Daunting trip to Mackey Arena, critical stretch ahead for Rutgers men's basketball
The Rutgers men's basketball team has its back against the wall heading into the final stretch of the regular season. The Scarlet Knights (14-11, 6-8) were riding a four-game winning streak before they fell 81-70 on the road against Minnesota in their last outing.
Heading into that game, there was well-deserved buzz surrounding Rutgers due to the addition of redshirt junior guard Jeremiah Williams, as the Knights were 4-0 with him in the lineup. They came up short against the Golden Gophers (16-9, 7-7), though, and now have a grueling gauntlet of games ahead against some feisty Big Ten opponents.
Prior to the Minnesota game, many thought that a 5-2 stretch over Rutgers' final seven games would be enough to warrant NCAA Tournament consideration for the Knights. With the loss to the Golden Gophers, though, reaching that mark is now much more difficult.
Rutgers has Purdue, Maryland, Michigan, Nebraska, Wisconsin and Ohio State on the horizon to close out the regular season. The Knights have played each of these teams once already this season, with a combined record of 4-2 against them. Likely needing to win five of these games for any chance at NCAA Tournament consideration, Rutgers has its hands full.
First up for the Knights is a road contest against the Boilermakers (23-3, 12-3) on Thursday. No. 3 Purdue comes into this matchup fresh off a stunning loss to the Buckeyes (15-11, 5-10). Rutgers has had the Boilermakers' number in recent years, but the Knights have now lost 3 of the last 4 matchups, including two in a row in the most recent contests.
It will be as difficult as ever for Rutgers to beat Purdue, as Mackey Arena in West Lafayette, Indiana, can be the toughest arena for road teams to play in across the entire nation.
With their toughest test of the season right in front of them, it is now or never for the Knights to show the world the type of team they are. Rutgers will need to play much better defensively than it did against Minnesota to have a shot at doing the unthinkable and upsetting the Boilermakers.
Following Thursday's clash with Purdue is a Sunday matinee against the Terrapins (14-12, 6-9) at Jersey Mike's Arena on Livingston campus. The Knights went on the road and beat Maryland just two weeks ago and will look to complete the season sweep this weekend.
Every game is essentially a must-win at this stage in the season for Rutgers. The maleficent Mackey Arena is not where a road team wants to play its must-win games, but the Knights have won in the building before and will be looking for history to repeat itself.
Thursday's duel will tip off at 7 p.m. and be broadcast on Fox Sports 1. Sunday's home game against the Terrapins will tip off at noon and be broadcast on the Big Ten Network. Both games can also be heard on 88.7 WRSU-FM.
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