Despite his recent cancer diagnosis, Steve Pikiell’s Rutgers Scarlet Knights are preparing for his 11th season in Piscataway. His teams have always proven to be hard-nosed and tough, just like the fight Pikiell is going through himself.
While Pikiell’s health and well-being are important, the Knights have to focus on the season. That’s where Rutgers can lean on its experience, as it returns several key playmakers on the guard. Senior Tariq Francis leads that group.
With Francis at the forefront and some major transfer additions, the Rutgers Scarlet Knights look ready to fight for their coach this season. Let’s take a closer look at the 2026-27 Scarlet Knights.
Rutgers Scarlet Knights Basketball 2026-27 Season Preview
Roster Make-Up
As mentioned above, Francis returns. He had one heck of a season in 2025-26. He finished with an average of 17 points per game, and really developed a good bond with other guards like Leno Mark and Jamichael Davis.
In Davis’ case, he’s a two-time captain and by far the most experienced Rutgers player. He has been with Rutgers since the 2023-24 season. The Scarlet Knights had to do some real work in their frontcourt, however, as starting center Emmanuel Ogbole looked to try his hand at Kansas. Thus, Rutgers went to the portal and landed two bigs that will certainly shore up the post.
Those players are Dorin Buca, a 7-foot-2, 286-pound transfer from Kansas State. As well as Christian Gurdak from Virginia Tech. Both have some steps to take this season, but they both give Rutgers size and strength in the post.
Add in some other fresh faces like Mervedi Miteo from the Congo, along with a returning sophomore, Gevonte Ware, ready for a bigger role, and Rutgers has the size and depth to take it to others in a tough Big Ten. Time will tell what Kaden Powers can do in his second season as well, after breaking into the starting lineup last season.
Returners: Francis, Darren Buchanan Jr., Mark, Max Fradkin, Ware, Powers, and Davis.
Newcomers: Buca, Darin Smith Jr., Gurdak, Imahri Wooten, Miteo, RaSheed Jones, Will Sydnor, Martin Tonejc, and Diego Garavagila.
Scenes from practice 🪓⛓️🏀#TheKnighthood🛡️⚔️ pic.twitter.com/laGMSjK8Pw
— Rutgers Men’s Basketball 🏀 (@RutgersMBB) October 1, 2026
Schedule Outlook
Rutgers does have a chance to live up to their coach’s grit and toughness in this season’s non-conference slate. It all starts with a pair of exhibition matchups with two of the most prominent programs in the New York and New Jersey area.
The Scarlet Knights face Villanova at Jersey Mike’s Arena before traveling to Madison Square Garden to face Rick Pitino’s St. John’s Red Storm. The Knights face plenty of other local teams, with New Haven, NJIT, and Bryant all visiting Piscataway.
Things get really challenging beginning November 17; the Knights return to Las Vegas for the Players Era Festival. First on the schedule is the Houston Cougars. That’s a massive first game, and the event doesn’t get any easier with so many other top programs involved.
Rutgers is guaranteed two more games as part of the event. Jumping ahead to what will be a challenging Big Ten. Especially when they have to travel to Bloomington on December 1 to play the Indiana Hoosiers, followed quickly by a title game against the Defending National Champion Michigan. The Seton Hall Pirates are the final big foe of Rutgers’ non-con schedule.
For the rest of the Big Ten slate. Rutgers will have a road clash at Purdue and a road trip to East Lansing in early February, where they nearly defeated Michigan State on Senior Night last season. Getting USC and UCLA both at the RAC is a huge draw, especially as Rutgers fights to get back amongst the top 15 of this 18-team league.
Hidden in the chaos, it's the schedule we drop that defines us. The 2026-27 slate is here. 🦇
🔗: https://t.co/FUBEfoncfX#TheKnighthood🛡️⚔️ pic.twitter.com/0cpZGAgRXl
— Rutgers Men’s Basketball 🏀 (@RutgersMBB) September 16, 2026
The Last Word
Given his health situation, it wouldn’t be right to say that Pikiell could be on the hot seat this season. He’s a good ball coach and has gotten Rutgers to the Big Dance in the past. This group looks like it has the pieces to give everyone they play a tough time.
You already saw it last year, when they had Michigan State on the ropes late in both meetings. Heck, they won a Big Ten Tournament game last season against Minnesota, which had a little bit better talent. Not to mention, they hung around with UCLA in the second half of their second-round game.
They got to taste post-season play last year as well, earning a Big Ten invite to the College Basketball Crown, which is a moot point now that the NCAA tournament field has been expanded. No matter the outcome for Rutgers basketball in 2026-27, they will go to war for Pikiell.
Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images
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