(Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
Head Coach: Fred Hill; 32-60 in 3 years
Previous Season : 11-21 overall; 2-16 Big East (15th)
Departures : G Anthony Farmer, G Corey Chandler, G Earl Pettis, G/F Jaron Griffin, F JR Inman, F Christian Morris
Additions : G James Beatty, G Muhamed Hasani, F Jonathan Mitchell, F Dane Miller, F Austin Johnson, C Brian Okum
Rutgers has struggled to win since Quincy Douby left school early after the 2006-07 season to pursue a career in the NBA.
But the Scarlet Knights might have finally found another star in Mike Rosario as he led the team in scoring as a freshman.
Last year, Rutgers was inconsistent early in the season as it lost to teams such as Saint Bonaventure, Lehigh, and Binghamton. A 9-4 start turned sour quickly when consecutive losses to North Carolina, Pittsburgh, and Connecticut marked the beginning of a nine game losing streak.
DePaul and South Florida were the only Big East teams the Scarlet Knights were able to defeat all season long.
Projected Starting Lineup
PG James Beatty , 6'2,'' 195 lbs, Jr.
Fred Hill has been searching for a true point guard since being named the head coach, and he finally has one.
Beatty averaged 13.4 points and 7.9 assists for a Miami-Dade Junior College team that had a 26-3 season. As a high school senior, he was named the North Carolina 4A State Player of the Year.
Beatty's arrival could not come at a better time since combo guard Corey Chandler was dismissed in August for violating athletic department policy. The depth at guard was further thinned when Earl Pettis decided to transfer to LaSalle.
Beatty should be able to add creativity to an offense that often has difficulty scoring.
SG Mike Rosario , 6'3," 190 lbs, So. (16.2 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 1.1 SPG, 39 FG%, 84 FT%)
Rosario was the first McDonald's All-American to attend Rutgers.
He proved the honor was no mistake as he set a freshman scoring record at Rutgers with 517 points. Rosario led the team in 3-point baskets and free-throw shooting percentage.
He worked on his game this summer by playing on Puerto Rico's Under-19 team. Going into the season, Rosario needs to improve his ball handling as he dished out 45 assists while committing 94 turnovers last year.
SF Patrick Jackson , 6'6", 210 lbs So. (0.6 PPG, 0.6 RPG, 7 FG%, 80 FT%)
Coach Hill needed to see enormous improvement out of Jackson after a sub-par freshman year. Jackson did not disappoint on the team's trip to Spain during the off-season.
He led the team in scoring during the four-game trip with nearly 14 points per game. He also displayed a willingness to battle inside by averaging 7.3 rebounds per game.
Based on the numbers he posted in Europe, Jackson is now expected to emerge as one of the most improved players in the Big East.
PF Gregory Echenique , 6'9," 265 lbs, So. (8.4 PPG, 8.4 RPG, 2.4 BPG, 51 FG%, 67 FT%)
Last season, Echenique set the school's freshman rebounding record. His 78 blocks placed him second in school history for rejections for a freshman.
Following a similar path as Rosario, Echenique played for Venezuela's Under-19 team this past summer. The coaching staff is looking for the burly Echenique to average a double-double this year.
C Hamady Ndiaye , 6'11," 235 lbs, Sr. (5.6 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 2.2 BPG, 59 FG%, 65 FT%)
Despite playing most of the season with back problems, Ndiaye continued to be a defensive presence for Rutgers. Although still limited offensively, Ndiaye proves invaluable with his rebounding and shot-blocking ability.
With Echenique helping inside, Ndiaye can take less chances defensively and stay on the floor for longer periods without fouling out.
Projected Contributors
G Mike Coburn , 6'0," 185 lbs, Jr. (4.0 PPG, 2.1 APG, 1.6 RPG, 40 FG%, 68 FT%)
Coburn is a valuable player off the bench with the ability to play either guard position. He also provides leadership on a team lacking experience.
Coburn needs to keep his turnovers low and increase his shooting range to aid in the improvement of the Scarlet Knights.
G Muhamed Hasani , 6'3", 190 lbs, Fr.
Hasani was offered a scholarship without ever being seen by Coach Hill on the recommendation of Tim O'Shea, the head coach of Bryant.
In 2007, Hasani was recognized by the Basketball Federation of Kosovo as its best player under the age of 21.
Still only 20 years old, Hasani has lots of international experience and will provide Rutgers with another option at point guard.
F Austin Johnson
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