Entering Steve Pikiell's second season on the banks, there is more buzz for Rutgers basketball than there has been in several years. With a veteran core of Corey Sanders, Deshawn Freeman, and Mike Williams, as well as an infusion of several talented newcomers, there is real hope this team can produce the first winning campaign for the program in 12 seasons.
While there is plenty of room for offensive improvement from last season, expecting a major jump in production is unrealistic. Rutgers needs to replace 22 points per game, a third of the team’s scoring from last season, with the departures of Nigel Johnson (11.