The Oxford Advanced American Dictionary describes “intriguing” as something that is “very interesting because it is unusual.”
For Rutgers basketball coach Steve Pikiell, “intriguing” refers to a team that excels in physical defense and rebounding.
That’s the word he frequently uses to summarize his team, which was ranked 17th out of 18 in the Big Ten preseason media poll. With Rider visiting for their season opener on Wednesday, the team aims to move past a disappointing 15-17 record while having developed two top prospects for the 2025 NBA Draft.
“I think it’s going to be a lot of fun to watch,” Pikiell said in an interview. “We’ve been training hard when no one’s paying attention. We’re tough, physical, and athletic across the board—these are the biggest players we’ve ever had. I think people are going to enjoy this version of Rutgers.”
This year, Pikiell has assembled a roster of gritty players, reminiscent of his earlier days at the school. Key returning players include third-year veterans Ja’Michael Davis and Emani, along with four others such as Huel Ogbolu and late-season starter Dylan Grant. The team also includes transfers Tarik Francis (NJIT) and Darren Buchanan Jr. (George Washington), plus seven freshmen highlighted by four-star recruit Chris Nouri.
“We really struggled with rebounding the last couple of years, and I think that impacted us a lot,” Pikiell noted. “We’ve returned to our core principles. Our guys know that if you rebound, you get to play. They’ve heard that mantra consistently for several months.”
During Pikiell’s first seven seasons, Rutgers outscored opponents consistently. This is something the Scarlet Knights hope to leverage, especially since their NIL offers for recruits and transfers are relatively modest.
Pikiell remarked, “What we find in the transfer portal are mostly offensive players. We need to focus on finding players with grit on defense—honestly, they tend to be cheaper too.”
On the practice court, there’s a lot going on—squeaking shoes and scraped knees are common sights. Winning drills comes with perks, like choosing the practice playlist, securing the best bus seat, and getting first dibs at the buffet.
“Our defense feeds our offense, for sure,” Grant stated. “We’re more of a traditional Coach Pikiell team. If we can defend well from start to finish, we can be a really solid team. Our length makes us a formidable defensive force.”
However, as rebounding has diminished the past two years, their overall defense has taken a hit too, finishing ranked 116th nationally last season.
Pikiell expressed optimism, saying, “Eight players could have fouled out in our first game, and I think that’s a good thing. We can always improve from that, but maintaining a positive outlook is essential. We’re a bit of a fascinating team.”
3 important questions
1. Will December be a challenge?
The Big Ten gave Rutgers a tough start to conference play, facing No. 1 Purdue (Dec. 2) and No. 7 Michigan (Dec. 6) during a six-game stretch against strong opponents. Pikiell joked, “Computers don’t really like me. It’s fair to say this could be the toughest sequence in Rutgers basketball history.” Notably, Rutgers has previously defeated Purdue twice (in 2021 and 2023).
2. Can newcomers shine immediately?
Nouri is capable of defending all five positions. When he plays in the post, can he become the shot-blocker Rutgers needs? His scoring may initially be limited, but he has potential. Meanwhile, Dennis Badarau and 21-year-old Harun Zurno come in with professional experience from Europe. Can they shoot well enough to create their own shots? Reno Mark will handle the ball, and interestingly, three of the seven freshmen are four-star recruits. Pikiell remarked, “They come equipped with unique skills.”
3. Who will step up in clutch situations?
Tied at 52 with just 10 seconds left, who will take the ball out of a timeout? If “anyone” is the answer, it shows a need for leadership. Grant noted, “I have to be aggressive and leverage my experience. We have several capable scorers. We may be defensive-minded, but we’re athletic too. I think that’s what excites the crowd.”
Featured games
Nov. 25 vs. Notre Dame: It will be interesting to observe how the team reacts in its first game against a top-10 ACC team, which comes after potentially facing No. 18 Tennessee to kick off a three-game tourney in Las Vegas. Since 2022, the program has been divided between two conferences.
December 13 at Seton Hall: The annual Garden State Hardwood Classic could feel even more significant this time, as neither team is expected to make headlines. Rutgers seeks its third consecutive win over its rival, which would be notable since 2012-13. The rivalry often sparks intense emotions and unpredictable outcomes.
February 24 vs. Washington: In today’s environment of transfers and NIL deals, competing against former teammates is becoming normal. Lathan Somerville might have been a top player for Rutgers if he hadn’t left to pursue opportunities elsewhere. He mentioned that Rutgers “wasn’t the right situation for me on the court anymore,” which could create a tense atmosphere when he returns.
X factor
Tariq Francis
Pikiell cited Davis as the top scorer in scrimmages, but believes Francis is an “elite shot creator.” There’s curiosity around whether the Scarlet Knights can effectively utilize two point guards or if that lineup might lack balance, especially defensively. Francis had a standout season at NJIT, leading the America East with 19.2 points per game and now seeks to see how that translates to the Big Ten, having made 33.6% of his three-point attempts during his time there.
Prediction
14-17, 14th in Big Ten, NIT
In the past, the theme of the season was often player development. However, this only becomes a concern if key players leave for free agency. There’s certainly a lot of potential across the roster, but the real question is whether there’s a standout Big Ten-caliber player among them. Achieving a few surprises and making Jersey Mike’s Arena a challenging venue would mark a successful season.
