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What a time to be alive: Rutgers basketball should be a NCAA Tournament lock

By Nick Villano

PISCATAWAY, NJ - JANUARY 28: Head coach Steve Pikiell of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights in action against the Purdue Boilermakers during a college basketball game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Rutgers Athletic Center on January 28, 2020 in Piscataway, New Jersey. Rutgers defeated Purdue 70-63. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PISCATAWAY, NJ - JANUARY 28: Head coach Steve Pikiell of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights in action against the Purdue Boilermakers during a college basketball game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Rutgers Athletic Center on January 28, 2020 in Piscataway, New Jersey. Rutgers defeated Purdue 70-63. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /
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Rutgers basketball hasn’t made the NCAA Tournament since 1991, but the Scarlet Knights should snap that streak this year if they get to 20 wins.

Being a Rutgers fan usually means tempered expectations. The New Jersey university won the first-ever football game against Princeton back in 1869 but has struggled to win much in the 150 years since. But Rutgers basketball is giving fans plenty of reasons to be excited and optimistic about the program’s chances to compete in the NCAA Tournament.

Rutgers basketball just fell out of the Top 25, but that’s not going to stop them from making their first NCAA Tournament since 1991 when they were a No. 9 seed and lost in the first round to Arizona State. In 1976, they entered the tournament undefeated and went all the way to the Final Four. That was one of just six times they made the NCAA Tournament at all.

This year, it’s getting close to certain Rutgers is going to make its seventh NCAA Tournament. 20 wins is often used as a benchmark to get into the Tournament and if the Scarlet Knights hit that milestone, they will be tough to keep out.

They are 16-6 entering Tuesday’s game vs. Maryland and they have four home games out of nine left. They are undefeated at home, so if they keep that up they’ll be fine. If not, they just have to win one or two of their road games to get in.

Head coach Steve Pikiell has got the most out of his players. Every season, his players are getting better. Obviously, he’s not going to get the best talent to Rutgers, but if he can talk these guys up, they can beat just about anyone in college basketball. Coaching is as important here as it is in any collegiate sport.

Ron Harper Jr. is the key to winning down the stretch. He’s the team’s leading scorer, but he can go ice cold at times. The New Jersey native is averaging over 11 points per game with just under six rebounds. He’s disappeared before, like when he scored just two points against Nebraska, so consistency is key down the stretch with a tourney bid in the balance.

Geo Baker has played well off the bench, giving the Rutgers interesting depth for their talent level.

The key to Rutgers’ success is team defense which can pick up the team when the offense is lacking or in a stretch where it’s gone cold.

Pikeill has his guys playing hard. They rank 16th in the country in scoring defense, allowing just 61.1 points per game. If they can get some consistent scoring, this defense would easily bring them to the Tournament.

Rutgers already broke a 40-plus-year drought when they were ranked in the Top 25 earlier this year. Now they’re looking to break a 25-plus year streak of years without an NCAA Tournament appearance.

It all starts with Tuesday night’s matchup with No. 9 Maryland. If they win that road game, which has been a tall task for Big Ten teams this year, they’re a shoo-in for their first Tournament appearance since 1991.

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