The upcoming 2026‑27 men’s basketball season is taking shape for Rutgers, with the university announcing its non‑conference slate that will see the Scarlet Knights open against Bryant on November 16 and later face Army at a date to be determined.
Opponent Profiles
Bryant enters the schedule after a 9‑22 overall record and a 5‑11 finish in the American East Conference. The Bulldogs have met Rutgers four times, and the Scarlet Knights hold a perfect 4‑0 record, the most recent victory coming in 2023.
Army, by contrast, posted an 11‑21 record last season, going 5‑13 in Patriot League play. The Black Knights’ only previous meeting with Rutgers dates back to 2013, when the Scarlet Knights edged a 75‑72 win, adding a historical edge to the upcoming matchup.
Rising sophomore Timofei Rudovskii will be a key figure to watch. He paced Bryant with 12.9 points per game last season, and his development could provide the spark the Scarlet Knights need as they test early non‑conference opponents.
Both games serve as more than schedule fillers; they are barometers for a Rutgers team eager to translate early results into momentum for its Big Ten campaign. The matchups also reflect the broader dynamics of mid‑major programs navigating an evolving collegiate basketball landscape.