Men's College Basketball 2021-2022 Season Preview: Rutgers Scarlet Knights

The Big 10 will be going through some changes in men’s college basketball up top this season, as household names like Ayo Dosunmu and Luka Garza are off to the NBA. There is still plenty of star power though, as Juwan Howard has brought in an elite recruiting class at Michigan, our guy Trevion Williams is back for his swan song season at Purdue. and even the bottom half of the conference has useful fantasy options sprinkled throughout.

Big 10 slates are a grind, so getting a head start on info about this conference will serve you well in putting you above the rest of the field. Join me on this journey as we preview the Big 10 teams from a DFS perspective.

In this one, Rutgers.

(Check out our full college basketball season preview!)

Rutgers Scarlet Knights 2021-2022 Season Preview

2020-2021 record: 16-12 (10-10 Big 10), seventh in Big 10
Postseason: Lost in NCAA Tournament second round

Key Departures | Rutgers Scarlet Knights

Jacob Young (transferred to Oregon)
Myles Johnson (transferred to UCLA)
Montez Mathis (transferred to St Johns)

Key Additions | Rutgers Scarlet Knights

Aundre Hyatt (transferred from LSU)
Ralph Agee (transferred from San Jose State)
Jalen Miller (3 star recruit)

Returners | Rutgers Scarlet Knights

Geo Baker (10.4 PPG/3.1 RPG/3.2 APG/1.2 SPG)
Ron Harper Jr. (14.9 PPG/5.9 RPG/1.6 APG)
Paul Mulcahy (5.9 PPG/3.3 RPG/2.9 APG)
Caleb McConnell (5.7 PPG/4.3 RPG/1.5 SPG)
Clifford Omoruyi (3.8 PPG/4 RPG)

Rutgers Scarlet Knights Outlook for 2021-2022

Major props to Steve Pikiell for taking Rutgers to the tourney and getting their first win since 1983. That was one heck of a coaching job that just isn’t getting enough attention. The Scarlet Knights are losing three key pieces from last year, but the team could still surprise with how competitive they are.

Geo Baker chose to return for his super senior year and that decision alone saved Rutgers from a total rebuild season. Baker is a bona fide leader and with the game on the line, you want the ball in his hands. He should see his scoring average go up with high-usage guard Jacob Young off to Oregon.

Ron Harper Jr. had his breakout last year, and the expectations for him in 2021 will be sky high. The Baker/Harper tandem could cause Big 10 foes to lose sleep at night. Caleb McConnell, Cliff Omoruyi and Paul Mulcahy are the other key pieces to the starting unit that will be expected to step their games up to a whole new level. LSU transfer Aundre Hyatt is a better scorer than he showed while at LSU and excels in transition. He won’t be much help from long distance though, which ultimately could be detrimental to his value as a DFS option.

(Check out our rankings of the top 100 teams, top 100 players and top 25 impact freshmen for men’s college basketball in 2021-2022.)

Summary

This is an experienced squad that knows how to close out basketball games. Ron Harper and Geo Baker should have successful statistical seasons. The playability for fantasy purposes of McConnell, Omoruyi, Mulcahy, Agee and Hyatt will vary based on opponent and pricing. They’re a better DFS target than teams like Wisconsin or Iowa, but not by much.