Like Rodney Dangerfield, Rutgers basketball don’t get no respect, no respect at all.
Returning four of five starters and with some solid additions via the transfer portal, Rutgers was picked to finish eighth in the preseason Big Ten poll.
This despite an NCAA Tournament appearance last year, a win over Clemson in the tournament’s first round, and a narrow loss in the next round to Houston, who made it to the Final Four.
Rutgers went 20-11 last season and 11-9 in the Big Ten. They finished tied for fourth place in the conference.
The preseason poll saw Michigan receive the most votes followed by Purdue and Illinois. All three programs received votes in the poll:
1. Michigan, 373 (13)
2. Purdue, 373 (12)
3. Illinois, 320 (3)
4. Ohio State, 316
5. Maryland, 269
6. Michigan State, 262
7. Indiana, 219
8. Rutgers, 208
9. Iowa, 150
10. Wisconsin, 149
11. Nebraska, 105
T-12. Northwestern, 81
T-12. Penn State, 81
14. Minnesota, 34
Illinois center Kofi Cockburn was named the preseason player of the year for the Big Ten.