Rutgers Set for Huge Big 10 Clash with Michigan Tonight

Tonight is going to be another one of those nights. It will be a night where Rutgers can put their stamp on the BIG 10 and send a message to the basketball work that the Scarlet Knights are here to play.

They sent a message with their 70-68 win over Purdue last month, when they shocked the basketball world by upsetting the previously unbeaten Boilermakers. While the stakes may not be as large as then when 7-5 Michigan comes rolling in, it is still incredibly important.

Both teams are 7-5. Both teams are 1-1 in Big 10 play. And with teams like Michigan State (12-2), Ohio State (9-2), Illinois (9-3), Wisconsin (11-2), and Minnesota (10-2) all looking poised to make noise in two-and-a half months come March Madness, now is the time for Rutgers to make its move. An upset over Michigan would be huge not only from the head-to-head standpoint, but it would add some very big credentials to RU's postseason dreams when committees sit around a table and look to fill out the NCAA Tournament bracket.

"We need everyone to show up on Tuesday, we have a huge game against Michigan," Head Coach Steve Pikiell said the other day. "It's one of the best teams in our conference. We're going to need everyone here, and Jersey Mike's loud."

It should be loud and proud at Jersey Mike's tonight. Rutgers has sold out all of its home games this season.

Ron Harper Jr. and Clifford Omoruyi have led the way for RU most of the season. Harper, of course, had the dramatic game winner against Purdue last month. He is averaging 14.9 points per game, and is shooting .421 from the floor.

Omoruyi has been solid on both sides of the court. He has 87 rebounds this year, and is connecting on 61% of his shots for an average of 12.4 points per game.

Geo Baker is still a lethal offensive player, who missed some time due to injury.  And caleb McConnell and Paul Mulcahy have proved to both be efficient shooters this season.

Michigan is led by seven-footer Hunter Dickinson who is averaging 15.3 points-per-game this season. Dickinson also leads the team with 9.3 rebounds-per-game.

Senior guard Eli Brooks is averaging 13.1 points-per-game and is the team's best scorer in the backcourt. Freshman forward Caleb Houston is the top newcomer of the Wolverines and has contributed with 9.3 points-per-game so far this season.

In addition, Michigan is 14-0 all time against Rutgers in head-to-head match-ups, including 6-0 in Piscataway. Tonight would be a helluva night to make history.

Catch the game live on 1450 AM, 93.5 FM - FOX Sports New Jersey tonight at 7 p.m.