The Scarlet Knights return their leading scorer from last season.

Rutgers retention of Tariq Francis, an All-Big Ten guard, is the clearest sign that Steve Pikiell finally has a competitive roster budget.

Rutgers basketball's season ended at 14-19, but there's some hope for next season.

Tariq Francis scored 29 points to lead No. seed Rutgers over 11th-seeded Minnesota 72-67 on Wednesday night in the second round of the Big Ten Tournament. Rutgers (14-18) faces sixth-seeded UCLA on Thursday.

Tariq Francis and Lino Mark combined for 34 points to lead Rutgers to a 74-62 victory over Penn State on Sunday in a Big Ten Conference regular-season finale. Rutgers (13-18, 6-14) swept the season series against the Nittany Lions, and has won two of its last three games. Penn State (12-19, 3-17) has lost five of its last six.

Tariq Francis scored 19 points and Rutgers, which once led by 20 points in the first half, defeated Maryland 69-65 on Sunday to sweep the season series between the teams. Rutgers won 68-57 at home against Maryland in the other meeting this season. Trailing by 19 at halftime, Maryland stormed back early in the second half.

The Rutgers bench scores 58 points to help the Scarlet Knights outlast the Ducks in overtime to get their first Big Ten win of the season.