Boy did everyone need this win. Something had to give right? From the coaching staff to the players to the disheartened fans at least for one night things finally went right after a seemingly endless stretch of bad luck, bad defense and bad flu strains. Two programs desperate facing different. challenges. Mick Cronin has called out his team as soft and not as good as they think they are and was booted from the last game at Maryland. On top of that the devestating fires back in California which worsened while the Bruins were headed to the East Coast has to be playing on their minds in a big way. The uncertainity of what life is back home for their loved ones and their families and friends trumps anything in a basketball game. Yet basketball still plays on. What Rutgers did was take advantage of struggling and distracted Bruin team and certainly make no apologies for doing it. Rutgers easily could have mailed it in at 8-8 with NCAA hopes a pipe dream. Yet they didn't. They did it in the most sharing and caring game of teamwork that I have seen ALL YEAR long from the 2024-2025 unit. This was not the Dylan and Ace show with maybe help from one other guy, this was a story of a game where every single player contributed something at some point to secure this win. That it wasnt the Ace and Dylan show might be the biggest leap forward in developmen that this team has taken all year long
Obviously Pikiell and staff had alot of soul searching after the Purdue and Wisconsin 2nd halves which saw the Rutgers offense reside in frozen toilet. Obviously Dylan being 10% for Wisconsin and 30% for Purdue hurts alot but it didnt explain everything nor should it. I would say even tonight Dylan was only maybe 75% but that is okay because others finally stepped up to help him and Ace. Lets start with the shakeup by Pike starting Summerville, Grant, and Acuff with Harper/Ace. First time we have seen that particular lineup. It didnt really play dividends early as RU got off to a poor start down 7-0 and were a bit surprised by the UCLA press. . I think where it payed off was lighting a fire under some other players coming off the bench. When Pike starting subbing RU started waking up and seemed to have more pep in their step in challlenging UCLA on the defensive end and on the boards. A particular key stretch got RU back from a 7 point defecit and down to 1 led by the play of EO and Zak who played a really solid stretch. EO with some boards and a dunk and Zak with a huge 3 and even though he missed two others, one was in and popped out, Zak also got to the line where he made 1-2. I know baby steps with Zak right. I think he held his own on both ends of the court. J Mike had some good minutes and J Will was playing solid. Ace and Dylan were good but not great. I got the sense RU would need to elevate their game at some point offensively to pull this one out. Rutgers overall wasnt exactly in sync on offense but more important Rutgers was able to hang in there because they really started to slow UCLA down. The easy open looks the Bruins got early and there were many of them they bricked were not as available. RU defense was bothering their flow and that really continued all game long as it was likely was RUs best full game defensive effort of the season. Never did you get the notion that UCLA was going to go a run. This was going to be a grind out type win that Pike loves to play and thread the needle. Question is would Rutgers have enough to get over the hump.
So how many times do you hear the cliche "the first 5 minutes of the 2nd half" are going to be huge. Well huge is an understatement. Those first 90 seconds were the turning point of the game and RU would never relinquish the lead although there was one brief tie. Ace with a putback on a Lathan miss started things off and then there was Dylan dropping back to back haymakers that had RU suddenly up 38-33, Mick Cronin calling a full timeout and the RAC roaring like a freight train. Unlike the last 2 home games and the one at Indiana, Rutgers did not have to play comeback and this time they had a healthier Harper with an involved crowd. That is always a recipe for success under Pikiell when his charges are dialed in and committed to play defense. The Bruins were out of whack and while they hung with Rutgers somewhat, you just got the feeling that they did not really have the fight in them. Tyson Acuff by all rights didnt have his best game and its likely because I think him and Harper/Ace on the court at the same time isnt the best combo. Yet he hit a big 3 that broke the tie at 41 where RU wouldnt look back. RU was getting further contributions by Emmanuel but the one guy who really stepped up his game was Jeremiah Williams. Heavily criticized the last few weeks because of just inconsistent plays and sometimes not even showing up at all. Its impossible to think RU can win games without him being a big factor on defense and contributing 10 or more points. Tonight we got the JWill we thought we were going to have. With Ace/Dylan slowed up and our offense in that usual funk it gets into J Will hit back to back layups to push the RU lead to 7 its largest of the game.
