Photo by: Mitch Leff
Non-Conference Men’s Basketball Schedule Announced
Jul 23 | Men's Basketball
PISCATAWAY - Rutgers men's basketball will host Seton Hall in the Garden State Hardwood Classic and former Atlantic 10 rival UMass during an 11-game non-conference schedule in 2019-20 that includes road games at Pittsburgh and versus St. Bonaventure in Toronto. The Scarlet Knights will also welcome 10 Big Ten opponents to Piscataway as part of their 20-game conference slate, before taking flight for the Big Ten Tournament in Indianapolis.
Ranked No. 7 in Andy Katz's Preseason 36, the Pirates arrive for the 71st edition of the rivalry contest that dates back to 1916. In the last meeting at the RAC, Rutgers overcame a 13-point deficit to claim a 71-65 win over No. 15 SHU in front of 8,318 fans, RU's largest crowd since 2002. The Scarlet Knights and Minutemen played annually from 1977-95, with RU establishing a 25-17 advantage in A-10 action.
On the road in non-conference play, the match-up with the 2019 Atlantic 10 finalist Bonnies in the prestigious Naismith Classic also renews a rivalry and will take place on the home floor of the NBA Champion Toronto Raptors. The Big Ten/ACC Challenge meeting with Pitt marks the return of assistant Brandin Knight to the Steel City, where he was the Co-Big East Player of Year, a First Team All-American and his No. 20 jersey is retired.
Rutgers will have home-and-home match-ups with Maryland, Michigan, Nebraska, Penn State, Illinois, Purdue and Wisconsin during its Big Ten schedule. The Scarlet Knights will also welcome Indiana, Minnesota and Northwestern to the RAC. On the road in conference play, Rutgers will travel to Iowa, Michigan State, Ohio State.
RU concluded 2018-19 with the 31st rated schedule per Ken Pom, marking the third consecutive season under Steve Pikiell that the Scarlet Knights played a schedule ranked in the top 20 percent in terms of difficulty.
Rutgers was named the Most Improved Team of the 2018-19 season by Sports Illustrated in its year-end wards. The Scarlet Knights improved 70 positions in the KenPom.com rankings since the season's initial rating, best among all power conference programs.
Stemming from the progress, Rutgers experienced five sell-outs at the RAC, its most since 2004-05 (7). Average attendance improved 31.1% from 2017-18. RU ranked 65th nationally in percent of capacity (78%) out of 353 D-I programs after placing 232nd in 2017-18 (59.49%).
Fans have the opportunity to secure 2019-20 season tickets online or by calling 866-445-GORU (4678). Fans can also visit http://rutgersgameday.com/wintersports/ for more information on season ticket options.
Complete information on the 2019-20 schedule will be announced at a later date. The schedule is subject to change.
Follow Rutgers men's basketball on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Ranked No. 7 in Andy Katz's Preseason 36, the Pirates arrive for the 71st edition of the rivalry contest that dates back to 1916. In the last meeting at the RAC, Rutgers overcame a 13-point deficit to claim a 71-65 win over No. 15 SHU in front of 8,318 fans, RU's largest crowd since 2002. The Scarlet Knights and Minutemen played annually from 1977-95, with RU establishing a 25-17 advantage in A-10 action.
On the road in non-conference play, the match-up with the 2019 Atlantic 10 finalist Bonnies in the prestigious Naismith Classic also renews a rivalry and will take place on the home floor of the NBA Champion Toronto Raptors. The Big Ten/ACC Challenge meeting with Pitt marks the return of assistant Brandin Knight to the Steel City, where he was the Co-Big East Player of Year, a First Team All-American and his No. 20 jersey is retired.
Rutgers will have home-and-home match-ups with Maryland, Michigan, Nebraska, Penn State, Illinois, Purdue and Wisconsin during its Big Ten schedule. The Scarlet Knights will also welcome Indiana, Minnesota and Northwestern to the RAC. On the road in conference play, Rutgers will travel to Iowa, Michigan State, Ohio State.
RU concluded 2018-19 with the 31st rated schedule per Ken Pom, marking the third consecutive season under Steve Pikiell that the Scarlet Knights played a schedule ranked in the top 20 percent in terms of difficulty.
Rutgers was named the Most Improved Team of the 2018-19 season by Sports Illustrated in its year-end wards. The Scarlet Knights improved 70 positions in the KenPom.com rankings since the season's initial rating, best among all power conference programs.
Stemming from the progress, Rutgers experienced five sell-outs at the RAC, its most since 2004-05 (7). Average attendance improved 31.1% from 2017-18. RU ranked 65th nationally in percent of capacity (78%) out of 353 D-I programs after placing 232nd in 2017-18 (59.49%).
Fans have the opportunity to secure 2019-20 season tickets online or by calling 866-445-GORU (4678). Fans can also visit http://rutgersgameday.com/wintersports/ for more information on season ticket options.
| Day | Date | Opponent | Site | Time | TV |
| Thursday | Nov. 7 | Bryant | RAC | TBA | TBA |
| Sunday | Nov. 10 | Niagara | RAC | TBA | TBA |
| Wednesday | Nov. 13 | Drexel | RAC | TBA | TBA |
| Saturday | Nov. 16 | vs. St. Bonaventure (Naismith Classic) | Toronto, Ontario | TBA | TBA |
| Wednesday | Nov. 20 | Stephen F. Austin | RAC | TBA | TBA |
| Tuesday | Nov. 26 | NJIT | RAC | TBA | TBA |
| Friday | Nov. 29 | UMass | RAC | TBA | TBA |
| Tuesday | Dec. 3 | at Pittsburgh (B1G/ACC) | Pittsburgh, Pa. | TBA | TBA |
| Saturday | Dec. 14 | Seton Hall (GSH Classic) | RAC | TBA | TBA |
| Monday | Dec. 22 | Lafayette | RAC | TBA | TBA |
| Monday | Dec. 30 | Caldwell | RAC | TBA | TBA |
Complete information on the 2019-20 schedule will be announced at a later date. The schedule is subject to change.
Follow Rutgers men's basketball on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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