Men's Hoops Hosts the Huskers in Saturday Matinee
Jan 19 | Men's Basketball
| Rutgers vs. Nebraska | |
| Date | Saturday, January 21 |
| Time | 12 p.m. |
| Location | The RAC | Piscataway, N.J. |
| Video | (Clay Matvick and Sean Harrington ) |
| Radio | Rutgers IMG Sports Radio Network - WCTC 1450 AM & WOR 710 AM |
| Video | RVision: Coach Pikiell Previews Nebraska Matchup |
| Tickets | Buy Tickets |
| Live Stats | |
| Game Notes | Rutgers | Nebraska | Big Ten |
| Media Guide | Rutgers |
| Promotions | Rutgers Camouflage Caps | Postgame Free Throws |
Rutgers Interactive Game Notes
PISCATAWAY, N.J. - After playing six of its last eight games away from the RAC, Rutgers (11-8, 0-6) returns home to host Nebraska (9-9, 3-3) in a 12 noon tip-off on Saturday. The Scarlet Knights will be working to return to the win column against the Cornhuskers, who are the sixth RU opponent in eight games to have been ranked or receiving votes this season. After beginning its Big Ten slate 3-0, Nebraska has dropped three straight league contests by single digits. Rutgers is fifth nationally in rebounds-per-game (42.42), 13th in rebound margin (+7.9) and 27th in field goal percentage defense (39.4).
Saturday's game is sponsored by the New Jersey Education Association (NJEA). The first 500 fans will receive complimentary camouflage caps with the Rutgers logo. In addition, kids 12 and under have the opportunity to shoot free throws on the court post-game.
Saturday's game will be televised on ESPNU, with Clay Matvick calling the action and Sean Harrington providing the analysis. On the radio, the contest will be broadcast on the Rutgers IMG Sports Network, WOR 710 AM in New York & WCTC 1450 AM in New Brunswick. Jerry Recco will serve as play-by-play announcer and Joe Boylan will provide commentary. WRSU (88.7 FM) will also broadcast the game.
The game will mark the eighth meeting on the collegiate hardwood between Rutgers and Nebraska since 1999, with the Huskers leading 5-2. Nebraska has won the last five match-ups, including an 89-72 decision in the opening round of the Big Ten Conference Tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse to conclude last season. Mike Williams scored 14 points in the contest, which featured nine ties and 12 lead changes. RU is 1-1 at the RAC in the series, falling 90-56 on Jan. 9, 2016, after a 75-73 victory on Dec. 2, 2006. The first meeting occurred on Nov. 28, 1999 at the USBWA Hoops 6 Quill Classic in St. Charles, Mo., and resulted in an 81-62 RU victory.
Rutgers became the first team to out-rebound Indiana this season, establishing a 38-29 advantage on the boards, but the Scarlet Knights dropped a 76-57 decision at Assembly Hall on Sunday. Seventeen points from Corey Sanders was not enough to overcome 21 miscues, which resulted in a 33-10 advantage in points off turnovers and a 21-2 buffer in fast break points for the Hoosiers. The Scarlet Knights struggled at the charity stripe. RU deposited 12 of 26, while the Hoosiers made 14-of-18, providing a two-point edge despite eight fewer attempts.
Sanders has led the Rutgers' scoring attack in three of its past four games, and is averaging 17.5 points in that span.
Nebraska dropped a 67-66 home decision to Ohio State Wednesday night, as the Buckeyes converted a layup off a baseline inbounds pass with under a second remaining to escape with the victory. Tai Webster scored 18 points for the Huskers, who led by as much as 12 in the opening half. The senior guard averages a team-best 18.3 points, and is on pace to have the highest scoring average for a Husker since Aleks Maric averaged 18.5 in 2006-07. Under the leadership of fifth-year head coach Tim Miles, Nebraska opened conference play with impressive road wins at Indiana (87-83) and Maryland (67-65).
