You're a real tough cookie
With a long history
Of breaking little hearts like the one in me
That's okay, lets see how you do it
Put up your dukes, let's get down to it
Hit me with your best shot
Why don't you hit me with your best shot
Hit me with your best shot
Fire away
You come on with the come on
You don't fight fair
That's okay, see if I care!
Knock me down, it's all in vain
I get right back up on my feet again!
Hit me with your best shot
Why don't you hit me with your best shot
Hit me with your best shot
Fire away
Hit Me With Your Best Shot applies all over the place tonight. Another cardiac inducing game from the most maddening Rutgers team in history that makes you pull your hair out and break your television screen but one that will leave you crying tears of joy and waking up your neighbors as you shout it to the mountain tops. Everyone has heard before of the folklore of Pikiell's teams pounding and spitting nails and this same blueprint again tonight with their backs against the wall in a tough environment. The ability for Rutgers to take punches all season long is downright sublime. Every time they are on the verge of being counted on, they get back up their feet again. RU took a punch from Indiana early who was also playing for their tourney lives. RU just could not get out of their way, if they could just keep fighting and time it right and that they did. Indiana is a soft team, its the same Indiana team from the last several years. If you saw their near collapse versus Minnesota where they barely held on after having a 27 point lead you would know that. Rutgers absorbed Indiana's punch in the first half and then yet another shot by in the closing seconds that looked to send the game into overtime. But Ron Harper...take a bow, the night is over, bow to the target, he shot that poison arrow through their hearts. Ron again in a big spot firing the winning shot. Is that the 4th time now...Purdue, Iowa, Nebraska and now Indiana.
It amazing that even in Game 29 the rollercoaster continues and this game going to be added to the folklore,. A win which moves Rutgers steps closer to securing a 2nd straight NCAA tournament bid. The first half typical RU road basketball. Incredibly ugly against Indiana who was playing good but not great. They went up 10. How important would Geo's 3 at buzzer to cut it to 32-25 end up? Rutgers won this game for many reasons but coaching was a big one. Pikeill is a better coach than Woodson that much I know. The switch to the zone was the right elixir that paid dividends. RU could not stop Jackson Davis at all in the first half as he had 15 and it looked he was going to light RU up for 30 at this rate. Immediately RU was able to frustrate the Indiana offense and then start poking the ball away. Indiana was able to somewhat sustain it at first and actually increased the lead to 9 but you could see that they were having issues. RU was outrebounded 18-12 but suddenly they were limiting the Hoosiers to one shot. Paul and Caleb got key steals and Ron got going as RU was able to pick up the pace in transition. Back to back 3s by Ron and then a Hyatt putback of a blow layup had RU up 38-37, a 10-0 run in just 2 minutes. Seemed like Indiana responded after that going on a 10-2 RU to go back up 7. Back against the wall for RU at that point but they kept chipping away and at times left the zone to go back to man. Rutgers defense was back and it was on point even as the offense still was hit or miss
Consider Jackson Davis had 15 points in the first half, he finished with 19...his last back came in the first minute of the 2nd half, no fg for 19 minutes and I believe only 2 attempts.......amazing. RU led by Cliff sometimes with a double team by Paul was denying everything from Trace. He got less touches and when he touched it there was no where to go. It was as good a defensive performance denying a star player that you are going to see. Rutgers completely neutralized Indiana's biggest player and dared lesser players to try and hold the lead for Indiana and they failed and even as Parker Stewart hit that tying 3, you love that he was the one taking the last 2 three point attempts. Its exactly how you want to play. Credit Coach Pikiell and staff for that wizardry in the lockerroom to made the adjustment but of course credit the team for executing that plan. For much of the game, RU could not get out its own way, in the last 5 minutes that did not happen. RU had multiple players stepping up in big spots. How about RU losing the battle of the boards 18-12 in the first half and winning the 2nd 21-13.
The Ron 3 of course to win, just how cool and confident he was but he hit several of these in big moments, 5-8 on treys, 19 points total, 6 boards and a team leading 4 assists. Ron played like a man today and was/is the best player on the court not Trace who I thought was. Winners win, shot makers make shots, leaders lead. Cliff, what can we say about Cliff....hit 4 free throws of his life back to back with RU clinging to a 1 point lead including a one and one. Ice cold veins and he hasnt really been in those big spots like that late. 13 points, 12 boards, 4 blocks. Was directly responsible for owning the paint in the 2nd half and rebounding like hell. An absolute beast and a Cliff in total control of his body and his emotions. 7 boards alone in the last 10 and half minutes. Absolutely owned the paint. May have been his best overall game ever as a Knight. He is becoming a huge nightmare for opposing teams now. Geo Baker is what he is and he did deliver some big shots including that 3 to put RU up 57-56 with 2 and half to go. Big shot in crunch time, not his best shooting night but so so timely. It was really important for RU to get that cushion with the lead because they play so much better when they put the pressure on their opponents to score. The D was locked in so you knew if they could just hit some shots they could win this one. Caleb again with another solid defensive performance. When he was pulled for foul trouble, you really could see the drop off. Needs to be in and Pike though was able to squeeze enough time with Mag in for Caleb to get back in there around the 6 minute mark. Also Caleb hit some sweet difficult jumpers that kept RU hanging around when the offense was not very efficient.
