Men’s Basketball Announces 2025-26 Schedule

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PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Rutgers men’s basketball and head coach Steve Pikiell announced the Scarlet Knights’ 2025–26 schedule presented by Prudential, featuring a competitive non-conference slate with a trip to Las Vegas and a full Big Ten Conference lineup.
 
Rutgers single-game tickets will be available on Tuesday, September 23rd. Season tickets are on sale now, with limited inventory remaining. Group tickets are also available in select quantities, with special pricing for groups of 15 or more. Tickets can be purchased by calling 866-445-GORU.  
 
The Scarlet Knights open the season at Jersey Mike’s Arena on Wednesday, November 5, against Rider, kicking off a five-game homestand that also includes matchups with Maine (Nov. 10), Lehigh (Nov. 14), American (Nov. 18), and CCSU (Nov. 21). Rutgers will play 17 home games at Jersey Mike’s Arena.
 
Rutgers then heads west for a marquee appearance at the Player’s Era Tournament at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas, facing Tennessee (Nov. 24), Notre Dame (Nov. 25), and a TBD opponent on Nov. 26 or 27.
 
Big Ten play begins on Tuesday, December 2, when Purdue visits Jersey Mike’s Arena, followed by a trip to Ann Arbor to face Michigan on Saturday, December 6.  Rutgers will also continue its rivalry with Seton Hall on December 13 at the Prudential Center with another edition of the Garden State Hardwood Classic. RU closes out the non-conference schedule with home games against Penn (Dec. 20) and Delaware State (Dec. 29).
 
Conference highlights include home games against Ohio State (Jan. 2), Oregon (Jan. 5), Northwestern (Jan. 11), Michigan State (Jan. 27), Nebraska (Feb. 7), Maryland (Feb. 15), Washington (Feb. 24), and Penn State (Mar. 8). Road contests include trips to Wisconsin (Jan. 17), USC (Jan. 31), UCLA (Feb. 3), Minnesota (Feb. 21), Maryland (Mar. 1), and Michigan State (Mar. 5).
 
The 29th Big Ten Conference Men’s Basketball Tournament will be played March 10-15, 2026, at the United Center in Chicago, marking the first Big Ten Tournament to feature an 18-team field.
 
“This year’s schedule will challenge us early and prepare us for the grind of Big Ten play,” said Pikiell. “We will be battle-tested throughout the entirety of the season, our fans will enjoy great games right at home at Jersey Mike’s Arena, and we’re excited for the opportunity to compete against some of the best programs in the country.”

2025–26 Rutgers Men’s Basketball Schedule

(All times and TV designations TBA)

Date
Opponent
Site
Location




Wed., Nov. 5
Rider
Jersey Mike’s Arena
Piscataway, N.J.


Mon., Nov. 10
Maine
Jersey Mike’s Arena
Piscataway, N.J.


Fri., Nov. 14
Lehigh
Jersey Mike’s Arena
Piscataway, N.J.


Tue., Nov. 18
American
Jersey Mike’s Arena
Piscataway, N.J.


Fri., Nov. 21
CCSU
Jersey Mike’s Arena
Piscataway, N.J.


Mon., Nov. 24
Tennessee
MGM Grand Arena
Las Vegas, Nev.


Tue., Nov. 25
Notre Dame
MGM Grand Arena
Las Vegas, Nev.


Nov. 26/27
TBD
MGM Grand Arena
Las Vegas, Nev.


Tue., Dec. 2
Purdue*
Jersey Mike’s Arena
Piscataway, N.J.


Sat., Dec. 6
Michigan*
Crisler Arena
Ann Arbor, Mich.


Sat., Dec. 13
Seton Hall
Prudential Center
Newark, N.J.


Sat., Dec. 20
Penn
Jersey Mike’s Arena
Piscataway, N.J.


Mon., Dec. 29
Delaware State
Jersey Mike’s Arena
Piscataway, N.J.


Fri., Jan. 2
Ohio State*
Jersey Mike’s Arena
Piscataway, N.J.


Mon., Jan. 5
Oregon*
Jersey Mike’s Arena
Piscataway, N.J.


Thu., Jan. 8
Illinois*
State Farm Center
Champaign, Ill.


Sun., Jan. 11
Northwestern*
Jersey Mike’s Arena
Piscataway, N.J.


Sat., Jan. 17
Wisconsin*
Kohl Center
Madison, Wis.


Tue., Jan. 20
Iowa*
Carver-Hawkeye Arena
Iowa City, Iowa


Jan. 23
Indiana*
Jersey Mike’s Arena
Piscataway, N.J.


Tue., Jan. 27
Michigan State*
Jersey Mike’s Arena
Piscataway, N.J.


Sat., Jan. 31
USC*
Galen Center
Los Angeles, Calif.


Tue., Feb. 3
UCLA*
Pauley Pavilion
Los Angeles, Calif.


Sat., Feb. 7
Nebraska*
Jersey Mike’s Arena
Piscataway, N.J.


Sun., Feb. 15
Maryland*
Jersey Mike’s Arena
Piscataway, N.J.


Wed., Feb. 18
Penn State*
Bryce Jordan Center
University Park, Pa.


Sat., Feb. 21
Minnesota*
Williams Arena
Minneapolis, Minn.


Tue., Feb. 24
Washington*
Jersey Mike’s Arena
Piscataway, N.J.


Sun., Mar. 1
Maryland*
XFINITY Center
College Park, Md.


Thu., Mar. 5
Michigan State*
Breslin Center
East Lansing, Mich.


Sun., Mar. 8
Penn State*
Jersey Mike’s Arena
Piscataway, N.J.


Mar. 10-15
Big Ten Tourn.
United Center
Chicago, Ill.

*Big Ten Conference game