Busting Brackets
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NIT Tournament: Rutgers stunned by Hofstra in opening round upset

By Adam Bernstein

Dec 18, 2021; North Little Rock, Arkansas, USA; Hofstra Pride head coach Speedy Claxton during the second half against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Simmons Bank Arena. Hofstra won 89-81. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 18, 2021; North Little Rock, Arkansas, USA; Hofstra Pride head coach Speedy Claxton during the second half against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Simmons Bank Arena. Hofstra won 89-81. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports /
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It wouldn’t be March if there weren’t any upsets involved, and it didn’t take long for college basketball fans to get a significant bracket buster in the NIT.

Rutgers was considered one of the biggest snubs of the NCAA tournament after finishing with a 19-15 record this season. The Scarlet Knights entered the NIT with a one-seed and as one of the favorites to win.

After not hearing their name on Selection Sunday, things were going differently than Coach Steve Pikiell anticipated; however, Rutgers would have a chance at the Colonial Athletic Association regular-season champions in the opening round of the NIT.

For CAA Coach of the Year Speedy Claxton, things were looking up. Hofstra finished the season with a 25-9 record. While the Pride were having a historic season, they knew the Scarlet Knights would come in with a chip on their shoulder.

With 30 seconds remaining in regulation, Rutgers blew a five-point lead to send this game into overtime.

In overtime, it was a back-and-forth affair; Derek Simpson made the game-tying layup with 32 seconds left, but senior guard Tyler Thomas had the last laugh in this one. He hit the game-winning jumper with ten seconds remaining, and Hofstra went on to win 88-86 in what was a thriller. Thomas led all scorers with 25 points on 61 field goal percentage.

All five Hofstra starters finished in double-figures in scoring and dominated off the glass. Nelson Baochie-Yiadom finished with 10 points and eight rebounds, Jaquan Carlos had 12 points and six boards, and Darlinstone Dubar added 17 points and five rebounds.

Rutgers had four of their five starters in double-figures, but senior guard Cam Spencer led the charge with 22 points, eight rebounds, and shot 50 percent from the field.

Rutgers will have to shift gears to the offseason, where Coach Steve Pikiell and his staff will be busy recruiting. The Scarlet Knights have four seniors, and three are in their top-five scoring leaders.

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The Hofstra Pride will look to continue to go on a run but will have to wait for the winner of Wednesday’s Cincinnati-Virginia Tech game to see who they will meet in the second round of the 2023 National Invitational Tournament.

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