How To Watch Rutgers Scarlet Knights Men’s Basketball
✦ Edited and fact-checked by Junior Sports Writer Alex Vejar, who has more than 10 years of experience covering sports.
A look at the 2025–2026 Scarlet Knights
We’ve all had some time to recover from an unconventional time in Rutgers men’s basketball. Last season brought massive hype with lottery picks Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper, but the results—while entertaining—didn’t quite lead to the deep tournament run many dreamed of.
Now, coach Steve Pikiell is hitting the reset button and returning to the Rutgers DNA that built this program: grit, defense, and rebounding. For many old-school fans I talk to, there’s actually a sense of relief. The flashiness is gone, replaced by a blue-collar toughness that fits New Jersey perfectly.
The narrative this season is scoring by committee. Without a singular superstar to bail out the offense, transfers like Tariq Francis and veterans like Jamichael Davis have to step up. I think the key factor this year is going to be the atmosphere at Jersey Mike’s Arena. The RAC is at its best when the team is scrapping for every loose ball, and if Pikiell’s squad can make that building a house of horrors for opponents again, this back-to-basics year could be a sleeper success.
Here is how you can catch every minute of the action.
2025–2026 Rutgers men’s basketball TV schedule
Rutgers’ schedule is highlighted by the intense “Garden State Hardwood Classic” against Seton Hall and early tests against Big Ten powerhouses like Purdue. Because the RAC provides such a great TV atmosphere, you can expect a lot of those late weeknight tip-offs that look great on national television but might cost you a little sleep.
Navigating the schedule means keeping an eye on where the game is being broadcast, as the Big Ten spreads its rights across multiple partners.
NCAAM - Rutgers Scarlet Knights Schedule
| Opponent | Day | Time (ET) | Channel |
|---|---|---|---|
vs Rider Broncs | Wednesday, Nov. 5 | 6:00 p.m. | |
vs Maine Black Bears | Monday, Nov. 10 | 6:30 p.m. | |
vs Lehigh Mountain Hawks | Friday, Nov. 14 | 6:30 p.m. | B1G+ |
vs American University Eagles | Tuesday, Nov. 18 | 6:30 p.m. | |
vs Central Connecticut Blue Devils | Friday, Nov. 21 | 6:30 p.m. | B1G+ |
Monday, Nov. 24 | 1:00 p.m. | ||
vs Notre Dame Fighting Irish | Tuesday, Nov. 25 | 1:00 p.m. | |
vs UNLV Rebels | Thursday, Nov. 27 | 4:30 p.m. | |
vs Purdue Boilermakers (No. 1) | Tuesday, Dec. 2 | 8:00 p.m. | |
at Michigan Wolverines (No. 3) | Saturday, Dec. 6 | 4:00 p.m. | |
at Seton Hall Pirates | Saturday, Dec. 13 | 8:00 p.m. | |
vs Pennsylvania Quakers | Saturday, Dec. 20 | 8:00 p.m. | |
vs Delaware State Hornets | Monday, Dec. 29 | 7:00 p.m. | |
Friday, Jan. 2 | 8:00 p.m. | ||
vs Oregon Ducks | Monday, Jan. 5 | 7:00 p.m. | |
at Illinois Fighting Illini (No. 16) | Thursday, Jan. 8 | 8:30 p.m. | |
Sunday, Jan. 11 | 5:00 p.m. | ||
Saturday, Jan. 17 | 2:00 p.m. | ||
Tuesday, Jan. 20 | 8:30 p.m. | ||
Friday, Jan. 23 | 6:00 p.m. | ||
vs Michigan State Spartans (No. 7) | Tuesday, Jan. 27 | 6:30 p.m. | |
at USC Trojans | Saturday, Jan. 31 | 7:00 p.m. | |
at UCLA Bruins | Tuesday, Feb. 3 | 9:30 p.m. | |
vs Nebraska Cornhuskers (No. 9) | Saturday, Feb. 7 | 12:00 p.m. | |
Sunday, Feb. 15 | 12:00 p.m. | ||
Wednesday, Feb. 18 | 6:00 p.m. | ||
Saturday, Feb. 21 | 12:00 p.m. | ||
Tuesday, Feb. 24 | 6:30 p.m. | ||
Sunday, March 1 | 12:00 p.m. | ||
at Michigan State Spartans (No. 8) | Thursday, March 5 | 8:00 p.m. | |
Sunday, March 8 | 12:00 p.m. | ||
Wednesday, March 11 | 9:00 p.m. | ||
vs UCLA Bruins | Thursday, March 12 | 9:00 p.m. |
Best TV plans for Rutgers men’s basketball
To watch the Scarlet Knights, you need a service that carries Big Ten Network and FS1. My top recommendation to get all of these without a cable box is Hulu + Live TV. It bundles all the necessary local and cable networks you need for the regular season. Plus, having the ability to bundle Disney+ and ESPN Select makes it a high-value play for entertainment beyond basketball.
There is one additional subscription you can’t ignore: Peacock Premium. The streaming service has locked down exclusive rights to marquee Big Ten matchups and Tuesday night games. If you skip Peacock, you’re going to miss key conference battles.
How to watch Rutgers men’s basketball FAQ
How can I watch Rutgers basketball for free?
You can catch games for free by grabbing a free trial to a service like DIRECTV or Hulu + Live TV.
How can I stream Rutgers basketball without cable?
Hulu + Live TV is your best bet, as it carries BTN and FS1, ensuring you have access to the vast majority of the Scarlet Knights' schedule.
Can I watch Rutgers basketball on Peacock?
Yes, and it's essential. Peacock exclusively streams a slate of Big Ten games and tournament matchups that you cannot watch on traditional cable channels.
How can I watch Rutgers in March Madness?
The tournament is shared between CBS and the Turner networks (TNT, TBS, truTV), so you must have a TV plan that includes all four channels to see every game.
Why you should trust us
Our CableTV.com editorial team cross-referenced the official Rutgers men’s basketball schedule with the channel lineups of every major TV provider. Using those details, we selected our viewing recommendations based on channel availability, pricing, and ease of use.
This guide is updated regularly throughout the season to ensure our information is accurate. To learn more about our methods, check out our How We Rank page.
