'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Rutgers brings in a promising group of freshmen who hope to break the team's three-year drought of not making the NCAA Tournament. The 2024-25 college basketball season will be enormous for the Scarlet Knights' campaign as Steve Pikiell unleashes the furious freshmen duo, who are the No. 2 and No. 3 high school prospects in the nation.
They will be joined by a group of hungry players who will look to help Rutgers fulfill its goal of making it to the national tournament. Let's dive further into the Scarlet Knights' upcoming season by knowing their biggest games for the year, key players and regular-season projection.
Rutgers' biggest games in the 2024-25 season
Rutgers will have a relatively easy non-conference schedule, opening their 2024-25 season against Wagner at home on Nov. 6.
Trending
The Scarlet Knights play four more games before the Player's Era Festival from Nov. 26-29 in Las Vegas. They compete against last season's Final Four qualifiers Alabama, Sweet 16 squad Houston and ACC team Notre Dame.
Rutgers host Seton Hall at the Jersey Mike's Arena on Dec. 14 in the Garden State Hardwood Classic and take on Princeton in the Never Forget Tribute Classic on Dec. 21.
The Big Ten Conference typically begins its regular-season games in the first week of January and ends in the second week of March. Rutgers are scheduled to play Michigan, Penn State and Purdue twice in a home-and-away setup.
For the remainder of the regular season, the Scarlet Knights host Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Michigan State, UCLA, USC and Wisconsin and visit Indiana, Maryland, Nebraska, Northwestern, Oregon, Ohio State and Washington.
Key Rutgers players to watch out for in the 2024-25 season
The Rutgers Scarlet Knights will parade three returnees, four transferees and eight freshmen this coming season. The freshmen pickups are no ordinary players, as they are highly rated from the high school ranks.
Two of the new recruits were No. 2 and No. 3-ranked prep prospects in the nation, as per 247Sports.com. Here are the players fans should keep an eye on this coming season.
#1 Airious Bailey
Airious "Ace" Bailey is one of the sought-after high school prospects in the nation. The six-foot-eight Chattanooga native pulled off what was arguably one of the greatest stats in high school ball during his senior year. He averaged 32.5 points, 15.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.4 blocks per game for McEachern High School.
Bailey was awarded Mr. Georgia Basketball for his excellent play last season, which gave him the opportunity to play in the McDonald's All-American Game, Jordan Brand Classic and Nike Hoops Summit.
#2 Dylan Harper
Dylan Harper can play both point guard and shooting guard with ease. The 18-year-old is the son of five-time NBA champion Ron Harper. The six-foot-six combo guard attended Don Bosco Prep in Ramsey, New Jersey, where he developed into a formidable player.
Harper tallied 22.4 ppg, 5.7 rpg and 2.4 rpg in his senior year and led his team to a state championship. He's expected to start alongside Ace Bailey for Rutgers this coming season.
#3 Tyson Acuff
Steve Pikiell also tried out the transfer portal and found a good addition to its already formidable lineup in former Eastern Michigan star Tyson Acuff. The six-foot-four guard also played for Duquesne but had plenty of success when he was with the Eagles.
Last season, Acuff averaged 21.7 points per game, which ranked eighth-best in the nation. He also shot 43.3% and 81% from the free-throw line. In June, he suffered a fractured right foot during pratice that led him to miss three months.
Acuff might be back in late September or early October, but he could be affected by the injury in the first few days of opening week, leading his stats to dip a bit.
Rutgers' predictions for the 2024-25 season
Rutgers could be one of the standout teams this coming season in the Big Ten Conference and in the nation.
With two of the top high school prospects (Harper and Bailey) playing together, expect the Scarlet Knights to impove on their last season's record and possibly secure a bid in the NCAA Tournament.
Rutgers could win 23 games this season with Harper, Acuff and Bailey teaming up to fulfill their mission.
Will Rutgers make it to the NCAA Tournament this coming season? Let's know your views in the comments section:
Dawn Staley, Geno Auriemma, or Kim Mulkey - who is NCAAW's highest-paid coach? Find out here