Then let us talk about Hyatt, OMG we pull our hair out about him and his ball handling and his blown layup which he cleaned up but Hyatt has the last 20 seconds of his life. Picked to shoot the foul shots after Mulcahy was ejected. You don't fight fair...see if I care...Aundre a 60% free throw shooter, RU up 3 and Indy going to the line after these shots and the ball, the ghosts of RU past were talking.....one and one and Hyatt calmly drains them both, RU up 63-58 with game saving free throws. Role players role and Hyatt has to be feeling on the top of the world tonight for hitting those critical shots.
How did Hyatt even get there. Well listen, there are so many threads about Paul Mulcahy its best to limit commentary here because this game and this ending was more than just that play. On a bizarre play where RU made a huge stop, Geo inexplicably and inexcusably for a senior threw the ball up court instead of just dribbling up the court and waiting to get fouled. How could he do that. Luckily the ref was in the way. Unfortunately Paul couldnt keep his emotions in check after Johnson pushed him out of bounds. You just can try to and swing at someones face. Inexcusable and if you have been watching Paul the last 4 games, no one is suprised. Flagrant 2 and booted out of the game. Paul could have cost Rutgers the game and their NCAA bid. Luckily, Ron and Cliff and Aundre stepped up to make sure that shouldnt happen. Paul bleeds Rutgers red so I know he is hurting and I know he is already making it good with his teammates and the coaching staff. Any RU fan arguing against that call has no clue. You have to make that call. Hopefully its a lesson learned for all.
Heart palpitations as usual, keep your medication with you. A shot of nitroglycerin would do. Start dusting off your dancin shoes.
With a long history
Of breaking little hearts like the one in me
That's okay, lets see how you do it
Put up your dukes, let's get down to it
Hit me with your best shot
Why don't you hit me with your best shot
Hit me with your best shot
Fire away
You come on with the come on
You don't fight fair
That's okay, see if I care!
Knock me down, it's all in vain
I get right back up on my feet again!
Hit me with your best shot
Why don't you hit me with your best shot
Hit me with your best shot
Fire away
Hit Me With Your Best Shot applies all over the place tonight. Another cardiac inducing game from the most maddening Rutgers team in history that makes you pull your hair out and break your television screen but one that will leave you crying tears of joy and waking up your neighbors as you shout it to the mountain tops. Everyone has heard before of the folklore of Pikiell's teams pounding and spitting nails and this same blueprint again tonight with their backs against the wall in a tough environment. The ability for Rutgers to take punches all season long is downright sublime. Every time they are on the verge of being counted on, they get back up their feet again. RU took a punch from Indiana early who was also playing for their tourney lives. RU just could not get out of their way, if they could just keep fighting and time it right and that they did. Indiana is a soft team, its the same Indiana team from the last several years. If you saw their near collapse versus Minnesota where they barely held on after having a 27 point lead you would know that. Rutgers absorbed Indiana's punch in the first half and then yet another shot by in the closing seconds that looked to send the game into overtime. But Ron Harper...take a bow, the night is over, bow to the target, he shot that poison arrow through their hearts. Ron again in a big spot firing the winning shot. Is that the 4th time now...Purdue, Iowa, Nebraska and now Indiana.
