Rutgers, which already has a huge win against Indiana at home, could become the most intriguing team in the New York Metro area by the end of the season.
But the Scarlet Knights (7-3) need to learn how to find a way to finish off road games.
They blow an 11 point lead at Miami and then nearly completed an 11 point comeback against 25th-ranked Ohio State in Columbus, only to let both Q1 games slip away.
The Ohio State game game had some heart werenching moments in the final seconds when two Buckeye players– Bruce Thornton and Tanner Holden appearing to step out of bounds as they raced the ball up court for Holden’s game winning three at the buzzer after Caleb McConnell missed. Sadly,it it is a violation that is seldom called.
the second part of a one and one with 5 seconds to play
to set the scene, after guard Paul Mulcahy put the Knights up three points with a pair of free throws with 7 seconds to play, Rutgers coach Steve Pikiell called timeout and told his team to foul before Ohio State could get off a three. Mawot Mag did just that, fouling Bruce Thornton just before he passed halfcourt with 5.8 seconds left.
Pikiell, one of the better tactitcal coaches in the league, normally plays straight up, giving the fact the Knights have the best three point shooting defense in the country. As it turned out the stategy nearly worked and might have if McConnell had made both free throws after Thornton hit both of this. But the former Dayton high school star missed the second. Freshman guard Bruce Sensebaugh rebounded hte miss ahd passed it to Thornton, who dribbled into McDonnell and appeared to step out of bounds with his right foot. Official Roger Ayres, who was standing nearby, did not blow his whistle, allowing Thornton to pass to Holden, who hit the game winner that rocked Value City Arena.
“I thought it was out of bounds because it was right in front of me,” Pikiell said. “Again, Im not sure about the sideline thing. I thought he clearly was, but again, I didn’t see anything.”
Video also shows Holden standing out of bounds when the ball was passed to him. He leaps onto the court at the same time that he catches the pass, which is also a violation. The rule says a player must first establish position on the court before he can touch the ball.
Rutgers social media blew up afterwards but it didn’t change the result.
“We played our hearts out,” Pikiell said. “But he were one possession short here. This is life on the road. This league is not fun.”
Rutgers had its moments, Center Cliff Omoruyi, who had been neutralized in the first half, came back to life in the second, scoring 14 of his 16 points on 6 of 7 shooting. Guard Cam Spencer shot well for the first time against big time competition.
But Rutgers, which runs good halfcourt offense, still needs to make more threes and make the most of their free throw opportunities if it wants to win on the road.
