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Rutgers basketball coach Steve Pikiell’s search for a scoring guard ended 30 miles north with a pickup that most close observers have long seen coming.
NJIT sophomore Tariq Francis committed to the Scarlet Knights Friday, the second transfer for the retooling program this spring.
Here are three things to know about the 6-foot, 180-pound Pittsburgh-area native.
This past season Francis averaged 19.3 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.6 assists while shooting 37 percent from the field, 32 percent from 3-point range and 84 percent from the free-throw line as the Highlanders finished 6-25 overall and 3-13 in the league.
Here are his numbers against notable competition:
Villanova: 12 points on 5-of-12 shooting, 4 rebounds, 6 assists.
Seton Hall: 23 points on 9-of-20 shooting, 4 rebounds, 1 assist.
George Washington: 20 points on 6-of-17 shooting, 3 rebounds, 9 assists.
UMass: 24 points on 9-of-22 shooting, 2 rebounds.
It’s very hard to get into NJIT as an undergraduate transfer, so head coach Grant Billmeier had to build around freshmen. It fell to Francis to run the offense and carry the scoring load. At Rutgers, the thinking goes, less responsibility could lead to greater efficiency. Francis was a better 3-point shooter as a freshman (.352), when NJIT had a bunch of postgrads and he earned America East Rookie of the Year honors.
Francis’ father is a Seton Hall Prep grad who is longtime friends with Rutgers associate head coach (and former Seton Hall Prep star) Brandin Knight. He knows what the Scarlet Knights are about and should be a good culture fit. It’s worth noting that he earned Academic All-America East honors after posting a 3.4 GPA as a business major.
Rutgers has three scholarships left to fill – it seems likely they will stick to 13 in that regard – and a rim protector is the pressing need. That will be costly in the portal, but the Scarlet Knights should have some capital available.
Guards (4): Jamichael Davis, Tariq Francis, Lino Mark, Kaden Powers
Wings (2): Dylan Grant, Darren Buchanan
Bigs (4): Manny Ogbole, Bryce Dortch, Chris Nwuli, Gevonte Ware
Open scholarships: 3
Jerry Carino has covered the New Jersey sports scene since 1996 and the college basketball beat since 2003. Contact him at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Rutgers basketball adds Tariq Francis, guard transfer from NJIT
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NJIT sophomore Tariq Francis committed to the Scarlet Knights Friday, the second transfer for the retooling program this spring.
Here are three things to know about the 6-foot, 180-pound Pittsburgh-area native.
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1. He led the America East Conference in scoring
This past season Francis averaged 19.3 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.6 assists while shooting 37 percent from the field, 32 percent from 3-point range and 84 percent from the free-throw line as the Highlanders finished 6-25 overall and 3-13 in the league.
Here are his numbers against notable competition:
Villanova: 12 points on 5-of-12 shooting, 4 rebounds, 6 assists.
Seton Hall: 23 points on 9-of-20 shooting, 4 rebounds, 1 assist.
George Washington: 20 points on 6-of-17 shooting, 3 rebounds, 9 assists.
UMass: 24 points on 9-of-22 shooting, 2 rebounds.
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2. He had to do everything for the Highlanders
It’s very hard to get into NJIT as an undergraduate transfer, so head coach Grant Billmeier had to build around freshmen. It fell to Francis to run the offense and carry the scoring load. At Rutgers, the thinking goes, less responsibility could lead to greater efficiency. Francis was a better 3-point shooter as a freshman (.352), when NJIT had a bunch of postgrads and he earned America East Rookie of the Year honors.
3. Rutgers knows him well
Francis’ father is a Seton Hall Prep grad who is longtime friends with Rutgers associate head coach (and former Seton Hall Prep star) Brandin Knight. He knows what the Scarlet Knights are about and should be a good culture fit. It’s worth noting that he earned Academic All-America East honors after posting a 3.4 GPA as a business major.
RUTGERS' 2025-26 DEPTH CHART UPDATE
Rutgers has three scholarships left to fill – it seems likely they will stick to 13 in that regard – and a rim protector is the pressing need. That will be costly in the portal, but the Scarlet Knights should have some capital available.
Guards (4): Jamichael Davis, Tariq Francis, Lino Mark, Kaden Powers
Wings (2): Dylan Grant, Darren Buchanan
Bigs (4): Manny Ogbole, Bryce Dortch, Chris Nwuli, Gevonte Ware
Open scholarships: 3
Jerry Carino has covered the New Jersey sports scene since 1996 and the college basketball beat since 2003. Contact him at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Rutgers basketball adds Tariq Francis, guard transfer from NJIT
Continue reading...
