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Most people are going to blame Eli Carter's cold streak for this one, but it really was a team effort.
Jerome Seagears came to play, scoring 7 early points and was hot throughout, finishing with a career high 21 points. But the Scarlet Knights couldn't get much else going. They hung around for a long time, but couldn't lay down the hammer. They held a 13-8 lead early in the game, mostly on Seagears hot shooting.
But, turnovers reared their ugly head again. Every time, every single time, Rutgers had a shot, someone would mess up spacing, or fall asleep on the dribble, and UConn would take advantage. Mike Poole, Wally Judge, and yes, Mr. Carter ground possessions to a halt multiple times.
With about 12 minutes left, Rutgers rallied to lead 30-28, and had the ball. But the Scarlet Knights couldn't put together a good possession. Shabazz Napier and Ryan Boatright were able to take care of their business on the Huskies' end.
Dane Miller sat on the bench for most of the game in foul trouble. Wally Judge went to the bench with ten minutes left. Eli Carter managed to score 13, but most of them were in late in the game when it was out of reach.
In the radio postgame, Mike Rice continually called the team careless and said they're pressing, and there's really not much else to say. The team is cold, and trying to speed things up, and it's causing turnovers.
Now they have two days to prepare for a well rested Cincinnati team.
Rutgers is in trouble, still, and only they can dig their way out of it.