Let's keep it short. Rutgers is back. This team today was the one we watched through February 4. This week in Chicago, just a short two game stay proved that Rutgers belongs in the NCAA tournament and that they can actually win games. The board was resigned to the fact that Michigan was going to beat us by double digits and we would limp into the NIT. It was not hard to argue against this. Rutgers sputtered three straight times at the RAC and the feeble performance at Northwestern indicated this team maybe just wasn't good enough. They lacked depth. They lacked offense. Most of all they lacked confidence. Somehow someway as I discussed yesterday, RU found it against Michigan. That didnt mean I feared a possible blowout vs Purdue. Today was still an enormous challenge against a projected one seed.
I do not think I ever sat through a game this year without yelling at the television at some point, that is until today. It was a joy to watch Rutgers play. They dominated a top 5 seed for stretches of this game. They made it hard for them to score. They managed to neutralize the player of the year. The Rutgers defense was elite. I was calm and at peace. Even when the game seemed to be slipping away. Rutgers was fighting its heart out, creating turnovers and extra scoring opportunities and even though they came up short on some of them. Things can change on a dime. Yesterday was an incredible turnaround but would it stick. Today was confirmation of what we saw yesterday. Back in the RU groove. with the mojo rising. Couldn't come at a better time. Headed to the NCAA tourney believing in themselves and believing they can knock off top schools.
Rutgers lost today simply because Purdue was just a little better. Purdue won because 3 guys...Gillis, Jenkins and Morton who collectively have not been big factors for them offensively stepped up and hit some big shots. The RU strategy to heavily pressure Edey was perfect. No shame in that and it paid off for much of the game. Rutgers taking the risk of letting another player beat them was worth it. Gillis is one thing. He can do this. He obviously took it upon himself to have himself a game with 20 points on 7-8 fg. and 9 boards. What was unexpected was Jenkins 4-4 fg, 12 points, throwing down daggers late in the shot clock with good defense. I mean yeah RU did let up some open 3s but this guy was covered. Just a key sequence of back to back to back threes by Purdue was enough to give them just enough cushion. A 50-46 lead. What followed was a pivotal stretch where RU blinked. Cliff picked up 2 fouls in 4 seconds. The first was not egregious but getting a 2nd one two seconds later was not smart. Sent him to the bench. Compounding the issue, Caleb just dumb foul 2 seconds later and Purdue went right after Wolf who was called for a foul. Without Cliff Ru was disorganized on offense and endured a 4 minute dry spell where Purdue went up 7. Against a team as good as Purdue, cannot have a dry spell like that. Cliff came back in and RU worked their asses off to keep pace. The press created turnovers for Caleb and Derek. RU was right there. Alas at 60-56 could not convert off a steal and got called for a foul. Maybe he would want that back to make a better decision. Cannot fault because this RU transformation has been about Derek and attacking. Rutgers is willing to take the mistakes because the reward is that RU has now opened its offense up and is no longer the stagnant bunch we saw for the past month.
Derek exponentially growing before our eyes. 5-16 fg, 6-8 ft 18 points, 3 steals. I mean yes 11-32 fg isnt a great percentage but its about the energy and new wrinkle he brings to the offense. The shots are there for him. He hit some. As a senior he will hit more of those. Do not fault him too much. They are going to not know how to scout for Derek in the NCAA tourney. Spencer 5-13 fg 13 points was real good at times. Surprised he had 13 because I felt he needed to take a few more, maybe some 3s. Paul was money early on hitting his first 3 but then turned more toward being distributor in the 2nd half. I think only 2 fg attempts in the first half but I would have like to see more. Cliff again great job on Edey as usual the case with him. Like that we didnt force Cliff the ball all the time...picked the spots, 4-10 fg is the best you can expect and Cliff worked for some nice moves. 8 boards and 3 blocks, cannot complain at all about Cliff except for needing to stop with the fouls that do not matter. Caleb again so good on D before fouling out and added some nice jumpers early in the 2nd half. Woolfolk continues to impress converting on 4 straight points before halftime when Cliff was sitting. Oskar gave minutes and hustles. He had a few open looks he could not hit down. Would have been nice. What is telling is that Oskar now is in the rotation over Hyatt. Writing on the wall there but I am pretty sure Aundre will get another shot next week to contribute. Even Jalen..no he shouldnt be shooting 3s but providing a bucket and a least minutes out there is all I need from.
Rebounding stats at 35-28 key here. Purdue got to the line more but to me officiating was a wash here. They let Ru get away with really physical play in the first half and even though there was a foul disparity in the first half I do not think it effected that first half. 2nd half less fouling but thats the half where the refs were all over the place inconsistent in play calls for both teams. Edey needed to get that flagrant called on him so that was good. Bardo can suck ass. He was unlistenable all game. Went from the best in the biz to a complete moron.
Have not felt this good after a loss in a long while. Rutgers should be dancing. At this writing its not 100% but it would be highway robbery if left out. Rutgers has the resume and they just answered any questions people had about the last month. An exciting week to come and do not get discourage if its Dayton in the end. This team is going to show to the country what its made of. Today was just a preview.
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