MSG Game - Announcement

[NewJerseyHawk]

"Ace and Dylan and our guys want to play there (at MSG), and it’s something you can sell (in their recruitment), too,” Pikiell said. “We have the biggest alumni base in New York City of anybody, it’s the world’s most famous arena, and this year in particular CBS wanted the game. I don’t know the last time we were on CBS (in the regular season, it’s been four decades). So there’s a lot of positives that come out of it.”

This is a National stage, not BTN (no offense) not even FS1 (No offense)....4 decades since we have been on CBS in a major January afternoon window.....

You CAN recruit from this platform with a lot of RED in MSG and young star players against a HOF Head Coach in Michigan State.

The segments of the fanbase who want big time recruiting and wins, are being dragged kicking and screaming towards improvements and winning/relevance......in a MSG arena that is a Big East footprint location.

Does anyone think UConn hosting Illinois At MSG in late February is a bad thing for Illinois??? NO.....it's a win for their coaching staff to recruit on a NATIONAL stage on broadcast TV.....I'm sure Rick Pitino and St. Johns are "excited " to see RU red, Dylan Harper, Ace Bailey, Lathan Sommerville taking up attention at MSG.

I guess people just believe making accommodations to improve the image of the program happens with playing loud football music at the RAC and roping off a full section for Schiano and recruits....that is something we should do on a regular basis......??

Complaints. Complaints......set your clock to it when it comes to a segment of RU fans....

This is a HOME RUN.....!!

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

This is 2024 playing on CBS isn't the same as it used to be.
The games that REALLY matter are the one's on your NCAA bracket.
We have voluntarily given up 2 homecourt advantages. It may end up being the difference between NIT vs NCAA or Dayton vs no Dayton.

 

[G- RUnit]

"Ace and Dylan and our guys want to play there (at MSG), and it’s something you can sell (in their recruitment), too,” Pikiell said. “We have the biggest alumni base in New York City of anybody, it’s the world’s most famous arena, and this year in particular CBS wanted the game. I don’t know the last time we were on CBS (in the regular season, it’s been four decades). So there’s a lot of positives that come out of it.”

This is a National stage, not BTN (no offense) not even FS1 (No offense)....4 decades since we have been on CBS in a major January afternoon window.....

You CAN recruit from this platform with a lot of RED in MSG and young star players against a HOF Head Coach in Michigan State.

The segments of the fanbase who want big time recruiting and wins, are being dragged kicking and screaming towards improvements and winning/relevance......in a MSG arena that is a Big East footprint location.

Does anyone think UConn hosting Illinois At MSG in late February is a bad thing for Illinois??? NO.....it's a win for their coaching staff to recruit on a NATIONAL stage on broadcast TV.....I'm sure Rick Pitino and St. Johns are "excited " to see RU red, Dylan Harper, Ace Bailey, Lathan Sommerville taking up attention at MSG.

I guess people just believe making accommodations to improve the image of the program happens with playing loud football music at the RAC and roping off a full section for Schiano and recruits....that is something we should do on a regular basis......??

Complaints. Complaints......set your clock to it when it comes to a segment of RU fans....

This is a HOME RUN.....!!

Hardly a HR. More like a balk!

For the zillionith time, it’s not playing in the Garden that has many RU fans annoyed, its giving up crucial home court advantage, which we have worked so hard to create, in a conference game!!!!

Why make it harder on our selves? Last two times we crushed MSU at the RAC?
MSU at the Garden we are losing at halftime and one of our best players has season ending surgery.

Play Wisconsin at the Garden and lose by a point? Don’t you think that’s a win at the RAC?

Duke playing Illinois in the Garden…. It’s not a conference game. Big big difference.

Play Duke, Kentucky, Gonzaga, ND, UNC, Cuse, hell, I’d play St. John’s there. All sell outs. AD and Coach get it done.

And the fact that MSU doesn’t have to come to the RAC again is blatantly ridiculous.

While CBS nationally is nice I suppose, just not at all sure it’s that big of a deal or a real boost. I’d get more of a kick having Vitale at the RAC or RU hosting game day. CBS and the Big Dance have been so good to us. SMH.

