Andrew Pace
The Rutgers Scarlet Knights are the athletic teams that represent Rutgers University's New Brunswick campus. The university is one of the first American institutions to engage in intercollegiate athletics, with 24 teams competing in the Big Ten Conference, including basketball. The Rutgers men's basketball team has a historic rivalry with Seton Hall University and has produced many NBA players, including Roy Hinson, John Battle, and James Bailey. The team has appeared in the NCAA tournament eight times and made the Final Four in 1976. The Rutgers Scarlet Knights women's basketball team has also found success, reaching the Elite Eight in the 2005-2006 season and advancing to the National Championship game in 2007.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Team Name | Rutgers Scarlet Knights |
| Sport | Basketball |
| University | Rutgers University |
| Division | NCAA Division I |
| Conference | Big Ten Conference |
| Number of Teams | 24 |
| Other Sports | Baseball, cross country, field hockey, football, golf, gymnastics, lacrosse, rowing, soccer, softball, tennis, track and field, swimming and diving, wrestling, and volleyball |
| First Season | 1906 |
| NCAA Final Four Appearances | 1976 |
| NCAA Tournament Appearances | 8 |
| National Invitation Tournament Appearances | 15 |
| NBA Draft Picks | 23 |
| Highest NBA Draft Pick | Dylan Harper (2nd overall in 2025) |
| Rivals | Seton Hall University, Lafayette College, Lehigh University, Princeton University, Columbia University |
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What You'll Learn
Rutgers Scarlet Knights men's basketball team
The Rutgers Scarlet Knights men's basketball team represents Rutgers University in the NCAA Division I college basketball competition. The team competes in the Big Ten Conference, having joined in the 2014–2015 season. The history of the team dates back to 1906, when they played their first season of basketball. However, the team was dissolved after the 1907-1908 season and was only reformed in 1913.
The Scarlet Knights have a rich history in NCAA tournaments, having made it to the Final Four in 1976 and appearing in the tournament a total of eight times, most recently in 2022. They also have a strong record in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT), with 15 appearances and a combined record of 16-15.
The Rutgers Scarlet Knights have produced several notable NBA players, including Roy Hinson, John Battle, and James Bailey. In the 2025 NBA Draft, Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey made history by being selected as the highest-drafted Scarlet Knights ever, with the second and fifth picks, respectively.
The team experienced renewed success after the hiring of Head Coach Steve Pikiell in 2016. In the 2019-20 season, led by guards Geo Baker and Ron Harper Jr., the Scarlet Knights achieved a 20-win mark and ranked in the top 25 of the AP men's college basketball poll for the first time since 1979. They broke a 30-year tournament drought by earning a spot in the 2021 NCAA tournament, where they achieved their first tournament win since 1983. With a strong 2024 recruiting class, the Scarlet Knights are poised for future success.
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Rutgers in the NCAA tournament
The Rutgers Scarlet Knights men's basketball team has represented Rutgers University in the NCAA Division I college basketball competition since 1906. The team plays in the Big Ten Conference and has appeared in the NCAA tournament eight times, most recently in 2022.
The Scarlet Knights achieved their greatest success in the 1976 NCAA tournament, reaching the Final Four and ending the season ranked fourth in the nation. They lost to the Michigan Wolverines in the semifinal round and then to the UCLA Bruins in the third-place consolation game. This was the last men's Division I tournament to feature two unbeaten teams, with Rutgers going 31-0 during the regular season.
After a prolonged down period, the team saw renewed success after the hiring of Head Coach Steve Pikiell in 2016. In the 2019-20 season, led by guards Geo Baker and Ron Harper Jr., the Scarlet Knights reached the 20-win mark for the first time since the 2003-04 season. They also ranked in the top 25 of the AP men's college basketball poll for the first time since 1979. Experts predicted their inclusion in the 2020 NCAA tournament, but the event was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The following year, the Scarlet Knights broke their 30-year tournament drought, earning a 10-seed in the 2021 NCAA tournament and achieving their first tournament win since 1983 with a first-round victory over Clemson.
Rutgers has produced several notable NBA players, including Roy Hinson, John Battle, and James Bailey. In the 2025 NBA Draft, Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey made history as the highest-selected Scarlet Knights, being drafted second and fifth overall, respectively.
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History of Rutgers men's basketball
The Rutgers Scarlet Knights men's basketball team has a long history in NCAA Division I college basketball competition. The team has competed in the Big Ten Conference and made the NCAA Final Four in 1976. They have appeared in the NCAA tournament eight times, most recently in 2022, and have a combined record of 6-9. The Scarlet Knights have also appeared in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) 15 times, with a combined record of 16-15.
