Rutgers Men's Basketball has Quick Turnaround Against CCSU on New Year's Day
Saturday, January 1, 2021 | 5:00 p.m.
Jersey Mike's Arena | Piscataway, New Jersey
TV: Big Ten Network (PxP: Jason Ross, Jr. Color: Trent Meacham)  
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 returns to action on January 1 to play a rescheduled game against Central Connecticut State (3-10).

RU and CCSU were originally supposed to meet on December 23, but the game was rescheduled as Rutgers entered a 17-day break between games due to COVID health and safety protocols.

The contest will be RU's second game in three days as the team concludes non-conference play with two tune-up contests before resuming Big Ten play on January 4 against Michigan.

Rutgers last time out

The Scarlet Knights returned to action for the first time since Dec. 9 against Maine on December 30th and had one of the best offensive performances of the season in an 80-64 victory at Jersey Mike's Arena. The 80 points marked the most RU has scored in it's six victories this season.

The Scarlet Knight shot a season-high 50 percent (10-20) from behind the arc. Rutgers had four players in double figures with a balanced scoring attack and the team had the lead for 97.5 percent of the game. Ron Harper Jr. led the way with 19 points, while Paul Mulcahy posted a season-high 14 points with a career-best four three-pointers.

Geo Baker made three three-pointers, moving into fifth on RU's all-time list.

CCSU last time out

The Central Connecticut men's basketball shutdown St. Francis Brooklyn in Northeast Conference action, winning 67-55 on Saturday in Brooklyn, NY. The Blue Devils erased a double-digit deficit in the second half, holding SFBK scoreless for nearly eight minutes to ultimately win the game by double-figures.

Freshman Andre Snoddy notched a career-high 14 points and grabbed nine rebounds, while junior Ian Krishnan added 14 points as well. Freshmen Davonte Sweatman and Trenton McLaughlin each added 11 points. Central shot 24-of-46 (.522) overall and was 4-of-14 (.286) on three-pointers.

Pikiell's CCSU connection

Head Coach Steve Pikiell is quite familiar with Central Connecticut State from throughout his life. The Scarlet Knights head coach spent his childhood around the campus as his father worked for the University for 25 years in a variety of roles. Pikiell served as an assistant coach at CCSU from 1997 to 2001.

During his tenure at CCSU, the Blue Devils notched an 81-63 (.563) record, including a 25-6 mark in 1999-2000 and a bid to the 2000 NCAA tournament. It marked the school's first NCAA berth. Coach Pikiell and first-year CCSU head coach Patrick Sellers overlapped as assistants on the same staff at CCSU from 1999 to 2001.

Howie Dickenman was the head coach of the staff and is still a great mentor and friend of Pikiell's.

Rutgers holds a 3-0 record all-time vs. CCSU, facing them in three consecutive seasons, in 2015, 2016 and 2017, all at home.

"Coach Dickenman is one of the all-time great people," Pikiell said. "Pat Sellers and I were on his staff together. I am proud that Pat is there as the head coach. My family has a longstanding relationship with people at CCSU. It's right up the street from where I grew up. I am thankful that they rescheduled the game."

Up next

Rutgers will take on the Michigan Wolverines at Jersey Mike's Arena on Tuesday, January 4 at 7:00 p.m.