Only three games remain for Rutgers in the regular season
There are only three games left in the 2021-22 regular season for the Rutgers Scarlet Knights, and each game is just as important as the next. According to Bracket Matrix, in their most recent update, Rutgers is projected to land as an 11-seed or 12-seed in at least 79 brackets, including Rutgers as one of the Last Four In, which means Rutgers could possibly be in one of the play-in games. If Rutgers wants to bolster its tournament resume, improve its chances of making the NCAA Tournament, and avoid the dreaded play-in game, Rutgers must take care of business in its last three games.
Rutgers has #13 Wisconsin (2/26), Indiana (3/20), and Penn State (3/6) left on the schedule. The game against Indiana (Q1) is Rutgers' only remaining road game, while Wisconsin (Q1) and Penn State (Q3) are home games. Many bracketologists and analysts have said Rutgers probably needs to win two out of three to be a lock for the NCAA Tournament. One thing is clear, Rutgers must avoid losing to Penn State at home. A loss to Penn State could potentially spell disaster for Rutgers because a Q3 loss at The RAC would severely damage their tournament chances. Currently, Rutgers is #83 in the NET Rankings, but they can vastly improve their ranking by snagging a road win against Indiana and wins at home against Wisconsin and Penn State.
The best chance for the Scarlet Knights to win two out of their final three games are most likely at home against #13 Wisconsin and Penn State. The RAC has been a tremendous advantage for Rutgers this season. Rutgers is 13-2 at home this season, with only losses to Maryland and a fluke loss to Lafayette. The Scarlet Knights have beaten all of their ranked opponents at The RAC this season. Rutgers' most recent victim at The RAC was #15 Illinois, where the Scarlet Knights cruised to a 70-59 victory. After the game, Fighting Illini coach Brad Underwood praised The RAC for its unbelievable atmosphere as Rutgers fans made it nearly impossible for Illinois to communicate to another on the court. Rutgers must use The RAC crowd to its advantage when they play against Wisconsin and Penn State.
The Scarlet Knights also have a chance to pick up a Q1 victory when they travel to Bloomington on 3/2 to take on the Indiana Hoosiers. The Hoosiers have been extremely difficult to beat at Assembly Hall this season. The Hoosiers are currently 14-3 at home this season, with losses to Michigan, Illinois, and Wisconsin. Rutgers will face a tall task when taking on Indiana; however, Scarlet Knights have had the Hoosiers' number the last couple of seasons, including a season sweep of three games last season. A road win against Indiana would go a long way, and would greatly improve their NET ranking.
The Scarlet Knights know what they have to do to make another consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance. After their most recent historic four game winning streak against four ranked opponents, Rutgers should still have the confidence to beat Wisconsin, Indiana, and Penn State in their final remaining games of the regular season despite their recent two game slide (losses to Purdue and Michigan on the road). Rutgers can end the bubble conversation by winning all three games, but they can still position themselves for the NCAA Tournament by winning two of their remaining games and avoid losing to Penn State at home.
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