With the Rutgers Men’s Basketball season tipping off next week, we decided it was time to do a deep dive on the entire roster. This article is the second part of a two-part series. Click here for part one
of the series, where we analyze each new player in the program, including transfers and freshmen. This article will focus on the returning players from last year’s team.
Junior Jamicheal Davis will likely be in contention with freshman Lino Mark for the starting point guard position on the team. The 6-foot-2, 180-pounder has been in Pikiell’s system the longest out of any of the guards and will likely get the nod to coordinate the on-court play. In his sophomore season, Davis averaged 4.6 points, 1.5 rebounds, and 1.7 assists in 17.9 minutes on the court. His three-point and free-throw shooting improved last year, as he hit 33.3% from three and 65.1% from the line, complementing his 37.1% shooting from the field. It should be noted that his average playing time last season decreased from the previous season due to Dylan Harper. Now Davis will be expected to take a much bigger role on the team in his third year.
Center Emmanuel Ogbole is the de facto elder statesman on the team, as he is the only senior on the team. Last season, Ogbole appeared in 23 games, averaging 13.2 minutes on the floor. During that time, he averaged 3.1 points and 3.7 rebounds on 58.7% shooting. He hit 56.7% of his free throws and did not attempt a single three-pointer all season. He will compete with transfer Center Baye Fall for the starting job. Ogbole needs to show more variety and all-around improvement in his game this season. Last season, he struggled to contribute anywhere besides right underneath the basket and lacked a lot of the finer skills that a top “Big Man” in this league has. Since he will be in contention for the starting Center role this season, his development will have to show quickly, or else the Knights will continue to have the same issues they had last season.
Sophomore Dylan Grant has the opportunity to shine in an increased role this season. The 6-foot-8, 220-pound forward has already evolved into a locker room leader and will look to be a team leader in production on the court as well. During his freshman season, he showed flashes of his true talent, piling up 12,15, and 19 point performances against Minnesota, Nebraska, and Maryland. Grant played in 21 games as a freshman and started 16 of them. In those games, he averaged 18.8 minutes on the floor, 5.9 points, and 3.4 rebounds. He shot 44.5% from the field, 23.3% from three, and 57.1% from the charity stripe. His three-point shooting will have to show improvement to make him a truly effective member of this team, and it will be interesting to see how he adjusts to playing a majority of the game.
After seeing very little playing time in his freshman season despite burning his redshirt, sophomore Bryce Dortch is another intriguing returner for the Knights this season. The 6-foot-9, 210-pound forward appeared in a total of 12 games last season, but only recorded 77 minutes on the floor. In those 77 minutes, he averaged 1.1 points per game and 1.2 rebounds per game. He went 5 of 7 in shooting from the field and did not attempt a three-pointer. The high point of his season came against USC in the regular season, where he put up 9 points. Rutgers needs to get more out of his offensive game, especially as he will likely take on a much bigger role this season.
The last carry-over player from last year’s team is walk-on sophomore Max Fradkin. He appeared in two games last season and played a total of two minutes. He recorded 1 steal and 1 shot attempt. Barring anything out of the ordinary, he will likely have a similar stat line this season.
