Rutgers Basketball improved their Big ten record to 3-1 with a five-point victory Tuesday night over the Purdue Boilermakers.
The win Purdue Basketball got over Maryland Basketball did not rate very high on the excitement meter on Christmas Day. Among the discarded wrapping paper which once concealed video game systems, high-priced sneakers, and puppies that bark and wet the carpet once you install two AA batteries which are not included, the win was regarded as one that may have decided who would be ranked 10th come the Big Ten Tournament.
Then Maryland, who lost to the aforementioned Purdue Boilermakers, defeated Wisconsin which resulted in Purdue becoming a lot more relevant at 2-1 in the Big Ten.
Rutgers Basketball on the other hand was trending in the opposite direction. The Scarlet Knights had just come off a loss to Ohio State on Dec 23, 2020, in a game Jacob Young left due to injury. Rutgers blemishes came to light without their point guard and the team with their bandwagon filling up became a little less joyous.
Even when it was known that Young would suit up versus Purdue, worse news followed as the already shallow pool of available centers would be drained with the injury of Clifford Omoruyi. Then to compound everything, it was made official that Ron Harper Jr would not dress.
Early in the game, the absences were not felt as Rutgers was able to build a 38-23 lead behind Montez Mathis and Geo Baker. Purdue for their efforts would end the half on an 11-2 run. Once the train got a head of steam the Boilermakers did not stop as they opened the second half on a 12-4 run to take a 46-44 lead.
Things got more complicated for Head Coach Steve Pikiell as Rutgers’ leading scorer Mathis picked up his third personal foul with 12:39 remaining. He would not sit on the bench long as at 9:13 he would respond to Trevion Willimas’ hook shot with a three-pointer to give Rutgers a 56-55 lead. It would remain a two-possession game as the Scarlet Knights would connect from the free-throw line and not let Purdue get any closer.
With the victory aside, a lot of things were discovered by the end of this game for Coach Pikiell.