Rutgers Scarlet Knights (West/No. 11)
Ron Harper Jr.Associated Press
Record: 18-13
NET Ranking: 77
First opponent: No. 11 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (Play-in game)
This may be the sleepiest sleeper of the bunch. The Knights of New Jersey have been inconsistent all season. But they've demonstrated resilience and even excellence over that time.
They'll have a tall task in front of them, though, starting their dance in the First Four against another scrappy bunch in Notre Dame.
For Rutgers it all starts with Ron Harper Jr. He's not a generational athlete, but he always seems to be around the ball, no matter which end of the floor.
The Scarlets Knights as a whole fit into that same mold. There are no eye-popping stats, just wins, including that brilliant four-game stretch in February that saw them knock off Michigan State, Ohio State, Wisconsin and Illinois—all ranked in the Top 20—in succession. Before that streak began, the team was 12-9 and coming off a loss to Northwestern. That stretch saved the season and redefined the team.
And now it comes back to Harper. He embodies this toughness through his clutchness. That March 2 game-winner over Indiana was the most notable example.
Rutgers has the stuff to take some teams by surprise. They've been doing it all season.
Ron Harper Jr.Associated Press
Record: 18-13
NET Ranking: 77
First opponent: No. 11 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (Play-in game)
This may be the sleepiest sleeper of the bunch. The Knights of New Jersey have been inconsistent all season. But they've demonstrated resilience and even excellence over that time.
They'll have a tall task in front of them, though, starting their dance in the First Four against another scrappy bunch in Notre Dame.
For Rutgers it all starts with Ron Harper Jr. He's not a generational athlete, but he always seems to be around the ball, no matter which end of the floor.
The Scarlets Knights as a whole fit into that same mold. There are no eye-popping stats, just wins, including that brilliant four-game stretch in February that saw them knock off Michigan State, Ohio State, Wisconsin and Illinois—all ranked in the Top 20—in succession. Before that streak began, the team was 12-9 and coming off a loss to Northwestern. That stretch saved the season and redefined the team.
And now it comes back to Harper. He embodies this toughness through his clutchness. That March 2 game-winner over Indiana was the most notable example.
Rutgers has the stuff to take some teams by surprise. They've been doing it all season.
