Rutgers basketball’s opening game in the loaded Players Era Festival went about as everyone expected – with an 85-60 knockout at the hands of 17 th -ranked Tennessee. The Vols dominated the first half, leading 56-30 at the break, and it was semantics from there.

Whether the Scarlet Knights (4-2) can salvage anything out of this three-game Feast Week stop in Las Vegas – aside from the $1 million appearance fee – remains to be seen.

3 THOUGHTS

1. More shakeups needed

A 13-point manhandling at home by Central Connecticut State did not provoke a change in the starting lineup, although head coach Steve Pikiell did alter his substitution patterns, benching ineffective backup center Baye Fall and subbing in 6-foot-9, 265-pound freshman Gevonte Ware, who had hardly played, in the contest ear

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