Rutgers, picked to finish 12th in the Big Ten, is very much in contention for the NCAA Tournament.
Rutgers could find themselves in the NCAA Tournament this year.
Yes, I’m seriously talking about Rutgers, the men’s college basketball team.
This is not a drill.
If Rutgers and the NCAA Tournament don’t sound like they go together in a sentence, well, it’s because for over two decades they haven’t.
But there’s something strange going on in Piscataway, New Jersey. There’s some pretty good college basketball being played at the RAC this season.
Yes, I’m talking about Rutgers!
The Scarlet Knights’ comeback victory over Northwestern at home, Sunday night, improved their record to 17-7 overall and 8-5 in the Big Ten conference. They clinched the team’s first winning season since 2005-06. Not bad for a team picked to finish 12th in the 14-team league preseason polls.
Rutgers is now 16-0 at home this season. There’s legit reason for fans to be excited.
But wait, there is one slight bump in the road which could derail Rutgers from the NCAA Tournament. As good as the Scarlet Knights are at home, their issues away from home are a huge problem.
Rutgers is only 1-7 away from the RAC this season. I’ve read what the beat reporters are saying about that and the message is mostly for fans not to panic.
I feel this is an ideal time to remind everyone in the room that this team has not been to the NCAA Tournament since 1991. We’re talking decades since they’ve heard their name called on Selection Sunday.
So, yes, there’s reason to panic.
Rutgers still has work to do
The NCAA Evaluation Tool, known as NET, relies on game results, strength of schedule, game location, score margin, net offensive and defensive efficiency, and the quality of wins and losses. Fans will also here about how teams have done in Quadrant 1 wins and losses. This is the primary tool used when gauging which teams can expect to hear their name called for the NCAA Tournament.
So, when it’s time for the Selection Committee to start dividing up the at-large bids, surprise teams, like Rutgers, will need to make sure their resume is as polished as can be. Because the margin of error is excruciatingly slim.
The NET ranking for Rutgers, before their win over Northwestern, was 29. But they’re suspect right now with a 6-6 record against Quadrant 1&2 teams, along with an unimpressive road record.
The quickest cure to getting away from a panic situation is to confront the issues at hand. For Rutgers right now that’s their struggles on the road. They can start in their next game, a tough one at Ohio State. Then it’s back home for games against No. 22 ranked Illinois and Michigan. Three of their final four games in the regular season will be on the road.
This isn’t to put a pin in all the excitement surrounding Rutgers’ basketball this season. Their fans have waited a long time for this type of buzz. Head coach Steve Pikiell has this team pointed in the right direction.
They’re gaining confidence with every win and learning lessons with every loss. It’s what you want to see from a team trying to take the next step forward.
Exceeding Expectations
Rutgers has already accomplished so much this season, far more than many predicted of them. They still have this final stretch of the regular season, along with the conference tournament, to further impress the Selection Committee and erase any doubts.
Meanwhile, give them credit for playing themselves into a position where they can control their own destiny.
Now we’ll see if they’re ready for the Madness.
