Keith Sargeant | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

There are many signs that show the Rutgers men's basketball team's drastic improvement in its first season under coach Steve Pikiell. The fact that the team has been non-competitive in only two games in the wake of the dismal 7-25 campaign under Eddie Jordan is one sign. But the statistics don't lie, and Rutgers has shown significant improvement in numerous stats.

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Photo by Matthew O'Haren | USA TODAY Sports

"Learning how to win''

After coming up just short of its second straight Big Ten road triumph, Pikiell was pressed on his team's progression following a 70-64 loss at Ohio State on Wednesday night. "I think we are learning how to win,'' Pikiell said. "We weren't in games last year but now we're in every game. But now we just have to finish off the deal and make the tough plays.''

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Photo by Mary Altaffer | AP

Win-loss

Rutgers topped its win total (8) from last year 10 days into December. Currently standing at 13-12 overall and 2-10 in Big Ten play, the Scarlet Knights’ 13 wins are their most since finishing 15-16 four years ago. They’ve surpassed their conference-win total (1) from last season, and matched their total (2) from its inaugural Big Ten campaign two years ago.

Improvement: plus-5 (overall W-L); plus-1 (B1G W-L).

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Rutgers' bottom line

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RPI

According to NCAA.com, Rutgers owned a 134 Ratings Percentage Index (a key figure showing the strength of college basketball teams nationally). The Scarlet Knights' RPI dipped to 139 following the Ohio State loss, according to RealTimeRPI.com. Last year, Rutgers finished 293 nationally in RPI.

Improvement: plus-154.

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Scoring margin

Last season, Rutgers was outscored by a whopping average of 12.7 points per game. That ranked the Scarlet Knights 342 nationally in that statistic. This season, they rank 189th nationally with a plus-0.8 scoring margin, averaging 66.8 points and allowing 66.0 per game.

National improvement: plus-153. Big Ten improvement: plus-2.

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Photo by Joseph Maiorana | USA TODAY Sports

Rebounding margin

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Total rebounds per game

Rutgers ranked 245th nationally in rebounding last season, averaging 34.8 caroms per game. This season, the Scarlet Knights rank seventh-best nationally and first in the Big Ten, averaging 42.2 boards per game.

National improvement: plus-238. Big Ten improvement: plus-9.

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Offensive rebounds per game

In 24 games this season, Rutgers has lost the advantage in second-chance points only three times (at Seton Hall, vs. Northwestern, vs. Iowa). That dominance is attributable to its dominance on the glass, as Rutgers ranks third nationally and first in the Big Ten in offensive rebounds (15.2 per game). Last season, Rutgers ranked 247th nationally (9.8) in that same category.

National improvement: plus-244. Big Ten improvement: plus-10.

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Photo by Mel Evans | AP

Blocked shots

Three Scarlet Knights — Candido Sa (1.1), C.J. Gettys (0.9) and Deshawn Freeman (0.9) — have 24 or more blocks this season. Overall, Rutgers ranks 19th nationally with 5.4 blocks per game. A year ago, Rutgers lacked enforcers in the paint, evidenced by the team ranking 157th nationally and last in the Big Ten at 3.5 blocks-per-game.

National improvement: plus-144. Big Ten improvement: plus-11.

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New apparel deal for Rutgers

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Field goal percentage defense

Defense wasn’t Rutgers’ forte last season. The Scarlet Knights ranked 274th nationally as teams averaged a 45.3 shooting percentage against them. Under Pikiell, the Scarlet Knights have ratcheted up the defense, as teams are now shooting 39.6 percent in 24 games. That under-40-percent defensive effort has Rutgers ranked 22nd nationally and third in the Big Ten.

National improvement: plus-252. Big Ten improvement: plus-10.

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Photo by Mel Evans | AP

3-point percentage defense

Rutgers’ struggles to defend teams beyond the arc were well-documented last season, as the team ranked 308th nationally at 37.3 percent. The Scarlet Knights have made the 3-point line an emphasis, as teams are now hitting treys at a 32.6 percent clip. Rutgers ranks 72nd nationally and third in the Big Ten at defending the 3.

National improvement: plus-236 Big Ten improvement: plus-8

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Matthew O'Haren | USA TODAY Sports

Individual improvement

While Corey Sanders' scoring average is down nearly two points per game, the sophomore point guard has been more efficient in fewer minutes and has proven to be a better defender than last season. After playing with as few as seven scholarship players at times last year, Rutgers often goes 11 deep in its rotation. But perhaps the biggest difference maker is Deshawn Freeman, who played in just seven games last season and is now the team's second-leading scorer (11.4 ppg.) and top rebounder (8.5). The fourth-year junior forward's nine double-doubles are the most by a Scarlet Knight in a season since Rashod Kent had 14 in 2001-02.

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Keith Sargeant may be reached at ksargeant@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @KSargeantNJ. Find NJ.com Rutgers Football on Facebook.