Rutgers Men’s Basketball Heads to UCLA
Rutgers men’s basketball is still in California, gearing up for another big game. After battling USC, the Scarlet Knights will face UCLA on Tuesday night, with a start time of 9:30 PM (ET).
Recap of the USC Game
In their recent match against USC, Rutgers came close but fell short, losing 78-75. With just over four minutes left, Rutgers was down by 17 points. However, they fought back with an impressive 18-4 run. Tariq Francis led the charge, scoring 26 points, including nine in the last few minutes, but his last-second shot for the tie didn’t make it.
Rutgers’ defense was solid, preventing USC from making a field goal in the last four minutes. Still, the Trojans managed to hit 22 free throws overall, which was a big factor in their win.
Dylan Grant also stood out with 14 points and 10 rebounds, marking his fourth double-double of the season.
Tariq Francis is now averaging 16.2 points per game and is on fire, having scored 15 or more points in six straight games. In his last three games, he’s averaging an impressive 25.6 points.
Despite the recent loss, Rutgers showed resilience when they challenged No. 7 Michigan State earlier that week, leading for most of the game before losing in overtime.
About UCLA
UCLA enters this game with a record of 15-7 and 7-4 in the Big Ten. They recently faced Indiana, where they lost in double overtime, 98-87. It was a nail-biter, with UCLA tying the game in the final seconds to push it to overtime. Donovan Dent had a standout performance with 24 points and 11 assists.
The Bruins are known for their strong performance under head coach Mick Cronin, who has led the team since 2019. He has a history of success, including four NCAA Tournament runs with ten tournament wins.
UCLA’s teamwork shines through with five players averaging double figures in scoring, including Trent Perry, who is averaging 12.2 points per game. They’re particularly tough on defense, leading the Big Ten in three-point percentage defense, allowing opponents to shoot just 29.7% from beyond the arc.
Historical Context of the Matchup
Rutgers and UCLA have a storied rivalry, currently split at 2-2 in their head-to-head matchups. Their first battles happened between 1976 and 1981, with the most notable being Rutgers’ unforgettable run to the Final Four in 1976, where they lost to UCLA in the consolation match.
In last season’s game, Rutgers claimed victory with a 75-68 win at home, showing their growth and competitiveness against a historic powerhouse.
Looking Ahead
After the game against UCLA, Rutgers will return home for two critical matchups. They will host No. 5 Nebraska on February 7 and then take on Maryland on February 15. The Scarlet Knights are determined to continue their strong showing in the Big Ten.
As fans gear up for the UCLA game, social media reactions show excitement, especially for Tariq Francis’s impressive performances. It’ll be interesting to see if he can keep the momentum going and lead his team to victory against the Bruins.
