Rutgers Scarlet Knights (11-12, 4-9) at Northwestern Wildcats (12-11, 3-9)
Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2019 | 7 p.m.
Welsh-Ryan Arena (7,039) | Evanston, Ill.

TV: BTN (Lisa Byington, play-by-play & Stephen Bardo, analyst)
Radio: Rutgers IMG Sports Network (WCTC 1450 AM/WOR 710 AM/XM 383) (Jerry Recco & Joe Boylan); WRSU 88.7 FM (Matt Howe & Sam Marsdale)

Series Record: Northwestern leads 10-2
Last Meeting: Northwestern 65, Rutgers 57 (Jan. 18, 2019 at the RAC)

OPENING TIP: Rutgers and Northwestern square-off Wednesday evening in RU's first trip to the newly renovated Welsh-Ryan Arena, the second meeting of the year between the programs. The match-up is the second of three road games over four contests for the Scarlet Knights, who are working to earn two conference road wins for the first time in a season since joining the Big Ten in 2014-15.

Rutgers is coming off a hard-fought, 99-94, overtime defeat on Saturday at Illinois. Freshman guard Caleb McConnell registered a career-high 25 points on 8-of-10 shooting, RU's highest individual scoring output of the season. With 65 scored by freshmen, the Scarlet Knights reached 90 points for the third time this season, marking the first time in 13 years (four, 2005-06) that RU has accomplished the feat.

THE SERIES: Wednesday is the 13th meeting between Rutgers and Northwestern dating back to 1969, with Northwestern holding a 10-2 advantage. In the initial match-up this season, Montez Mathis scored 16 points as Rutgers battled back from a 10-point, second half deficit to tie the contest with five minutes remaining, but was unable to complete the comeback. Three games in the series have been played at neutral sites, including an 80-75 Rutgers victory in El Paso on Dec. 27, 2003. The Scarlet Knights are 0-3 on the Wildcats' home floor.

THE OPPONENT: Under sixth-year head coach Chris Collins, Northwestern is coming off an 80-79 defeat at No. 20 Iowa on Sunday evening. The Wildcats out-rebounded the Hawkeyes 37-26, but were undone on an Iowa three-pointer with 0.6 seconds remaining. Wednesday night marks the seventh time in eight games that Rutgers plays a Big Ten foe coming off a league defeat. NU is led by Vic Law (15.4 ppg, 6.9 rpg) and Derek Pardon (14.0 ppg, 7.8 rpg). On Jan. 18 at the RAC, RU limited Law to six points on 2-of-10 shooting, but was undone by Pardon's 17 points.

Northwestern leads the Big Ten and ranks 23^rd nationally in 3-point FG% defense (30.1). The Wildcats are 9-4 at home this season.

CONNECTION: Steve Pikiell's daughter Brooke is a sophomore guard on the Northwestern women's basketball team under head coach Jack McKeown.
 
COACHING COMPARISON 
Rutgers Head Coach Steve Pikiell
Overall Record (years)                        233-205 (14th)
Rutgers Record (years)                       41-49 (3rd)
Record vs. Northwestern (RU)            1-4
Record vs. Northwestern (overall)       1-5
 
Northwestern Head Coach Chris Collins
Overall Record (years)                        95-80 (6th)
Northwestern Record (years)              95-80 (6th)
Record vs. RU (Northwestern)            6-1
Record vs. RU (Northwestern)            6-1
 
SCARLET KNIGHT NOTABLES

• Per KenPom.com analysis, Rutgers' strength of schedule ranks 19th nationally. RU has one ranked victory (No. 16 Ohio State), as well as two wins over opponents receiving votes (Miami, Nebraska).
• Rutgers ranks 24th nationally in offensive rebounds (13.09) and 26th in total rebounds (39.52). RU leads the Big Ten in offensive boards, and is third in total rebounds.
• Per KenPom analysis, Rutgers is among the nation's youngest teams with 1.09 years of experience to rank 324th nationally out of 353 D-I programs. RU is also one of the nation's tallest teams with an average height of 78.9" to rank sixth in D-I.
• With the consecutive wins over Nebraska, Penn State and Indiana, it marked the first time RU had won three straight regular season conference games since winning four in 2003-04 (Big East).
• Rutgers has scored 90 or more points three times this season, marking the first time in 13 years (four, 2005-06) that RU has accomplished the feat.
• Rutgers has overcome double-digit deficits to earn victories four times this season, including two (Nebraska, Indiana) Big Ten wins.
• The sell-outs versus No. 8 Michigan State (Nov. 30), Maryland (Jan. 5) and No. 7 Michigan (Feb. 5) signaled the first time in 14 seasons that RU had three or more sell-outs this early in its calendar schedule.
• Rutgers has experienced ticket growth each season under head coach Steve Pikiell. Season ticket sales have increased 7% over 2017-18 and average attendance through 14 games has improved 38% from last year.
• Against Eastern Michigan, Rutgers allowed four points in the opening half to tie the NCAA D-I record for fewest points allowed in a half in the shot clock era (since '85-86). The 36 points allowed also tied the school record, matching the defensive effort against Columbia (60-36) on Nov. 18, 2002.
• In the shot clock era, Rutgers has held an opponent under 40 points eight times. Steve Pikiell has been the head coach in four of those contests.

Fans can secure single game tickets for the three remaining home games online or by calling 866-445-GORU (4678). Additional information can obtained by visiting RutgersGameday.com.

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