Rutgers men’s basketball enters the 2026-27 season with plenty of questions to answer, but there are reasons for optimism as the Scarlet Knights prepare for another challenging Big Ten campaign.
The roster features a returning backcourt led by Tariq Francis and Jamichael Davis, alongside a mix of transfers, international additions, and young players looking to establish themselves. With several new faces joining the program, how quickly the pieces come together could determine Rutgers’ ceiling this
season.
Here’s a position-by-position breakdown of the Scarlet Knights’ roster, including the biggest strengths, questions, and players to watch.
Backcourt: Experience Leads the Way
Key players: Tariq Francis, Jamichael Davis, Lino Mark, RaSheed Jones, Kaden Powers, Imahri Wooten
Rutgers’ backcourt is arguably its most established position group heading into the season.
Francis returns as the team’s primary scoring threat after averaging 17 points per game last season. The guard has already demonstrated his ability to carry the offense, and Rutgers will need him to remain a consistent scoring option against the Big Ten’s top defenses
Davis provides a different kind of value. Entering his fourth season with the program, he brings familiarity with the system, leadership, and experience. He averaged 7.5 points per game last season while shooting 40.2% from the field. His ability to help direct the offense and contribute without needing the ball on every possession will be important.
Lino Mark gives Rutgers another potential playmaker after showing improvement on the back end of last year, while sophomore Kaden Powers and freshman Imahri Wooten provide additional depth at the guard roles.
RaSheed Jones, who arrives after playing college basketball at multiple stops, adds another experienced option to the rotation. The 6’ 6” guard averaged 14.8 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.0 steals per game for Coastal Carolina, starting every game and logging 36.3 minutes per night. He brings strong shooting at 37% from three-point range, while shooting 80.7% at the free-throw line.
The biggest question is how Rutgers distributes its backcourt minutes. Francis is an established scorer, but the Scarlet Knights will need consistent contributions from their other guards to avoid becoming too dependent on one player.
Outlook: The combination of experience, scoring, and depth gives Rutgers a foundation to build around. If the supporting cast develops alongside Francis, the backcourt could be a strength.
Wings and Forwards: Finding the Right Combinations
Key players: Darren Buchanan Jr., Darin Smith Jr., Will Sydnor, Martin Tonejc, Diego Garavaglia, Mervedi Miteo
The wing and forward positions offer Rutgers versatility, but there are questions about how the different pieces will fit together.
Darren Buchanan Jr. returns as one of the team’s experienced contributors. At 6-foot-7, he offers positional size and the ability to contribute on the perimeter. He averaged 8.1 points per game last season, and Rutgers will need him to build on that production.
Darin Smith Jr. provides another scoring option after transferring from Central Connecticut State. After he dropped 21 points in a win over the Scarlet Knights, Smith Jr. was the NEC Player of the Year last season, having multiple 30-plus point performances and several double-doubles. His continued development could help Rutgers maintain its offensive production when the starters need a break.
The newcomers make this group particularly interesting. Martin Tonejc arrives from Slovenia with international experience, while Diego Garavaglia brings experience playing in Europe. Both could provide versatility, although their adjustment to college basketball and the Big Ten will be worth watching.
Will Sydnor, who previously played at Manhattan, gives Rutgers another forward option, while 17-year-old Mervedi Miteo adds a young player to the mix.
The challenge for this group will be finding consistency. The group seems to have a few capable pieces, but no one really jumps off the page as a stellar option. Rutgers needs its wings to defend multiple positions, rebound, and provide reliable perimeter shooting. If several players can handle those responsibilities, the Scarlet Knights should have more flexibility with their lineups.
Outlook: There is potential for versatility here, but this group has something to prove. Rutgers will need its returning players to take another step while its newcomers adjust to the competition.
Frontcourt: Can Rutgers Find Consistency Inside?
Key players: Christian Gurdak, Gevonte Ware, Dorin Buca
The frontcourt could be one of the most important position groups for Rutgers this season.
Christian Gurdak returns after arriving from Virginia Tech, where he averaged 5.6 points and 4.4 rebounds per game as a freshman. He shot an impressive 63.2% from the field, giving Rutgers a productive interior option who can finish around the basket.
His performance against St. John’s in Rutgers’ exhibition at Madison Square Garden offered an encouraging early glimpse of his potential. Gurdak finished with 20 points and 15 rebounds in the four-overtime contest, showing that he can contribute on both ends of the floor. This has been something that the Scarlet Knights have been missing for years.
Gevonte Ware offers another option at center, bringing size and physicality to the rotation. Dorin Buca, a 7-foot-2 center who previously played at Kansas State, adds even more size and another player who could compete for minutes inside.
The question is whether Rutgers can get consistent production from this group against the size and physicality it will encounter throughout the Big Ten. Rebounding, rim protection, and avoiding foul trouble will all be critical.
If Gurdak can build on his encouraging performances and the other centers provide dependable minutes, Rutgers should have options to match up with different frontcourts.
Outlook: Gurdak has the potential to be an important contributor, but the overall success of this group will depend on how reliably Rutgers can defend the paint and control the boards.
Final Verdict
Rutgers has a backcourt with experience, a group of wings that offers different lineup possibilities, and several options in the frontcourt. That gives the Scarlet Knights pieces to work with, but the roster’s potential will depend on how well those pieces come together.
Francis remains the central figure offensively, while Davis’ experience could prove valuable as Rutgers navigates its schedule. Gurdak is another player worth watching after his encouraging exhibition performance, and the development of the newcomers could determine how much depth the team ultimately has.
There are legitimate questions about consistency, frontcourt production, and how the rotation will settle. Those questions will not be answered by preseason projections alone.
For Rutgers, the objective is straightforward: turn individual talent into a cohesive team capable of competing night after night in the Big Ten. If the supporting cast develops and the newcomers find their footing, the Scarlet Knights could be more competitive than their roster questions might initially suggest.
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