The 2024-25 season has come to a close, and with it, the disappointment for Rutgers basketball fans continues. The Scarlet Knights, who were once ranked 25th at the start of the season, finished with a lackluster record of 15-17. On Sunday, March 16, 2025, the program announced they will not participate in any postseason tournaments, including the newly established College Basketball Crown and the NIT.
The decision to forego participation follows their recent performance, where they suffered a 97-89 loss to USC, the 14-seed, during the opening round of the Big Ten Tournament. This defeat marked the end of what many are calling one of the most disappointing seasons in the program’s history.
Rutgers was not expected to receive at-large bids to either tournament. While the College Basketball Crown promises to feature teams from major conferences such as the Big Ten, Big 12, and Big East, Rutgers was left out of the conversation. This year’s Crown is set to take place from March 31 to April 6, 2025, at venues around Las Vegas.
Head coach Steve Pikiell emphasized the importance of allowing players to have agency over their postseason opportunities. After discussions with the team, the decision was made unanimously to decline the invitation. The official statement from Rutgers thanked players and staff for their dedication throughout the season: “We would like to thank our players and staff for their hard work this year and our fans for their continued support.”
With the current season concluded, the Scarlet Knights are already beginning to look toward rebuilding for next year. Freshmen stars Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey have their eyes set on the upcoming NBA Draft, where both are projected to be top-5 picks. Together, they have averaged impressive statistics, including 37 points and nearly 12 rebounds per game, but the rest of the team failed to reach similar heights.
Meanwhile, Rutgers will be active on the recruitment front as they anticipate seeking new talent and strategizing on who to retain. The impending transfer portal opening on March 24 will provide them with ample opportunity to make changes to their roster. Coach Pikiell will need to analyze how best to structure the team going forward, particularly with standout prospects Lathan Sommerville, Dylan Grant, and Bryce Dortch ready to step up.
Across the nation, other schools grappled with similar outcomes. Cincinnati Bearcats, for example, were also not selected for the NCAA Tournament, but are expected to head to the College Basketball Crown. The Big 12 plans to send teams like Cincinnati and West Virginia, aligning schools based on NCAA.NET rankings. This dynamic approach places pressure on participating teams to adhere to their commitments to play at the Crown instead of opting for traditional tournaments like the NIT.
With only one week to go until the transfer portal officially opens, both coaches and athletes are preparing for significant changes both within and outside their respective conferences. With the financial incentives of the Crown tournament, players may look to capitalize on this timely opportunity. The new structure has stirred discussions among fans and analysts alike, who now watch with bated breath as schools navigate these challenging waters.
Even schools like Indiana, led by coach Mike Woodson, will not be attending any postseason tournaments after finishing their season with just 19 wins across the last two years. They were considered one of the last teams left out of the NCAA Tournament, creating additional scrutiny on their previous seasons’ performances.
These recent developments only add weight to the narrative surrounding struggling programs attempting to rebound. For universities across the country, this offseason promises to be pivotal as teams contend with the realities of recruitment, roster changes, and the shifting dynamics of college basketball competition. It’s clear the sport is on the verge of transformation, and programs like Rutgers must navigate these changes artfully to restore their competitive edge.
Overall, as the NCAA Tournament approaches, questions surround the efficacy and impact of new tournaments such as the College Basketball Crown, even as traditional competitions like the NIT face grim outcomes. With decisions made and season summaries tallied, coaches, players, and fans will be left reflecting on seasons just concluded and the prospect of what’s to come.