Just got back and haven't looked at the board yet, but I have to say this might go down as a Top 5 All-Time Rutgers sports day for me. A dominant win against a ranked rival (and I don't give a crap if Powell was out - we dominated when he was in) at a sold out RAC, as a signature win for Pikiell's program might move the needle for a top 10-15 game, but when you throw in Schiano's tour-de-force halftime speech, and all the recruits in the building for football and hoops, it becomes close to top 5 for me. Plus, I did get 4 new block R magnets, lol.
Regardless of where it's ranked, that was some of the best basketball we're likely to ever see at the RAC, especially in the first half, up 26-5 against a very good team. We just dominated every facet of the game - the energy, the hunger, and the team play (and the defense, rebounding, shooting and passing) were off the charts. We were the much better team and if not for some horrible reffing, we'd have been up close to 20 at the half instead of 13. It was a shame they lost Powell, as I wanted to continue ripping them to shreds with him in there, but we had to settle for a coast-to-coast dominating win by 20 in the end.
Our group of 4 at the game were deliriously happy all game and at the end, milling around on the floor, high-fiving with players, shaking Coach's hand and I even got to chat briefly with Bob Wenzel after his post-game interviews. Told him I loved him as a coach and that I thought he was one of the best commentators out there (which I do believe). He had a huge smile - you could tell he was happy for Rutgers.
Maybe I'll make some comments later on players and plays, but for now, I want to bask in the moment. I know it sounds hokey, but this seems like more than a win for a basketball team. It feels like a signature win for Pikiell's program after a great win against Wisconsin the other night and it puts the B1G on notice that we're going to compete and win our share of games. And on top of that, it felt like some sort of karmic turning point for Rutgers sports, in general, with the aura of the Schiano hire continuing to show the world what Rutgers is capable of - can't wait for this kind of atmosphere next fall. RU is back, baby!!
Regardless of where it's ranked, that was some of the best basketball we're likely to ever see at the RAC, especially in the first half, up 26-5 against a very good team. We just dominated every facet of the game - the energy, the hunger, and the team play (and the defense, rebounding, shooting and passing) were off the charts. We were the much better team and if not for some horrible reffing, we'd have been up close to 20 at the half instead of 13. It was a shame they lost Powell, as I wanted to continue ripping them to shreds with him in there, but we had to settle for a coast-to-coast dominating win by 20 in the end.
Our group of 4 at the game were deliriously happy all game and at the end, milling around on the floor, high-fiving with players, shaking Coach's hand and I even got to chat briefly with Bob Wenzel after his post-game interviews. Told him I loved him as a coach and that I thought he was one of the best commentators out there (which I do believe). He had a huge smile - you could tell he was happy for Rutgers.
Maybe I'll make some comments later on players and plays, but for now, I want to bask in the moment. I know it sounds hokey, but this seems like more than a win for a basketball team. It feels like a signature win for Pikiell's program after a great win against Wisconsin the other night and it puts the B1G on notice that we're going to compete and win our share of games. And on top of that, it felt like some sort of karmic turning point for Rutgers sports, in general, with the aura of the Schiano hire continuing to show the world what Rutgers is capable of - can't wait for this kind of atmosphere next fall. RU is back, baby!!
