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Sunday, June 24
Updated: July 23, 4:59 PM ET
Team preview: Rutgers Scarlet Knights
ESPN.com
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The lowdown
2000-01 record: 11-16; 3-13 in Big East (7th in West)
Final Ranking: NR
Postseason: None.
Three Questions for 2001-02
1. How do the Scarlet Knights adjust to the coaching change? Can Gary Waters make the switch to coaching in the Big East? There were few breaks in the MAC, but there are even fewer in this league.
2. Can Rashod Kent handle being the focal point in the offense? Todd Billett and Jeff Greer are gone and that means the Scarlet Knights will lean heavily on a new backcourt.
3. Who will make shots for the Knights, especially 3s. Zoning the Scarlet Knights will never be easier if they can't knock down the open perimeter shot.
Three Key Facts
1. Imagine for a moment both Todd Billet and Dahntay Jones were still in a Scarlet Knights uniform. Now, wake up! Yes, both could be, but Billet became the second impact player to transfer after leading Rutgers in scoring (17.2 ppg in Big East) last season. Jones will play an key part in Duke's championship defense this season.
2. Head coach Gary Waters was one of eight coaches appointed court coaches for the 2001 USA Basketball Men's National Team Trials this summer.
3. Rutgers' four crossover games in Big East play will be at home against Connecticut and Miami and road tilts at Providence and Virginia Tech. The three teams Rutgers will not play in the 2001-02 regular season are Boston College, St. John's and Villanova.
Andy Katz's Scenarios
Best case: Avoid last place and get near .500.
Worst case: Waters goes from upsetting Indiana in the NCAA Tournament to last place at a new school.
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Key Players Returning
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Player
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Yr.
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Pos.
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Ht./Wt.
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Comment
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Rashod Kent
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Sr.
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G
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6-6/265
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PTS: 9.8 | REB: 9.3 | AST: 1.2
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Eugene Dabney
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Jr.
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F
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6-10/225
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PTS: 7.4 | REB: 4.7 | AST: 0.8
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Key Losses
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Player
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Pos.
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Ht./Wt.
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Comment
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Jeff Greer
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G
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6-5/180
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PTS: 14.3 | REB: 4.5 | AST: 2.5
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Todd Billet
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G
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6-1/180
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PTS: 16.6 | REB: 1.9 | AST: 4.2
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Rutgers Signings
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Player
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Pos.
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Ht.
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High School/College
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Jason McCoy
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F
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6-9
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Houston/Milby (Texas)
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Ricky Shields
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G
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6-4
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Riverdale/Hargrave Military Academy (Md.)
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Juel Wiggan
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G
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6-3
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Bronx/Notre Dame Academy (N.Y.)
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Jerome Coleman
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G
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6-2
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Brooklyn-Cecil CC (Md.)
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