Rutgers Looks to Ride Rebounding Wave Into Big Ten Clash With Ohio State
As the calendar flips to the new year, Rutgers men’s basketball returns to Big Ten play with a prime-time matchup against Ohio State this Friday, January 2. Tip-off is set for 8 p.m.
ET at Jersey Mike’s Arena, with the game airing on Peacock. Ed Cohen and Evan Turner will be on the call.
The Scarlet Knights come into this one with some momentum, fresh off a gritty win over Delaware State. It wasn’t the prettiest offensive showing-Rutgers shot just 29.8% from the field and hit only 7-of-27 from deep-but they made up for it with sheer hustle and dominance on the glass.
RU pulled down a season-high 52 rebounds, including 21 on the offensive end, turning those second chances into 27 points. That kind of effort helped them overcome the cold shooting night and still walk away with a 15-point win, matching their largest margin of victory this season.
Francis and Grant Leading the Charge
Tariq Francis continues to be the engine that drives this Rutgers squad. The reigning Big Ten Co-Player of the Week followed up his 34-point explosion and game-winner against Penn with a solid 19-point outing against Delaware State.
He’s been automatic from the line lately-Francis has hit 22 of his last 26 free throws and is shooting 86% on the season. When the game tightens up, he’s the guy you want with the ball in his hands.
Then there’s Dylan Grant, who’s quietly putting together a strong campaign. He posted his third double-double of the year with 18 points and 10 rebounds, marking his first double-digit rebounding performance since mid-November. Grant has hit double figures in 11 of his 13 games, showing a level of consistency that Rutgers badly needs in Big Ten play.
Turning Grit Into Wins
Against Delaware State, Rutgers proved that even when the shots aren’t falling, they can still find ways to win. Their 17 made field goals were the fewest in a victory since a 59-58 win over Stonehill almost exactly a year ago.
But they made up for it at the free throw line, converting 24-of-29 for a season-best 82.8%. That kind of efficiency at the stripe can be a game-changer, especially in tight Big Ten matchups.
Scouting the Buckeyes
Ohio State rolls into Piscataway with a 9-3 overall record and a 1-1 mark in Big Ten play. The Buckeyes haven’t played since December 23, so they’ll be well-rested.
Their early conference slate includes a road win over Northwestern and a home loss to Illinois. They’ve also picked up wins over Notre Dame and West Virginia but have dropped close games to Pitt and North Carolina-both by a single point.
Statistically, Ohio State is one of the most efficient offensive teams in the Big Ten. They average 86.3 points per game, fourth in the conference, and shoot 78.8% from the free throw line-good for seventh nationally. That’s not a team you want to send to the line late in a close game.
The Buckeyes are led by Bruce Thorton, who’s been nothing short of electric this season. He’s averaging 21.0 points per game, ranking third in the Big Ten and 17th nationally.
His 87 made field goals are the most in the conference, and he’s been a steady presence for OSU throughout his career, racking up over 1,700 points across 114 starts. A two-time All-Big Ten selection, Thorton is also on the watch lists for both the Bob Cousy and Wooden Awards.
But Thorton isn’t doing it alone. John Mobley Jr.
(14.3 ppg), Devin Royal (14.0), and Christoph Tilly (13.3) round out a balanced scoring attack. Tilly, a 7-footer who transferred in from Santa Clara, adds size and experience in the paint.
Royal, now a junior, has taken a step forward after a breakout sophomore season, and Mobley has continued to develop after a strong freshman campaign. Freshman Amare Bynum chips in with 8.9 points and 4.9 boards per game, giving OSU another dimension off the bench.
One area where the Buckeyes haven’t stood out is rebounding. Despite their offensive firepower, no OSU player averages at least six rebounds per game, and they don’t currently have anyone ranked nationally in blocks or steals. That could be a key factor against a Rutgers team that just dominated the glass.
Recent History and What’s at Stake
This will be the 20th meeting between Rutgers and Ohio State, with the Buckeyes holding a 14-5 edge in the all-time series. Since joining the Big Ten in 2015, Rutgers has gone 5-14 against OSU, including a 2-4 mark in the last six matchups. Ohio State has won three straight in the series, including last season’s 80-66 win in Columbus.
But Rutgers has had success at home against the Buckeyes in recent years, with victories in 2019, 2022, and 2023. The last of those came in dramatic fashion-a 68-64 overtime thriller where Cam Spencer dropped 21 points, Cliff Omoruyi posted a double-double with six blocks, and Mawot Mag buried the game-winner in OT.
This matchup also marks the second game in a three-game homestand for Rutgers, who will stay in Piscataway to host Oregon on Monday, January 5. That gives the Scarlet Knights a real opportunity to build momentum heading into the heart of conference play.
For Rutgers, the formula is simple: keep crashing the boards, stay aggressive on defense, and let Francis and Grant lead the way. If they can replicate their hustle from the Delaware State win and clean up the shooting, they’ll have a shot to snap Ohio State’s win streak in the series and make a statement in the Big Ten race.