Rutgers Scarlet Knights Paul Mulcahy (4) next to Cam Spencer (10) - Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images
There will be a new look for the 2024 Big Ten conference across all sports. Regarding Basketball, the Rutgers Scarlet Knights are projected to have a strong team by then. Now they will be competing against more Big Ten teams than ever before. Here is a look at how this expansion may affect the Rutgers Scarlet Knights.
The 2024 Big Ten Conference
Before discussing what the future of the Scarlet Knights will be, it is important to review what is happening to the conference. While it was already known that USC and UCLA will be joining the Big Ten, two more teams are set to join as well. There will be major changes within the Pac-12. With major changes, it is that the Pac-12 is losing numerous teams, essentially dissolving.
While there are still talks going on overall, there are two teams who have been granted approval to join the Big Ten. Those two are Washington and Oregon. They are set to join by 2024 across all sports, which is earlier than some would have thought. There are still rumors circulating that FSU is looking to leave the ACC, along with Clemson. These for now are just rumors to monitor.
Impact on Rutgers Men’s Basketball
In all honesty, the Rutgers Scarlet Knights may still be in good shape. Their recruiting class of 2024 is looking strong, and there is no reason to believe that they will not be able to compete in their conference, even with the new teams. They are already expected to do well in the coming years, the added teams may not make a big difference.
While this may be an anti-climatic response, it is a great thing for the program. They have been working hard on their recruiting process, and everything is looking high for the team. Will they be the top dogs, well it is two years too early to predict that. The 2024 Big Ten conference for men’s basketball just got more exciting.
Now, the main issue, just as in all sports in the conference now, will be the traveling. The conference will need to come up with a plan once everything is officially official. This involves waiting on the other rumors to either be pushed back a year or be confirmed. Traveling to the West Coast will be expensive, and the same for the other schools traveling to the East. The schools within the conference will need to figure out how to make the cost work for them.
The 2024 Big Ten expansion will have both its positives and negatives across all sports. Not everyone will be a fan of this move, but when looking at how it will affect the Rutgers Scarlet Knights, it may turn out just fine. Yes, the traveling cost will be something to monitor, but for now, the 2023-2024 season needs to be the main focus
