PISCATAWAY – There is one month left in Rutgers basketball season, and although the Scarlet Knights’ postseason hopes went out the window long ago – Saturday’s 80-68 loss to ninth-ranked Nebraska was their seventh straight – the final seven regular-season games are far from meaningless.
This is the last chance for the current Scarlet Knights to show they belong here when Steve Pikiell pushes the reset button with an expected infusion of roster-budget capital thanks to first-year athletics director Keli Zinn.
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Who is playing hard? Who is improving? Who is following the game plan? Who is mailing it in?
That’s what to look for as the schedule gets notably easier with two games apiece against Big Ten bottom-feeders Maryland and Penn State and a home game against underachieving Washington.
Feb 7, 2026; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers guard Cale Jacobsen (31) drives to the basket against Rutgers Scarlet Knights guard Kaden Powers (3) during the first half at Jersey Mike’s Arena. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Right now, there are three guys who stand out. Of course, their asking prices will be crucial to the retention process.
Tariq Francis: The junior guard has been asked to do too much, obviously, but he’s proven his chops at the Big Ten level, averaging 16.5 points while shooting 44 percent from the field and 89 percent from the free-throw line. What can he do with a playmaker to service him and a center to keep a defense honest?
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Kaden Powers: The freshman guard possesses a pure stroke, has scored in bunches and is pretty good passer. He also has a moxie that you can’t teach. His 18-point first half at UCLA was a glimpse of his high ceiling.
Powers tallied 14 points on 6-of-11 shooting against the Cornhuskers. He’s averaging 6.9 points in 15 minutes per game.
Darren Buchanan: The junior wing is versatile, a capable defender and has proven coachable – he’s gotten better and leveled up to the competition as the season’s progressed. A good team would have room for a Swiss army knife.
It’s worth noting that Nebraska outscored Rutgers 13-4 when Buchanan was in the locker room after taking a first-half hit to the groin.
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Beyond that, the Scarlet Knights’ 2026-27 roster should be up for grabs. If other guys play their way on over the next seven games, or are willing to stay in an appropriate role for the right price, so be it. Those are calls Steve Pikiell and new general manager Rob Sullivan will have to make. And that’s something they’ll be looking hard at over the season’s final four weeks.
FIVE TAKEAWAYS
1-Tariq Francis back in the starting five
For the first time in nearly two months, Francis returned to the starting lineup. Pikiell went small and center-less, with Emmanuel Ogbole on the bench. Rutgers played pretty well out of the gate and trailed 24-20 before the Huskers seized control. Francis finished with 16 points on 6-of-16 shooting and handed out five assists.
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2. Dylan Grant benched
The sophomore forward started the game but began the second half on the bench after going scoreless and getting torched defensively in the first half. The 6-foot-8, 220-pounder finished with seven points and two rebounds. He had one rebound in Tuesday’s loss at UCLA.
3. Overmatched inside – again
Nebraska’s 6-foot-10 center Rienk Mast outscored Rutgers’ two centers 26-2 as the Huskers outscored the host 36-20 in the paint. Center will obviously be priority No. 1 for Rutgers once free agency begins.
4. Losing streak
The seven straight losses matches is the program’s longest skid since 2017-18, Pikiell’s second season at the helm. The Scarlet Knights also lost seven straight in Pikiell’s first campaign, 2016-17.
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5. Knights of Honor induction on tap
After a much-needed bye week, Rutgers will recognize Roy Hinson, John Battle and Kelvin Troy as the second class in the program’s Knights of Honor during the Feb. 15 contest against Maryland. They join Eddie Jordan, Mike Dabney and Hollis Copeland in gaining the honor – having their jerseys elevated to the RAC’s rafters without taking their uniform numbers out of circulation.
Jerry Carino has covered the New Jersey sports scene since 1996 and the college basketball beat since 2003. Contact him at jcarino@gannettnj.com.
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: As Rutgers basketball drops 7th straight, a look at who should stay
