Rutgers Returns Home to Face Penn in Final Stretch of Non-Conference Play
PISCATAWAY, N.J. - After a tough in-state battle in the Garden State Hardwood Classic, Rutgers is back on home court this Saturday night, hosting Penn at Jersey Mike’s Arena. Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. ET on Big Ten Network, with Joe Malfa and Austin Johnson on the call.
This matchup against the Quakers marks the second half of a Rutgers basketball doubleheader, with the women’s team taking on Lafayette earlier in the day. Sandwiched between the two games is the return of the Rutgers Winter Village, a festive pregame event featuring holiday-themed activities - a family-friendly atmosphere that’s become a staple of the December home slate.
Scarlet Knights Look to Build Momentum at Home
Rutgers enters this one looking to regroup and reassert itself at home. The Scarlet Knights are 4-2 at Jersey Mike’s Arena this season and have gone 15-6 in the building over the past two years.
Saturday night’s contest kicks off a critical four-game homestand that spans 16 days, including matchups with Penn (Dec. 20), Delaware State (Dec.
29), Ohio State (Jan. 2), and Oregon (Jan. 5).
This stretch represents a pivotal opportunity for Rutgers to build rhythm and momentum heading into the heart of Big Ten play.
Who’s Stepping Up for Rutgers?
Dylan Grant continues to be the engine for this Rutgers squad, leading the team with 14.5 points per game. He’s been a steady presence offensively, and his ability to create his own shot has been crucial for a team still finding its identity on that end of the floor.
Emmanuel Ogbole is doing the dirty work inside, pulling down 6.9 rebounds per game. He’s been especially active on the offensive glass, averaging 2.82 offensive boards per contest - good for sixth in the Big Ten.
That second-chance hustle has helped Rutgers stay competitive in tight games. Grant isn’t far behind on the glass, grabbing 6.2 rebounds per game himself.
Freshman Harun Zrno is starting to heat up. He’s scored 13 or more in three straight games and is averaging 9.7 points over his last six.
What’s really stood out is his efficiency - he’s shooting 14-of-26 from the field during that span, including 9-of-19 from beyond the arc. His 17 made threes lead the team, and he’s quickly becoming a go-to perimeter threat.
Another freshman, Lino Mark, had a breakout moment against Seton Hall, scoring 10 points in 19 minutes. It was his first time hitting double figures, and it’s a sign that the Scarlet Knights’ young core is starting to find its footing.
Scouting the Quakers
Penn comes into this matchup after a 12-day layoff for exams, last playing on December 8 against Lafayette. The Quakers are 6-4 overall, with wins over Rowan, St.
Joe’s, Drexel, Merrimack, La Salle, and Lafayette. Their four losses - to Villanova, Hofstra, Providence, and American - include three double-digit defeats, so consistency has been a challenge.
The Quakers are now led by Fran McCaffery, in his first year at the helm after a long stint in the Big Ten with Iowa. McCaffery is no stranger to Rutgers - his Hawkeyes faced the Scarlet Knights 14 times between 2014 and 2025, winning 11 of those matchups, including seven of the last eight. Now back at his alma mater, McCaffery brings a familiar face and a competitive edge to this Ivy League squad.
Ethan Roberts leads Penn in scoring at 18.0 points per game, though he missed the last outing against Lafayette after suffering an injury versus Villanova. TJ Power has been a strong two-way presence, averaging 15.0 points and 7.6 rebounds. Penn’s offense has been efficient - all seven of its top scorers are shooting at least 40% from the field, and the team as a whole is hitting 40.1% from deep, which ranks 13th nationally.
That perimeter shooting will be a key test for Rutgers’ defense, which has shown flashes of lockdown potential but will need to close out hard against a team that can light it up from three.
A Long Time Coming
This will be the 24th all-time meeting between Rutgers and Penn - but the first since 1975. That last matchup came during Rutgers’ legendary 1975-76 undefeated regular season, with RU taking a 95-80 win on December 11, 1975.
Historically, the series has belonged to Penn. The Quakers won the first 10 meetings between 1914 and 1958 and 16 of the first 17 through 1965. Rutgers’ four wins over Penn came in 1959, 1966, 1968, and that 1975 matchup.
So yes, it’s been a while.
What’s Next
After Saturday, Rutgers gets a nine-day break before returning to action on December 29 against Delaware State. That tips off a three-game-in-eight-days stretch, with Big Ten play ramping up fast. Ohio State visits on January 2, followed by a marquee matchup with Oregon on January 5.
But first, it’s Penn - a chance to sharpen up, defend home court, and set the tone for the critical weeks ahead.