The Scarlet Faithful

The Scarlet Knights added another playmaking perimeter player in Rasheed Jones. A full-time starter last season at Coastal Carolina, Jones shot 36% from three on high volume. He is an athletic guard who can score in multiple ways. As far as roster construction, this episode deep dives on the clear strengths of this team (FT shooting, TO rate, 3-point shooting depth) as well as major concerns inclu...

David Anderson and I discuss the state of Rutgers football following Spring Camp. On offense there is continuity in the system under OC Kirk Ciarocca, a changing of the guard at QB, two elite playmakers return, but plenty of questions on the offensive line. On defense, a completely new coaching staff but one that has been successful together before along with all new personnel as well. Can the pro...

The Scarlet Knights added much needed help in the frontcourt with Manhattan forward Will Sydnor committing to the program. He averaged 14 points and 7 rebounds for the Jaspers as a freshman before sitting out last season due to eligibility issues dating back to a high school transcript. Sydnor adds athleticism, physicality and is another player who is efficient scoring at the rim while adding a ca...

The Scarlet Knights add a second impact portal pickup in consecutive days with 6'10" big man Christian Gurdak. Another offensive first player that brings a specific skill set to RU with his ability to score and rebound at the rim. He has a high motor and has multiple years of eligibility. An analysis of what Gurdak brings to the program as well as my hope for how Steve Pikiell hopefully f...

The Scarlet Knights made its first big pickup of the offseason in adding CCSU Wing Darin Smith Jr. His offensive skill set and length checks multiple boxes for Steve Pikiell as he rebuilds the roster. While Rutgers still needs to add two impact big men from the portal, adding a proven scorer was a step forward.#rutgersbasketball

Steve Pikiell added a journeyman pro guard Lewis Duarte, officially retained JMike and lost freshman Chris Nwuli on Friday. This episode breaks down the potential impact of all three moves, why how you judge these moves could change in a week or two and my take on how I hope they ultimately build next season's roster.#rutgersbasketball

This episode focuses on my thoughts on Pikiell and the approach for building next season's roster. After four straight Selection Sundays without an NCAA Tournament bid, Steve Pikiell has many important decisions to make this offseason. Armed with more resources than ever before and a big picture thinking athletic director in Keli Zinn, the program must self-evaluate everything. From the struct...

The Scarlet Knights live to play another day after upsetting the Golden Gophers in the second round of the Big Ten Tournament. Tariq Francis broke Corey Sanders' B1G tourney single game scoring record with 29 points including 5 of 7 from three. Emmanuel Ogbole was big inside. Darren Buchanan, JMike and Harun Zrno were clutch in the second half as Rutgers was disruptive on defense. Also 22 assi...

The Scarlet Knights won four of its final seven games in league play and take on Minnesota in the 11/14 second round matchup on Wednesday, March 11 at 9pm ET. This episode features thoughts on player development, historical highs and lows on offense and defense, previewing the matchup against the Gophers, a few points on how Rutgers needs to approach portal season and more. Also at the end thought...

The Scarlet Knights followed up two straight wins with two dreadful effort games in a 21 point loss at Minnesota and 7 point home loss to Washington. The defensive issues have been glaring all season. The lack of purpose on offense has been maddening as long two's continue to plague efficiency. As a whole, this Rutgers team lacks a true identity and hope is fading for any spirited finish to th...

The Scarlet Knights led wire to wire in Happy Valley to win its first B1G road win and earn its second straight victory. After jumping out to a 18-4 lead with disruptive defense, RU shot 56.6% from the floor in the game. In a season that's been disappointing, Steve Pikiell's team produced its best performance in league play so far. Opportunity continues at Minnesota on Saturday.#rutgersbas...

The Scarlet Knights snapped a seven-game losing streak behind a strong second half performance to beat the Terps on Sunday. Harun Zrno made a trio of shots from behind the arc, Kaden Powers hit some big shots and Tariq Francis was automatic from the foul line. With five winnable games remaining and Keli Zinn promising a competitive NIL budget moving forward, there is some actual hope for this prog...