After that it would be quite a stretch of gutting it out and it was done in an unlikely way at the foul line of all places. Over the next 3 minutes, RU would go a perfect 8-8 at the line with 2 by Lathan, 2 by Ace and stunningly 4-4 from J Mike. Patient and strategical this team drew fouls and UCLA was foolish enough to put RU at the line. RU wasnt hitting them at a good rate before that, not sure of the exact number but it was ugly. But here again you have another stretch where its not Dylans heroics, its the RU free throw bugaboo becoming its strength. Suddenly RU up by 9 at 63-54 with about 4:30 to go. The RAC started to feel it a bit but again here is the challenge for this team. Trying to sustain or build off of leads has been pretty futile all year long. Even in the win over Penn State, RU had lost its 15 point lead and was desperately trying to hold sway to the last possession. Like clockwork UCLA starts chipping away and RU dries up offensively going 0-5 fg and in just a 2 and half minute stretch UCLA goes on a 8-0 after a huge 3 pointer to cut the lead to 63-62. Here we go again. A loss here would be crushing beyond belief.
Well big time players make big shots. Ace has a knack for hitting some big 3s in the last few minutes but none was bigger than the one from the corner with the shot clocking winding down. RU back up 66-62 with a bit of breathing room. UCLA made only one of 2 layups and J Will found a nice hole to the hoop laying in a score to put RU up 5 and with the RAC crowd urging the Knights on another stop and 2 more free throws from Lathan put RU up 70-63 and that was basically all she wrote. UCLA did hit a 3 but after being pressured the inbound, RU was able to get it to an open Ace for an easy layup and one. Ace coming up big late with timely shots but a perfect night at the line. Rutgers winning with a tenacious Steve Pikiell defense and while Dylan definitely was a factor in the win, he was no more a factor than anyone else. It truly was a team effort tonight. Congrats to each and every player (that played as Hayes/Derkack got DNPs) and the coaching staff. Was not an easy game to win having to shake off the losing and the negativity and being able to put away a team in a bit of turmoil. No style points and some not so pretty moments but RU did what they had to do which is hold serve at home.
To touch on some stats. I believe in the first half everyone that played except for Acuff scored. To me a good sign and rebounding being pretty even at half was a good sign. In the 2nd half RU outboarded UCLA and won that final battle 37-29. Yes I felt UCLA was indeed soft and didnt think they were willing to be physical to crash the boards. RU hit 13 of their final 15 free throws...absolutely huge. Before that they were just 8 of 16. Getting to the line 31 times is big time. Do not talk to me about refs. RU got some favorable calls in general tonight IMO but so what, these thing do even out. I like that the coaching staff took advantage of drawing fouls. I know the Harper fouls got groans but I think they were legit and Cronin should have done everything in his power to foul Dylan out but simply didnt.
Individually great to see Ace bounce back after two poor showing in a row. 7-13 fg, 20 points earning a double double with 10 boards, hitting all 5 of his foul shots and how about 3 blocks. I really think Ace took a step forward today in his best defensive outing of the season. Dylan was just 5-13 fg, 4 boards, 4 assists but also 4 turnover. He had some nifty moves to the hoop that UCLA couldnt even challenge but Dylan was like I said probably only 70-75% so one more game and he should have his sea legs back and be at close to full strength for Nebraska. J Will 5-7 fg 11 points....we need this from him every night to win games in league play, its as simple as that. 26 minutes but off the bench but ended up playing just as much as Acuff was ineffective for much of his time. JMike 6 points and hitting all 4 of his ft but his solid defense and being able to navigate through the Ucla pressure doesnt show up in the stat line. EO was solid tonight in 15 minutes and 5 boards. Lathan 6 points and a whopping 9 boards in 24 minutes. Acuff and Martini just with one 3 each but Zak did well in 14 minutes. Dylan Frant hit his first shot, a 3 and didnt hit another going 1-4 fg, 0-2 ft for 3 points but had 2 blocks and 2 boards in a meaningful 24 minutes. His energy he provides is an x factor and he is gaining invaluable experience right now. DNP for Hayes and Derkack...the DNP for the latter is eyebrowing raising but dont expect that to be a regular thing. He will be called upon again.
RAC crowd was loud at times albeit not all that consistent. I think some may have feared a collapse late. I think this crop of students are weak. I see its not even all students there and I only see like 5 or 6 rows evening caring that Wonderwall is being played...so thats my only complaint of the night
It also is just a relief to actually be able to have a recap that can go into the plays of the game rather than the past 3 games. Truly did not know what to expect tonight. Both schools came into this game reeling. Could Rutgers drop all 3 of their home games? Was UCLA really going to lose 4 in a row? It was certainly a game that both programs needed albeit perhaps for different reasons. While UCLA is sputtering they still have quality wins right now and a couple game cushion than Rutgers. They have wins at Oregon and over Arizona/Gonzaga in non conference play. If the tourney was selected right now they are still a tourney team. RU was fortunate to not get the team that won at Oregon but dont cry for the Briuns. Rutgers needed this game more. Not for NCAA tourney, do not even think about that. Rutgers needed this for themselves, the coaching staff, the fans. Backs against the walls, Rutgers took the opportunity facing a talented yet vulnerable UCLA team and now it at least gives them to have an opportunity to have another opportunity at Nebraska. For now it is a one game season. 1-0 every game. I have no idea if they are capable of doing that more than here or there but thats what we have to find out going forward. Stack 3 more of these together and then we shall revisit any hope of salvaging NCAA goals.