 

[Tango Two]

View embedded media

View embedded media

Men’s Basketball Announces Michigan State Game at Madison Square Garden - Rutgers University Athletics

PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Rutgers men's basketball is heading to The Big Apple.

scarletknights.com

"Ace and Dylan and our guys want to play there (at MSG), and it’s something you can sell (in their recruitment), too,” Pikiell said. “We have the biggest alumni base in New York City of anybody, it’s the world’s most famous arena, and this year in particular CBS wanted the game. I don’t know the last time we were on CBS (in the regular season, it’s been four decades). So there’s a lot of positives that come out of it.”

This is a National stage, not BTN (no offense) not even FS1 (No offense)....4 decades since we have been on CBS in a major January afternoon window.....

You CAN recruit from this platform with a lot of RED in MSG and young star players against a HOF Head Coach in Michigan State.

The segments of the fanbase who want big time recruiting and wins, are being dragged kicking and screaming towards improvements and winning/relevance......in a MSG arena that is a Big East footprint location.

Does anyone think UConn hosting Illinois At MSG in late February is a bad thing for Illinois??? NO.....it's a win for their coaching staff to recruit on a NATIONAL stage on broadcast TV.....I'm sure Rick Pitino and St. Johns are "excited " to see RU red, Dylan Harper, Ace Bailey, Lathan Sommerville taking up attention at MSG.

I guess people just believe making accommodations to improve the image of the program happens with playing loud football music at the RAC and roping off a full section for Schiano and recruits....that is something we should do on a regular basis......??

Complaints. Complaints......set your clock to it when it comes to a segment of RU fans....

This is a HOME RUN.....!!

TERRIBLE and UNFAIR!

 

[Tango Two]

Hardly a HR. More like a balk!

For the zillionith time, it’s not playing in the Garden that has many RU fans annoyed, its giving up crucial home court advantage, which we have worked so hard to create, in a conference game!!!!

Duke playing Illinois in the Garden…. It’s not a conference game. Big big difference.

Play Duke, Kentucky, Gonzaga, ND, UNC, Cuse, hell, I’d play St. John’s there. All sell outs. AD and Coach get it done.

And the fact that MSU doesn’t have to come to the RAC again is blatantly ridiculous.

While CBS nationally is nice I suppose, just not at all sure it’s that big of a deal or a real boost. I’d get more of a kick having Vitale at the RAC or RU hosting game day.

YOU SHOULD NEVER GIVE UP HOME COURT FOR A CONFERENCE GAME AND PLAY IT ON A NEUTRAL COURT UNLESS EVERY OTHER TEAM PLAYS A HOME CONFERENCE GAME ON A NEUTRAL COURT!!!

 

[G- RUnit]

YOU SHOULD NEVER GIVE UP HOME COURT FOR A CONFERENCE GAME AND PLAY IT ON A NEUTRAL COURT UNLESS EVERY OTHER TEAM PLAYS A HOME CONFERENCE GAME ON A NEUTRAL COURT!!!

Before someone yells Penn State, they go to smaller neutral courts to get a RAC like advantage, something they don’t have in Joyce. I also think it could be a lot of fun playing one non conference game a year at the Barn. Play Iona on the Jimmy V court. That will get national attention.

 

[BOCA93]

I've been thinking about that game.

I haven't seen anyone mention this.
That game likely wasn't just a "circle the date" situation like other lower level teams.

Those players probably have to hear about "Ace" 24/7 their entire lives. How great he is. He's going to the NBA. Putting their area on the map.
How many times did one of those guys have a great game in HS just to hear "Oh sure thats nice. Did you see what Ace did though?"

I wouldn't doubt some guys were fired up "I'm better than Davis. He's just friends with Ace so he got a Rutgers offer. I should have that spot."

Yeah, definitely had a chip on their shoulder and felt like it was their Super Bowl. Stings even more that KS dropped 2 of their last 3 after the RU game.

 

[NewJerseyHawk]

This is 2024 playing on CBS isn't the same as it used to be.
The games that REALLY matter are the one's on your NCAA bracket.
We have voluntarily given up 2 homecourt advantages. It may end up being the difference between NIT vs NCAA or Dayton vs no Dayton.

100% yes we did, for the benefit of all of RU. But then again we could play at the RAC with Mawot Mag and Derek Simpson and have no Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper.....which combination or choices gets you closer to the NCAAs, is up for debate...(sarcasm I think)..... but some fans will still prefer to be a losing program or 14-18 with the occasional upset at the RAC, vs 18-13 or better with a path of getting and staying on a 19 to 20 win level.

