Schedule | Roster | NJAC Preseason Poll

NEWARK, N.J. (November 16, 2017) – The Rutgers University-Newark men's basketball team opens its 2017-18 season in Oregon with games Friday and Saturday at George Fox University and Lewis & Clark College.
 
The Scarlet Raiders are eyeing a return trip to the postseason after missing out last year, and the Rutgers-Newark coaching staff has a nice blend of returning veterans and talented newcomers to rely upon.
 
Four seniors are on the squad this year in Dave Lunsford, Kenya Brown, Emmanuel Kema and Erick Loften-Harris.
 
Lunsford is a four-year member of the program, playing in 55 games over the last three seasons. A career 53 percent shooter, Lunsford has scored 86 points, grabbed 96 rebounds and blocked 43 shots. The center looks primed for a career year, demonstrating improved touch around the rim, solid intangibles, strong rebounding and leadership. If Lunsford can consistently make his presence felt inside, it will be a huge boost for the Scarlet Raiders.
 
Brown is in his second season on the Scarlet Raiders after making 14 starts and 23 appearances as a junior. The big man averaged nearly 14 minutes per game, averaging 3.4 points and 3.8 rebounds per contest. A force inside and a solid athlete, Brown will be relied upon for big rebounds and consistently strong defense.
 
Kema is back after a short stint on the squad as a junior. The Union native will see time in the back court and has demonstrated the ability to be a knockdown shooter for the Scarlet Raiders. His shooting should open up space for his teammates to operate, and he could be in store for a nice season with good decision making.
 
Loften-Harris brings a wealth of experience in the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) to the Scarlet Raider backcourt, and he will play a major role from opening night. A three-year starter from Montclair State University, the Brooklyn native can penetrate with the best of them and is a good on-ball defender. He has played in 74 games over the course his collegiate career, averaging 9.8 points, 3.0 rebounds and 3.1 assists to go along with 69 thefts.
 
Junior standouts Mark Thomas and Tyler Ofray are back and both have looked excellent in preseason. Thomas – a versatile forward – was an all-conference selection as a sophomore, playing in and starting 24 games for Rutgers-Newark. He averaged 31.2 minutes per game, pouring in 13.5 points and securing 5.4 rebounds. The Brooklyn native can play inside and out, has improved his range and will be a major asset on both ends of the floor for Head Coach Joe Loughran.
 
Ofray missed the balance of 2016-17 due to injury and is hungry for a big season. A dynamic guard, Ofray has taken on a larger leadership role so far this year and makes others around him better. Prior to injury, the Newark native averaged 18.3 points and 3.0 assists per game, and for his career he has 49 games played, 411 points, 141 assists, 186 rebounds and 52 steals. Ofray has consistently improved each and every year he has been in the Brick City, and the Scarlet Raiders will rely upon him to continue his strong play as a junior.
 
"I think our back court is one of our strengths," said Loughran. "Our veterans have a lot of talent and ability, but it will be important for them to make good decisions, take care of the ball and make others around them better."
 
Another returning guard is sophomore Chase Barneys. Barneys grew leaps and bounds as a freshman and drew 17 starts in 24 appearances. Barneys has improved even more during the offseason, extending his range and shooting consistency. A crafty player that can finish around the rim, Barneys averaged 10.8 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 28.8 minutes as a rookie, scoring 20 or more points in four of the team's last six games.
 
Sophomore guard Tyree Wilson also returns to R-N after 17 appearances as a freshman. An athletic shooter with a good handle, Wilson is a versatile player that can defend and rebound. The Freehold native hopes to carve out a consistent role this year and certainly has the talent to do so.
 
Coach Loughran and his staff have brought in a deep incoming class. Joining the roster will be junior transfer Johnson Akerele, freshman guard Jordan Herrin, freshman forward Troy Johnson, freshman guard Rasheen Peppers Jr., freshman guard Korey Pettie, freshman forward/center Dante Ralph, freshman guard Quincy Rutherford, freshman forward Julian Tsolakis and freshman guard Darris Watkins.
 
Akerele has nice size, a strong motor and is a good rebounder and defender, while Herrin has demonstrated excellent basketball IQ, defense and energy in the early going. Johnson has nice touch inside and will provide depth up front, Peppers is athletic and brings great energy and defense to the table, and Pettie is another guy that brings it with his motor and defense. Ralph is active and skilled around the rim, and he should see solid minutes with improved defense, and Rutherford is a physically mature scorer that can fill it up in a variety of ways. Tsolakis – a native a Vienna, Austria – understands the game and plays hard on the defensive end, and Watkins is a smart, agressive point guard that can get to the rim.
 
"I have been pleased with our growth so far, but we have a long way to go," said Loughran. "As long as we come to each practice and each game ready to compete and an excitement to be on the court, I think we can do some nice things this year."
 
After two games in the Northwest, Rutgers-Newark will open conference play against New Jersey City University in The Golden Dome on November 21. In total, Rutgers-Newark will do battle in the Brick City 13 times, hosting all nine NJAC foes in addition to four non-conference showdowns. The regular-season and home slate wraps up on February 14 against The College of New Jersey, and the NJAC Tournament begins Saturday, February 17. The top-six teams in the regular-season NJAC standings make the tournament, with the tournament champion earning the league's automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament.
 
"I think I say it every year, but we need to consistently come out with great effort and great defense," added Loughran. "Our returners and veterans need to set the tone and help define our identity as a team."
 
Fans should follow @ScarletRaiders on twitter all season long for the latest on Rutgers-Newark men's basketball.