Rutgers basketball is back at Jersey Mike's Arena, ready to face Washington in a pivotal Big Ten matchup. The Scarlet Knights, looking to bounce back after a tough 80-61 loss to Minnesota, are eager to regain their winning form. Before that stumble, they secured a solid 68-57 victory over Maryland and an impressive 85-72 road win at Penn State.
This game kicks off a crucial four-game stretch for Rutgers, with home clashes against Washington and Penn State, followed by road games against Maryland and Michigan State. Currently tied for 14th in the Big Ten with a 5-12 record, the Scarlet Knights are eyeing a better seed for the upcoming Big Ten Tournament. The tournament will feature all 18 teams, with the top seeds getting byes in the early rounds.
Freshman guard Lino Mark has been a bright spot, scoring in double figures in three of the last four games. After averaging just 3.3 points per game, Mark has stepped up with performances of 10, 12, and 16 points, including a standout game against Minnesota.
Tariq Francis is making waves at the free-throw line, hitting 89.6% of his attempts this season. He's close to breaking into Rutgers' top-20 list for single-season free throws made. His accuracy is the best since 1996, putting him in elite company.
Washington, led by second-year head coach Danny Sprinkle, comes into the game with a 13-14 overall record and a 5-11 mark in conference play. The Huskies have shown strength in blocks and rebounding, ranking fourth in the Big Ten in both categories. Franck Kepnang is a defensive force with 56 blocks, while Hannes Steinbach, a Kareem-Abdul Jabbar Award finalist, leads the team with 17.8 points and 10.9 rebounds per game.
Sophomore Zoom Diallo and Wesley Yates add to Washington's scoring depth, averaging 14.9 and 13.1 points per game, respectively. Rutgers transfer Lathan Sommerville has contributed off the bench for the Huskies this season.
The last meeting between these two teams was a thrilling overtime battle at Alaska Airlines Arena, where Rutgers emerged victorious 89-85. Dylan Harper was the star with 34 points, while Zoom Diallo led Washington with 20.
Looking ahead, Rutgers will host Maryland on March 1, marking their final home game of the regular season before hitting the road to face Michigan State and Penn State. With tournament seeding on the line, every game counts for the Scarlet Knights.