Men’s Basketball Kicks Off Season Wednesday Against Rider
Rutgers men’s basketball is set to kick off its season this Wednesday evening against Rider University. The game will take place at Jersey Mike’s Arena in Piscataway, New Jersey, starting at 6 p.m. This matchup will be broadcast nationally on the Big Ten Network, featuring commentators Jason Horowitz and Austin Johnson.
Season Outlook
The Scarlet Knights have undergone significant changes this season. Only four scholarship players return: Jamichael Davis, Emmanuel Ogbole, Dylan Grant, and Bryce Dortch. Max Fradkin is also part of this new lineup.
- Jamichael Davis: Guard from Tennessee, averaging 5.1 points per game over 63 games.
- Emmanuel Ogbole: Center with a career average of 2.8 points and 3.2 rebounds over 51 starts.
- Dylan Grant: Canadian forward who averaged 5.9 points last season, including a standout 19-point game against Maryland.
- Bryce Dortch: Freshman who averaged 6.4 minutes per game, highlighted by a nine-point game against USC.
In addition, Rutgers has welcomed three players from the transfer portal: Darren Buchanan Jr., Tariq Francis, and Baye Fall. Each brings a wealth of experience and skills that are expected to enhance the team’s performance.
Notable Transfers
- Darren Buchanan Jr.: Averaged 13.0 points and 6.2 rebounds per game at George Washington.
- Tariq Francis: Averaged 17.0 points per game during his time at NJIT.
- Baye Fall: Former McDonald’s All-American with prior experience at Arkansas and Kansas State.
Prestigious New Recruits
Rutgers has also brought in a notable freshman class, including talented players like Lino Mark and Chris Nwuli. Nwuli is ranked as the No. 41 player nationally and expected to make an immediate impact.
Community Engagement
Darren Buchanan Jr. has earned recognition for his community outreach efforts, being a recipient of the 2025 Musial Award. His initiative to engage youth through basketball camps has led to significant community involvement.
Home Court Advantage
The Scarlet Knights maintain an impressive streak of 79 consecutive sold-out regular-season games at Jersey Mike’s Arena. Since the 2019-20 season, they have achieved a 79-24 record at home.
Rider University Overview
Rider remains a competitive foe, with leading scorer Zion Cruz returning, who averaged 10.1 points per game last season. The Broncs added 11 new players, including seven transfers.
- Zion Cruz: Recognized on the Preseason All-MAAC Third Team.
- Flash Burton: Another returning starter who averaged 7.6 points as a freshman.
Previous Matchup
The all-time series between Rutgers and Rider favors the Scarlet Knights, who hold a 16-1 record against the Broncs. The last contest ended with a decisive 76-46 victory for Rutgers.
Upcoming Schedule
Rutgers will begin the season with five consecutive home games. Following Rider, they will host Maine (November 10), Lehigh (November 14), American (November 18), and Central Connecticut State (November 21). A road trip for the Players Era Festival in Las Vegas is scheduled around Thanksgiving, where they will face ranked opponents.
As the season unfolds, the Scarlet Knights aim to build on their recent successes and continue their trend of strong performances in the Big Ten Conference.