Exposure beyond NJ matters.....one of our Top 2025 recruits we signed, went to the Vegas event and saw us live and in person. But we can't recruit globally, staying in the RAC 12 months a year.

 

[365Poster24Seven]

Rutgers Basketball and muttin chips afterwards. It’s going to be a home game for Rutgers as it was last time as the bulk of the buildings fans will be Rutgers fans. I think it’s a money issue for the cheapos we have in this fanbase. Fake outrage going to NY when the whole team wants this is just Me Me Me attitude from those who never gave a dime and a big reason why we have always been last in donations and now also last in NIL donations.

 

[BOCA93]

The reason was to allow Bailey to play in front of family and friends before leaving for the NBA.Rutgers real problem is that they have great difficulty winning on the road against league and out of conference opponents.Rutgers was unprepared to play in the first half of the Kennesaw State game which is a coaching problem more so than scheduling.

I originally thought that this game was something Pike promised to Bailey when he signed to get him a homecoming. But the broadcast crew said a few times that it was the KS coaches idea and he sold it to Pike. Again, whatever the real reason, a game with no upside (other than to KS) and it’s lost revenue from another game at the RAC

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

100% yes we did, for the benefit of all of RU. But then again we could play at the RAC with Mawot Mag and Derek Simpson and have no Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper.....which combination or choices gets you closer to the NCAAs, is up for debate...(sarcasm I think)..... but some fans will still prefer to be a losing program or 14-18 with the occasional upset at the RAC, vs 18-13 or better with a path of getting and staying on a 19 to 20 win level.

Exposure beyond NJ matters.....one of our Top 2025 recruits we signed, went to the Vegas event and saw us live and in person. But we can't recruit globally, staying in the RAC 12 months a year.

Keep in mind right now there probably is a 70%+ chance in 3 months Ace and Dylan won't be at Rutgers and we will have absolutely nothing to show for it. In fact we could/would be known as the program that couldn't get 2 lottery picks to the NCAA tournament.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

Ace and Dylan have both exceeded reasonable expectations with their counting stats. Despite that we are sitting at #86 in the NET ratings. I kind of liked it better when we won.

 

[mjjoyce51]

Hardly a HR. More like a balk!

For the zillionith time, it’s not playing in the Garden that has many RU fans annoyed, its giving up crucial home court advantage, which we have worked so hard to create, in a conference game!!!!

Why make it harder on our selves? Last two times we crushed MSU at the RAC?
MSU at the Garden we are losing at halftime and one of our best players has season ending surgery.

Play Wisconsin at the Garden and lose by a point? Don’t you think that’s a win at the RAC?

Duke playing Illinois in the Garden…. It’s not a conference game. Big big difference.

Play Duke, Kentucky, Gonzaga, ND, UNC, Cuse, hell, I’d play St. John’s there. All sell outs. AD and Coach get it done.

And the fact that MSU doesn’t have to come to the RAC again is blatantly ridiculous.

While CBS nationally is nice I suppose, just not at all sure it’s that big of a deal or a real boost. I’d get more of a kick having Vitale at the RAC or RU hosting game day. CBS and the Big Dance have been so good to us. SMH.

You keep saying this but are they actually giving up a home court advantage? Data seems to say they aren't.

• In 2017 they were 2-6 against B1G teams at the RAC and played arguably their best game in MSG against a Wisconsin team that went to he Sweet 16 that year.
• In 2018 they lost to Indiana by 22 at the RAC and beat them by 7 at MSG during the B1G tournament.
• In 2020 they played Michigan at MSG and the RAC and they lost both games (6 at MSG and 8 at the RAC).
• In 2022 they came back to win without Mawot Mag at MSG and then went 0-4 at home after that. All 4 teams worse than MSU that year.

 

[G- RUnit]

You keep saying this but are they actually giving up a home court advantage? Data seems to say they aren't.

• In 2017 they were 2-6 against B1G teams at the RAC and played arguably their best game in MSG against a Wisconsin team that went to he Sweet 16 that year.
• In 2018 they lost to Indiana by 22 at the RAC and beat them by 7 at MSG during the B1G tournament.
• In 2020 they played Michigan at MSG and the RAC and they lost both games (6 at MSG and 8 at the RAC).
• In 2022 they came back to win without Mawot Mag at MSG and then went 0-4 at home after that. All 4 teams worse than MSU that year.

