2022 Record: 19-15 (10-10)

Head Coach: Steve Pikiell (Career Record 314-280) (Rutgers Record 117-106)

Projected Rotation:

PG: Noah Fernandes (UMass 13.4 Pts, 2.5 Reb, 4.1 Ast)

SG: Derek Simpson (7.1 Pts, 1.6 Reb, 1.5 Ast)

SF: Gavin Griffiths

PF: Mawot Mag (7.8 Pts, 5.3 Reb, 1.1 Ast)

C: Cliff Omoruyi (13.2 Pts, 9.6 Reb, 0.9 Ast)

6: PF Aundre Hyatt (8.8 Pts, 3.9 Reb, 0.8 Ast)

7: SG Austin Williams (FIU/Hartford 2021-22 16.1 Pts, 5.2 Reb, 3.4 Ast)

8: PG Jeremiah Williams (Iowa State/Temple 2021-22 9.5 Pts, 3.5 Reb, 4.3 Ast) (Double Transfer, Waiver TBA)

9: C Antwone Woolfolk (2.3 Pts, 1.6 Reb, 0.3 Ast)

10: C Emmanuel Ogbole (Monroe CC 12.3 Pts, 8.2 Reb, 0.6 Ast)

11: PF Oskar Palmquist (2.3 Pts, 1.1 Reb, 0.3 Ast)

12: PG Jamichael Davis

13: PF Antonio Chol (0.8 Pts, 0.8 Reb, 0.0 Ast)

Rutgers returns their best player from last season in big man Cliff Omoruyi. After averaging a near double double last season with 13.2PPG and 9.6 RPG, he could be on track to average a double double this season. He’s capable of shooting 60% from the floor and could also average over 2 blocks per game. Cliff will be going into his senior season and will be the leader for this Scarlet Knight team. A few other returning big men for Rutgers this season are Aundre Hyatt and Mawot Mag. Hyatt is going into his 5th season and also previously spent time at LSU. Hyatt excels on the defensive end, but has been streaky from the floor shooting wise. Mawot Mag is one of the best defenders on the team. He missed the last month of the season last year with a season ending ACL injury. When Mag was on the court, the team defender at a higher level. Rutgers also returns guard Derek Simpson who was very impressive as a freshman last season. He averaged over 7PPG last season and could be in for a big improvement this upcoming season as he’s expected to start.

Other big men that the Scarlet Knights return are rising sophomores Antwone Woolfolk and Antonio Chol. Woolfolk appeared in 32 games last season and shot 67% from the field. Rutgers does have many big men on the roster this upcoming season, but Woolfolk could be a player that could see a big rise in minutes next season. Chol only appeared in 4 games last season and played an average of 5 minutes per game. Rutgers also got a commitment from JUCO big man Emmanuel Ogbole this offseason. The 6-10 center averaged 12PPG and 8RPG this past season at the JUCO level with a game high of 25 points. He’s a player that could be in the Scarlet Knights rotation this season. Oskar Palmquist also returns for the Scarlet Knights. Palmquist, a 6-9 forward, had initially entered the transfer portal and committed to Elon. However, he ended up decommitting from Elon and decided to return to Rutgers for his senior season.

Rutgers got transfer commitments from guards Noah Fernandes from UMass and Austin Williams from Hartford/FIU. Fernandes averaged just over 13PPG this past season at UMass while shooting 48% from the floor. He’s also known as a passer and averaged over 4 assists per game this past season. Fernandes is going into his 5th year and also spent time at Wichita State in addition to UMass. In addition to being a great passer and floor general, Fernandes is also a great three point shooter who shot 38% in his career. Rutgers also got a commitment from FIU transfer Austin Williams. He didn’t play this past season for FIU, however he was a very productive player at Hartford in the 2021-22 season. Williams is in for a dramatic rise in competition, but has been productive enough on offense to the point where he can make an immediate impact.

Rutgers also signed Iowa State transfer Jeremiah Williams this offseason. Williams didn’t play last season due to injury. Williams was at Temple the previous 2 seasons before where he averaged 9.4PPG and 4.2APG shooting an average of 42% from the floor and 27% from three. Williams’ main strength is as a passer and defender. He will likely have to sit out this upcoming season as he’s a double transfer and would need a waiver. Rutgers also signed 2 high school recruits this past season. The Scarlet Knights signed 4 star Gavin Griffiths who was the #45 ranked recruit in the country this past season. Griffiths is a very talented player who is expected to start for Rutgers next season. Rutgers also signed PG Jamichael Davis who is ranked #242 in the country according to 247 sports.

Rutgers missed out on the tournament this past season after making the tournament the previous 2 seasons prior. Rutgers lost some important players this offseason both to eligibility and the transfer portal. The Scarlet Knights also made some solid additions that will keep them competitive in the Big 10. Rutgers should be towards the middle of the Big 10 standings this season and could contend for a possible NCAA Tournament bid. Rutgers has been scheduling very weak recently which has hurt them in terms of seeding and selection recently.