Rutgers basketball standout Tariq Francis to return for senior year

In the clearest possible sign that Rutgers basketball finally has some retention power, junior guard Tariq Francis has announced his intention to remain in Piscataway for his senior year.

After transferring in from NJIT last offseason, Francis was a revelation this past winter, averaging 17.0 points, 2.9 assists and 2.3 rebounds while shooting 35 percent from 3-point range and 91 percent from the free-throw line. He did this while subjected to constant double-teams, impressing observers enough to earn honorable mention All-Big Ten honors. His 578 points scored were the most in a season by a Scarlet Knight since the great Quincy Douby in 2005-06.

In the past, with a roster budget dwarfed by that of many high-major peers, Rutgers would have been in serious jeopardy of having Francis poached (see: Cam Spencer, Cliff Omoruyi). But head coach Steve Pikiell now has a reasonably competitive war chest well north of $8 million thanks to first-year athletics director Keli Zinn and her staff, who have cultivated some fruitful corporate partnerships over the past few months.

Francis, who hails from Pittsburgh, originally connected with Rutgers through his longstanding ties with associate head coach Brandin Knight, and his arrival last spring was met with skepticism by much of the fan base. That changed as he proved he could level up.

As Rutgers’ season wound to a close, it became obvious that Francis planned to remain on the banks for his senior year. In mid-March he jumped at the opportunity to play in the College Basketball Crown – his enthusiasm was one of the deciding factors in Pikiell’s decision to accept an invitation to the consolation postseason tournament. In February Francis told reporters he had taken the lead in a players-only group chat about “staying together” for 2026-27, how “if we lock in we can be really dangerous next year."

Jan 27, 2026; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights guard Tariq Francis (0) reacts after a basket against the Michigan State Spartans during the first half at Jersey Mike's Arena. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

How many of them stay together after a 14-20 campaign is starting to take shape. Fellow guards Jamichael Davis and Lino Mark are set to return, and Pikiell also targeted junior wing Darren Buchanan and freshman guard Kaden Powers for retention. That's five contributors who know the system and the competition level.

Retaining Francis gives Pikiell options in the backcourt, because he can play on or off the ball. There wasn’t much opportunity for him to feed the post this past season because Rutgers was so weak there, but Francis is a good and willing passer, his ball security is excellent and he’s a free-throw machine. He can create his own shot and was effective in using high ball screens. In theory, his shot selection should improve if Pikiell can improve the talent around him. He has work to do as a defender end and ideally would be paired with a bigger, ball-stopping guard on that end. His motor and coachability were never in question.

Nov 5, 2025; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights guard Tariq Francis (0) goes to the basket against the Rider Broncs during the second half at Jersey Mike's Arena. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Pikiell's plan is to add some frontcourt transfers to the core of backcourt returnees – but Francis is the one current Scarlet Knight he absolutely had to retain. And as every Rutgers fan knows, that one guy has gotten away from the program in the past.

Jerry Carino has covered the New Jersey sports scene since 1996 and the college basketball beat since 2003. Contact him atjcarino@gannettnj.com

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Rutgers basketball standout Tariq Francis to return for senior year