Bracketology 2022: Memphis, Rutgers, Virginia among latest winners

By Joey Loose | Feb 13, 2022

DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA - FEBRUARY 07: Reece Beekman #2 celebrares with Kihei Clark #0 of the Virginia Cavaliers after making the game-winning three-point basket against the Duke Blue Devils during the second half of their game at Cameron Indoor Stadium on February 07, 2022 in Durham, North Carolina. Virginia won 69-68. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

3 of 6

Bracketology Paul Mulcahy Rutgers Scarlet Knights (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images) /

Rutgers

Let’s not waste any more time, because it’s undeniable that Rutgers had an amazing week. In fact, their last week and a half have been extraordinary when you consider last weekend’s 21-point win over Michigan State. That win had Rutgers trending in a good direction, but this past week has the Scarlet Knights firmly in the good place.

That string of success continued on Wednesday, as the Scarlet Knights hung on for a 66-64 home win against Ohio State. Geo Baker had 25 points while Rutgers scored the final ten points to shock the Buckeyes. Heavy underdogs on the road, Rutgers delivered their third straight ranked win this weekend, heading to Wisconsin and handing the Badgers a shocking 73-65 loss. Ron Harper Jr. (21 points) and Paul Mulcahy (18 points) both played starring roles as the Scarlet Knights picked up their most impressive road win of the year.

If the season ended right now, could you really keep Rutgers out of the NCAA Tournament, even with their 9 losses and poor NET ranking? Not only have they won three straight impressive games, but the Scarlet Knights are now 9-5 in Big Ten play. If anything, Rutgers has greatly changed the momentum of their season these last couple of weeks.

Even after all of this, it doesn’t get any easier next week; though it also presents an opportunity to rise even further, especially if they can actually beat Illinois and/or Purdue.

Home/Bracketology