I firmly believe there is no such thing as a moral victory. Athletes and teams compete to win, not come in second. But there are certainly losing efforts that can be applauded and I think Saturday night’s 65-62 hard-fought home defeat to number-two Pittsburgh is one of those instances for the Rutgers basketball team. First-year head coach Mike Rice had his Scarlet Knghts battling the Panthers to the very end until Dane Miller’s three-point field goal attempt richoted off the backboard. In the end, free-throw shooting proved to be the difference. Pitt shot 28 for 35; R-U 13 for 18. The Knights made six more field goals which makes the loss tough to take. But it was another step forward for Rice who attempts to rebuild the Rutgers basketball program.
Archive for January, 2011
New Rutgers basketball coach Mike Rice has drawn first blood in the arch-rivalry with Seton Hall and the Pirates’ first-year head coach Kevin Willard. Rice and the Scarlet Knights came up with a solid 66-60 win at the Rock Saturday afternoon in a game heard on Good Time Oldies, 1450 WCTC and WCTCAM.com, despite shooting an abysmal 48 percent at the free throw line, 13-of-27. But R-U had balanced scoring including two double-doubles and a near third. Sophomore wing Dane Miller led the way with 17 points and ten rebounds. Freshman center Gil Biruta had 12 points and eleven rebounds and senior forward Jonathan Mitchell chipped in with 14 points and nine rebounds. So, the Knights improve to 3-4 in league and 12-7 overall while the Hall falls to 2-6 in conference and 8-12 overall.
“Groundhog Day” continues for the veteran nucleus of the Rutgers men’s basketball team. Another loss to a ranked Big East team. This time this afternoon at the RAC…a 74-65 home defeat to number-22 Georgetown. Yes, the Scarlet Knights upset the Hoyas at home last season but even a blind squirrel finds an acorn every once in awhile. This season, R-U has played three ranked league teams and has lost every one of them…and, unfortunately, more of the same is expected for the rest of the season. Again, first-year head coach Mike Rice has to hang in there until his own recruits come in next season. Meanwhile, Vivian Stringer’s Rutgers women’s team continues to maintain a sneaky undefeated record in the Big East. The Scarlet Knights improved to 4-0 in conference this afternoon with a 55-44 win at Cincinnati.
In the end, it’s not unexpected…although the hiring of pro-style offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti Jr. was thought by many to be a reason to stay. But disgruntled Rutgers sophomore quarterback Tom Savage is transferring. R-U head coach Greg Schiano made the announcement this afternoon, ending Savage’s up-and-down two seasons on the Banks of the Old Raritan. Savage had an outstanding true freshman season but injury and ineffectiveness derailed his sophomore campaign, leading to true freshman Chas Dodd’s ascension to the starting job. Now, there will be no more quarterback controversy. The job is all Dodd’s now…along with all the pressure heading into a key season at RU in 2011 following this year’s disappointing end to a five-year bowl game run.
New Rutgers men’s basketball coach Mike Rice has notched his first Big East victory on the Banks of the Old Raritan. Rice and Company now 1-2 in league and 10-5 overall after breaking a three-game losing streak with an 85-72 home win over Providence heard on Good Time Oldies, 1450 WCTC and WCTCAM.com. Congratulations to Coach Rice!
Same old, same old. Yes, give credit to new Rutgers basketball coach Mike Rice for resurrecting organization and defense to the Scarlet Knight program. But the Fairleigh Dickinsons, the Monmouths, the St. Peter’s, the NJIT’s are in the past and the Big East is here…meaning that the talent level…or lack thereof for R-U is back in play big-time now as the Knights step back into play in arguably the nation’s number-one conference. Yes, Rutgers had a 37-33 half-time lead today at number-eight Villanova in the Big East opener but the Wildcats put together an 11-0 run early in the second half and never looked back. So, today is the same old story for the Scarlet Knights—not enough firepower in a ultra-talented league. And, until Rice can get his vaunted recruiting class in here for next season, THIS season will be another long struggle.
