Rutgers basketball falls to Villanova in scrimmage | Takeaways

PISCATAWAY – After an offseason of change for Rutgers basketball, both for the roster and the coaching staff, the Scarlet Knights had their first chance to test themselves against a real opponent.

And with just less than a month until the season begins, they have plenty to work on.

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Rutgers lost 77-75 to Villanova in a scrimmage at Jersey Mike’s Arena on Sunday, Oct. 11, the first of two preseason tests the Scarlet Knights will have.

Their next scrimmage will be Oct. 18 against St. John’s at Madison Square Garden.

The Scarlet Knights were led by associate head coach Brandin Knight, who’s filling in for head coach Steve Pikiell as he undergoes treatment for cancer.

Rutgers men’s basketball associate head coach Brandin Knight coaches during the Scarlet Knights’ scrimmage against Villanova at Jersey Mike’s Arena in Piscataway, N.J. on Sunday, Oct. 11.

Knight deployed a starting five that consisted of Jamichael Davis, Lino Mark, Darin Smith Jr., Darren Buchanan and Christian Gurdak – Smith (Central Connecticut State) and Gurdak (Virginia Tech) are both transfers.

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Rutgers shot 40.0 percent from the field, and struggled badly from the perimeter, shooting just 4-of-17.

Villanova opened up a 13-point lead early in the second half, but the Scarlet Knights fought back and cut it to four with just less than a minute left when Mark drained an off-balanced three-pointer – Mark drew the foul but missed the free throw.

Mark delivered again for Rutgers about 30 seconds later, hitting a three from the left corner that made it a one-point game.

Following a Scarlet Knights timeout, Mark had a chance to give Rutgers the lead but missed the layup and Villanova secured the rebound. The Scarlet Knights had to foul and Elijah Crawford hit a free throw to put the Wildcats up by two.

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Mark’s desperation heave at the buzzer just missed.

Here are more takeaways from the scrimmage:

No Tariq Francis

Rutgers was without Tariq Francis, who was the Scarlet Knights’ leading…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/rutgers-basketball-falls-villanova-scrimmage-191015251.html

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Publish date : 2026-10-11 19:10:00

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