Rutgers Scarlet Knights (19-11, 10-9) at Purdue Boilermakers (16-14, 9-10)
Saturday, March 7, 2020 | 2 p.m. (ET)
Mackey Arena (14,240) | West Lafayette, Ind. 

TV: BTN (Brandon Gaudin, play-by-play; Shon Morris, analyst)
Radio: Rutgers Sports Properties Radio Network (WCTC 1450 AM/WOR 710 AM/XM 381; Jerry Recco & Joe Boylan); WRSU 88.7 FM (Raj Shah)
 
Series Record: Purdue leads 12-2
Last Meeting: Rutgers 70, Purdue 63
 
OPENING TIP: Rutgers plays its third road game over four contests to conclude its regular season when it travels to a sold-out Mackey Arena, a venue where RU has been out-scored by an average of 23.0 points since joining the Big Ten. The Scarlet Knights are seeking the home-and-home sweep of Purdue, after completing the task for the first time in its Big Ten history against Nebraska this season.
 
Owner of the nation's most home victories, Rutgers has earned its most conference and regular season wins in 29 years. A victory over the Boilermakers would provide RU its first 20-win regular season since 1982-83 and first 20-win season overall since 2003-04.
 
The Scarlet Knights earned their fourth double-digit victory over a ranked foe this season on Tuesday, downing No. 9 Maryland, 78-67, for their highest-ranked win under Steve Pikiell. RU led by as much as 21 points and limited the Terps to 38.5 percent shooting as Jacob Young scored 17 points off the bench.
 
No. 31 in the NCAA Net rankings, Rutgers has more or equal the amount of Quadrant 1 wins as eight teams in the AP Top 25 and eight victories against teams with a Net ranking of 54 or better.
 
Saturday will determine seeding for the Big Ten Tournament. With a seed range of seven to 10, Rutgers has earned its first opening round bye in a conference tournament since the 1995 Atlantic 10 Championship at the Palestra. On Thursday in Indianapolis, the 8/9 game tips-off at 12 noon, while the 7/10 match-up begins at 6:30 p.m.
 
THE OPPONENT: Saturday is senior day for Purdue, which has been nationally ranked or receiving votes for 14 weeks. The Boilers have earned consecutive victories, including a 77-68 win at No. 18 Iowa on Tuesday. Ranked 17th nationally in scoring defense (62.4), Purdue is 14-2 this season and 34-3 since the start of last year when shooting a higher percentage than its opponent. The Boilermakers are 10-1 this season when shooting 45 percent or better.
 
THE SERIES: Saturday marks the 15th meeting since 1953 and the second this season after a 70-63 RU win at the RAC on Jan. 28. Caleb McConnell was 8-of-8 at the line in the final two minutes and scored a team-best 16 points. RU's prior victory over the Boilers was an 81-73 decision at MSG on Dec. 4, 1975 during the Scarlet Knights' 31-0 start en route to the Final Four.
 
HEAD COACH STEVE PIKIELL
Overall Record (years): 255-221 (15th)
Rutgers Record (years): 63-65 (4th)
Record vs. Purdue (RU): 1-5
Record vs. Purdue (overall): 1-5

RATED RUTGERS
Haslametrics: 24
Ken Pomeroy: 27
NCAA NET: 31
ESPN BPI: 32
Jeff Sagarin: 35
Rothstein 45: 37
Massey: 39
Through 3/4/20 games
 
SCARLET KNIGHT NOTABLES

• Steve Pikiell is one of 15 coaches named to the Werner Ladder Naismith Coach of the Year Late 2020 Season Watch List.
• RU joined the rankings for the first time since the final 1978-79 AP Poll (No. 18). The Scarlet Knight were No. 24/25 & No. 25/25 in the Jan. 20 & 27th polls, respectively.
• RU has earned 10 conference wins for the first time since 1990-91 (14-4; A-10) and its most regular season victories since '90-91.
• RU has ensured its first winning season since 2005-06 (19-14).
• Rutgers has set a program record for home wins in a season (18) and ensured the most home, regular season wins in the nation.RU holds a +14.2 scoring margin, a +8.4 rebounding advantage and has limited visitors to .366 shooting at the RAC.
• RU 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 10th nationally in FG% defense (38.5), 17th in rebounding (40.1), 20th in scoring defense (62.5), 26th in rebound margin (+6.0) and 29th in blocks (4.6).
• Akwasi Yeboah is one of just 15 active players with 1,600 points and 700 rebounds.
• Myles Johnson ranks 14th nationally and second in conference-only games in offensive rebound percentage (15.2). He ranks fourth in the Big Ten with 3.4 offensive rebounds per game.
• Rutgers is a young squad, ranking 242nd in experience per Pomeroy.
• RU has claimed four ranked victories for the first time since the 2001-02 campaign.
• 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.
• 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.

 
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