Rutgers has made pleღnty of history so far. Another potential landmark achievement awaits.
First, the Scarlet Knights became the first Rutgers group to reach the men’s NCAA Tournament in 30 years. Then, they got their first win in the dance in 38 years. With an upset o💖f Houston on Sunday, they would be the first Rutgers men’s team to reach the Sweet 16 in 42 years, and the first program from the area to do so since Seton Hal🌱l in 2000.
“We’re happy to bring some excitement back to New Jersey,” sophomore guard Paul Mulcahy told🐎 The Post, “and we’re not done ꧅yet at all.”
That was the feꦆeling from 10th-seeded Rutgers after it knocked off No. 7 Clemson on Friday night, and again when the Scarlet Knights met the media Saturday afternoon. They were excited, but not cont💜ent. Elated, but not satisfied.
Prior to that victory, they felt they could do damage in the tournament. One 🦄victory didn’t accomplish that mission. The cꦍelebration after the win wasn’t over the top.
“I don’t think this team wants to put their uniforms away,” coach Steve Pikiell said, as his team was preparing for the Midwest Region second-round game at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. “We talked about, ‘What are you going to do with this opportu♛nity?’ ”
The second NCAA Tournament victory in 38 years will be much tougher than the first for Rutgers (16-11). Houston (25-3) is a Final Four contender, a s꧙econd-seed that enters this matchup on a seven-game winning streak.
By the time he spoke Saturday, Pikiell had already watched several Houston games and was well aware of the challenge ahead. One by one, he listed everything that makes the Cougars such a tough matchup. They have the co-AAC Player of the Year (Quentin Grimes), the AAC Defensive Player of the Year (DeJon Jarreau) and the AAC𝔉 Most Improved Player (Justin Gorham). They are tied for fifth in the country in rebounding margin at plus-9, sixth in offensive efficiency and 12th in defensive efficiency.
Even without Jarreau in the opening round (the senior point guard is dealing with a hip injury and his status for Sunday is uncertain), Houston waxed 15th-seeded Clev🉐eland State, 87-56, as six different players scored in double figures.
“Worthy of their two-seed,” Pikiell said. “They got every award you can get in that league. The𓄧ir defense is e♏lite.”
H🍒e added: “Not many weaknesses on this team. We got to play great.”
Pikiell’s focus was on the glass, a Rutgers strength. Houston isn’t big — the Cougars don’t have a player taller than 6-foot-8 — but it doesn’t matter. The Cougars still average 14.3 offensive rebounds per game, the third-most in the country. Rutgers forward Myles Johnson, dealing with ankle and back discomfort, and company will neꦬed to be instrumental on the glass.
“This team is the best reboundi🐭ng team we’ve faced this season,” Pikiell said. “Our guards have to do a great job. It’s not just Myles’ job. It’s not just Cliff [Omoruyi’s] job. It’s got to be one of those games.”
Rutgers hasnဣ’t defeated a team of this ilk since December, when it knocked off Illinois (now the No. 1 seed in the Midwest Region) at the RAC. The Scarlet Knights struggled against the best teams in the Big Ten after a hot start: they were swept by Iowa and Ohio State, overwhelmed at Michigan, unable to topple Wisconsin at home. B🃏ut they have faced teams every bit as good as the Cougars. They know they belong on the same court.
Winning, Rutgers beliꦛeves, is possible. Advancing is within reason.
“We know that can’t be the end,” said senior guard Jacob Young, a Houston native whose fathe♌r, Michael, played for the 🌃Cougars in the Phi Slama Jama days of the early 1980s. “We’re going to keep on pushing, go as far as we can and make a deep run.”
Keys to victory
- Protect the glass
Rutgers is a strong rebounding team, but Houston is third in the country in offensive rebounds per game (14.3). The Scarlet Knights need to protect their defensive glass and li🗹mit the Cougars to one shot to have a chance to pull the upset.
- Speed it up
Compared to Houston, Rutgers plays fast. The Scarlet Knights ꦕshould look to push ♕pace — it was integral in their win over Clemson — so the Cougars’ stingy defense can’t set itself up. That’s why defensive rebounding will be so essential for Rutgers. It can make Houston pay for selling out for second-chance opportunities.
- Injuries
Rutgers forward Myles Johnson (ankle, lower back) and Houston point guard Dejon Jarreau (hip pointer) are both dealing with injuries. Johnson wasn’t going to practice on Saturday, although he expected to play. The status of Jarreau, who missed the Cougars’ first tournam♏ent game, was uncertain. Johnson’s health issues could create a larger role for prized but raw freshman forward Cliff Omoruyi. Jarreau isn’t just Houston’s floor general — he’s also the AAC’s Defensive Player of the Year.