Big Ten Offseason Evaluation Series: Rutgers Loses Veteran Guards, Returns Omoruyi

In our Big Ten Offseason Evaluation Series, we'll break down what each team lost and gained this offseason, then provide analysis on the team's outlook for the upcoming 2023-24 season. Next up, we'll discuss the Rutgers Scarlet Knights, a team that lost three starters but returns All-Big Ten forward Clifford Omoruyi.

Rutgers was in good shape for a third consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance last year under coach Steve Pikiell, which would have set a school record. But instead, the Scarlet Knights collapsed down the stretch, going 3-8 and finishing on the wrong side of the March Madness bubble.

All-Big Ten center Clifford Omoruyi is back, but Rutgers will have to replace three starters that played key roles on last year's team. 

In our Big Ten Offseason Evaluation Series, we'll break down what each team lost and gained this offseason, then provide analysis on the team's outlook for the upcoming 2023-24 season.

Next up, let's take a look at the Scarlet Knights. 

(rankings per On3 Industry Average)

What they lost

• Pro/no eligibility: G Caleb McConnell
• Transfer portal: G Cam Spencer (UConn), G Paul Mulcahy (Washington), F Oskar Palmquist (Elon), G Jalen Miller (Oral Roberts), F Dean Reiber (Charlotte),
• By the numbers: Rutgers lost three starters in McConnell, Spencer and Mulcahy. McConnell was a two-time Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year winner, and Spencer tied for the team lead in scoring at 13.2 points per game on 43.4 percent 3-point shooting. Mulcahy started 81 games across four seasons and was a key playmaker and defender. 

What they gained

• Transfer portal: G Noah Fernandes (UMass), C Emmanuel Ogbole (Monroe JUCO)
• Freshmen: G Gavin Griffiths (No. 43), G Jamichael Davis (No. 285)
• By the numbers: Fernandes averaged 13.6 points on 38.6 percent 3-point shooting across three seasons at UMass. Griffiths is the highest-ranked recruit in school history. 

Roster

• Clifford Omoruyi, 6-foot-11 senior center
• Aundre Hyatt, 6-foot-6 senior forward
• Mawot Mag, 6-foot-7 senior forward
• Noah Fernandes, 5-foot-11 senior guard
• Derek Simpson, 6-foot-3 sophomore guard
• Antwone Woolfolk, 6-foot-9 sophomore forward
• Antonio Chol, 6-foot-9 sophomore forward
• Emmanuel Ogbole, 6-foot-10 sophomore center
• Gavin Griffiths, 6-foot-7 freshman guard
• Jamichael Davis, 6-foot-2 freshman guard
• Scholarships available: 3

Rutgers Scarlet Knights center Clifford Omoruyi (11) battles to the basket against Penn State Nittany Lions forward Kebba Njie (3) during the second half at Jersey Mike's Arena / Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Biggest concerns

As it stands in mid-July, Rutgers has just 10 scholarship players. Few college basketball teams consistently play a 10-man rotation, but the currently-limited roster is a concern. It will be interesting to see if Pikiell can add a late-cycle transfer or freshman before the season rolls around. But either way, Rutgers has plenty of production to replace. Starting guards Cam Spencer, Caleb McConnell and Paul Mulcahy are gone, leaving serious questions about Rutgers' 3-point shooting production and perimeter defense. Starting forward Mawot Mag is recovering from a torn ACL suffered on Feb. 4, and Rutgers really fell apart after his injury, playing their way out of the NCAA Tournament with a 3-8 record to end the year. Pikiell built a strong defensive foundation over the past few years, and while Omoruyi is still there to anchor the interior defense, Rutgers will rely on a handful of unproven players for significant minutes. 

Reasons for optimism

With Trayce Jackson-Davis and Hunter Dickinson gone, Rutgers' big man Clifford Omoruyi has a chance to be the Big Ten's second-best forward/center, behind Purdue's Zach Edey. Last season, Omoruyi averaged 13.2 points, 9.6 rebounds and 2.1 blocker per game on his way to All-Big Ten and Big Ten All-Defensive honors. He finished second in the conference in blocked shots, behind Jackson-Davis, and his strong, 6-foot-11, 240-pound frame often overpowered defenders in the paint. Though he shot 4-for-22 from 3-point range, his willingness to step outside could be an intriguing step in his development, should he become more efficient. Sophomore guard Derek Simpson is a candidate for a breakout season after a strong finish to his freshman year. He scored 12-plus points in Rutgers' final four games, plus three additional double-digit scoring efforts in Big Ten play. Simpson shot just 21.7 percent from three as a freshman, but he has the tools to take a big step forward next year. Rutgers also brings in the highest-ranked recruit in program history, Gavin Griffiths, a 6-foot-7 guard with impressive 3-point shooting ability. And to help replace Rutgers' back court losses furthermore, transfer Noah Fernandes joins the Scarlet Knights after averaging 13.6 points on 38.6 percent 3-point shooting in three seasons at UMass.

The bottom line

Omoruyi's return means Rutgers will maintain some of the defensive identity it became known for over the years, but the Scarlet Knights will look quite different without McConnell and Mulcahy swarming the perimeter. If Simpson, Griffiths and Fernandes can reach their potential, Rutgers could sneak in the NCAA Tournament. But with depth and injury questions, I have the Scarlet Knights just outside the top half of the Big Ten entering 2023-24.

On Sunday, look forward to the final edition of our Big Ten Offseason Evaluation Series, featuring the Wisconsin Badgers.

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