As of September 21, 2026, New Jersey's Division 1 college basketball teams have not participated in the March Madness tournament for the last two years, marking a significant period of disappointment for the state. Rutgers University is grappling with concerns about its defensive capabilities and the health of head coach Steve Pikiell, who recently underwent surgery for a cancerous tumor. Seton Hall is looking to improve its three-point shooting after a lackluster season and integrate numerous new players into the lineup. Meanwhile, mid-major teams like Princeton and Monmouth are focusing on retaining key players while reshuffling their rosters.
Read More
Rutgers faces pressing questions as it heads into the new season. One major area of concern is the level of involvement from Pikiell, whose future presence could be complex due to ongoing chemotherapy treatment. The team has added Christian Gurdak, a 6-foot-10 center from Virginia Tech, to address last year's weaknesses in the middle. The distribution of roles in the backcourt is another focal point; senior guard Tariq Francis, who earned All-Big Ten honorable mention, and rising point guard Lino Mark are critical to the Scarlet Knights' success. Additionally, the performance of new international players, particularly Mervedi Miteo and Diego Garavaglia, will be vital.
Seton Hall has its set of challenges, beginning with the search for a reliable point guard, with Radford transfer Del Jones currently in the lead. The team also aims to boost its three-point shooting after ranking low in national stats last season; they have brought in shooters from the transfer portal, including Kareem Thomas from Dartmouth. Devin Williams, transferred from Florida Atlantic, is expected to make a significant impact at the power forward position, while maintaining a robust defense will be crucial.
The mid-major programs will also have critical questions to address. Princeton, coming off a challenging season, retains its top six players, which could be advantageous in maintaining team cohesion. Monmouth is eager to build on last year's success despite losing four starters, relying on players like Stefanos Spartalis. NJIT hopes to see a strong impact from freshman Victor Vanderstraeten after a solid recruitment phase.
Saint Peter's and Fairleigh Dickinson will look to their returning guards, while Rider aims to bounce back after a dismal season despite significant roster turnover, a reflection of the university's financial difficulties.
In summary, all eight New Jersey Division 1 programs have key questions and challenges to navigate as they approach the upcoming season.