Wednesday, February 9, 2022 at 7:00 p.m.
Jersey Mike's Arena - (Piscataway, N.J.)
TV: Big Ten Network (PXP: Cory Provus, Color: Robbie Hummel)
Radio: Rutgers Sports Properties Radio Network (WCTC 1450 AM/WOR 710 AM; PXP: Jerry Recco and Color: Austin Johnson)
WRSU 88.7 FM RU Student Radio

PISCATAWAY, N.J. - The Rutgers men's basketball team (13-9, 7-5) has a second consecutive home contest against a ranked foe as RU will host No. 16 Ohio State on Wednesday, Feb. 9 at Jersey Mike's Arena at 7:00 p.m. ET on Big Ten Network.

The Scarlet Knights are 2-1 against ranked teams this year, previously defeating No. 1 Purdue and No. 13 Michigan State, with a loss to No. 23 Seton Hall.

Rutgers is looking for its first back-to-back wins against ranked opponents since January of 2008, when RU defeated No. 18 Villanova (Jan. 23) and No. 13 Pittsburgh (Jan. 26). RU is currently in game 2 of a stretch with six consecutive ranked foes faced. RU is 11-2 at Jersey Mike's Arena this season and 39-7 at home during the last three seasons.

RU last time out
 
The Rutgers men's basketball team played one of their best games in school history against No. 13 Michigan State on Saturday.

RU had their highest margin victory (21 points) over a ranked opponent in school history. RU shot 61.5 percent from the field, which marks the best field goal percentage in a Big Ten Conference game in school history. Six players on the roster scored in double figures. That marks the second time this season that RU had that many score double digit points (UMass). 

"Great environment and Jersey Mike's Arena was jumping," head coach Steve Pikiell said. "I loved the environment. I think I'm going to go get some subs today from Jersey Mike's after this. It was a great game. Everyone obviously contributed. You know the respect I have for Michigan State I think Coach Izzo is the best coach in the country. You have to play 40 minutes and we did today. A lot of guys did a lot of good things so I'm real pleased. This league, another tough one is right around the corner. So I'm happy, just for a moment."

Rutgers has won back-to-back games over Michigan State by a 20-plus point margin.

Rutgers claimed its second straight win over Michigan State following a 67-37 home victory last season. Last season's win was RU's first ever over MSU following losses in the previous 10 matchups. Rutgers improved to 11-2 at Jersey Mike's Arena this season and 39-7 at home over the past three seasons. 

The Scarlet Knights improved to 7-5 in Big Ten play. Steve Pikiell has led RU to a 28-24 Big Ten regular season record over the past two and a half seasons after he was just 13-43 in his first three seasons building Rutgers in the conference. RU was just 16-76 in their first five years in the league.  

Scouting Ohio State

Ohio State is led by senior forward E.J. Liddell who has a team-high 19.9 points and 7.7 rebounds on the season. Liddell is shooting 52.2 percent from the field and 40.3 percent from three-point range of the season.

Liddell has been a force on the defensive side of the ball with 2.6 blocks-per-game.

Freshman guard Malaki Branham is averaging 10.5 points-per-game on the season. He's one of the best underclassmen in the conference and shooting 44 percent from the field.

Sophomore forward and Long Island, N.Y. native Zed Key has 9.3 points and 5.6 rebounds per game.

History with Ohio State

The Scarlet Knights will face Ohio State in their lone schedule regular season matchup with the Buckeyes. OSU controls the all-time series 10-3, having won the past four contests.

Rutgers' last win over the Buckeyes was on January 9, 2018, a victory over then 16th ranked OSU at home. The Scarlet Knights also earned wins in the 2017 Big Ten Tournament (RU's first ever Big Ten Tournament victory) as well as a win in Madison Square Garden in 1978.

Ohio State last time out

A quick start to each half was all No. 16 Ohio State needed as the Buckeyes ran out to as much as a 22-point lead and cruised to an 82-67 victory over Maryland on Sunday afternoon.

Liddell led the way with his fifth double-double of the year, scoring 24 points and grabbing 11 rebounds. He also dished-out a team-high five assists and committed zero turnovers.

Key scored six of the first nine points of the game and then scored four of the first seven in the second half to jumpstart the Buckeyes in each half. He finished with 14 points and seven rebounds on 6-of-7 shooting.

Senior Justin Ahrens broke out of a little slump as he made four three-pointers and finished with 14 points. Malaki Branham and Jamari Wheeler each chipped-in with eight points.