It amazing that even in Game 29 the rollercoaster continues and this game going to be added to the folklore,. A win which moves Rutgers steps closer to securing a 2nd straight NCAA tournament bid. The first half typical RU road basketball. Incredibly ugly against Indiana who was playing good but not great. They went up 10. How important would Geo's 3 at buzzer to cut it to 32-25 end up? Rutgers won this game for many reasons but coaching was a big one. Pikeill is a better coach than Woodson that much I know. The switch to the zone was the right elixir that paid dividends. RU could not stop Jackson Davis at all in the first half as he had 15 and it looked he was going to light RU up for 30 at this rate. Immediately RU was able to frustrate the Indiana offense and then start poking the ball away. Indiana was able to somewhat sustain it at first and actually increased the lead to 9 but you could see that they were having issues. RU was outrebounded 18-12 but suddenly they were limiting the Hoosiers to one shot. Paul and Caleb got key steals and Ron got going as RU was able to pick up the pace in transition. Back to back 3s by Ron and then a Hyatt putback of a blow layup had RU up 38-37, a 10-0 run in just 2 minutes. Seemed like Indiana responded after that going on a 10-2 RU to go back up 7. Back against the wall for RU at that point but they kept chipping away and at times left the zone to go back to man. Rutgers defense was back and it was on point even as the offense still was hit or miss
Consider Jackson Davis had 15 points in the first half, he finished with 19...his last back came in the first minute of the 2nd half, no fg for 19 minutes and I believe only 2 attempts.......amazing. RU led by Cliff sometimes with a double team by Paul was denying everything from Trace. He got less touches and when he touched it there was no where to go. It was as good a defensive performance denying a star player that you are going to see. Rutgers completely neutralized Indiana's biggest player and dared lesser players to try and hold the lead for Indiana and they failed and even as Parker Stewart hit that tying 3, you love that he was the one taking the last 2 three point attempts. Its exactly how you want to play. Credit Coach Pikiell and staff for that wizardry in the lockerroom to made the adjustment but of course credit the team for executing that plan. For much of the game, RU could not get out its own way, in the last 5 minutes that did not happen. RU had multiple players stepping up in big spots. How about RU losing the battle of the boards 18-12 in the first half and winning the 2nd 21-13.
The Ron 3 of course to win, just how cool and confident he was but he hit several of these in big moments, 5-8 on treys, 19 points total, 6 boards and a team leading 4 assists. Ron played like a man today and was/is the best player on the court not Trace who I thought was. Winners win, shot makers make shots, leaders lead. Cliff, what can we say about Cliff....hit 4 free throws of his life back to back with RU clinging to a 1 point lead including a one and one. Ice cold veins and he hasnt really been in those big spots like that late. 13 points, 12 boards, 4 blocks. Was directly responsible for owning the paint in the 2nd half and rebounding like hell. An absolute beast and a Cliff in total control of his body and his emotions. 7 boards alone in the last 10 and half minutes. Absolutely owned the paint. May have been his best overall game ever as a Knight. He is becoming a huge nightmare for opposing teams now. Geo Baker is what he is and he did deliver some big shots including that 3 to put RU up 57-56 with 2 and half to go. Big shot in crunch time, not his best shooting night but so so timely. It was really important for RU to get that cushion with the lead because they play so much better when they put the pressure on their opponents to score. The D was locked in so you knew if they could just hit some shots they could win this one. Caleb again with another solid defensive performance. When he was pulled for foul trouble, you really could see the drop off. Needs to be in and Pike though was able to squeeze enough time with Mag in for Caleb to get back in there around the 6 minute mark. Also Caleb hit some sweet difficult jumpers that kept RU hanging around when the offense was not very efficient.
Then let us talk about Hyatt, OMG we pull our hair out about him and his ball handling and his blown layup which he cleaned up but Hyatt has the last 20 seconds of his life. Picked to shoot the foul shots after Mulcahy was ejected. You don't fight fair...see if I care...Aundre a 60% free throw shooter, RU up 3 and Indy going to the line after these shots and the ball, the ghosts of RU past were talking.....one and one and Hyatt calmly drains them both, RU up 63-58 with game saving free throws. Role players role and Hyatt has to be feeling on the top of the world tonight for hitting those critical shots.
How did Hyatt even get there. Well listen, there are so many threads about Paul Mulcahy its best to limit commentary here because this game and this ending was more than just that play. On a bizarre play where RU made a huge stop, Geo inexplicably and inexcusably for a senior threw the ball up court instead of just dribbling up the court and waiting to get fouled. How could he do that. Luckily the ref was in the way. Unfortunately Paul couldnt keep his emotions in check after Johnson pushed him out of bounds. You just can try to and swing at someones face. Inexcusable and if you have been watching Paul the last 4 games, no one is suprised. Flagrant 2 and booted out of the game. Paul could have cost Rutgers the game and their NCAA bid. Luckily, Ron and Cliff and Aundre stepped up to make sure that shouldnt happen. Paul bleeds Rutgers red so I know he is hurting and I know he is already making it good with his teammates and the coaching staff. Any RU fan arguing against that call has no clue. You have to make that call. Hopefully its a lesson learned for all.
Heart palpitations as usual, keep your medication with you. A shot of nitroglycerin would do. Start dusting off your dancin shoes.
