Basketball Rutgers Hoops defeats Merrimack, 48-35

[Richie O]

Story via @Craig Epstein

TheKnightReport - INSTANT RECAP: Rutgers survives a low-scoring affair with Merrimack

Coming off a season-opening scare against Lehigh, Rutgers defeated Merrimack 48-35.

rutgers.rivals.com

 

[Caliknight]

48 points against a D2 team? Ooof

 

[Richie O]

48 points against a D2 team? Ooof

They are D1 and projected to finish fifth in the NEC.

 

[Eagleton96]

Wasn’t at the game. The RSU kids are saying that the O generated good shots but they weren’t going in. But expressed confidence they they would go down eventually.

 

[RU MAN]

They are D1 and projected to finish fifth in the NEC.

Actually the announcers stated they're projected to finish first like they did last year.

 

[kcg88]

Wasn’t at the game. The RSU kids are saying that the O generated good shots but they weren’t going in. But expressed confidence they they would go down eventually.

Half true. Caleb's misses were not even close. Mulcahy had one or two go in and out.

 

[RUJMM78]

Rutgers performance against the zone defense was abysmal.They didn't have a player at the top of the foul line who could make a short jump shot or drive to the basket for a layup.

 

[MADHAT1]

I'll enjoy the win and expect the coaches to make ajustments based on how the team played today.Looking forward to this team making the tourney and be one to make RU MBB fans proud along the way

 

[Richie O]

Actually the announcers stated they're projected to finish first like they did last year.

Not sure who announcers were, but they were wrong per the NEC release from October.

Seahawk Stock Soaring! Wagner Lands Top Spot In 2021-22 NEC Preseason Men’s Basketball Poll

Seahawk Stock Soaring! Wagner Lands Top Spot In 2021-22 NEC Preseason Men’s Basketball Poll

northeastconference.org

 

[Caliknight]

They are D1 and projected to finish fifth in the NEC.

That’s not making me feel better about this performance lol

 

[WhichReligionIsRight]

Another just win, baby game. I'm usually a glass half-filled guy, so I like that RU won this more easily than against Lehigh. Cliff and RHJ both had double-doubles. RU also strangled Merrimack's offense for the last 10 minutes. I'll leave it the agita-afflicted to point all out all the things that went wrong today.

 

[urbanecane]

The “win is a win” mantra is valid for one game. That’s just the nature of college basketball. 2 in a row is a major red flag. All those positive pre-season comments remind me of every spring when Isaiah Washington is “poised for a breakout”.

 

[jerzeyguy]

Caleb & Mulcahy can not both be starters. One needs to come off the bench. I think Mulchay is best suited for this team as the 6th man. I hope he wouldn't have a problem with that

 

[bballfan2017]

The “win is a win” mantra is valid for one game. That’s just the nature of college basketball. 2 in a row is a major red flag. All those positive pre-season comments remind me of every spring when Isaiah Washington is “poised for a breakout”.

I'm confused. What 2 in a row? We were supposed to win by 13 today and we did win by 13.

 

[ScarletNYC]

I'm confused. What 2 in a row? We were supposed to win by 13 today and we did win by 13.

Lol do you realize that the line went down after the Lehigh scare? They were down at halftime. The fact that RU was favored only 13 over - sub 200-ranked Kenpom team is embarrassing. This is not a good basketball team right now

 

[bballfan2017]

Lol do you realize that the line went down after the Lehigh scare? They were down at halftime. The fact that RU was favored only 13 over - sub 200-ranked Kenpom team is embarrassing. This is not a good basketball team right now

And OSU was supposed to beat Niagara by 20 but beat them by 10. Does that mean they're not good? The season is still early.

 

[urbanecane]

I'm confused. What 2 in a row? We were supposed to win by 13 today and we did win by 13.

16 points in a half at home against Merrimack is horrifying. Twist it any want you want, this team has major issues currently. Hope they can turn it around.

 

[ScarletNYC]

And OSU was supposed to beat Niagara by 20 but beat them by 10. Does that mean they're not good? The season is still early.

Lol they scored 13 points in the first half. Take off the Scarlet glasses. They looked horrible

 

[kcg88]

And OSU was supposed to beat Niagara by 20 but beat them by 10. Does that mean they're not good? The season is still early.

That's based off KenPom rating Ohio State as a top-20 team. Maybe they're more like #30. Rutgers is being rated as the #70 team, so living up to that isn't exactly thrilling.

 

[bballfan2017]

I'm not hyping up the team just saying we're where people thought we would be. I'm hoping for improvement but I also know there's a difference between real teams and fantasy teams and we have the team on the floor not a team that is in someone's head.

 

[RU-Choppin-Ohio]

 

[78CollegeAve]

What’s sad is that a B1G roster, hyped heavily by its head coach, was only favored by 13 on its home floor against Merrimack.