Rutgers University
Wagner
No. 25 Men's Basketball Hosts Wagner Wednesday in Season Opener
Nov 04 | Men's Basketball
Contest Officially Opens the 2024-25 Campaign
All of the preseason hype culminates for Rutgers men's basketball on Wednesday night, with the season opener against Wagner. The hype has built for the 2024-25 season throughout the preseason. Fans have gotten a firsthand look at the squad for this eagerly anticipated season, first at The Knighthood Scrimmage, then in a thrilling exhibition contest against St. John's on October 17. The Scarlet Knights battled with the Red Storm in an up-tempo, 91-85 contest, with top-ranked freshmen Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey combining for 45 of the team's 85 points. On Wednesday night, when the doors open to Jersey Mike's Arena, the statistics and records will count, and the journey begins.
| About Rutgers |
The 2024–25 Scarlet Knights, under ninth-year head coach, boast a home-court advantage at Jersey Mike's Arena in which they've sold out 64 straight home games with the entire home slate for the upcoming season sold out. Rutgers welcomes the highest-ranked freshmen class in school history, ranked second in the nation. The class features five top 150 recruits Dylan Harper, Ace Bailey, Lathan Sommerville, Dylan Grant and Bryce Dortch. Pikiell and staff also welcome back three players from the 2023-24 roster: Jeremiah Williams, Jamichael Davis and Emmanuel Ogbole, as well as a highly regarded transfer class of four new additions: Zach Martini, PJ Hayes IV, Tyson Acuff and Jordan Derkack. RU is ranked number 25 in the preseason AP Poll, the fourth time in school history earning a preseason ranking. The Scarlet Knights are one of four Big Ten teams in the preseason AP poll. RU also ranked seventh in the preseason Big Ten ranking poll ahead of the league expanding to 18 teams for the upcoming campaign.
| About the Opponent |
Wagner was named the Preseason favorite in the Northeast Conference (NEC) preseason poll. The Seahawks earned the recognition as they look to build on its NCAA Tournament appearance last season. Last season, they made their first March Madness appearance since 2003 and won a First Four game in Dayton against fellow 16-seed Howard prior to a loss to No. 1 seed UNC. They did so after making a run through the conference tournament by knocking off the top three seeded teams. Head Coach Donald Copeland enters his third season at the helm. Wagner returns nine players who were with the program during the 2023-24 season. The 2023-24 Seahawks became the second team in school history and to win the NEC title.
| About the Series |
Rutgers has faced Wagner 10 times in its history. RU is 9-1 in the all-time series, with all the matchups coming between 1984 and 2001. The Scarlet Knights have won the past four matchups and have outscored the Seahawks by an average of 17 points in those last four meetings.
| Up Next |
Rutgers will play four straight home games to open this campaign. RU returns to its home venue on Monday, November 11, hosting St. Peter's
