The “Break On Through” Game Thread: Rutgers at Purdue

Rutgers (19-11; 10-9) at Purdue (16-14; 9-10)

How To Watch, Listen, News & Notes

Where: Mackey Arena (14,240) in West Lafayette, Indiana

Tip-off: Saturday, March 7th at 2:00 p.m. ET.

TV: BTN - Brandon Gaudin & Shon Morris

Stream: Fox Sports App

Radio: Live Listen - Rutgers Sports Properties Radio Network - WCTC 1450 AM/WOR 710 AM/XM 381; Jerry Recco & Joe Boylan; WRSU 88.7 FM - Raj Shah

KenPom Rankings: Rutgers 27th: Purdue 22nd; Rutgers moved up 5 spots since Tuesday’s win over Maryland. Purdue moved up 3 spots since Tuesday’s win at Iowa.

Efficiency Rankings: Rutgers - Offense 107.8 (70th) Defense 90.4 (9th); Purdue - Offense 109.6 (50th) Defense 90.6 (12th)

KenPom Prediction: Purdue 65 Rutgers 60. Rutgers is given a 34% chance to win.

OTB Guide to KenPom

Vegas Line: Purdue -5.5

Series History: Purdue leads the all-time series 12-2, but Rutgers won the first meeting of the season 70-63 at the RAC in late January.

SB Nation’s Purdue Site: Hammer & Rails

Key Contributors

Purdue - 6’9” sophomore Trevion Williams (11.6 points, 7.7 rebounds, 51.7% FG); 6’4” sophomore Eric Hunter Jr. (10.5 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.1 steals, 36.4% 3-pt FG); 6’3” senior Jahaad Proctor (9.3 points, 2.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.0 steal); 6’4” sophomore Sasha Stefanovic (8.7 points, 2.4 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.0 steal, 38.3% 3-pt FG); 7’3” junior Matt Haarms (8.6 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.0 blocks; 52.8% FG); 6’1” freshman Isaiah Thompson (5.5 points, 1.1 rebounds, 35.8% 3-pt FG); 6’8” senior Evan Boudreaux (5.4 points, 4.4 rebounds); 6’7” junior Nojel Eastern (5.1 points, 4.1 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.1 steals); 6’9” sophomore Aaron Wheeler (3.7 points, 4.2 rebounds)

Rutgers - 6’6” sophomore Ron Harper Jr. (12.0 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.1 steals); 6’4” junior Geo Baker (10.6 points, 3.5 assists, 2.9 rebounds, 1.1 steals); 6’6” senior Akwasi Yeboah (9.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, 35.6% 3-pt FG); 6’2” junior Jacob Young (8.4 points, 2.7 rebounds, 1.9 assists); 6’10” sophomore Myles Johnson (8.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 1.6 blocks, 1.0 assist, 60.3% FG); 6’4” sophomore Montez Mathis (7.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 1.0 steal); 6’7” sophomore Caleb McConnell (6.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.6 assists); 6’6” freshman Paul Mulcahy (3.9 points, 2.6 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 55.3% FG); 6’9” senior Shaq Carter (3.5 points, 2.4 rebounds, 57.3% FG)

Game Preview

Cutting to the chase, a win today on the road for Rutgers would all but guarantee an NCAA Tournament bid for a program that hasn’t earned one in 29 years. It would also lock up an 8 or 9 seed in next week’s Big Ten Tournament. Coming off a dominant performance against no. 9 Maryland earlier this week, they venture to a place they’ve played its worst in recent years. Last year, they lost at Purdue by 35 points. Purdue must win to stay on the Bubble and it’s senior day.

Despite only having 1 road win all season, Rutgers only has lost by double digits once in Big Ten play this season. Is this finally the game they break through? We are about to find out. Join us in the comment section during the action and follow us on Twitter for live commentary.