Rutgers men’s basketball is set to return to the comfort of Jersey Mike’s Arena this weekend, hosting Northwestern on Sunday at 5 pm on Peacock. Following a challenging road trip that included a matchup against No. 16 Illinois, the Scarlet Knights are looking to capitalize on their home advantage. This game marks the fifth of six consecutive contests at home, as the team prepares for two away games before returning on January 23.
Currently, Rutgers stands at 8-8 for the season and has found success at home, boasting a record of 7-3 this year and an impressive 30-12 overall at Jersey Mike’s Arena for the past three seasons. In their previous home game, the Scarlet Knights triumphed over Oregon in a thrilling overtime showdown, winning 88-85, thanks to a standout performance from a key player who scored 30 points. Although they faced a setback against Illinois most recently, their home court is expected to provide a much-needed boost.
A notable strength for Rutgers has been its offensive rebounding, ranking fifth in the Big Ten with an average of 12.75 offensive boards per game. The team has recorded three games this season with 18 or more offensive rebounds, showcasing their tenacity on the boards. Center Clifford Omoruyi ranks fifth in the league with 3.06 offensive rebounds per game and stands out nationally with an offensive rebounding percentage of 18.5%, making him one of the key players to watch.
In terms of scoring, forward Cam Spencer has been instrumental, averaging 21.2 points per game over his last five outings, including two games exceeding 30 points. He leads Rutgers in scoring with an impressive 14.4 points per game and holds the highest scoring average in conference play, significantly outpacing the second leading scorer.
On the other side of the court, Northwestern enters the game with an overall record of 8-7 but has struggled in the Big Ten, sitting at 0-4. The Wildcats suffered a recent defeat to Michigan State, despite a strong performance from Nick Martinelli, who scored 28 points in that matchup. Known for their impressive assist-to-turnover ratio, Northwestern is proficient in ball handling, averaging only 8.6 turnovers per game while maintaining a high-scoring offense with 79.4 points per game.
Rutgers has a slight edge in the all-time series against Northwestern, leading 9-12 since the series began in 1984. However, the Scarlet Knights have improved their standing by winning eight of the last ten matchups. Last season, they secured a notable victory over the Wildcats with a strong performance from a key player who scored 37 points.
As the Scarlet Knights look ahead, they aim to build on their prior success and continue their strong performances at home, setting the stage for what promises to be an exciting and competitive game against Northwestern this Sunday.