We were down by 13 in the first half. We finished the half down by 10. It didn't appear that we made a dent in our opponents. But we didn't give up.
From the opening tip off, Rutgers never led in this game (not until the final 2+ minutes).
During the second half we made a charge...and cut the lead to under 10 only to see it at 9 with less than 6 minutes to go. But we didn't give up.
Jimmie V. who made an impassioned speech on national TV almost 25 years ago (Mar. 2018 will be the anniversary) about his first coaching job at Rutgers (I remember seeing our Frosh @ the Barn). Now his words weren't aimed at the Big C...they aimed at all of us.
Whether we're personally fighting disease, depression, financial or relationship issues, Jimmie V's words ring out : Don't Give Up, Don't EVER Give Up!
Steve Pikiell, his staff, our players, our fans at the RAC and those watching / listening....we didn't give up! We never gave up!!
I watched in awe as Corey buried a shot from the head of the key to cut into the lead. Look at Corey and look at Freeman (there were almost tears in his eyes...and mine on that shot). Then as the sequence continued Williams shoots a 3 and flying in above the rafters, above everyone was Omoruyi who forcefully tapped in the miss / drove the crowd wild.
Geo made clutch shots throughout, was composed and even hit 3 of 3 foul shots in crunch time. Freeman, physically spent, made a free throw, missed one but got his own rebound and returned to the foul line where he had just enough energy to hit one of two FT's and be lifted for a breather.
Sa played tough D and didn't back down.
Sanders hit another big shot and this time, for the first time, at 2+ minutes RUTGERS took the lead. And we didn't give up.
The announcers who generally seem to have to talk over our performance were PRAISING IT / RIGHTLY SO.
The crowd was loud chanting R ....U...R....U. No one was going anywhere, unless our team, our coach, our alums and fans said so.
With less than 8 seconds to go Omoruyi stole the ball and was headed for a MONSTER Jam. He was fouled (flagrant). After hitting both shots....he walked toward the center of the court as if he was a GIANT....and he was!
IMO this was the greatest game Rutgers has ever won. Not just because we beat a hated Rival (a story on NJ.com said that the whole team hated Rutgers). Not just because we've been eliminated from relevance for over 26 years (since we've been to the Big Dance).
But because we took Jimmie V's words, his motto to live / die by to heart. Because Pikiell is a G'd send and his staff follow his lead / the team has taken his teachings, his passion to heart.
And NO WE DIDN'T BACK DOWN...and won't.
Tell that to the B1G and anyone else we play: RUTGERS IS BACK!
MO
From the opening tip off, Rutgers never led in this game (not until the final 2+ minutes).
During the second half we made a charge...and cut the lead to under 10 only to see it at 9 with less than 6 minutes to go. But we didn't give up.
Jimmie V. who made an impassioned speech on national TV almost 25 years ago (Mar. 2018 will be the anniversary) about his first coaching job at Rutgers (I remember seeing our Frosh @ the Barn). Now his words weren't aimed at the Big C...they aimed at all of us.
Whether we're personally fighting disease, depression, financial or relationship issues, Jimmie V's words ring out : Don't Give Up, Don't EVER Give Up!
Steve Pikiell, his staff, our players, our fans at the RAC and those watching / listening....we didn't give up! We never gave up!!
I watched in awe as Corey buried a shot from the head of the key to cut into the lead. Look at Corey and look at Freeman (there were almost tears in his eyes...and mine on that shot). Then as the sequence continued Williams shoots a 3 and flying in above the rafters, above everyone was Omoruyi who forcefully tapped in the miss / drove the crowd wild.
Geo made clutch shots throughout, was composed and even hit 3 of 3 foul shots in crunch time. Freeman, physically spent, made a free throw, missed one but got his own rebound and returned to the foul line where he had just enough energy to hit one of two FT's and be lifted for a breather.
Sa played tough D and didn't back down.
Sanders hit another big shot and this time, for the first time, at 2+ minutes RUTGERS took the lead. And we didn't give up.
The announcers who generally seem to have to talk over our performance were PRAISING IT / RIGHTLY SO.
The crowd was loud chanting R ....U...R....U. No one was going anywhere, unless our team, our coach, our alums and fans said so.
With less than 8 seconds to go Omoruyi stole the ball and was headed for a MONSTER Jam. He was fouled (flagrant). After hitting both shots....he walked toward the center of the court as if he was a GIANT....and he was!
IMO this was the greatest game Rutgers has ever won. Not just because we beat a hated Rival (a story on NJ.com said that the whole team hated Rutgers). Not just because we've been eliminated from relevance for over 26 years (since we've been to the Big Dance).
But because we took Jimmie V's words, his motto to live / die by to heart. Because Pikiell is a G'd send and his staff follow his lead / the team has taken his teachings, his passion to heart.
And NO WE DIDN'T BACK DOWN...and won't.
Tell that to the B1G and anyone else we play: RUTGERS IS BACK!
MO
