Rutgers men’s basketball will visit Carneseca Arena on October 21 to play an exhibition game against St. John’s.
The match-up will raise funds for the Jimmy V Foundation, according to the Asbury Park Press which broke the story. The foundation has raised more than $300 million for cancer research. Tickets for general admission will be $20 for lower level seating, $10 for upper level, and $5 for students. The arena seats about 5,600 people.
According to the same report, “Rutgers and St. John’s originally had planned to meet in a closed-door scrimmage on that day, but converted it into a public exhibition for a good cause; this will be Rutgers’ third charity exhibition during head coach Steve Pikiell’s tenure.”
Sources: St. John's will be playing Rutgers in an open-doors exhibition game for charity on Oct. 21 at Carnesecca Arena. Initially was going to be a closed-door scrimmage, but the schools received a waiver from NCAA. #sjubb #rhoops
— Zach Braziller (@NYPost_Brazille) September 11, 2023
The match-up between Rutgers and St. John’s is certainly an interesting one. For Rutgers, they have gone through major turnover to the roster with Derek Simpson, Clifford Omoruyi, and Mawot Mag highlighting the returning veterans. Gone are Paul Mulcahy who transferred to Washington, and Caleb McConnell, who went pro after signing with the Oklahoma City Thunder over the summer.
As for St. John’s, Rick Pitino is now its head coach, after a lateral move during the offseason that saw Pitino leave Iona after three seasons.
St. John’s also added Ivy League Player of the Year Jordan Dingle of Penn, Chris Ludlum (via Harvard) and RJ Luis (UMass), and freshman guard Simeon Wilcher to the mix for this season.
Oddly enough the two teams have not met one another in a regular season game since 2019. St. John’s leads the all-time series 28-14.
Rutgers will open the season on November 6 against Princeton at the Cure Insurance Arena in Trenton.
