As December 2025 progresses, New Jersey’s college sports scene is in full swing, with basketball and wrestling capturing the attention of fans statewide. From historic rivalries on the hardwood to nationally ranked wrestling programs, student-athletes are showcasing skill, strategy, and competitive intensity across the Garden State.
Men’s basketball fans are eagerly anticipating one of the season’s marquee matchups: Rutgers vs. Seton Hall. On Saturday, December 13, 2025, the Scarlet Knights will travel to the Prudential Center to face the Pirates, who currently lead the Big East Conference standings. Seton Hall has started the season strong, including a notable road victory at Kansas State, while Rutgers has faced challenges, falling to No. 1 Purdue and suffering a significant loss to Michigan. Despite the hurdles, local programs like NJCU are thriving, currently riding a four-game winning streak in conference play after defeating Stockton University. Roster changes have added intrigue to the Big East, with Seton Hall incorporating 10 transfers this season, signaling a team in transition but poised for high-level competition.
Women’s basketball continues to offer excitement, highlighted by Princeton’s dominant performance against Rutgers. On December 3, 2025, Princeton’s junior forward Fadima Tall delivered a career-high 28 points in an 81-63 victory over the Scarlet Knights at Jadwin Gymnasium. Tall’s all-around effort included four 3-pointers, four rebounds, three assists, and five steals, helping Princeton secure its eighth consecutive win and solidify its reputation as one of the region’s elite programs. Rutgers’ women are gearing up for a December 20 matchup against Lafayette before entering Big Ten play, while other New Jersey Athletic Conference teams are delivering competitive action, such as TCNJ’s narrow 54-53 win over Rutgers-Camden. Princeton now stands just outside the AP Top 25, with victories over Big Ten, Big East, and ACC opponents highlighting its strong non-conference performance.
Wrestling in New Jersey also remains highly competitive, with Rutgers and Princeton programs among the nation’s best. Rutgers, ranked No. 12, will host No. 20 Oklahoma and Drexel over the weekend of December 13-14, providing a showcase of top-tier talent and tactical matchups. Princeton returns four NCAA qualifiers from the 2025 season, all of whom are preseason ranked, reinforcing the Tigers’ status as a national contender. Both programs will eventually face the top-ranked Penn State Nittany Lions later in the season, creating a benchmark for measuring progress and competitiveness in the highly competitive college wrestling landscape.
Rutgers football concluded its 2025 campaign with a 5-7 record and declined a potential bowl invitation to the Birmingham Bowl, choosing instead to focus on offseason development and a comprehensive coaching staff overhaul. This decision reflects the program’s prioritization of long-term growth and competitiveness, signaling a commitment to rebuilding and strategic planning for future seasons.
New Jersey’s college sports landscape continues to offer thrilling competitions and standout individual performances. Fadima Tall’s recent breakout illustrates the depth of talent in women’s basketball, while men’s basketball rivalries and wrestling contests demonstrate the state’s broad athletic excellence. Fans, families, and student-athletes alike can track schedules, results, and in-depth coverage through Explore New Jersey’s college sports section, providing a comprehensive resource for staying connected with New Jersey’s thriving collegiate athletic scene.
With basketball rivalries heating up and wrestling programs making national headlines, New Jersey remains a hub for collegiate sports action this December, setting the stage for exciting developments across multiple disciplines as the winter season unfolds.
