Rutgers is the Cinderella that the NCAA Event wants

CHICAGO — In only a few days virtually each American might be doing the identical factor — filling out a bracket. And as folks resolve on which 12 over 5 upset they’re going to select, or what staff might make a deep tourney run out of nowhere, I’m right here to let you know that the primary recreation of the day on Friday on the Large Ten Event gave you the proper reply. As a result of despite the fact that No. 9 Rutgers misplaced to No. 1 Purdue 70-65 contained in the United Heart, they put the sphere on discover.

Even whenever you lose, generally you win.

“They’re clearly an NCAA Event staff. I believe they’ll do some actual harm,” stated Purdue head coach Matt Painter after the sport.

If you happen to’re studying this since you’re confused about how Rutgers could be the staff that may bust brackets, don’t really feel unhealthy. The Scarlet Knights completed ninth within the Large Ten, have a 19-14 report, and misplaced to the likes of Temple and Seton Corridor — a recreation wherein they have been held to simply 43 factors — this season. That is additionally a program with solely eight match appearances in program historical past. The truth is, their most notorious second could have been when former head coach Mike Rice turned a nationwide story in 2012 when he was suspended, then fired, after a video of him shoving, grabbing, and throwing balls at gamers whereas utilizing homosexual slurs throughout observe was launched.

A thorn in Purdue’s facet

However that was then, and that is now. And over the previous couple of years, Rutgers has been a thorn within the facet of Purdue — probably the greatest groups within the Large Ten and the nation. Coming into Friday’s recreation, the Scarlet Knights have been 5-1 of their final six video games in opposition to the Boilermakers.

In 2021, they upset No. 1 Purdue on their residence ground in New Jersey.

And in January, they upset No. 1 Purdue — once more. However, this time, it was in West Lafayette.

Exterior of some unhealthy officiating late within the recreation, the result of Friday’s recreation got here right down to Purdue capturing 14 extra free throws than Rutgers and beating the Scarlet Knights on the boards by seven. However in a back-and-forth recreation that was tight virtually the entire method by way of, it was Rutgers that held the biggest lead of the sport because it went up by 12 within the first half.

Based on ESPN’s bracket guru Joe Lunardi, Rutgers has performed sufficient to make it into the sphere of 68. Nonetheless, nothing is about in stone till Choice Sunday.

When Rutgers started enjoying within the Large Ten in 2014, it felt just like the convention was solely doing it to come up with the New York TV market, as convention realignments are all about cash, media rights, and soccer — even when the staff sucks. However virtually a decade later, Rutgers has turn into a pest for one of many higher groups within the convention, as they’ve advanced into Purdue’s nemesis. In March, a staff that most individuals have ignored, has a ton of confidence, and has crushed the very best, is simply the staff that may destroy your bracket on day one. It was Saint Peter’s — one other Jersey college — final 12 months. It could be the Scarlet Knights this 12 months.