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At long last, the beginning of the 2021-2022 college basketball season is upon us. Rutgers returns five key players from last season’s core rotation in Geo Baker, Ron Harper Jr., Caleb McConnell, Paul Mulcahy and Cliff Omoruyi. While the losses of Myles Johnson, Jacob Young and Montez Mathis were significant, the Scarlet Knights have filled out this season’s rotation with a blend of youth and experience.
Rutgers added two players to the rotation with LSU transfer Aundre Hyatt and San Jose State transfer Ralph Agee. Second year players who did not get much experience last season but are expected to take on larger roles include Jaden Jones and Mawot Mag. True freshman Jalen Miller might just be the best defender on the team. Dean Reiber and Oskar Palmquist could surprise off the bench with their three-point shooting.
The Scarlet Knights are just one of four teams to win double digit Big Ten regular season games over the past two seasons. Head coach Steve Pikiell has been very high on the team in the offseason and there is legitimate hope to believe they could be even better than last season. There are still plenty of questions about this roster and its makeup as well.
Below is all of our preseason coverage of Rutgers men’s basketball in one convenient place ahead of the season opener against Lehigh on November 10. In addition we will have more articles including a contributor round table early next week. Stay tuned and just a handful of day left until the season tips off!