Usually after a game I am consumed with reading every single thread, every single post and I did that until about midnight but then felt for my own sanity it would be better to just invoke the 12 hour rule. What's done is done. Reliving it through your mind will drive you nuts. Lord knows Rutgers history is filled with these moments. There are points on both sides of the coin on taking the air out vs playing to win. At the end of the day, the result is still the same. As crushing a loss as it was for us fans, its has to be 10x as tough for the players and coaching staff. Again tough to do a game recap with my immediate reactions and not the first time this year either, sometimes this team would make you pull your hair out.
The two year run of this particular group of kids is what we all signed up for. A thrill ride of watching a program develop before our eyes. This team will always be defined by its work ethic and grit and as well documented, its not always going to be pretty. Rutgers earned their way into the tournament in 2020 with two thrilling victories down the stretch vs Maryland and Purdue. Then they had their opportunity ripped away from them by a nasty virus. Covid would pose challenges for every school this season. Some handled it better than others. Some probably did everything right and still had Covid issues. You have to give Rutgers, the university and the entire staff and players major credit for getting through this season without any Covid issues and sticking to it mentally. I think the whole Covid situation added a new wrinkle to analyzing everything where unless you were actually these kids in their bubble, you had no idea what they had to go through. What could be criticized in normal years in retrospect might be better off given a pass this year. The program held sway through the ebbs and flows of a brutal Big 10 schedule and came out with its first NCAA tourney bid in 30 years. That is historic and they were not just satisfied being there for the first time in 30 years, they delivered Rutgers first NCAA tournament win in 38 years!
Beyond the performance on the court, Rutgers fans should be proud of what a great representation these players are for their university off the court as well. Myles the Brilliant...how great was it seeing that piece on the Journey and then the one on CBS about him. Such a role model for the black community and trying to encourage more minorities to get into STEM and engineering. Agree with Geo or not, you have to admire his passion for his causes for change and challenging the NCAA. Kid wants to make a difference and is forcing a discussion that needs to be had. These are good kids and they part of a group that changed the culture of Rutgers basketball on and off the court.
But what has these last two seasons brought us as fans. Well for one it has exorcised so much negativity that has consumed Rutgers fans for 30 years. Never did I think when I was at RU as a junior in 91 it was going to take so long to get back to the dance. A 30 year journey, 25 of them on the message boards for some that was just filled with seasons of one step forward, two steps back. Near misses and false starts. We never understood as fans what winning was about because our season highlights were upsetting Syracuse or beating Seton Hall in the Big East tournament or coming back from 12 down to beat Villanova. Those are nice moments in Rutgers history but there were no tourney appearances to validate them. The past two seasons, Rutgers got the wins and won in bunches and that is how you build a NCAA tourney resume.
Man how great was it last year when early bracketology came out and RU was projected in the field, first solidly in the field and then falling down to the last in/last out line as they needed a road win. This is what we signed up for. Rutgers being talked about all over. We dreamed of these moments for years. This year the same thing, to see RU in the projected brackets matched up against UConn or North Carolina. Then the buildup and anticipation to Selection Sunday knowing that Rutgers' name was going to be called. Its old hat for most programs but us it was new, we were like schoolgirls. Seeing Rutgers name flash on the screen was a surreal moment for all of us. This was really happening. RU on the brackets. No Duke, No Kentucky but Rutgers????!!! RU being a sexy 10 seed pick to win over Clemson. Are you kidding me? Times are a changing.
Rutgers getting their night in the spotlight vs Clemson and not just happy to be there. Taking it to Clemson and winning in a gritty effort. It was an impressive performance for sure. Survive and advance, anything can happen in the NCAA tournament. I had no doubt RU was going to compete against Houston. Houston is good but this is not the kind of 2 seed to fear. RU was shaky early but then took it to Houston beating them at their own game. Truly last night was one of RU's best overall defensive efforts of the season for about 35 minutes before it fell part. That is the shame, RU positioned itself and played well enough to win for 35 minutes but could not seize the day. Tourney games are won by making plays. Houston did and Rutgers did not. You want to leave it on the court with no regrets and I am sure that the team is hurting knowing that things could have been different. Honestly I thought experienced mattered in the end game. Houston has been here before. Rutgers has not. Yes alot of big games in the Big 10 and a NCAA tourney win under their belt but experience in the moment of closing out and reaching the Sweet 16, I really thought that it hurt Rutgers late. At the end of the day there is no shame in losing to a 2 seed. Plenty of schools went down to defeat some with higher aspirations...ask Ohio State, ask Illinois, ask Iowa.
Last night was crushing but we will bounce back as fans just as the players will move on and bounce back. These two years were an incredible ride. As fans ups and downs are part of being fans. The ecstasy does not come without agony at times. We all know that. Only one team is crowned champion. Rutgers did indeed have their one shining moment on the court and most of all the fans were treated to an experience we deserved after all these years. It was everything they said it would be. The loss last night will never take that away. What comes next is unknown given roster uncertainties and possible transfers in. One chapter ends and a new one will begin. With Coach Pikiell rewriting Rutgers history, its going to be interesting to watch how the next chapter is written.
