Rutgers Set to Host Delaware State in Final Tune-Up Before Big Ten Gauntlet
PISCATAWAY, N.J. - Rutgers men’s basketball is riding high after a dramatic win over Penn, and now they’ve got one more non-conference hurdle before plunging into the heart of Big Ten play. On Monday night, the Scarlet Knights return to Jersey Mike’s Arena to host Delaware State, looking to sharpen things up ahead of a grueling 16-game conference stretch.
Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. with national coverage on Big Ten Network. Ed Cohen and Austin Johnson will be on the call.
Let’s start with the obvious - Rutgers is coming off a thriller. Their December 20 victory over Penn wasn’t just close, it was cardiac-inducing.
The Scarlet Knights edged out a 70-69 win thanks to a heroic performance from junior guard Tariq Francis. The NJIT transfer poured in a career-high 34 points, capped off by a cold-blooded three-pointer in the final seconds - his only triple of the night - to seal the deal.
Francis didn’t just shoot Rutgers to victory; he earned Big Ten Co-Player of the Week honors in the process. He went 15-for-19 from the free throw line, a mark that now stands as the third-most makes in a single game at Jersey Mike’s Arena in program history.
Only Eric Riggins (1985) and Tom Savage (1988) have hit more in a single outing. Francis is now shooting 84% from the stripe on the season (42-of-50), putting him in elite company under head coach Steve Pikiell.
Only two other players in Pikiell’s tenure - Cam Spencer (89.4% in 2022-23) and Lathan Sommerville (86.3% last season) - have finished a season north of 84%.
But it wasn’t just Francis making noise. Sophomore big man Bryce Dortch logged a career-high 25 minutes at center and made every second count.
He swatted away five shots - also a career-best - after entering the game with just nine career blocks across 23 appearances. His presence in the paint gave Rutgers a defensive edge they’ll need to lean on as the competition ramps up.
Scouting Delaware State
Delaware State, representing the MEAC, comes in with a 5-9 record and looking for a signature win. This will be their third matchup against a Power 4 opponent this season.
The first two? Not pretty - losses to Syracuse (83-43) and Miami (97-41).
But don’t let those scores fool you. Head coach Stan Waterman has steadily built this program over the past four seasons, including a 16-4 campaign last year that landed the Hornets third in the MEAC standings.
Sophomore forward Ponce James is the name to know. A Preseason All-MEAC selection, he’s averaging 13.7 points per game and ranks top-50 nationally in steals at 2.23 per contest.
He’s a two-way threat who can change a game with his hands on defense and his touch on offense. Veteran guard Corey Perkins, now in his fifth season, adds experience and versatility.
Earlier this year, he notched a triple-double against Navy and currently averages 8.0 points per game with 313 career assists to his name.
History on Rutgers’ Side
This isn’t the first time Rutgers and Delaware State have met. The Scarlet Knights are 4-0 all-time in the series, with all games played in Piscataway between 1997 and 2008.
The most recent matchup was a 60-55 win in 2008. Back in 2005, it was a freshman JR Inman who led the charge with 21 points in a 49-42 win during the South Padre Island Invitational.
What’s Next for Rutgers
After Monday’s non-conference finale, it’s all Big Ten from here. Rutgers enters the matchup with a 6-4 record outside the league and an 0-2 mark in early conference play, having already faced top-tier competition in then-No.
1 Purdue and No. 2 Michigan.
The road ahead doesn’t get any easier, but the Scarlet Knights will at least get to ease into the next phase at home. They’ll host Ohio State on January 2 and Oregon on January 5 to kick off the second leg of the season.
For Rutgers, Monday night is more than just a game - it’s a chance to fine-tune rotations, build momentum, and keep players like Francis and Dortch trending upward. The Big Ten is a grind, and every rep counts.