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Rutgers Basketball Stumbles Against No. 17 Tennessee
25 Nov
Summary
- Rutgers lost 85-60 to No. 17 Tennessee in the Players Era Festival.
- Freshman Harun Zrno scored a team-high 14 points off the bench.
- Coach Pikiell seeks lineup changes, focusing on perimeter defense.
Rutgers' basketball team began the loaded Players Era Festival with a decisive 85-60 loss to the 17th-ranked Tennessee Volunteers. The Scarlet Knights struggled significantly in the first half, trailing by 26 points at halftime. This performance has raised questions about the team's current structure and readiness.
Despite the overall team struggles, freshman guard Harun Zrno emerged as a bright spot, contributing a team-high 14 points, including a 3-of-5 performance from beyond the arc. His offensive confidence offered a glimpse of hope for the Scarlet Knights, who have been searching for consistent scoring threats this season.
Following the defeat, head coach Steve Pikiell acknowledged the team's physical disadvantage against Tennessee and suggested that adjustments to the lineup and rotation are forthcoming. A key focus for upcoming games will be improving perimeter defense and rebounding, areas that were exploited by Tennessee and will be crucial against future opponents like Notre Dame.
