A season of expectation for Rutgers Basketball shows no signs of slowing down. And CBS Sports’ latest top 25 will only heighten that expectation.
Rutgers checks in at number 21 in the latest update of 25 Best CBS Sports.
After a 15-17 (7-13 Big Ten) season, enthusiasm for Rutgers is largely centered around a new recruiting class that is among the best in the country. Introducing five-star forward Ace Bailey and keep five stars Dylan Harperthe Rutgers class is among the top 10 in the country.
And with a solid result in the transfer portal, there is a definite sense that Rutgers could take a step forward and be an NCAA Tournament team this upcoming season.
By giving Rutgers a top 25 ranking, CBS Sports College Basketball analyst Gary Parrish wrote:
“This ranking is based on the fact that Steve Pikiell’s Scarlet Knights return just one double-digit scorer (Jeremiah Williams) from a team that finished under .500. But the enrollment of five-star prospects Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper — plus NEC Player of the Year Jordan Derkack and Eastern Michigan transfer Tyson Acuff — will give Rutgers enough talent to start the season with a number next to its name.
The anticipation for the season is also manifesting itself in other ways for Rutgers, including an updated non-conference schedule. This week it was made official that Rutgers will participate in the Players Era Festival in Las Vegas.
The tournament is scheduled to take place over Thanksgiving weekend.
