Rutgers men’s basketball will open their 2023-24 campaign tonight with an in-state matchup against Princeton. Rutgers will travel to Trenton to face the Tigers at Cure Insurance Arena, a neutral site that separates Rutgers (40 miles) and Princeton (12 miles) from the proposed location.
The Scarlet Knights are coming off a 19-win season and an invitation to the National Invitational Tournament. Last season, the Scarlet Knights finished the 2022-23 season with a record of 19-15 (10-10 Big Ten) and are returning nine players from last year’s roster. Out of nine returning players, four of them started at least five games last season (Cliff Omoruyi, Aundre Hyatt, Mawot Mag, and Derek Simpson).
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It’s FINALLY Gameday!
It’s time to kickoff 2023-24 with the Jersey Jam.
🏀: Princeton
🏟️: Cure Insurance Arena
🕕: 7 PM
📺: @peacock
📻: @wcbs880 #TheKnighthood🛡⚔️ pic.twitter.com/9wVHjD5yxy— Rutgers Men’s Basketball 🏀 (@RutgersMBB) November 6, 2023
As the Scarlet Knights’ season tips off tonight, Rutgers will be anchored by former First Team All-Big Ten Defensive center Cliff Omoruyi. Rutgers senior center led the team in scoring (13.2 ppg), rebounds (9.6 RPG), and blocks (72) last season. For his efforts last season, Omoruyi was selected Second Team All-Big Ten and First Team All-MET.
As for Princeton, the Tigers finished their 2022-23 season with a 23-9 (10-4 Ivy League) and the No. 1 spot in the Ivy League standings. The Tigers are anchored by returning senior guard Matt Allocco. Last season, Allocco ranked third on the team and 20th in the Ivy League in points-per-game (10.7). Also, the Hilliard, Ohio, native ranked second on the team and 18th in his conference for assists per game (2.2). In 32 games last season, Allocco averaged 1.4 three-pointers per game, which ranked him 17th in the conference.
The season opener will tip off at 7 p.m., streaming on Peacock.