Most seasons, Rutgers basketball opens the Big Ten schedule with two of the league’s toughest opponents , to the point where it’s become something of an inside joke.

This year’s Week 1 gauntlet is no laughing matter. The Scarlet Knights (5-3) face the two best teams in the country, according to the analytics website Kenpom.com and just about anyone with eyes: Purdue (7-0) at home Tuesday (8 p.m., Fox Sports 1) and at Michigan (7-0) on Saturday (4 p.m., Big Ten Network).

“No. 1 and No. 2 in the same week?” head coach Steve Pikiell said with a chuckle. “The scheduling guy likes me.”

He added, “This is a great opportunity week.”

It is, but only if his Scarlet Knights raise their level of play considerably. Pikiell saw a few things to build on from their 1-2 showing at the Players Era Fe

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