Rutgers has produced several NBA players, including Roy Hinson, John Battle, and James Bailey. In the 2025 NBA Draft, Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey made history by being selected as the highest Scarlet Knights drafted, with the second and fifth picks respectively.
The team experienced a scandal in 2013 when head coach Mike Rice Jr. was filmed verbally and physically abusing players. This resulted in his firing and the resignation of the Rutgers athletic director, Tim Pernetti. Rutgers played their first season in the Big Ten conference in 2014-2015.
The Scarlet Knights entered the 2019-2020 season, their 113th collegiate men's basketball season, under head coach Steve Pikiell. They ranked in the top 25 of the AP men's college basketball poll for the first time since 1979, and their inclusion in the 2020 NCAA tournament was widely predicted. However, the tournament was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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The 2024 recruiting class
The Rutgers Scarlet Knights men's basketball team has a rich history, dating back to its first season in 1906. The team has experienced highs, such as making the NCAA Final Four in 1976 and producing NBA players like Roy Hinson and John Battle, as well as lows, including a 30-year drought between tournament wins from 1983 to 2021.
After a disappointing season in 2023-24, the Scarlet Knights are looking to bounce back with a strong 2024 recruiting class, which is already shaping up to be one of the best in the country. The class is headlined by two McDonald's All-American players: forward Airious "Ace" Bailey and guard Dylan Harper. Both players are highly touted prospects and are expected to make an immediate impact on the court.
Bailey, a talented forward, is known for his versatility and all-around game. He has the size and skill to dominate in the paint, as well as a smooth outside shot that makes him a threat from anywhere on the court. Harper, on the other hand, is a crafty guard with exceptional ball-handling skills and court vision. He has a natural feel for the game and is expected to be a floor general who can create scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates.
In addition to Bailey and Harper, the Scarlet Knights have also secured commitments from a number of other top prospects. The coaching staff has focused on bringing in a mix of talented freshmen and experienced transfers, adding depth and competition to the roster. With a strong incoming class and the return of key players, the Scarlet Knights are expected to contend for a tournament bid and make a deep run in the 2024-25 season.
The success of the 2024 recruiting class is a testament to the program's renewed focus on recruiting and player development under Head Coach Steve Pikiell, who led the team to their most successful season in recent memory in 2019-20. With a talented roster and a seasoned coach, the Rutgers Scarlet Knights are poised to write a new chapter in their history and establish themselves as a force to be reckoned with in collegiate basketball.
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Rivalries with other universities
Rutgers University's athletic teams are called the Rutgers Scarlet Knights, and they compete in the Big Ten Conference. The university has a long history of intercollegiate athletics and currently fields 24 teams in various sports, including basketball.
The Rutgers men's basketball team has had some notable achievements over the years, including reaching the NCAA Final Four in 1976 and appearing in the NCAA tournament eight times, most recently in 2022. The team has produced several NBA players, including Roy Hinson, John Battle, James Bailey, and more recently, Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey, who were drafted in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft.
The Rutgers women's basketball team has also found success, particularly in the 2005-2006 season when they were ranked fourth in the nation and reached the Elite Eight. In the 2006-2007 season, they advanced to the National Championship game but ultimately lost to the Tennessee Lady Volunteers.
When it comes to rivalries, the Rutgers Scarlet Knights have historic rivalries with several universities, including Lafayette College, Lehigh University, Princeton University, and Columbia University (formerly King's College). These rivalries originated in the early days of college football, and while Rutgers and Princeton still compete in other sports, they have not met on the football field since 1980.
In men's basketball, Rutgers has a notable rivalry with Seton Hall University. Additionally, in football, Rutgers has the longest active rivalry with Navy, dating back to 1891. This rivalry is rooted in the fact that Navy and Rutgers, along with Army, were part of the original, informal "Ivy League" and remain among the top-tier NCAA college football programs to this day.
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Frequently asked questions
The Rutgers basketball team is called the Scarlet Knights.
Rutgers began playing basketball in 1906.
The Rutgers men's basketball team has appeared in the NCAA tournament eight times and has a combined record of 6-9.
Yes, the Rutgers men's basketball team made the Final Four in 1976.
Some notable players from the Rutgers basketball team include Roy Hinson, John Battle, James Bailey, Dylan Harper, and Ace Bailey.
