Tyson Acuff gives Rutgers basketball a talented and proven scorer, as the Scarlet Knights look to add experience to a freshmen-driven roster in 2024-25.
Acuff, a fifth-year senior, spent the last two seasons at Eastern Michigan. He originally started at Duquesne but didn’t average double-digits in points per game until his junior year, also his first at EMU. Last season, Acuff tied for seventh in scoring in the country, averaging 21.7 PPG.
Of course, the adjustment from the MAC to the Big Ten and from being the team’s primary scorer to one piece of the puzzle will give Acuff a much different role. He won’t need to take 19 shots per game, and I’d be surprised if he ever takes more than 15. Rutgers basketball brings in Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper – two five-star freshmen who will be the stars from day one.
Acuff can be looked at as Rutgers’ version of Antonio Reeves. Kentucky brought him in from Illinois State to give them an experienced player who can put the ball in the basket, no questions asked. That’s what Acuff does, but how well he does it, and how well it will fit in with this Rutgers team is the biggest question.
What are Tyson Acuff’s strengths?
For someone who scores over 20 PPG, Acuff isn’t a tremendous shooter. In fact, most of the time, he gets his points driving to the cup, in the mid-range, or earning points from the charity stripe. Of his 18.7 FGA per game, over a dozen were from inside the arc. He averaged a career-high 4.5 FTA per game last season.
However, it isn’t just the two-point game that suits Acuff. He did take over six threes a game last season. While he didn’t even knock down 30%, you could look at it as an off-year. In Acuff’s junior year, he had a 34.4 3P% and as a sophomore, he nailed 39.4% of threes (granted, on just 2.4 attempts per game). Regardless, he’s someone you have to respect from behind the line.
For someone who handled most of the scoring load for Eastern Michigan, Acuff is also an above-average passer. He averaged 2.8 APG last season, but considering how many double teams he faced, his ability to pass out of them to find the open shooter was the key.
Finally, for someone who has the ball in his hands for most of the game, only 2 TOPG last year is pretty notable. Acuff had to put up with defenses keying in on him and he still delivered as a scorer and didn’t usually give up costly possessions.
How does Tyson Acuff fit with Rutgers basketball?
How Acuff will translate to Rutgers basketball will be interesting. The Scarlet Knights have a plethora of newcomers and guys transferring out.
Besides Bailey and Harper, Rutgers also adds three-stars Latahn Sommerville, Bryce Dortch, and Dylan Grant. None are expected to start but could play key roles off the bench. However, they’re all forwards and won’t impact Acuff’s playing time.
As far as transfers, Princeton forward Zach Martini also joins this Rutgers squad. He could be in the starting lineup, or one of the first players off the bench, after averaging 8.4 PPG on 38.5% shooting from three last season.
The current Rutgers team won’t look nearly the same as next year. Cliff Omoruyi, Mawot Mag, Derek Simpson, and Gavin Griffiths all put their names in the transfer portal. Aundre Hyatt and Noah Fernandes both used up all of their eligibility. That means as of Apr. 5, the top returning players are Jeremiah Williams (12.2 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 2.8 APG) and Jamichael Davis (5.6 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 1.9 APG).
The Rutgers starting lineup could look like this:
- PG: Jeremiah Williams
- SG: Dylan Harper (5-star freshman)
- SF: Tyson Acuff (Eastern Michigan transfer)
- PF: Ace Bailey (5-star freshman)
- C: *Transfer portal addition*
- 6: Jamichael Davis
- 7: Zach Martini (Princeton transfer)
Of course, this is just one of many different options Rutgers could use. Williams, Acuff, and Davis could all theoretically play the point guard position, but there’s only room for one of them to start. Given Acuff’s ability to size up and play small forward, and how Williams played point guard to end the 2023-24 campaign, this could be one way Steve Pikiell decides to use his talent.
Of course, Bailey is listed as a small forward, so he would be playing out of position in this example. There’s a good chance Acuff comes off the bench to slide Bailey to his more natural position, but at points in the game, it could make for a dynamic three-guard rotation.
Personally, I’m not a huge fan of that mixup. While Acuff gives Rutgers some senior leadership, which they desperately do need, he doesn’t fill the gap of a true point guard or a center. If the Scarlett Knights do bring in another point guard from the transfer portal, it creates an even longer list of guards to sort through.
Grade & final thoughts
B-
I don’t want to be too harsh on bringing in a player who put up well over 20 PPG last year, but Acuff just doesn’t make a lot of sense based on what Rutgers needs. He brings scoring, but the Scarlet Knights could have gotten that elsewhere, especially with a more efficient three-point shooter.
Acuff provides good depth, which shouldn’t be overlooked. However, he’ll really need to adjust his game flow, especially with how fewer shots will come his way. I’m sure he’ll still be a big part of the offense, but he could go from one of the top offensive players in the MAC to the third or fourth option on Rutgers. Not everyone is cut out for that.
Still, if you want to hop aboard the hype train in New Brunswick, Acuff is another reason why. When talking about pure talent, he brings that to the table, and it’s clear the Scarlet Knights aren’t afraid to load up on great basketball players.