The addition of Delaware continues the non-conference scheduling philosophy head coach Chris Ash and athletics director Pat Hobbs have established.
The two are emphasizing regional matchups against programs within close geographic proximity in order to generate more excitement amongst fans and give a rebuilding Rutgers program a realistic non-conference slate to use as an on-ramp to Big Ten play each fall.
Currently, Rutgers does not have a non-conference game scheduled against a school south of Virginia or west of Ohio until 2030, when a home-and-home series with Kansas State is scheduled to begin.