Thursday, December 30, 2021 | 1:00 p.m.
Jersey Mike's Arena | Piscataway, New Jersey

TV: Big Ten Network (PxP: Jason Horowitz Color: Jesse Settles)
Radio: Rutgers Sports Properties Radio Network (WCTC 1450 AM/WOR 710 AM; PXP: Dom Savino and Color: Austin Johnson)
WRSU 88.7 FM RU Student Radio

PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Rutgers (5-5, 1-1) returns to competition on Thursday, December 30 following a break from competition since December 12 due to COVID-19.

The Scarlet Knights have not played a game since Sunday, Dec 12 against Seton Hall at the Prudential Center. Thursday's matchup will mark 18 days off for Rutgers as the team looks to get back on track before Big Ten Conference play resumes against Michigan at Jersey Mike's Arena on Tuesday, Jan. 4.

"It's been an interesting couple of weeks," head coach Steve Pikiell said on the Pikiell Podcast with Jerry Recco on Monday. "We were blessed for two years to not go through a pause or a break in the action. We hit pause and thankfully everyone feels fine. We're still in the middle of it and hoping to come out on the other end of it shortly here. There's pauses going on everywhere, so we just have to navigate it the best we can going down the road."

RU canceled a game against Rider originally scheduled for December 18 and moved a game against Central Connecticut State, previously scheduled for December 23, to January 1. Pikiell said it's the longest pause of his 17-year coaching career.

The Scarlet Knights enter the game at 5-5 overall and are 2-2 in their last four games, alternating victories over Clemson and No. 1 Purdue with losses at Illinois and No. 23/25 Seton Hall. Rutgers returns home to Jersey Mike's Arena where the team is 5-1 this season and 23-2 over the past 25 home games with fans allowed in the building.

The Black Bears enter the game at 3-7 on the season. Rutgers will be the squad's third Power 5 opponent of the season, following losses to Virginia Tech (82-47) and Colorado (90-46).

Scouting Maine

The team is led by Hofstra transfer Vukasin Makic with 9.0 points and 3.8 assists per game. Masic, the sophomore guard from Belgrade, Serbia is shooting 43.5 percent from the floor this season.

Redshirt junior guard Stephane Ingo is a 6-foot-9 ball-handler for Maine that can create off the dribble. Ingo averaged 10.6 points-per-game last season and trails only Makic with 7.5 this season. Ingo also has a team-high 6.5 rebounds-per-game this season.

Junior guard Lechaun Duhart is the third-leading scorer on the team, averaging 7.5 points-per-game on the season for the Black Bears.

History vs. Maine

Rutgers holds a 4-0 advantage in the series with Maine that dates back to 1924.

Rutgers took the first meeting, 58-29, on Dec. 19, 1924, at home inside the Ballantine Gymnasium, won 72-63 on Jan. 2, 1959 on the road, and then claimed a 91-56 win at The RAC on Dec. 15, 2005.

The two programs last met on December 29, 2018, as RU earned a 70-55 victory. In that contest, Caleb McConnell posted 14 points, while Geo Baker had nine points and nine assists.

The Black Bears are a familiar foe for head coach Steve Pikiell, who established a 17-7 record against Maine while at the Stony Brook helm from 2005-16.

Maine last time out

The Maine Black Bears held a 47-46 lead with just over a minute to play in regulation. However, Maine was unable to hold on, falling to visiting Merrimack, 49-47, on Tuesday Dec. 21 at the Cross Insurance Center.

The game had eight total lead changes.

DuHart and Adefolalrin Adetogun paced Maine with 10 points apiece. Ata Turgut added career-high in points (7) and rebounds (6) while Masic packed the stat sheet with seven points, six rebounds, and five assists. Maine featured an efficient offense, assisting on 14 of its 17 field goals, while out-rebounding. the Warriors, 39-36.

The Black Bears finished the contest 17-of-45 (37.8) from the field, and 5-of-18 from three point range.

Merrimack answered with a 5-0 run as a triple from the visitors gave them the edge, 49-47, with 34 seconds remaining. Maine was able to get an open look with three seconds left but the shot came up short as Merrimack escaped with the two point victory.

Updated COVID-19 policy at Jersey Mike's Arena

Rutgers Athletics announced last week that effective immediately, attendees at all indoor athletics events must provide proof of full vaccination or proof of a negative Covid-19 PCR test within 72 hours of the event accompanied by a photo ID. Doors for all events will open 90 minutes prior to the start.

Face masks continue to be required and must be worn in the arena during the duration of each event. Spectators who fail to comply with the face mask policy will be asked to leave the arena.

Until further notice, concession sales at the Jersey Mike's Arena will be limited to water and soft drinks only. No alcoholic beverages will be sold, and outside food items will not be permitted inside the venue. The concession stand located on the south concourse (behind sections 211-217) will process cash purchases, while all other concession stands inside the arena will move to cashless transactions.