Saturday, January 22, 2022 at 12:00 p.m.
Williams Arena - (Minneapolis, Minnesota)
TV: Big Ten Network (PXP: Cory Provus, Color: Jess Settles)
Radio: Rutgers Sports Properties Radio Network (WCTC 1450 AM/WOR 710 AM; PXP: Chris Corso and Color: Austin Johnson)
WRSU 88.7 FM RU Student Radio

PISCATAWAY, N.J. - Rutgers men's basketball returns to the road this weekend, taking the second-longest flight in the conference as the team flies to Minnesota.

RU will play its third road game over the last four games, and is in the midst of having five road games in seven overall contests.

Rutgers is 10-1 at home this season, and is looking to improve on a 1-5 road record. Rutgers won its last road game, defeating Maryland 70-59 behind a 43-21 advantage in the second half.

Overall, the Scarlet Knights have won six-of-seven games since returning from a 17-day COVID-pause in late December.



Historic defensive performance vs. Iowa

The Scarlet Knights are coming off a hard-fought victory over Iowa on Wednesday night, with Steve Pikiell's patented defensive style coming into play.

Facing the number one scoring offense in the Big Ten, RU held them to a season-low in points in a 48-46 win.

RU limited Iowa to 27.9% shooting from the field in holding them below 70 points in conference play for the first time this season and under 50 points for the first time since 2019.

Down the stretch, Rutgers' stifled Iowa's offensive opportunities as they made just four field goals over the final 17 minutes of the contest.

RU tied a season-high with 10 blocks, its most ever in a Big Ten game. The Scarlet Knights also forced a season high five shot clock violations in the game. RU has allowed an average of 22.33 points in the last three halves it's played dating back to the second half at Maryland.

Scouting Minnesota

The Minnesota Gophers are coming off a postponed game on Wednesday night that was supposed to be played against Penn State on the road. The University of Minnesota postponed its Jan. 19 men's basketball game at Penn State due to internal COVID-19 protocols within the Golden Gopher program. Minnesota played without four student-athletes in Sunday's game against Iowa, due to injury, illness and protocols. Following additional testing Monday, Minnesota fell below the Big Ten Conference roster minimum, with fewer than seven scholarship players available.

Rutgers heads to Williams Arena looking to take on the best that the Gophers have to offer. On the season, Jamison Battle is leading the way on the offensive end with 18.0 points-per-game while shooting 48 percent from the field. Battle is a 6-foot-7 forward that has been a force this season on the boards. Battle is averaging 6.3 rebounds-per-game. 

Guard Payton Willis is a slashers for the Golden Gophers and is putting up 15.5 points-per-game along with 3.7 assists. Willis attempts 5.7 three-pointers-per-game and is one of the leading defenders on the perimeter with 1.8 steals. Guard E.J. Stephens rounds out the starting backcourt and is putting up just over 12 points-per-game. He is shooting 37 percent from three-point range this season and 47 percent from the field.



History with Minnesota

Minnesota leads the all-time series 8-6. RU won both meetings last season, five of the past six games, and six of the past nine meetings overall against Minnesota.

Last season, RU completed the season sweep with a 77- 70 overtime win at Minnesota on March 6 at Williams Arena in the regular season finale.

The win punctuated RU's resume with a final true road win, stamping Rutgers' path to a historic NCAA Tournament berth.