The “Time has come” Game Thread: Michigan at Rutgers

Michigan (16-9; 7-7) at Rutgers (18-8; 9-6)

How To Watch, Listen, News & Notes

Where: The RAC (8,000) in Piscataway, New Jersey

Tip-off: Wednesday, February 19 at 7:00 p.m. ET.

TV: BTN - Brandon Gaudin and Dan Bonner

Stream: Fox Sports App

Radio: Live Listen - Rutgers Sports Properties Radio Network - WCTC 1450 AM/WOR 710 AM/XM 384; Jerry Recco & Joe Boylan; WRSU 88.7 FM - Troy DeSavino and Randy DeGregorio

KenPom Rankings: Rutgers 29th: Michigan 15th; Rutgers moved up 4 spots since Saturday’s win over Illinois. Michigan moved up 5 spots after Sunday’s win over Indiana.

Efficiency Rankings: Rutgers - Offense 107.4 (69th) Defense 89.7 (11th); Michigan - Offense 112.4 (24th) Defense 91.8 (24th)

KenPom Prediction: Rutgers 68 Michigan 66. Rutgers is given a 56% chance to win.

OTB Guide to KenPom

Vegas Line: Rutgers -3

Series History: Michigan leads the all-time series 12-0, including a 69-63 victory at Madison Square Garden on February 1.

SB Nation’s Michigan Site: Maize N Brew

Key Contributors

Michigan - 6’7” junior Isaiah Livers (13.3 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 45.9% 3-pt); 6’0” senior Zavier Simpson (12.5 points, 8.2 assists, 4.3 rebounds, 35.7% 3-pt); 7’1” senior Jon Teske (12.3 points, 7.6 rebounds, 1.9 blocks, 1.2 steals); 6’1” junior Eli Brooks (11.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 38.4% 3-pt FG); 6’8” freshman Franz Wagner (10.3 points, 5.4 rebounds, 1.2steals); 6’0” sophomore David DeJulius (7.0 points, 2.5 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 36.2% 3-pt FG); 6’8” sophomore Brandon Johns Jr. (6.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, 51.4% FG); 6’10” senior Austin Davis (5.2 points, 2.8 rebounds, 71.9% FG); 6’11” sophomore Colin Castleton (3.2 points, 2.5 rebounds, 54.2% FG)

Rutgers - 6’6” sophomore Ron Harper Jr. (11.8 points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.0 assist); 6’4” junior Geo Baker (10.2 points, 3.6 assists, 2.7 rebounds, 1.1 steals); 6’6” senior Akwasi Yeboah (10.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, 38.5% 3-pt FG); 6’10” sophomore Myles Johnson (8.3 points, 8.0 rebounds, 1.6 blocks, 62.1% FG); 6’2” junior Jacob Young (8.3 points, 2.6 rebounds, 1.7 assists); 6’7” sophomore Caleb McConnell (7.6 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists); 6’4” sophomore Montez Mathis (7.2 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.3 steals); 6’6” freshman Paul Mulcahy (4.0 points, 2.6 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 56.8% FG); 6’9” senior Shaq Carter (3.5 points, 2.4 rebounds, 56.9% FG)

Game Preview

Quincy Douby will be in the house and Rutgers will be wearing its 1976 throwback uniforms once again. Michigan comes to the RAC having never lost to RU, while the Scarlet Knights look to extend its undefeated season at the RAC to 18-0. Something has to give.

How Rutgers handles the moment is likely the key to the outcome. Also, Wolverines star Isaiah Livers is a game time decision.

Update:

In the last meeting, the Scarlet Knights let a winnable game slip away. They get a fortunate second chance at home in what should be an electric atmosphere.

Join us in the comment section and follow us on Twitter at OTB_SBNation for live commentary. Let’s goooo!!!!