More than a bit disingenuous to use/compare tournament games, i.e. Indiana, to giving up home conference games in season?

I am firmly convinced we beat Wisconsin at the RAC. Wasn’t Eddie’s best win beating Wisconsin at the RAC?

We lost to Wiscy at the Garden by a point. I’m guessing RAC, crowd, Officiating, gives us a point? I’d take the RAC every time

Dont must books give home team, 2.5-3 for home game?

Maybe RU went 0-4 because they lost Mags at the Garden. Took awhile to right the ship no? Last two times blew MSU out at the RAC right? Losing halftime at the Garden. I’d say home court helps.

How about losing to Michigan in the NIT final if you insist on using tournament games?

 

[willisneverrana43]

We have one of the whiniest fanbases I've ever experienced.

 

[FIJI'83]

I am in favor of playing at MSG and will be there just as I was in Vegas. MSG remains the Mecca of basketball ... at least for those who live in the Northeast. Playing a game at MSG nationally televised in CBS will provide great exposure for RUMBB when it comes to recruiting and otherwise, and very positive overall exposure for Rutgers University in general. So, go buy tickets, then go to game preferably by train, then scream your F'N head off rooting for your team, and then go out afterwards and have a great dinner in the City. Its a great plan and I intend to follow it.

 

[Mr_Twister]

Any quotes from Tom Izzo on playing Rutgers at MSG?

 

[Xpatrick]

Any quotes from Tom Izzo on playing Rutgers at MSG?

What Michigan State coach Tom Izzo said about playing Rutgers at Madison Square Garden (again)

Michigan State coach Tom Izzo spoke about his team's upcoming game against Rutgers at Madison Square Garden.

www.nj.com

“I’d like to say that I prayed to the schedulers and (Rutgers head coach Steve Pikiell) that we don’t have to play at the RAC, (but) the problem is we got beat at MSG, so I can’t say that,” Izzo said at Big Ten Media Day last week. “I’d just like to win a game (there). I lost the last two there to Kansas State (in the Sweet 16) and Rutgers.”

Despite recent results, Izzo said he is “excited” about returning to Madison Square Garden and thinks it is “great for our conference.”

“Every pro I’ve ever had, they still talk about that place like it’s the greatest place to play in,” Izzo said. “For my players, I think it’s great. For me, it’s great.”

 

[TRU2RU]

Before someone yells Penn State, they go to smaller neutral courts to get a RAC like advantage, something they don’t have in Joyce. I also think it could be a lot of fun playing one non conference game a year at the Barn. Play Iona on the Jimmy V court. That will get national attention.

Great way to piss off 6,000 season tickets holders who can't fit in the Barn for the game, dumb idea

 

[RUDeac]

I’ll be there but still hope we can play at Wells Fargo Center in the future.

 

[Sweet Peas Corner]

Let's hope no one gets injured ala Mag and we say we shouldn't have played there.

 

[wheezer]

Hardly a HR. More like a balk!

For the zillionith time, it’s not playing in the Garden that has many RU fans annoyed, its giving up crucial home court advantage, which we have worked so hard to create, in a conference game!!!!

Why make it harder on our selves? Last two times we crushed MSU at the RAC?
MSU at the Garden we are losing at halftime and one of our best players has season ending surgery.

Play Wisconsin at the Garden and lose by a point? Don’t you think that’s a win at the RAC?

Duke playing Illinois in the Garden…. It’s not a conference game. Big big difference.

Play Duke, Kentucky, Gonzaga, ND, UNC, Cuse, hell, I’d play St. John’s there. All sell outs. AD and Coach get it done.

And the fact that MSU doesn’t have to come to the RAC again is blatantly ridiculous.

While CBS nationally is nice I suppose, just not at all sure it’s that big of a deal or a real boost. I’d get more of a kick having Vitale at the RAC or RU hosting game day. CBS and the Big Dance have been so good to us. SMH.

Who are you “blaming” for this?

And don’t say the MSU coach

 

[wheezer]

YOU SHOULD NEVER GIVE UP HOME COURT FOR A CONFERENCE GAME AND PLAY IT ON A NEUTRAL COURT UNLESS EVERY OTHER TEAM PLAYS A HOME CONFERENCE GAME ON A NEUTRAL COURT!!!

