The “Back on tRACk” Game Thread: Northwestern at Rutgers

Northwestern (6-15; 1-10) at Rutgers (16-7; 7-5)

How To Watch, Listen, News & Notes

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

Tip-off: Sunday, February 9 at 6:30 p.m. ET.

TV: BTN - Cory Provus & Bob Wenzel

Stream: Fox Sports App

Radio: Live Listen - WCTC 1450 AM/WOR 710 AM/XM 83/Sirius 83; Jerry Recco & Joe Boylan; WRSU 88.7 FM

KenPom Rankings: Rutgers 28th: Northwestern 119th; Rutgers improved one spot since Tuesday’s loss to Maryland. The Wildcats improved teo spots since their loss to Purdue.

Efficiency Rankings: Rutgers - Offense 106.0 (106th) Defense 88.4 (6th); Northwestern - Offense 105.9 (107th) Defense 101.0 (148th)

KenPom Prediction: Rutgers 71 Northwestern 59. Rutgers is given a 86% chance to win.

OTB Guide to KenPom

Vegas Line: Rutgers -10.5

Series History: Northwestern leads all-time 10-3 and both teams split last season’s home and away series. Rutgers won the last meeting at Northwestern 59-56.

SB Nation’s Northwestern Site: Inside NU

Key Contributors

Northwestern - 6’7” freshman Miller Kopp (13.4 points, 3.7 rebounds, 1.0 assist, 39.6% 3-pt FG%); 6’3” senior Pat Spencer (11.0 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists); 6’2” freshman Boo Buie (10.0 points, 2.4 assists, 1.8 rebounds, 34.4 3-pt FG%); 6’10” freshman Ryan Young (9.5 points, 6.2 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 56.1 FG%): 6’10” sophomore Pete Nance (8.4 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists); 6’9” freshman Robbie Beran (5.4 points, 3.3 assists, 41.2 3-pt FG%); 6’7” senior A.J. Turner (4.8 points, 2.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists): 6’10” freshman Jared Jones (2.1 points, 1.8 rebounds)

Rutgers - 6’6” sophomore Ron Harper Jr. (11.4 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.1 assists); 6’6” senior Akwasi Yeboah (10.0 points, 4.7 rebounds, 40.0 3-pt FG%); 6’4” junior Geo Baker (9.3 points, 3.5 assists, 2.4 rebounds, 1.3 steals); 6’10” sophomore Myles Johnson (8.8 points, 8.0 rebounds, 1.5 blocks, 63.6% FG); 6’2” junior Jacob Young (8.5 points, 2.7 rebounds, 1.8 assists); 6’7” sophomore Caleb McConnell (8.0 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.0 steal); 6’4” sophomore Montez Mathis (7.7 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.0 steals); 6’9” senior Shaq Carter (3.7 points, 2.3 rebounds, 58.1% FG); 6’6” freshman Paul Mulcahy (3.4 points, 2.7 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 54.1% FG)

Jacob Young will play tonight, as Rutgers is back at the RAC for the first time since January 28th. Let’s hope they take care of business against last place Northwestern. As well as this team has played so far, there should be no reason to think they won’t. Join us in the comment section during the game and follow us on Twitter for live commentary.