Rutgers basketball faced a tough loss during its West Coast trip, falling 78-75 to USC on Saturday. Despite the setback, head coach Steve Pikiell received support from his boss, first-year athletics director Keli Zinn. Zinn made the journey to the game and was present at halftime alongside Rutgers radio voice Jerry Recco. The two discussed various aspects of the program, including efforts to strengthen the roster budgets for the Scarlet Knights.

Recco specifically asked Zinn about her thoughts on the men’s basketball program. She highlighted the progress made by Coach Pikiell and his team over the years, noting that the rise of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) had posed some challenges. Zinn emphasized that the university is committed to aligning with other programs across the country to ensure Pikiell has the necessary support to succeed.

While some might question whether Zinn’s comments were merely a formality, her decision to participate in the interview suggests otherwise. It appears she has a clear message: she is determined to provide the financial backing needed for Pikiell to get the program back on track.

Zinn also spoke about the progress made in terms of investment in the rosters. While the results may not be immediately visible, she believes these efforts will start showing up in the 2026-27 season and more significantly in 2027-28. She expressed excitement about the level of support, especially from corporate sponsors.

When asked about her impressions of Jersey Mike’s Arena, Zinn made it clear that the focus is on making minor improvements rather than a complete overhaul. She described the arena as incredible, noting that it exceeded her expectations. Having grown up during the old Big East days, she felt the atmosphere was reminiscent of that era, which she found special.

Zinn added that the department is currently evaluating the arena’s infrastructure. One of the main goals is to enhance fan amenities while preserving the unique bowl-like structure of the venue. She pointed out that despite having only 8,000 seats, the arena sounds like it can hold 16,000, and the team is committed to maintaining that atmosphere.

In terms of her broader efforts to establish a robust NIL infrastructure, which had been neglected under her predecessor Pat Hobbs, Zinn shared that internal progress has been positive. However, she acknowledged that this success needs to translate into on-court performance. She remains optimistic about future improvements.

On the court, Rutgers has a record of 9-13 overall and 2-9 in the Big Ten. However, the young team has shown signs of improvement recently. Junior guard Tariq Francis continued his strong performance with 26 points and five assists in the latest game. Sophomore forward Dylan Grant returned to form with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Freshmen guards Harun Zrno and Kaden Powers each contributed nine points.

Pikiell expressed pride in his team’s effort after the game, acknowledging that USC is a strong team composed of older players. He praised the heart and grit displayed by his young squad, noting that they are gradually improving and starting to find their footing.

The road swing concludes with a game against UCLA on Tuesday at 9:30 p.m. Eastern time.