Rutgers Basketball Adds Bryant to 2026-2027 Schedule

PISCATAWAY, NJ - NOVEMBER 12: The Rutgers Scarlet Knights mascot leads the team onto the court prior to the first half of the college basketball game against the Bryant University Bulldogs on November 12, 2023 at Jersey Mikes Arena in Piscataway, New Jersey. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The 2026-2027 Rutgers basketball schedule is starting to take shape. A few days ago, the Big Ten released Rutgers’ home and away conference opponents for next season. On top of that, the teams in each bracket for the Players Era Tournament have been revealed as well, with Rutgers waiting to see who it will play in round 1. Now the Scarlet Knights officially have their first game date set on the schedule, as they are set to take on non-conference opponent Bryant on November 16th. Another Rutgers non-conference opponent has already been revealed, Army, but that game does not have a date yet.

Last season, Bryant was one of the worst teams in the American East Conference, a low-major conference featuring teams like Maine, NJIT, and UMass-Lowell. The Bulldogs limped to a 9-22 record, with a 5-11 record in conference play. They were blown out by the three high-major teams they played, Virginia Tech, Georgia Tech, and No.3 UConn, and lost in the first round of the AEC tournament to Vermont, 77-57.

The leading scorer on their team from last season, rising sophomore Timofei Rudovskii, averaged 12.9 points per game his freshman year as a small forward.