This was RU’s decision
Not MSU

So, your complaint is with our program

 

[wheezer]

Let's hope no one gets injured ala Mag and we say we shouldn't have played there.

So, Mag got hurt because of where we had the game
How does that work ?

 

[G- RUnit]

Who are you “blaming” for this?

And don’t say the MSU coach

Don’t give away conference games. I like the RAC advantage. Blame me!

Play non conference games to your heart’s content.

 

[RUskoolie]

This is 2024 playing on CBS isn't the same as it used to be.
The games that REALLY matter are the one's on your NCAA bracket.
We have voluntarily given up 2 homecourt advantages. It may end up being the difference between NIT vs NCAA or Dayton vs no Dayton.

You can be so obtuse sometimes...

 

[wheezer]

Don’t give away conference games. I like the RAC advantage. Blame me!

Play non conference games to your heart’s content.

Pike wanted this game at the garden

 

[RUskoolie]

All of you complaining...WTF. We are going to have 15k people at this place. It's going to be a snake pit for lots of Rutgers alums and fans who cannot get a piece of the RAC, people who live in NYC, Jersey City, Long Island etc. Playing on CBS is big big time.

Some of you can't see the forest through the trees. Young kids aren't going to remember our record, they'll remember this game and Ace/Dylan, which helps Rutgers brand tremendously in the future. Not that we beat a team at the RAC on BTN. It's apples and oranges. Not a big deal for 1 game.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

You can be so obtuse sometimes...

What is wrong with it

 

[G- RUnit]

Pike wanted this game at the garden

He wanted a game at the Garden
Shame on our non existent AD not getting a great non conference game there.

 

[G- RUnit]

All of you complaining...WTF. We are going to have 15k people at this place. It's going to be a snake pit for lots of Rutgers alums and fans who cannot get a piece of the RAC, people who live in NYC, Jersey City, Long Island etc. Playing on CBS is big big time.

Some of you can't see the forest through the trees. Young kids aren't going to remember our record, they'll remember this game and Ace/Dylan, which helps Rutgers brand tremendously in the future. Not that we beat a team at the RAC on BTN. It's apples and oranges. Not a big deal for 1 game.

Some of you can’t see the forest through the trees.

No other team other than PSU gives away their home court advantage(They don’t have one) in conference games.

The fact that Izzo will avoid the RAC for more than half a decade… some of you can’t see the forest though the trees.

 

[S_Janowski]

Some of you can’t see the forest through the trees.

No other team other than PSU gives away their home court advantage(They don’t have one) in conference games.

The fact that Izzo will avoid the RAC for more than half a decade… some of you can’t see the forest though the trees.

This is the way I see things.

I love playing at and going to games at MSG. It’s great for our brand and fanbase.

But there’s no reason to give up a conference home game to play there.

 

[G- RUnit]

This is the way I see things.

I love playing at and going to games at MSG. It’s great for our brand and fanbase.

But there’s no reason to give up a conference home game to play there.

Thank You!!! That’s seeing the forrest through the trees.

Not that difficult.

 

[RUskoolie]

Some of you can’t see the forest through the trees.

No other team other than PSU gives away their home court advantage(They don’t have one) in conference games.

The fact that Izzo will avoid the RAC for more than half a decade… some of you can’t see the forest though the trees.

So it’s better to play on BTN and win because it’s at the RAC or CBS at the Garden?

 

[Local Shill]

Don’t give away conference games. I like the RAC advantage. Blame me!

Play non conference games to your heart’s content.

I'd rather have the MSG game be non-conference also but what was our home conference record last year?

 

[willisneverrana43]

. . . That’s seeing the forrest through the trees.

Not that difficult.

But getting that saying right apparently is.

 

[Sweet Peas Corner]

So, Mag got hurt because of where we had the game
How does that work ?

If we played at the RAC he wouldn't have got hurt

 

[wheezer]

If we played at the RAC he wouldn't have got hurt

How can you possibly figure that?

If we played at the RAC , maybe one or two other RU players get season ending injuries

See how easy to speculate on things that we cannot know?

 

[Sweet Peas Corner]

How can you possibly figure that?

If we played at the RAC , maybe one or two other RU players get season ending injuries

See how easy to speculate on things that we cannot know?

Exactly. That's why you don't rock the boat.

 

[wheezer]

Exactly. That's why you don't rock the boat.

Respectfully, speculating on the Mag injury
is ridiculous