The two year run of this particular group of kids is what we all signed up for. A thrill ride of watching a program develop before our eyes. This team will always be defined by its work ethic and grit and as well documented, its not always going to be pretty. Rutgers earned their way into the tournament in 2020 with two thrilling victories down the stretch vs Maryland and Purdue. Then they had their opportunity ripped away from them by a nasty virus. Covid would pose challenges for every school this season. Some handled it better than others. Some probably did everything right and still had Covid issues. You have to give Rutgers, the university and the entire staff and players major credit for getting through this season without any Covid issues and sticking to it mentally. I think the whole Covid situation added a new wrinkle to analyzing everything where unless you were actually these kids in their bubble, you had no idea what they had to go through. What could be criticized in normal years in retrospect might be better off given a pass this year. The program held sway through the ebbs and flows of a brutal Big 10 schedule and came out with its first NCAA tourney bid in 30 years. That is historic and they were not just satisfied being there for the first time in 30 years, they delivered Rutgers first NCAA tournament win in 38 years!
Beyond the performance on the court, Rutgers fans should be proud of what a great representation these players are for their university off the court as well. Myles the Brilliant...how great was it seeing that piece on the Journey and then the one on CBS about him. Such a role model for the black community and trying to encourage more minorities to get into STEM and engineering. Agree with Geo or not, you have to admire his passion for his causes for change and challenging the NCAA. Kid wants to make a difference and is forcing a discussion that needs to be had. These are good kids and they part of a group that changed the culture of Rutgers basketball on and off the court.
But what has these last two seasons brought us as fans. Well for one it has exorcised so much negativity that has consumed Rutgers fans for 30 years. Never did I think when I was at RU as a junior in 91 it was going to take so long to get back to the dance. A 30 year journey, 25 of them on the message boards for some that was just filled with seasons of one step forward, two steps back. Near misses and false starts. We never understood as fans what winning was about because our season highlights were upsetting Syracuse or beating Seton Hall in the Big East tournament or coming back from 12 down to beat Villanova. Those are nice moments in Rutgers history but there were no tourney appearances to validate them. The past two seasons, Rutgers got the wins and won in bunches and that is how you build a NCAA tourney resume.
Man how great was it last year when early bracketology came out and RU was projected in the field, first solidly in the field and then falling down to the last in/last out line as they needed a road win. This is what we signed up for. Rutgers being talked about all over. We dreamed of these moments for years. This year the same thing, to see RU in the projected brackets matched up against UConn or North Carolina. Then the buildup and anticipation to Selection Sunday knowing that Rutgers' name was going to be called. Its old hat for most programs but us it was new, we were like schoolgirls. Seeing Rutgers name flash on the screen was a surreal moment for all of us. This was really happening. RU on the brackets. No Duke, No Kentucky but Rutgers????!!! RU being a sexy 10 seed pick to win over Clemson. Are you kidding me? Times are a changing.
Rutgers getting their night in the spotlight vs Clemson and not just happy to be there. Taking it to Clemson and winning in a gritty effort. It was an impressive performance for sure. Survive and advance, anything can happen in the NCAA tournament. I had no doubt RU was going to compete against Houston. Houston is good but this is not the kind of 2 seed to fear. RU was shaky early but then took it to Houston beating them at their own game. Truly last night was one of RU's best overall defensive efforts of the season for about 35 minutes before it fell part. That is the shame, RU positioned itself and played well enough to win for 35 minutes but could not seize the day. Tourney games are won by making plays. Houston did and Rutgers did not. You want to leave it on the court with no regrets and I am sure that the team is hurting knowing that things could have been different. Honestly I thought experienced mattered in the end game. Houston has been here before. Rutgers has not. Yes alot of big games in the Big 10 and a NCAA tourney win under their belt but experience in the moment of closing out and reaching the Sweet 16, I really thought that it hurt Rutgers late. At the end of the day there is no shame in losing to a 2 seed. Plenty of schools went down to defeat some with higher aspirations...ask Ohio State, ask Illinois, ask Iowa.
Last night was crushing but we will bounce back as fans just as the players will move on and bounce back. These two years were an incredible ride. As fans ups and downs are part of being fans. The ecstasy does not come without agony at times. We all know that. Only one team is crowned champion. Rutgers did indeed have their one shining moment on the court and most of all the fans were treated to an experience we deserved after all these years. It was everything they said it would be. The loss last night will never take that away. What comes next is unknown given roster uncertainties and possible transfers in. One chapter ends and a new one will begin. With Coach Pikiell rewriting Rutgers history, its going to be interesting to watch how the next chapter is written.
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