Rutgers Hosts Rival Seton Hall Saturday Evening at the RAC
Feb 10 | Men's Basketball
PISCATAWAY, N.J. - Rutgers (13-11, 4-8) strives to earn its second consecutive BIG EAST victory when it welcomes Seton Hall (10-14, 4-8) to the RAC on Saturday evening for a 7 p.m. tip-off. The Pirates will be looking to snap a two-game skid compiled against nationally-ranked opponents. For the second time this season, RU enters the home-and-home match-up with less rest than their rival. SHU will have the benefit of seven days rest, while RU will be working with 72-hours between tip-offs. The Scarlet Knights won the initial meeting on just 41 hours rest and will be preparing to sweep the regular season series with SHU for the first time since 2001.
The game offers both "Date Night" and "Parents Night" promotions. Fans can purchase a "Date Night" package that includes two tickets, two hot dogs, and two sodas for only $22.00. In addition, parents of current Rutgers undergraduate students can purchase advance tickets (limit two) at an exclusive rate.
The contest will be televised live nationally in high definition on ESPNU with Beth Mowins calling the action and Mike Kelley offering the analysis. On the radio, the game will be broadcast live on the Rutgers Radio Network, WOR 710 AM in New York and WCTC 1450 AM in New Brunswick. Chris Carlin will serve as play-by-play announcer and Dick Lloyd will provide commentary. WRSU (88.7) will also broadcast the game.
Saturday evening's contest marks the 59th meeting between the schools dating back to 1916, with Seton Hall holding a 33-25 advantage in victories. Eleven of the last 13 meetings between the schools have been decided by six points or less or in overtime. Rutgers is 15-13 all-time at home versus the Pirates. In BIG EAST regular-season play, SHU holds an 18-10 lead. In the first meeting this season, sophomore wing Dane Miller (Rochester, N.Y.) and freshman forward Gilvydas Biruta (Jonava, Lithuania) both had double-doubles to help RU to a 66-60 win at the Prudential Center. Miller had 17 points with 10 rebounds, while Biruta posted 12 points and 11 boards, as the Scarlet Knights led for over 36 minutes of the contest's 40 minutes. Miller, who played a tenacious defense on Seton Hall's Jeremy Hazell, shot seven-of-13 with three blocks. The Scarlet Knights made 47.2 percent (25-53) of their field goal attempts, while limiting SHU to 33.8 percent (23-68) shooting. RU also out-rebounded the larger Pirates by a 44-38 margin.
Rutgers is coming off a dramatic 77-76 home victory over No. 9/10 Villanova Wednesday evening. Senior forward Jonathan Mitchell (Mount Vernon, N.Y.) completed a four point play with 0.8 seconds on the clock. The students stormed the court as time expired to celebrate a win that saw the Scarlet Knights overcome a 10-point (70-60) deficit with under three minutes to play. Rutgers trailed by as many as 13 points (67-54) with four minutes remaining but would not be denied. Mitchell's final free throw, made after a Villanova timeout, not only capped the amazing comeback, but it also marked a new career-high points total of 25. Senior point guard James Beatty (Wilmington, N.C.) shot five-of-10, including five-of-nine from behind the arc, to score 15 points. Twelve of his points were recorded in the final 4:05 of the contest. Miller added 12 points. The RU scoring effort was aided by senior guard Mike Coburn (Mount Vernon, N.Y.), who dished-out a career-high tying eight assists.
Rutgers ranks fourth in the BIG EAST in blocked shots (5.21), while placing fifth in the conference in field goal percentage defense (.401), steals (8.0) and turnover margin (+2.50).
Seton Hall, under the leadership of first-year head coach Kevin Willard, dropped a 61-59 home decision to No. 6 Connecticut Saturday night. The Pirates allowed a 14-point second half lead slip away in the defeat. Hazell and Jeff Robinson had double-doubles. Hazell finished with 20 points while Robinson had 15. Both players grabbed 11 boards. The Pirates won the rebounding battle 42-33, but were outshot 42.6 percent to 37.3 percent and made only 10-of-34 (.294) field goals in the second half.
