LAS VEGAS — Rutgers head coach Steve Pikiell is maintaining a positive outlook following his team’s challenging 85-60 defeat to No. 17 Tennessee at the MGM Grand Arena. Despite the significant scoreline, Pikiell emphasized that the experience provided valuable insights about his squad.
The Scarlet Knights (4-2) faced a tough battle against a formidable Volunteers (5-0) roster, falling behind by as much as 36 points in the second half. However, Pikiell found a silver lining as Rutgers managed to finish strong, closing out the game on an 18-7 run in the last six minutes and 43 seconds. “When you come into halftime and you spot a top (20) team that many points, you could do two things. And we just kept fighting,” he said. “We won the half, 30 to 29, and held them to 29 points. You got to take some positives. Obviously, it’s a loss.”
The game was a setback for Rutgers, which marked their second consecutive defeat after an unexpected 13-point home loss to Central Connecticut State just days prior. The match highlighted several critical areas for improvement: the Scarlet Knights trailed for over 38 minutes, allowed Tennessee to make 11 three-pointers at a 50% success rate, and conceded 21 second-chance points.
The performance was particularly concerning as Rutgers prepares to face a challenging schedule in the Big Ten, with upcoming games against top-ranked teams such as No. 1 Purdue and No. 7 Michigan. “We have teams like that in the league. We gotta get used to that,” Pikiell noted, acknowledging the caliber and size of the competition they will encounter.
Looking ahead to their next game on Tuesday against Notre Dame, Pikiell is keen to guide his team to recovery. Last year, the Scarlet Knights managed to defeat the Irish at the same venue, and they will aim to repeat that success to regain momentum on this lengthy trip. “Every game you play is important. These are really good basketball teams and you got to play well. You got to play 40 minutes,” Pikiell reflected optimistically. This season’s challenges, in Pikiell’s eyes, are opportunities for growth as they continue to navigate their demanding schedule.