The Scarlet Knights deserve early attention for their transfers and freshmen. Princeton big man Zach Martini is a floor spacer who can shoot the three (38.5 3PT% last season), San Diego wing PJ Hayes is an elite long ball assassin (39.7 3PT% last season, 50.0 this season) and Eastern Michigan guard Tyson Acuff (21.7 PPG) and Merrimack guard Jordan Derkack (17.0 PPG) are bucket-getters. The frosh, top-five national recruits Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey, provide the backbone for this Rutgers team, which hopes to be a serious contender come March Madness.

Slow-tempo Saint Peter's (348th in tempo and 309th in offensive rating, per KenPom) doesn't have an offense capable of keeping up with the Scarlet Knights, who are also ranked 12th nationally in defensive rating. This spread is short enough for Rutgers to cover, even if Bailey is unable to suit up again.