NORTHWESTERN WILDCATS (6-15, 1-10) AT RV/RV RUTGERS SCARLET KNIGHTS (16-7, 7-5)
Sunday, February 9, 2020 | 6:30 p.m. (ET)
The RAC (8,000) | Piscataway, N.J.

TV: BTN (Cory Provus, play-by-play; Bob Wenzel, analyst)
Radio: Rutgers Sports Properties Radio Network (WCTC 1450 AM/WOR 710 AM/XM 83/Sirius 83; Jerry Recco & Joe Boylan); WRSU 88.7 FM
 
Series Record: Northwestern leads, 10-3
Last Meeting: Rutgers 59, Northwestern 56
 
OPENING TIP: After two road games, Rutgers returns to the RAC, where is has a nation's-best 15-0 home record. The Scarlet Knights are receiving votes in both polls after being nationally ranked in consecutive weeks. A victory over Northwestern would provide RU its eighth Big Ten win, RU's most in conference play since an 8-8 Big East record in 2001-02. Sunday's match-up is before a RAC-record sixth straight sellout, one of a record 10 overall this season.
 
The Scarlet Knights' remaining schedule ranks fourth nationally in difficulty per the ESPN BPI. Of the eight upcoming contests, five are currently designated as quad one opportunities, with another two residing in quad two. At present, the stretch includes games against three ranked programs and another three receiving votes.
 
On Tuesday, Rutgers limited No. 9 Maryland to 34.0 percent (18-of-53) shooting in a 56-51 loss at the Xfinity Center. The Scarlet Knights overcame an eight-point deficit to tie the contest with three minutes remaining, but could not complete the comeback, as the Terps improved to 13-0 at home. Akwasi Yeboah scored a team-high 13 points and Montez Mathis added 10. The Scarlet Knights held a five-point halftime lead and forced the UM into a near 12-minute field goal drought in the hard-fought defeat.
 
THE OPPONENT: Under seventh-year head coach Chris Collins, Northwestern arrives on a week's rest after a 61-58 home loss to Purdue on Sunday. The Wildcats held a 94% chance of victory with under five minutes remaining before being undone by a late, 11-0, Boilermakers run. It marked NU's fourth conference loss of the season by five points or less. Miller Kopp leads the team in scoring (13.4). Pat Spencer, a graduate transfer in his first D-I basketball season following an All-America lacrosse career, leads the team in assists (3.9) and is second in scoring (11.0). The Wildcats rank 26th nationally in fewest turnovers (11.2).
 
THE SERIES: Sunday is the 14th meeting dating back to 1969, with Northwestern holding a 10-3 advantage. In the last match-up, RU claimed its first win at Welsh-Ryan Arena, 59-56, behind 12 points from both Geo Baker and Montez Mathis. Rutgers is 1-4 at home in the series.
 
CONNECTION: Steve Pikiell's daughter Brooke is a junior guard on the Northwestern women's basketball team under head coach Jack McKeown.
 
RATED RUTGERS
Haslametrics:  15
RPI:  26
Andy Katz Power 36:  27
NCAA NET:  27
Ken Pomeroy:  28
Rothstein 45:  31
ESPN BPI:  35
Jeff Sagarin:  39
Through 2/5/20 games
 
HEAD COACH STEVE PIKIELL
Overall Record (years):  252-217 (15th)
Rutgers Record (years): 60-61 (4th)
Record vs. Northwestern (RU): 2-4
Record vs. Northwestern (overall): 2-5
 
SCARLET KNIGHT NOTABLES

• RU joined the rankings for the first time since the final 1978-79 AP Poll (No. 18). The Scarlet Knight were No. 24/25 and No. 25/25 in the Jan. 20 & 27th polls, respectively.
• Off to its best home start (15-0) in program history, the top home record in the nation, Rutgers has a +16.5 scoring margin, a +8.9 rebounding advantage and has limited visitors to .360 shooting at the RAC.
• RU has sold-out a record 10 games at the RAC, including the final nine of the regular season. RU welcomed 8,329 fans vs. Seton Hall, its largest crowd in 18 seasons.
• Rutgers is 11th nationally in rebounding (40.83), 13th in FG% defense (37.8), 14th in scoring defense (60.9), 24th in rebound margin (+6.8), 35th in blocks (4.7) and 46th in scoring margin (9.4).
• Myles Johnson is 18th nationally in offensive rebound percentage (15.2) and 24th 13th nationally in FG% (.636).
• Akwasi Yeboah is one of 19 active NCAA players with 1,500 points and 600 rebounds. He ranks 50th in career points (1,548) and 54th in rebounds (673).
• Rutgers is a young squad, ranking 244th in experience per Pomeroy.
• Rutgers is undefeated when scoring 15 or more fast break points (9-0).
• Rutgers' 12-3 start was its best through 15 games since the 1975-76 season.
• From Dec. 11 to Jan. 19, RU held foes to 65 points or fewer in nine straight games (eight victories) for the first time since 1949-50.
• Rutgers last began league play with a 3-1 record as a member of the Atlantic 10 in 1994-95 (4-1).
• RU's 20-point win over No. 22 Seton Hall on Dec. 14 was its largest margin of victory over a ranked foe in program history.
• RU has claimed multiple ranked victories in consecutive seasons for the first time since the 2001-02 and 2002-03 campaigns.
• Rutgers was 4-0 against pro club teams during a tour of Spain in August. RU outscored its opponents 387-284 and had five players average double figures.

Follow Rutgers men's basketball on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for additional news and updates.