A full discussion on the ever changing landscape of college athletics, the challenge for AD Keli Zinn and how she appears to be making progress, Greg Schiano still searching for a Defensive Coordinator, Steve Pikiell getting support despite longest losing streak in 8 years and why Rutgers must be really good in other areas in the NIL/transfer portal era.#rutgersfootball #rutgersbasketball

The Scarlet Knights were very close to a statement victory before letting it slip away down the stretch. Balanced offense and inspired first half defense along with great effort put RU in position to pull the massive upset. But a lack of execution and defensive consistency spelled doom as a four game losing streak has been mostly full of downs. A full review of the past few games, the few positive...

David Anderson and I discuss the offseason so far for Rutgers football. We ponder why Schiano is nearing February without a DC for a second consecutive year, the stability the offense brings, unprecedented support both with the administration and financially, why it's fair for fans to be concerned with the state of the program right now and how close things were to RU being in a more positive...

The Scarlet Knights earn a second OT win at home in a row as Tariq Francis shined once again, Darren Buchanan came up big and this team's toughness showed up down the stretch. A comeback victory that helped raise the floor of this season with plenty of questions remaining in regard to the team's ceiling.#rutgersbasketball

The Scarlet Knights overcame late game adversity to earn its first Big Ten win of the season. Tariq Francis was fantastic followed by many key contributions that led to an opportunistic defense and dominant shooting from the foul line. Overall, Steve Pikiell's team is getting tougher and playing more team basketball than earlier in the season. How much room for improvement remains?#rutgersbask...

The Scarlet Knights played with little effort or purpose as they suffered the worst loss in this rivalry in a decade. While Harun Zrno, Lino Mark and Kaden Powers showed something, the rest of the team failed miserably. 18 turnovers and abysmal defense along with a puzzling offensive strategy made this one of the worst losses in the Pikiell era. #rutgersbasketball

The Scarlet Knights got some positive performances but overall did not play well enough to ever seriously challenge the Boilermakers. A lack of tenacity on the boards and defense, too many mid-range shots once again, inability to finish at the rim and a rotation in flux all contributed to the defeat. #rutgersbasketball

With fan frustration at a high level with both Greg Schiano and Steve Pikiell, new Rutgers AD Keli Zinn has only one realistic choice in the present. Despite some fans calling for both coaches to be fired, the most realistic plan is to generate as much NIL and resources possible to put both coaches in the best position possible to succeed in 2026. At the same time, Zinn needs to build belief and c...

The Scarlet Knights had the ball with a lead midway through the fourth quarter but for the third time this season, they lost the game in Big Ten play. Another brutal defeat as Rutgers finishes 5-7 overall and misses a third straight bowl game. Heartbreak and frustration are episode highlights.#rutgersfootball

After staring 0-3 in Vegas in the face trailing by 6 at the break, Rutgers played the best it has all season with a dominant second halve against UNLV. It was a balanced performance with many contributors. I discuss the rotation and where it can evolve from here. RU attacked the glass, got to the line and converted, played together and with toughness. It was a positive development heading into the...

David Anderson and I preview the season ending showdown between Rutgers and Penn State. We discuss what the Scarlet Knights need to do to finally take down the Nittany Lions, the concerns with the PSU run game, what we hope the offensive game plan will be, the significance of what this win would represent as well as our favorite Thanksgiving pies and sides.#rutgersfootball

Topics include the offensive struggles from mid-range and why the strategy is flawed, the hope that Rutgers can build off its second half scrappiness against the Irish, Steve Pikiell's comment that sent the wrong message and why focusing on whether he's getting the most out of th team he has is the most important thing moving forward.#rutgersbasketball

There have been plenty of signs of concern before and during this season so far but it all came to a head in arguably the most embarrassing loss of the Steve Pikiell era. Rutgers was outhustled, exhibited no leadership or toughness in a performance that breeds zero hope for the rest of the season. My full analysis and big picture thoughts of why it's not okay where the program is today.#rutger...