College athletics in New Jersey rarely take a week off, and as December rolls in, programs across the state are dealing with breakout performances, tight losses, early-season adversity, and the kind of emotional swings that make this time of year so compelling. From Piscataway to South Orange to Princeton, teams are navigating the push into winter competition as the schedule intensifies and conference play draws closer. Below is the latest roundup of what’s happening across the Garden State, and fans can always follow more collegiate coverage through our dedicated college sports section.
Rutgers University
Football continues to dominate headlines in Piscataway, not for game results this week, but for postseason accolades. Wide receiver Chris Duff and running back Samuel Brown V were both named to the All-Big Ten Second Team after standout seasons that elevated the Scarlet Knights’ offense. Center Gus Zilinskas received the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award, a nod to his leadership both on and off the field. Meanwhile, head coach Greg Schiano has shifted focus toward 2026, speaking about incoming recruits and laying early groundwork for what could become one of the more competitive quarterback battles Rutgers has seen in years.
On the hardwood, the men’s basketball team is preparing for a crucial road test against a nationally ranked Michigan squad. With a high-tempo offense and a defense that has shown real grit in tight moments, Rutgers is eyeing this matchup as a chance to measure itself against one of the country’s elite. The women’s program opens Big Ten play against nationally ranked Iowa, a matchup expected to push the Scarlet Knights’ defense to its limits early in the conference slate. Elsewhere within the athletic department, wrestling and swimming & diving are gearing up for their next rounds of competition as winter tournaments approach.
Seton Hall University
Seton Hall’s men’s basketball team is coming off a confident performance after defeating Central Connecticut State 77–61. Adam “Budd” Clark delivered a standout double-double with 10 points and 12 assists, continuing to cement himself as one of the Pirates’ early-season engines. They will be back in action Friday at the Prudential Center where they host Iowa as part of the Big Ten/BIG EAST challenge, a matchup that traditionally draws strong crowds and sharp competitive intensity.
The women’s team opens BIG EAST Conference play with a home contest against Butler. Coming off their first loss of the season to Princeton, the Pirates are looking to reset, establish momentum, and reassert themselves as one of the steadier programs in the conference under early-season pressure.
Princeton University
The Princeton men’s basketball team endured another difficult night, falling 63–58 to Monmouth in a matchup that highlighted both their potential and their current challenges. Despite a 20-point performance from sophomore center CJ Happy, the Tigers extended their losing streak to five games, a skid they haven’t experienced since 2019. The margin has been painfully close: the last four losses have been decided by a combined 16 points.
Injuries continue to cloud Princeton’s early season. Dalen Davis remained out with a sprained ankle, and Malik Abdullahi missed the game with a foot injury, leaving the already-youthful roster without two key starters. Head coach Mitch Henderson expressed visible frustration after a night marked by turnovers, missed opportunities, officiating that he felt turned the game into “a wrestling match,” and a delayed start that pushed the game nearly half an hour past the scheduled tip. He also used two early timeouts—one just nine seconds into the second half after a player slipped on a wet spot—and lost his final timeout on an unsuccessful challenge with a little more than three minutes left.
Still, the Tigers remained within striking distance until the final seconds, when a potential game-tying three-pointer by Happy hit off the rim. Princeton struggled with ball control, committing 19 turnovers that Monmouth converted into 23 points, a decisive factor in a game where the Hawks also scored 21 fast-break points.
Head coach King Rice of Monmouth, who knows firsthand how tough early-season adversity can be, praised Princeton’s character and competitiveness, noting that the Tigers fought to the last second despite playing short-handed and relying heavily on underclassmen. With Ivy League play beginning January 5 against Penn, Princeton is now focused on using these challenging weeks to regroup and get healthy before the conference schedule that truly defines their season.
Women’s Ice Hockey at Princeton delivered brighter news, as junior goaltender Uma Corniea earned ECAC Hockey MAC Goaltending Goalie of the Month honors. Her standout performance throughout November, particularly against ranked opponents, has elevated her national profile and given the Tigers a strong defensive backbone heading into December.
Other New Jersey Colleges
New Jersey City University continues to surge on the court. The women’s basketball program stayed undefeated in NJAC play after topping Rutgers-Newark 68–60, maintaining their early-season grip on the conference. The NJCU men’s team also delivered in dramatic fashion, winning in overtime against Rutgers-Newark to build valuable momentum heading into the next stretch of their schedule.
Stockton University handed the No. 19 TCNJ men’s basketball team a decisive 80–64 loss, halting TCNJ’s five-game winning streak. For a TCNJ squad that had been gaining traction regionally, this game serves as a benchmark and a reminder that conference matchups provide little room for comfort.
New Jersey’s college sports landscape is in full swing, with programs across the state building identity, battling adversity, and showcasing emerging talent. From nationally recognized programs to rising Division III programs, the Garden State continues to affirm its position as one of the most vibrant college sports regions on the East Coast.
