Rutgers men's basketball kept their season alive with a gritty 72-67 victory over Minnesota in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament. The Scarlet Knights, sitting at 14-18 overall, found their rhythm from beyond the arc and leaned on their classic defensive prowess to secure their first tournament win since 2023.
Junior guard Tariq Francis was the star of the first half, lighting up the scoreboard with 16 points and four three-pointers. Francis was the go-to guy, stepping up when the Knights' offense struggled against Minnesota's zone defense.
Minnesota had a strong start, capitalizing on a shaky Rutgers rotation that included senior center Emmanuel Ogbole and freshman forward Denis Badalau. While Ogbole contributed 8 points in the first half, his offensive limitations were evident, and Badalau hadn't seen much court time before this game.
Even though Rutgers trailed at halftime, their defense held Minnesota to just eight three-point attempts, of which they made three. Grayson Grove’s late 4-point surge gave the Golden Gophers a narrow 31-29 lead at the break.
Cade Tyson's acrobatic three-pointer seemed to signal a shift in momentum for Minnesota, but Rutgers responded with a 9-2 run, fueled by defensive stops and another Francis three-pointer. Rutgers' ten successful three-pointers set a program record for the Big Ten Tournament.
The second half was a seesaw battle marked by threes, turnovers, and some questionable officiating. But Rutgers found their groove with an 11-0 run, showcasing scoring from all areas of the court, and took their largest lead of the game with just over three minutes remaining.
Minnesota fought back, but Rutgers' resilience shone through, particularly with junior guard Jamichael Davis grabbing a crucial offensive rebound and sinking two clutch free throws in the final minute to seal the win.
Ogbole delivered one of his best performances of the season, tallying 10 points and seven rebounds. Meanwhile, Francis put on a show with a remarkable 27-point effort.
Rutgers' defense, which had been missing in their previous matchup against Minnesota, was a key factor in this victory. Now, the Scarlet Knights advance to face UCLA in the next round of the Big Ten Tournament. Tip-off is set for approximately 9 p.m., with coverage on Big Ten Network and 88.7 WRSU-FM.