The “Take Another Step Forward” Game Thread: Rutgers At DePaul

How To Watch & Listen

Rutgers (2-0) At DePaul (1-0)

Tip-off: Thursday 8:30 p.m. ET

TV: FS1 with Tim Brando and the great Bill Rafferty

Radio: WCTC 1450 AM - Jerry Recco & Joe Boylan

KenPom Rankings: DePaul #182; Rutgers #170

KenPom Prediction: DePaul 77 Rutgers 74; 39% chance to win

Vegas Line: DePaul -3

Series History: Rutgers is 6-4 against DePaul all-time and won their last meeting 76-57 in the first round of the 2013 Big East Tournament.

Game Preview

Q&A On DePaul

Tonight is a big game for the Rutgers men’s basketball team and that feels good to say! In order for a program to make real progress, there are many steps that must be achieved on the road to respectability. Rutgers took care of business against inferior competition in the first two games of the season. Now they face a team from the Big East and a very good backcourt.

DePaul may have been picked last in their conference just like Rutgers, but that doesn’t mean this isn’t a crucial test for both programs. A win for either team is a good step forward. A loss will be tough to swallow for either team. While there is reason to believe Rutgers should dominate the boards and their deeper rotation could wear down the Blue Demons, it’s also the first road contest for several players in their collegiate careers. Lots of variables involved in how they handle the experience for the first time.

The most important part of this season for both the team and the fans is taking it one game at a time. Let’s embrace the fact that this team is far more interesting and fun to watch then any in recent memory. Hopefully, Rutgers can show tangible progress by winning on the road against a former conference foe. Oh, and college basketball announcing legend Bill Rafferty is in the house, which will make this game even more enjoyable to watch.

I’ll take it as a good omen! Join us in the comments section during the game and I’ll do my best to piece together a recap as soon as possible after the final buzzer sounds. Let’s do this! Go RU!