Coming off a thirty-four-point victory against Central Connecticut on Saturday, Rutgers men’s basketball is getting ready to travel to Miami to take on the Hurricanes.
Game at a glance: The 5-1 Scarlet Knights will take on the 6-1 Miami Hurricanes on Wednesday at 7:15 PM. in the ACC / Big Ten Challenge. Rutgers is coming off two straight victories against Rider and Central Connecticut, while Miami has won its past two games against St. Francis BK and UCF.
Inside Rutgers: After breezing past the last two games, the Scarlet Knights are going to have a tough matchup against the Hurricanes. Comparing the team stats, Miami and Rutgers are averaging similar points per game, with the Scarlet Knights averaging 76.8 points per game and Miami averaging 74.6. Both teams can score the basketball, but can they play defense? The Scarlet Knights have the edge on the defensive side, holding opponents to 52.8 points per game. On the other hand, the Hurricanes are letting up 64.8 points per game.
Last game against Central Connecticut, the Scarlet Knights got their senior guard Caleb McConnell back from injury. McConnell came off the bench and played 25 minutes contributing 4 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists. McConnell will be the x-factor in this competitive matchup. Head Coach Steve Pikiell praises McConnell’s energy and defense, calling him “the best defender in the country” during the post-game press conference after the victory over Central Connecticut. McConnell’s experience will help in multiple aspects, as McConnell can play all five positions.
Turn us UP🔼. Highlights from Saturday’s TEAM win🎥#TheKnighthood🛡️⚔️ pic.twitter.com/RPihVvxVVb
— Rutgers Men’s Basketball 🏀 (@RutgersMBB) November 28, 2022
McConnell and the rest of the Scarlet Knights will look to spread the ball around, creating open shots. Pikiell focuses on ball movement, making sure his team has double-digit assists at the end of the game. If Rutgers can rack up double-digit assists in this game, the Scarlet Knights have a good shot at pulling off the upset.
The Scarlet Knights are 4-4 all-time in the ACC / Big Ten Challenge. Rutgers had success the last two times, beating Clemson in 2021 and Syracuse in 2020 at home. On the road, Rutgers has claimed victories in the Challenge against Miami in 2018 and Clemson in 2014. The Scarlet Knights are going to look to continue their recent success as they prepare for the Hurricanes come Wednesday night.
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