The “Search For Respect” Game Thread: Rutgers at Miami

How To Watch, Stream & Listen

Rutgers (6-0) At Miami (4-2)

Tip-off: Wednesday at 7:15 p.m. EST

TV: ESPNU - Mark Jones and Cory Alexander

Stream: Watch ESPN

Radio:

WCTC 1450 AM - Jerry Recco & Joe Boylan

WRSU 88.7 FM - Nick Kosko & Dom Savino

KenPom Rankings: Miami #29 ; Rutgers #162

KenPom Prediction: Miami 72 Rutgers 57; Rutgers has 9% chance of winning

Vegas Line: Miami -14.5 (down from -17)

Series History: Miami leads the series 9-5. The last meeting between the two schools, Miami won 72-57 on November 15, 2011. Rutgers is 0-5 all-time at Miami.

Game Preview

Rutgers Ready To Take Undefeated Record To Miami

Q&A with Miami site State of the U

The time has come for the marquee matchup of the non-conference slate, not including blood rival Seton Hall. We all hoped Rutgers would enter this game 6-0 based on the soft start to the schedule and it’s been great to see it become a reality. This team has made a lot of progress under first-year head coach Steve Pikiell in a very short period of time.

With that being said, we will find out how much progress and how good this team really is tonight. Miami has not been an elite team so far this season, but they are still a top tier ACC squad that will provide a huge test for Rutgers in this game. It’s also the true first road game of the season, as there was virtually no crowd for the DePaul game. How freshman like Issa Thiam and Eugene Omoruyi react to their first road environment will certainly play a part in this game.

The line for this game has dropped down to 14.5 points, which is important to remember in terms of expectations for this contest. I hope like hell Rutgers plays a smart, disciplined brand of basketball behind hard nosed defense on the road. Miami is good at forcing turnovers and likes to run in transition, so Rutgers will need to put forward their best performance of the season to have a chance to win. They are capable and let’s hope for the best tonight. And even if the outcome is not positive, either way this team has a long season ahead with plenty of progress still to make.

Join us in the comment section during the game and let’s go RU!!