Rutgers Scarlet Knights fans, players, and coaches alike can finally breathe a sigh of relief. Rutgers has made back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances for the first time since the 1970s. This is the Scarlet Knights' eighth appearance overall in the NCAA Tournament. After sweating it out for 48 hours from Friday evening to Sunday evening, Rutgers' name was called in the Field of 68, and they were selected as an 11-seed to take on the 11-seed Notre Dame Fighting Irish (22-10; 15-5) in the First Four Game in Dayton, OH (approx. 9:15 PM; TruTV). The winner of this game will meet the 6-seed Alabama Crimson Tide (19-13; 9-9) on Friday in San Diego (approx. 4:15 PM; TNT).
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish are an intriguing team, and are a bit different than many of the opponents Rutgers has faced this season. Many writers and analysts across college basketball have mentioned the Fighting Irish lack physicality and athleticism, but have a pretty efficient offense. Fred Gaudios, a writer for the Rutgers SB Nation web site On The Banks, has compared Notre Dame to the Ohio State Buckeyes, an opponent Rutgers has beaten earlier this season. Gaudios compared Ohio State's and Notre Dame's offensive and defensive numbers statistically, and both are appear to very similar (please click here to read Fred Gaudios' article). Despite Notre Dame's lack of physicality and athleticism, Notre Dame does have a few playmakers that will step up and keep the Fighting Irish in the game. If the Fighting Irish get their offense going like a fine tuned oiled machine, Rutgers could be in for serious trouble.
Rutgers Hoops Insider (RHI) compared Rutgers' tournament resume to other bubble teams, and a few things stand out between both teams resume-wise and statistically:
- Notre Dame has marquee wins over solid opponents, including Kentucky, Miami, and North Carolina. However, Rutgers has more marquee wins, including Purdue, Michigan, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan State, Ohio State, Wisconsin, Illiniois, and Indiana.
- Rutgers was rated the most erratic team in the country this year, according to Erik Haslam.
- Notre Dame and Rutgers share victories over Clemson. Notre Dame lost to Indiana while Rutgers beat the Hoosiers.
- Notre Dame is a combined 2-7 against Top 40 NET ranked teams, while Rutgers is 8-6.
- Notre Dame is rated 29th in offensive efficiency, while Rutgers is ranked 107th.
- Notre Dame is rated 84th in defensive efficiency, while Rutgers is ranked 43rd.
- Notre Dame is 19th nationally shooting the ball from deep, while Rutgers is 197th.
- Notre Dame is disciplined and commits less fouls than Rutgers. Rutgers commits a lot of fouls.
- Both teams are good at limiting turnovers.
- Defend the perimeter - It seems like every basketball game RHI mention's the Scarlet Knights must defend the perimeter, but it is absolutely true! In today's modern era college basketball, you live by the three, and you die by the three. Rutgers has faced so many quality opponents this year that are very good a shooting from deep, and many of their opponents have hit back-breaking three-point shots. Notre Dame is a team that loves to shoot from deep. Rutgers is going to have to defend the perimeter like no other. The Fighting Irish are 14-1 when they make 10+ three-point shots in a game. That is a glaring statistic that stands out and Rutgers has to limit any good looks for the Fighting Irish from deep. Nate Laszewski and Dane Goodwin are the Fighting Irish's primary threats from deep. Both are shooting a combined 45% from deep.
- Pound the rock - Rutgers is at its best when they pound the rock inside. Notre Dame is not a very physical team down low, and Rutgers must keep feeding the ball to Ron Harper Jr. and Cliff Omoruyi down low if they want to have any success. If that option is not available, look for Geo Baker and Paul Mulcahy to drive the lane and force the issue.
- No slow starts, find good looks, and do not get cold from the field - Rutgers is really good at scoring when they can distribute the ball quickly during fast break situations but Notre Dame is the type of team that wants to limit fast breaks and slow down the tempo of the game. The Scarlet Knights must try to find ways to get good looks at the basket, and not force any bad shots, especially bad shots from deep. Many times during the season, Rutgers finds itself down by a few points, and they start forcing bad shots to get themselves back in the game. Then Rutgers goes on a scoring drought and their opponents take advantage and build leads. Rutgers wants to get off to a good start in this game and not find themselves down by double-digits early. All too often we have seen this team fall behind by double-digits, and Rutgers has to find ways to claw and scratch to get themselves back in the game. Sometimes Rutgers has been successful in coming from behind to win or they have been unsuccessful. Overall, it is a good idea they work for good shots and not fall behind by double-digits.
- Remain disciplined - Notre Dame is a very good free-throw shooting team. They average about 76 percent from the line, and if Rutgers commits too many fouls, you can bet that Notre Dame will take advantage and hit their free-throws. This past Friday, when Rutgers faced Iowa, Rutgers committed way too many fouls and the Hawkeyes were able to take advantage by going 25 of 27 from the line. That easily tells you Rutgers committed way too many fouls. Rutgers gifted Iowa 25 points from the line by committing 24 fouls. Rutgers also has to be smart and not commit technical fouls. Technical fouls are game changers and momentum killers. Not only does Rutgers' players have to remain mentally focused and disciplined, but Rutgers' bench must be smart. The Scarlet Knights' strength training coach was T'd up twice on Friday and ejected. That is not smart basketball. We all know emotions are riding on this tournament game, but this is a group of experienced players and Rutgers must be disciplined.
- Play physical and aggressive basketball - Notre Dame is not a physical team. They do not play aggressive basketball. Rutgers is the complete opposite. Rutgers is a very physical and aggressive team. Rutgers has to continue doing what they do best and that is play tough, physical defense and remain aggressive on the boards. Notre Dame is not a good rebounding team, and Rutgers must take advantage. If Rutgers can play clean, tough physical basketball and stay aggressive on the boards, Rutgers will be successful in this game. Look for Harper Jr. to matchup with Paul Atkinson Jr. (12.3 ppg) and Big Ten DPOY Caleb McConnell to guard Blake Wesley (14.6 ppg).
- Fred Gaudios, On the Banks - "Rutgers has beaten a Big Ten foe with similar profile to Notre Dame" - (Click here to read)
- Aaron Breitman, On the Banks - "NCAA Tournament First Four Game Preview: No. 11 Rutgers vs No. 11 Notre Dame" - (Click here to read)
- Aaron Breitman, On the Banks - "On the Banks Podcast: NCAA Tournament Preview Episode" - (Click here to listen)
- Jerry Carino, Asbury Park Press - "Rutgers basketball: Ace recruit Derek Simpson fired up for March Madness" - (Click here to read)
- Dave White, On the Banks - "Unfinished Business: 4 Thoughts on Rutgers NCAA Bid" - (Click here to read)