Dec 17, 2022; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Wake Forest Demon Deacons forward Andrew Carr (11) looks pass as Rutgers Scarlet Knights center Clifford Omoruyi (11) defends during the first half at Jersey Mike's Arena. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Episode No. 110 of The Scarlet Faithful focuses on the reported 2023-2024 non-conference schedule for Rutgers men’s basketball.
While dates have been reported for some of these games, here are all eleven opponents along with their KenPom ranking from last season. Also included is indication of whether it is a home, away or neutral court game.
No. 53 Mississippi State (Neutral)
No. 58 Seton Hall (Road)
No. 86 Wake Forest (Road)
No. 91 Princeton (Neutral)
No. 208 Bryant (Home)
No. 218 Howard (Home)
No. 219 Georgetown (Home)
No. 266 Boston U (Home)
No. 308 St. Peter’s (Home)
No. 331 Stonehill (Home)
No. 363 LIU (Home)
There are some obvious improvements for this season’s non-conference schedule compared to every other year under Steve Pikiell.
Rutgers will play four high major opponents in the non-conference schedule for the first time in the Pikiell era.
Rutgers will play four Top 100 opponents in KenPom from the previous year in the non-conference schedule for the first time in the Pikiell era.
Rutgers will play four games on the road or on a neutral court in the non-conference schedule for the first time in the Pikiell era.
In addition, Rutgers will play just three opponents who finished sub-300 in KenPom last season. That’s the second fewest of the Pikiell era.
Rutgers will also play seven opponents ranked in the top 250 in KenPom last season. That’s the second fewest of the Pikiell era.
The average KenPom ranking from last season for non-conference opponents is 200, the second highest of the Pikiell era. It is important to note that over the last five seasons, Rutgers has finished with a top 50 overall strength of schedule per KenPom.
Discussion in this episode also details the importance of winning the games on paper Rutgers should, avoiding landline losses, playing different styles to prepare better for Big Ten play and the postseason, having a wider margin of error and more.
For my takeaways on the Big Ten opponents for Rutgers next season, click here.
Listen and watch below for this episode on the Rutgers men’s basketball non-conference schedule.
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While you don’t come out and directly say it, you implied that this is a step in the right direction and I agree. As you noted, Georgetown was a bad break but the three 300+ teams was not. I think we’d all love to see Pikiell find a way to limit that to two and replace the other one with a high caliber home-and-home contract. Think Wake but better. It will happen. Go RU!
I said the schedule was an improvement multiple times and gave specific reasons as to why. How is that implied? Three sub-300 teams is not a lot and will bet most high major programs will have at least that. Rutgers already has two home and homes in non-conference play. Not very common to have more that’s why the need to schedule neutral games is important. They were trying to have another neutral court game against another high major. Two possibilities fell through.
By “step in the right direction” I meant a good start but not ideal. That’s all. I just randomly searched a B1G team and looked at OSU. They play Texas A&M, Alabama, West Virginia, and likely Oregon in a tournament. You are correct in that they also play a few bottom feeders in Merrimack (#309), New Orleans (#332), Western Michigan (#323), and Central Michigan (#334).
BataliBoli98
July 14, 2023 at 10:24 pm
While you don’t come out and directly say it, you implied that this is a step in the right direction and I agree. As you noted, Georgetown was a bad break but the three 300+ teams was not. I think we’d all love to see Pikiell find a way to limit that to two and replace the other one with a high caliber home-and-home contract. Think Wake but better. It will happen. Go RU!
Aaron Breitman
July 14, 2023 at 11:27 pm
I said the schedule was an improvement multiple times and gave specific reasons as to why. How is that implied? Three sub-300 teams is not a lot and will bet most high major programs will have at least that. Rutgers already has two home and homes in non-conference play. Not very common to have more that’s why the need to schedule neutral games is important. They were trying to have another neutral court game against another high major. Two possibilities fell through.
BataliBoli98
July 15, 2023 at 10:04 am
By “step in the right direction” I meant a good start but not ideal. That’s all. I just randomly searched a B1G team and looked at OSU. They play Texas A&M, Alabama, West Virginia, and likely Oregon in a tournament. You are correct in that they also play a few bottom feeders in Merrimack (#309), New Orleans (#332), Western Michigan (#323), and Central Michigan (#334).