Obviously Pikiell and staff had alot of soul searching after the Purdue and Wisconsin 2nd halves which saw the Rutgers offense reside in frozen toilet. Obviously Dylan being 10% for Wisconsin and 30% for Purdue hurts alot but it didnt explain everything nor should it. I would say even tonight Dylan was only maybe 75% but that is okay because others finally stepped up to help him and Ace. Lets start with the shakeup by Pike starting Summerville, Grant, and Acuff with Harper/Ace. First time we have seen that particular lineup. It didnt really play dividends early as RU got off to a poor start down 7-0 and were a bit surprised by the UCLA press. . I think where it payed off was lighting a fire under some other players coming off the bench. When Pike starting subbing RU started waking up and seemed to have more pep in their step in challlenging UCLA on the defensive end and on the boards. A particular key stretch got RU back from a 7 point defecit and down to 1 led by the play of EO and Zak who played a really solid stretch. EO with some boards and a dunk and Zak with a huge 3 and even though he missed two others, one was in and popped out, Zak also got to the line where he made 1-2. I know baby steps with Zak right. I think he held his own on both ends of the court. J Mike had some good minutes and J Will was playing solid. Ace and Dylan were good but not great. I got the sense RU would need to elevate their game at some point offensively to pull this one out. Rutgers overall wasnt exactly in sync on offense but more important Rutgers was able to hang in there because they really started to slow UCLA down. The easy open looks the Bruins got early and there were many of them they bricked were not as available. RU defense was bothering their flow and that really continued all game long as it was likely was RUs best full game defensive effort of the season. Never did you get the notion that UCLA was going to go a run. This was going to be a grind out type win that Pike loves to play and thread the needle. Question is would Rutgers have enough to get over the hump.
So how many times do you hear the cliche "the first 5 minutes of the 2nd half" are going to be huge. Well huge is an understatement. Those first 90 seconds were the turning point of the game and RU would never relinquish the lead although there was one brief tie. Ace with a putback on a Lathan miss started things off and then there was Dylan dropping back to back haymakers that had RU suddenly up 38-33, Mick Cronin calling a full timeout and the RAC roaring like a freight train. Unlike the last 2 home games and the one at Indiana, Rutgers did not have to play comeback and this time they had a healthier Harper with an involved crowd. That is always a recipe for success under Pikiell when his charges are dialed in and committed to play defense. The Bruins were out of whack and while they hung with Rutgers somewhat, you just got the feeling that they did not really have the fight in them. Tyson Acuff by all rights didnt have his best game and its likely because I think him and Harper/Ace on the court at the same time isnt the best combo. Yet he hit a big 3 that broke the tie at 41 where RU wouldnt look back. RU was getting further contributions by Emmanuel but the one guy who really stepped up his game was Jeremiah Williams. Heavily criticized the last few weeks because of just inconsistent plays and sometimes not even showing up at all. Its impossible to think RU can win games without him being a big factor on defense and contributing 10 or more points. Tonight we got the JWill we thought we were going to have. With Ace/Dylan slowed up and our offense in that usual funk it gets into J Will hit back to back layups to push the RU lead to 7 its largest of the game.
After that it would be quite a stretch of gutting it out and it was done in an unlikely way at the foul line of all places. Over the next 3 minutes, RU would go a perfect 8-8 at the line with 2 by Lathan, 2 by Ace and stunningly 4-4 from J Mike. Patient and strategical this team drew fouls and UCLA was foolish enough to put RU at the line. RU wasnt hitting them at a good rate before that, not sure of the exact number but it was ugly. But here again you have another stretch where its not Dylans heroics, its the RU free throw bugaboo becoming its strength. Suddenly RU up by 9 at 63-54 with about 4:30 to go. The RAC started to feel it a bit but again here is the challenge for this team. Trying to sustain or build off of leads has been pretty futile all year long. Even in the win over Penn State, RU had lost its 15 point lead and was desperately trying to hold sway to the last possession. Like clockwork UCLA starts chipping away and RU dries up offensively going 0-5 fg and in just a 2 and half minute stretch UCLA goes on a 8-0 after a huge 3 pointer to cut the lead to 63-62. Here we go again. A loss here would be crushing beyond belief.
