Steve Pikiell has built Rutgers into a perennial contender for the NCAA Tournament. The Scarlet Knights have advanced to March Madness in two of the last four years and hope to return in 2025 thanks to the additions of five-star freshmen Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey. I caught with Pikiell on Wednesday in Piscataway to discuss last season’s frustrations, Rutgers’ stellar recruiting class, and much more.
Jon Rothstein: What was it like watching the NCAA Tournament the past few years after you got a taste of March Madness in 2021 and 2022?
Steve Pikiell: It’s always tough. That’s your goal at the beginning of the year and it’s always your goal. It didn’t go our way last year — we had a lot of injuries and a lot of different stuff went on in the summer prior with some tough defections in the portal. We move on quickly though. This is our team and in today’s landscape of college athletics you better look forward and not backwards.
Rothstein: All coaches are excited at this time of year, but where would you rank the excitement that you have for this particular team compared to others that you’ve had in your coaching career?
Pikiell: It’s an exciting year. Rutgers is always an exciting place — you can’t get a ticket. The young kids that we brought have brought great energy, but I really like what we’ve done in the portal and I like the improvements of the returning guys. It’s exciting times here in Piscataway.
Rothstein: What are the biggest things that are going to surprise people about your two five-star freshmen — Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey?
Pikiell: Passing. They’re elite passers. They’re terrific teammates — guys like playing with them. They’re talented physically, but their IQ and their passing ability is going to set them apart.
Rothstein: Which of your returning guys made the biggest jump?
Pikiell: Jamichael Davis came back an improved guard in every area. Emmanuel (Ogbole) is huge and runs the floor. Jeremiah (Williams) — we didn’t have him for a full season last year. We only had him for a few games and he wasn’t in game shape. He can be a great leader for us. All three of those guys have really improved and we’re excited for the opportunity for them to have great years.
Rothstein: The Big Ten will add UCLA, USC, Oregon, and Washington this season. What’s it going to be like coaching in a coast-to-coast league?
Pikiell: We’ve added four great teams to an already great league and four great coaches, too. Huge fan bases — tough places to go on the road and play. A really challenging league got even more challenging. Coaches won’t sleep a lot in this league, that’s for sure.
