The “Home Sweet Home” Game Thread: Minnesota At Rutgers

How To Watch & Listen

Minnesota (17-7; 5-6) At Rutgers (13-12; 2-10)

Where: The RAC

Tip-off: Saturday, February 11th at 12:00 p.m. ET

TV: ESPNU - Clay Matvick and Sean Harrington

Radio: WCTC 1450 AM & WOR 710 AM - Jerry Recco & Joe Boylan; WRSU 88.7 FM

KenPom Rankings: Rutgers #129; Minnesota #38

KenPom Prediction: Minnesota 66 Rutgers 61; Rutgers is given a 32% chance of winning

Series History: Minnesota leads the series 5-1 all-time, but Rutgers won their last meeting.

Game Preview

This is an absolutely huge game for Rutgers against a tough Minnesota team. After two good performances on the road, they come home and hope to make up for their last performance at the RAC, a disappointing 20 point loss to Iowa. If they can win today against the Golden Gophers, who are on the bubble for the NCAA tournament, it would be a huge statement.

Minnesota is a very good defensive team and do a great job locking down the paint, leading the Big Ten in blocked shots. Rutgers is the best rebounding team in the conference, but the Golden Gophers are second. Which team controls the glass will go a long way into determining who will win this game.

Let’s hope for a big turnout at the RAC today, as Rutgers needs their homecourt against a Minnesota team coming in on a two game winning streak, including a double overtime victory over Iowa Wednesday night. This noon start is a quick turnaround for both teams, so tired legs could be a factor as well. Minnesota had four starters play 39 or more minutes against Iowa. Rutgers needs to force long possessions and clog up the lanes, forcing Minnesota into jump shots. This type of lockdown defense led to dominate stretches in holding Nebraska and Wisconsin into 10+ minutes without a field goal, so Rutgers is capable of doing the same today.

We will have live commentary on twitter here and join us in the comment section during the game. Let’s go RU!

Bonus: Give Pikiell credit for being relentless in promoting this team!