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Rutgers Men’s Basketball

Rutgers Men’s Basketball

Rutgers Men’s Basketball

It will be Iowa vs. Rutgers Friday Afternoon in Big 10 Quarterfinal

Author Michael Cohen
PISCATAWAY, NJ - JANUARY 19: Kris Murray #24 of the Iowa Hawkeyes attempts a pass as Geo Baker #0 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights defends during the first half of a game at Jersey Mike's Arena on January 19, 2022 in Piscataway, New Jersey. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)

It’s official. Rutgers will draw the Iowa Hawkeyes in their Big 10 Tournament quarterfinal on Friday afternoon at 2 p.m., which you can hear live on Fox Sports Radio New Jersey 93.5 FM and 1450 AM.

The Scarlet Knights (18-12, 12-8) are looking to defeat the Hawkeyes for the second time this season, having beaten them in a 48-46 thriller back in January.

That night the Scarlet Knights held the Hawkeyes to 27 percent shooting from the floor, while Ron Harper led the way with 15 points for Rutgers. That game was really a poor shooting night for both teams. It should be much different this time around.

The Hawkeyes come into the game tomorrow afternoon riding a record breaking 112-76 thrashing of Northwestern on Thursday. Iowa broke tournament single game records for three’s made (19), field goals (43), points scored (112), and margin of victory (36).

Keegan Murray was a force for the Hawkeyes, dropping 26 points on 11-of-16 shooting. Meanwhile Jordan Bohannon was deadly from long distance converting on five of eight three-pointers for 17 points.

Rutgers is going to have to rely on its defense led by Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year Caleb McConnell if they are to slow down the Hawkeyes on Friday afternoon.

Ron Harper Jr. and Geo Baker are also going to have to have big days from the floor, especially from three if they are going to keep up and stop the Hawkeyes.

Friday’s match-up will be the 13th ever meeting between the two clubs. Iowa leads the series 9-3. If Rutgers should win it would be highest seed RU has defeated in a conference tournament since 1998 when then number 12 Rutgers upset number 5 West Virginia in the Big East Tournament.

It would also mark the sixth win over a ranked opponent, extending Rutgers’ program record for a single season.

It is also interesting to note that Head Coach Steve Pikiell is two wins shy of 100 wins with Rutgers. The last RU coach to win 100 games was Bob Wenzel. Pikiell will be the fastest to the mark since Tom Young, if the Scarlet Knights can win a couple more games.

Ron Harper is also 10 points away from 1500 in his illustrious career.

Michael Cohen is the News and Sports Director at Fox Sports Radio New Jersey and Magic 98.3 FM, as well as a radio production assistant with Fox and Magic in New Jersey. He started his career in Somerset in 2018 initially as a news fill-in at WCTC 1450 AM, and soon moved up to higher responsibilities in the ensuing years, assuming News & Sports Director title in 2021Prior to his time with Fox Sports New Jersey, Michael was play-by-play voice for New Jersey Jackals baseball, and as well as play-by-play and color for the College of Staten Island basketball (men and women), softball and baseball. Michael began his career as a news and sportswriter with the Jersey Journal of Hudson County.

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Author Michael Cohen
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