Well big time players make big shots. Ace has a knack for hitting some big 3s in the last few minutes but none was bigger than the one from the corner with the shot clocking winding down. RU back up 66-62 with a bit of breathing room. UCLA made only one of 2 layups and J Will found a nice hole to the hoop laying in a score to put RU up 5 and with the RAC crowd urging the Knights on another stop and 2 more free throws from Lathan put RU up 70-63 and that was basically all she wrote. UCLA did hit a 3 but after being pressured the inbound, RU was able to get it to an open Ace for an easy layup and one. Ace coming up big late with timely shots but a perfect night at the line. Rutgers winning with a tenacious Steve Pikiell defense and while Dylan definitely was a factor in the win, he was no more a factor than anyone else. It truly was a team effort tonight. Congrats to each and every player (that played as Hayes/Derkack got DNPs) and the coaching staff. Was not an easy game to win having to shake off the losing and the negativity and being able to put away a team in a bit of turmoil. No style points and some not so pretty moments but RU did what they had to do which is hold serve at home.
To touch on some stats. I believe in the first half everyone that played except for Acuff scored. To me a good sign and rebounding being pretty even at half was a good sign. In the 2nd half RU outboarded UCLA and won that final battle 37-29. Yes I felt UCLA was indeed soft and didnt think they were willing to be physical to crash the boards. RU hit 13 of their final 15 free throws...absolutely huge. Before that they were just 8 of 16. Getting to the line 31 times is big time. Do not talk to me about refs. RU got some favorable calls in general tonight IMO but so what, these thing do even out. I like that the coaching staff took advantage of drawing fouls. I know the Harper fouls got groans but I think they were legit and Cronin should have done everything in his power to foul Dylan out but simply didnt.
Individually great to see Ace bounce back after two poor showing in a row. 7-13 fg, 20 points earning a double double with 10 boards, hitting all 5 of his foul shots and how about 3 blocks. I really think Ace took a step forward today in his best defensive outing of the season. Dylan was just 5-13 fg, 4 boards, 4 assists but also 4 turnover. He had some nifty moves to the hoop that UCLA couldnt even challenge but Dylan was like I said probably only 70-75% so one more game and he should have his sea legs back and be at close to full strength for Nebraska. J Will 5-7 fg 11 points....we need this from him every night to win games in league play, its as simple as that. 26 minutes but off the bench but ended up playing just as much as Acuff was ineffective for much of his time. JMike 6 points and hitting all 4 of his ft but his solid defense and being able to navigate through the Ucla pressure doesnt show up in the stat line. EO was solid tonight in 15 minutes and 5 boards. Lathan 6 points and a whopping 9 boards in 24 minutes. Acuff and Martini just with one 3 each but Zak did well in 14 minutes. Dylan Frant hit his first shot, a 3 and didnt hit another going 1-4 fg, 0-2 ft for 3 points but had 2 blocks and 2 boards in a meaningful 24 minutes. His energy he provides is an x factor and he is gaining invaluable experience right now. DNP for Hayes and Derkack...the DNP for the latter is eyebrowing raising but dont expect that to be a regular thing. He will be called upon again.
RAC crowd was loud at times albeit not all that consistent. I think some may have feared a collapse late. I think this crop of students are weak. I see its not even all students there and I only see like 5 or 6 rows evening caring that Wonderwall is being played...so thats my only complaint of the night
It also is just a relief to actually be able to have a recap that can go into the plays of the game rather than the past 3 games. Truly did not know what to expect tonight. Both schools came into this game reeling. Could Rutgers drop all 3 of their home games? Was UCLA really going to lose 4 in a row? It was certainly a game that both programs needed albeit perhaps for different reasons. While UCLA is sputtering they still have quality wins right now and a couple game cushion than Rutgers. They have wins at Oregon and over Arizona/Gonzaga in non conference play. If the tourney was selected right now they are still a tourney team. RU was fortunate to not get the team that won at Oregon but dont cry for the Briuns. Rutgers needed this game more. Not for NCAA tourney, do not even think about that. Rutgers needed this for themselves, the coaching staff, the fans. Backs against the walls, Rutgers took the opportunity facing a talented yet vulnerable UCLA team and now it at least gives them to have an opportunity to have another opportunity at Nebraska. For now it is a one game season. 1-0 every game. I have no idea if they are capable of doing that more than here or there but thats what we have to find out going forward. Stack 3 more of these together and then we shall revisit any hope of salvaging NCAA goals.
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