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Rutgers Basketball 2025-26 Preview: Final Chance for Steve Pikiell

Originally posted on Last Word On Sports | By Kaleb Kraus | Last updated Oct 9, 2025 12:25 PM ET

After having two players drafted in the top 10, Rutgers basketball head coach Steve Pikiell will have plenty of work to do in 2025-26. Sure, it was impressive to see both Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey make an impact for the Scarlet Knights last season. Unfortunately, it didn’t turn into team success for Rutgers. Thus, Coach Pikiell will likely have one final chance to keep himself from losing his job after the 2025-26 season.

Let’s look closely at what the Scarlet Knights bring to the table in the Big Ten.

Rutgers Basketball 2025-26 Preview: Final Chance for Steve Pikiell

Roster Outlook

Rutgers will have plenty of new faces in 2025-26 with a roster headlined by seven incoming freshmen. That’s going to be a group of players that will have to contribute quickly. Luckily, the Scarlet Knights have a pair of sophomores ready to take the next step. Dylan Grant and Bryce Dortch ended up having to contribute quite a bit during the final month of the 2024-25 season. Now they will be looked at as leaders this season. Alongside JaMichael Davis, Rutgers certainly has some depth to try and make up for the massive departures in the ball-handling department. As for the front court, a key returner is junior Emmanuel Ogbole, who started 15 games at center last season.

The newcomers aren’t only freshmen, as Rutgers was able to grab a couple of key cogs from the transfer portal. That group is highlighted by 6-foot-11 junior big man Baye Fall, who had high regard coming out of high school but has only played 13 career games between Arkansas and Kansas State. Now he has a chance to star in the Big Ten. Bringing in guard depth was key as well, as former George Washington guard Darren Buchanan Jr arrived in Piscataway after averaging 13 points per game in two seasons at GW.

Two of the aforementioned freshmen were 4-star recruits, and the top player from Ohio, Dorian Jones, should make an instant impact. As should Chris Nwuli, who already put in time playing AAU ball with fellow Rutgers freshman Lino Mark.

The Knights also brought in some international talent from Bosnia and Romania, Harun Zrno and Denis Badalau. The rest of the class is rounded out by Gevonte Ware and Kaden Powers.

Rest of the Roster:

Tariq Francis (Transfer), Max Fradkin (Sophomore)

Scrimmage highlights #TheKnighthood pic.twitter.com/lUoeM1kO9e

— Rutgers Men’s Basketball (@RutgersMBB) October 6, 2025

Schedule Outlook

Rutgers basketball kicks off its 2025-26 season with a home clash against Rider on November 5th. They face plenty of other East Coast schools, including Maine, Lehigh, American, and Central Connecticut State, all at Jersey Mike’s Arena in Piscataway to open the season.

Things get pretty tough during Thanksgiving week, as Rutgers travels to Las Vegas to partake in the Players Era Festival. Their opening foe is Rick Barnes’ Tennessee Volunteers (Nov. 24th), before they face Notre Dame the next day. From there, they will await their next opponent during that event.

The Scarlet Knights have arguably the hardest first two Big Ten games of the season. Tuesday, December 2nd, they will host Big Ten favorite Purdue, before they travel to Ann Arbor to play Michigan four days later.

The final three non-conference games feature a match-up with Seton Hall at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.

As for the rest of the Big Ten slate, Rutgers gets plenty of fun games at the RAC. That includes Ohio State, Oregon, Northwestern, Indiana, Michigan State, Nebraska, Maryland, Washington, and Penn State.

The road games will be very tough with trips to Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, USC, UCLA, Penn State, Minnesota, Maryland, and a trip to the Breslin Center to face Tom Izzo’s Spartans in March.

The Last Word on the Scarlet Knights

So what can be expected for Pikiell’s Knights? Lots of youth, and not too many expectations, but one thing is always true. Rutgers will make you earn everything you get. Steve has always had his teams ready to play hard and physical for 40 minutes. That should be no different in 2025-26. However, after not getting far with arguably two of the best players in the country last season, it’s hard to really say this year’s team has a chance to sniff the Big Dance—let alone finishing amongst the top 15 in the Big Ten.

Tough to say, but 2025-26 could easily be the final season with Steve Pikiell at the helm.

This article first appeared on Last Word On Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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