Photo by: (Ben Solomon/Rutgers Athletics)
Men’s Basketball Announces Non-Conference Slate
Aug 01 | Men's Basketball
PISCATAWAY, N.J. - Rutgers men's basketball will host St. John's in the Gavitt Tip-Off, as well as regional foes Drexel, Fairleigh Dickinson and Columbia, during a 10-game non-conference schedule in 2018-19 that includes road games at Miami (Fla.), Fordham and Seton Hall. The Scarlet Knights will also welcome 10 Big Ten opponents to Piscataway as part of an expanded conference slate, before taking flight for the Big Ten Tournament, where RU has a 3-2 mark under head coach Steve Pikiell.
"Adding two conference games, while also competing in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge and Gavitt Tip-Off, has strengthened the schedule for all Big Ten programs," said Pikiell. "Factoring in our annual meeting with Seton Hall, we have a challenge ahead of us in both non-conference and conference play. It's a challenge we look forward to and one that's exciting for our fans. The RAC was rocking last year, and as we build the program, that's only going to grow. There are a lot of very talented teams coming to Piscataway. We are grateful for the support of Rutgers Nation and need them in the house in even greater force this year!"
Rutgers will have home-and-home match-ups with Indiana, Iowa, Michigan State, Minnesota, Northwestern, Ohio State and Penn State during its 20-game Big Ten Conference schedule in 2018-19. The Scarlet Knights will also welcome Maryland, Michigan and Nebraska to the RAC. On the road in Big Ten play, Rutgers will travel to Illinois, Purdue and Wisconsin. Each Big Ten program will once again play two league games in early December.
Rutgers men's basketball fans can renew and secure 2018-19 season tickets online or by calling 866-445-GORU (4678). Fans can also visit RutgersGameday.com to see more information on season ticket options. Fans can utilize a four installment payment plan. Rutgers letterwinners and faculty/staff receive a 30% discount on season tickets, while new alumni and graduate students are eligible for a 40% discount.
Rutgers once again concluded its season with positive momentum under Pikiell in 2017-18, advancing to the Big Ten Conference quarterfinals via wins over Minnesota and five-time national champion Indiana. It marked the first time RU won two conference tournament games since 1998. Despite playing the second toughest conference schedule in the Big Ten according to Ken Pom analysis for the second straight year, the Scarlet Knights ranked 17th nationally in both scoring defense (64.8) and offensive rebounding (13.15), while ranking among the top three in the Big Ten in eight statistical categories. RU accomplished these improvements while playing 10 games against programs that advanced to the round of 32 in the NCAA Tournament.
Rutgers also enjoyed multiple home sell-outs at the RAC in the same season for the first time since 2011. After defeating No. 15 Seton Hall 71-65 before 8,318 fans in the annual Garden State Hardwood Classic, RU was honored as the NABC D-I National Team of the Week. 8,325 fans, the largest crowd at the RAC in 15 years, watched the Scarlet Knights battle No. 3-ranked Purdue to the wire on Feb. 3.
Complete information on the 2018-19 schedule will be announced at a later date. The schedule is subject to change.
2018-19 Rutgers Men's Basketball Non-Conference Schedule
Follow Rutgers men's basketball on Facebook (www.facebook.com/RutgersMBB), Twitter (@RutgersMBB) and Instagram (@RutgersMBB). For additional news and updates, please download the Rutgers Athletics Gameday App.
"Adding two conference games, while also competing in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge and Gavitt Tip-Off, has strengthened the schedule for all Big Ten programs," said Pikiell. "Factoring in our annual meeting with Seton Hall, we have a challenge ahead of us in both non-conference and conference play. It's a challenge we look forward to and one that's exciting for our fans. The RAC was rocking last year, and as we build the program, that's only going to grow. There are a lot of very talented teams coming to Piscataway. We are grateful for the support of Rutgers Nation and need them in the house in even greater force this year!"
Rutgers will have home-and-home match-ups with Indiana, Iowa, Michigan State, Minnesota, Northwestern, Ohio State and Penn State during its 20-game Big Ten Conference schedule in 2018-19. The Scarlet Knights will also welcome Maryland, Michigan and Nebraska to the RAC. On the road in Big Ten play, Rutgers will travel to Illinois, Purdue and Wisconsin. Each Big Ten program will once again play two league games in early December.
Rutgers men's basketball fans can renew and secure 2018-19 season tickets online or by calling 866-445-GORU (4678). Fans can also visit RutgersGameday.com to see more information on season ticket options. Fans can utilize a four installment payment plan. Rutgers letterwinners and faculty/staff receive a 30% discount on season tickets, while new alumni and graduate students are eligible for a 40% discount.
Rutgers once again concluded its season with positive momentum under Pikiell in 2017-18, advancing to the Big Ten Conference quarterfinals via wins over Minnesota and five-time national champion Indiana. It marked the first time RU won two conference tournament games since 1998. Despite playing the second toughest conference schedule in the Big Ten according to Ken Pom analysis for the second straight year, the Scarlet Knights ranked 17th nationally in both scoring defense (64.8) and offensive rebounding (13.15), while ranking among the top three in the Big Ten in eight statistical categories. RU accomplished these improvements while playing 10 games against programs that advanced to the round of 32 in the NCAA Tournament.
Rutgers also enjoyed multiple home sell-outs at the RAC in the same season for the first time since 2011. After defeating No. 15 Seton Hall 71-65 before 8,318 fans in the annual Garden State Hardwood Classic, RU was honored as the NABC D-I National Team of the Week. 8,325 fans, the largest crowd at the RAC in 15 years, watched the Scarlet Knights battle No. 3-ranked Purdue to the wire on Feb. 3.
Complete information on the 2018-19 schedule will be announced at a later date. The schedule is subject to change.
2018-19 Rutgers Men's Basketball Non-Conference Schedule
| Day | Date | Opponent | Site | Time | TV |
| Friday | Nov. 9 | FDU | RAC | TBA | TBA |
| Sunday | Nov. 11 | Drexel | RAC | TBA | TBA |
| Friday | Nov. 16 | St. John's (Gavitt Tip-Off) | RAC | TBA | TBA |
| Monday | Nov. 19 | Eastern Michigan | RAC | TBA | TBA |
| Friday | Nov. 23 | Boston University | RAC | TBA | TBA |
| Wednesday | Nov. 28 | at Miami (B1G/ACC) | Coral Gables, Fla. | TBA | TBA |
| Saturday | Dec. 8 | at Fordham | Bronx, N.Y. | TBA | TBA |
| Saturday | Dec. 15 | at Seton Hall (GSH Classic) | Newark, N.J. | TBA | TBA |
| Saturday | Dec. 22 | Columbia | RAC | TBA | TBA |
| Saturday | Dec. 29 | Maine | RAC | TBA | TBA |
Follow Rutgers men's basketball on Facebook (www.facebook.com/RutgersMBB), Twitter (@RutgersMBB) and Instagram (@RutgersMBB). For additional news and updates, please download the Rutgers Athletics Gameday App.
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