Rutgers basketball closes out their Big Ten regular season against Ohio State

Jamie Gatlin

Sat, Mar 9, 2024, 12:01 AM·10 min read

On Sunday afternoon, Rutgers men’s basketball will be looking for revenge when they take on Ohio State. In the first matchup between these two teams this season in January, Ohio State recorded a 76-72. While Ohio State has a better record, they will play the role of the underdogs, according to ESPN.

Rutgers is 15-15 (7-12 Big Ten) and coming off consecutive Big Ten losses.

Entering this game, Bruce Thornton has been the Buckeyes’ best offensive player. The Alpharetta, Georgia native is averaging a team-high 16.2 points per game. Against Michigan State on February 3rd, Thornton added 17 points to his resume in 32 minutes of action.

A Senior from Brooklyn, N.Y.
No. 53.
Zach Hayn.👏#TheKnighthood🛡️⚔️ pic.twitter.com/Yo0wgKEQgb
— Rutgers Men’s Basketball 🏀 (@RutgersMBB) March 8, 2024

As Ohio State looks to complete the season sweep, they will be tasked with stopping Jeremiah Williams. In 10 games this season, the talented junior is averaging 13.3 points per game. Against Wisconsin on Thursday, he scored 16 points and hauled in two rebounds.

When these two teams met in January, Ohio State pulled out a win partly due to its three-point shooting. Rutgers only shot 25 percent from beyond the arc, while Ohio State shot 45.8 percent. Having Williams in the lineup could help even those numbers out.

Additionally, Rutgers has been hard to beat at home this season where they have posted a 12-4 record at Jersey Mike’s Arena. On the road, Ohio State has gone 1-8. This game should provide plenty of entertaining moments, with both teams having plenty to prove.

NCAA Football: Northwestern at Rutgers

Sep 3, 2023; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights running back Kyle Monangai (5) scores…

Sep 3, 2023; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights running back Kyle Monangai (5) scores a touchdown as Northwestern Wildcats defensive back Devin Turner (8) pursues during the second half at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

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Rutgers football sent out several big offers over the past week to high school recruits.

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Nov 19, 2022; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights quarterback Gavin Wimsatt (2) throws the…

Nov 19, 2022; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights quarterback Gavin Wimsatt (2) throws the ball as running back Kyle Monangai (23) blocks Penn State Nittany Lions linebacker Curtis Jacobs (23) during the first half at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

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NCAA Football: Northwestern at Rutgers

Sep 3, 2023; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights running back Kyle Monangai (5) celebrates…

Sep 3, 2023; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights running back Kyle Monangai (5) celebrates his touchdown with teammates during the second half against the Northwestern Wildcats at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

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NCAA Football: Northwestern at Rutgers

Sep 3, 2023; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights running back Kyle Monangai (5) celebrates…

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Rutgers football running back Kyle Monangai.

NCAA Football: Virginia Tech at Rutgers

Sep 16, 2023; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights running back Kyle Monangai (5) scores…

Sep 16, 2023; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights running back Kyle Monangai (5) scores on a rushing touchdown during the second half against the Virginia Tech Hokies at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

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NCAA Football: Virginia Tech at Rutgers

Sep 16, 2023; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights running back Kyle Monangai (5) celebrates…

Sep 16, 2023; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights running back Kyle Monangai (5) celebrates his rushing touchdown during the first half against the Virginia Tech Hokies at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

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Rutgers v Michigan

ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN - SEPTEMBER 23: Gavin Wimsatt #2 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights fakes a…

ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN - SEPTEMBER 23: Gavin Wimsatt #2 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights fakes a hand off to Kyle Monangai #5 while playing the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium on September 23, 2023 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

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Syndication: Asbury Park Press

Michigan Wolverines defensive back Makari Paige (7) tries to tackle Rutgers Scarlet Knights running back Kyle…

Michigan Wolverines defensive back Makari Paige (7) tries to tackle Rutgers Scarlet Knights running back Kyle Monangai (5) during the first half at Michigan Stadium, Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023.

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Rutgers football is projected by ESPN FPI to be bowl eligible.

Wagner v Rutgers

PISCATAWAY, NEW JERSEY - SEPTEMBER 30: Christian Dremel (2nd L) #6 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights…

PISCATAWAY, NEW JERSEY - SEPTEMBER 30: Christian Dremel (2nd L) #6 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights celebrates his touchdown catch with teammates Johnny Langan #21 and Kyle Monangai #5 against the Wagner Seahawks during the first quarter at SHI Stadium on September 30, 2023 in Piscataway, New Jersey. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)

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Rutgers football running back Kyle Monangai is the leading rusher in the Big Ten.

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Oct 14, 2023; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights running back Kyle Monangai (5) carries…

Oct 14, 2023; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights running back Kyle Monangai (5) carries the ball during the first half against the Michigan State Spartans at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

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NCAA Football: Michigan State at Rutgers

Oct 14, 2023; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights running back Kyle Monangai (5) is…

Oct 14, 2023; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights running back Kyle Monangai (5) is tackled by Michigan State Spartans defensive back Chance Rucker (25) in front of wide receiver Ian Strong (29) during the second half at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

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Rutgers football had a remarkable fourth quarter comeback to beat Michigan State.

NCAA Football: Michigan State at Rutgers

Oct 14, 2023; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights running back Kyle Monangai (5) celebrates…

Oct 14, 2023; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights running back Kyle Monangai (5) celebrates with quarterback Gavin Wimsatt (2) after a touchdown run during the second half against the Michigan State Spartans at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

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NCAA Football: Maryland at Rutgers

Nov 25, 2023; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights running back Kyle Monangai (5) carries…

Nov 25, 2023; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights running back Kyle Monangai (5) carries the ball as linebacker Caleb Wheatland (44) tackles during the first half at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

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NCAA Football: Maryland at Rutgers

Nov 25, 2023; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights running back Kyle Monangai (5) carries…

Nov 25, 2023; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights running back Kyle Monangai (5) carries the ball as Maryland Terrapins defensive lineman Donnell Brown (19) pursues during the second half at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

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