The Big Difference: Rutgers men's basketball Big Ten prospectus

Coach Eddie Jordan quote:

“Obviously the schedule is the biggest advantage. We’re playing 18 games in the league and playing against some of the best competition in the country. We’re playing in front of, I like to call it a ‘global audience,’ because the Big Ten network is so huge.”

Sizing up the competition: The Big Ten is widely considered to be the best men’s basketball conference in the country. Last season eight of the 12 teams won 19 or more games. Six made the NCAA Tournament, with Wisconsin, Michigan and Michigan State advancing to the Elite Eight. Minnesota won the NIT. Fellow Big Ten newcomer Maryland is coming off a 17-15 campaign (9-9 in the ACC). Of Rutgers’ 13 league-mates, only Penn State and Northwestern have no hardwood tradition to speak of. Big Ten basketball is also known for its fine on-campus venues and huge, intimidating crowds.

The numbers matter: Rutgers men’s basketball accumulated the second-highest expenses ($4.6 million) at the school -- and more than Penn State but less than Nebraska and Maryland -- in 2013, though that number included $563,325 in severance pay to dismissed coaches. It also paid $1.5 million in coaching salaries, $449,439 in travel, $370,000 in guarantees to visiting opponents and $118,611 in recruiting. Rutgers gained $1.3 million in ticket sales (more than Penn State) and $485,221 in things like gameday revenue and royalties, but just $136,587 in contributions -- about half of Nebraska’s contributions and 10 percent of Maryland’s -- forcing the use of $174,025 in direct institutional support.

Last 10 Years:

2013-14: 12-21, 5-13, 1-1 AAC Tournament;

2012-13: 15-16, 5-13, 1-1 Big East Tournament;

2011-12: 14-18, 6-12, 0-1 BET;

2010-11: 15-17, 5-13, 1-1 BET;

2009-10: 15-17, 5-13, 0-1 BET;

2008-09: 11-21, 2-16, 0-1 BET;

2007-08: 11-20, 3-15, no postseason;

2006-07: 11-20, 3-15, no postseason;

2005-06: 19-14, 7-9, 1-1 BET, second round NIT