlet Knights have an experienced group returning with three of five starters back from last year’s group. After making their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1991, they’ve got some more magic up their sleeve in 2021-22.

Geo Baker and Ron Harper Jr. are back after leading Rutgers basketball to a 10-10 finish in Big Ten basketball action, which is a good thing. Harper was a third-team All-Big Ten selection while producing 14.9 ppg, 5.9 rpg and 1.6 apg. Baker gives them another guard who will go down in the history books as one of the best players in their program history.

They’ll need the frontcourt to step up though with a ton of experience returning from a season ago. Cliff Omoruyi will be heavily relied upon down low to play a role. He’s a 6-foot-11 big man that posted 3.8 rpg and 4.0 rpg while shooting 63.2 percent from the field. As their only center option, he’ll be looked upon to play big minutes.

Newcomers Aundre Hyatt (LSU) and Ralph Agee (San Jose State) should boost the team’s profile with their abilities. Hyatt is a 6-foot-6 player that put up 4.2 ppg and 3.1 rpg for LSU in 2020-21. He should give them depth and length on the wing. Agee is a 6-foot-8 forward that posted 11.1 ppg and 5.2 rpg while shooting 56.9 percent from the floor.