As the Big Ten season heats up, Washington and Rutgers are both eyeing a crucial goal: avoiding the dreaded opening round of the conference tournament. With Washington sitting at 13th and Rutgers at 14th, both teams are keen to steer clear of the Nos. 15-18 spots that would mean an early start on March 10 in Chicago.
Washington's head coach, Danny Sprinkle, has faced a season filled with challenges, largely due to injuries and constantly changing lineups. "We're on the verge," Sprinkle noted, acknowledging the hurdles but refusing to hide behind excuses as he reflected on their current record.
The Huskies recently suffered a narrow 64-60 defeat to Maryland, marking their fifth loss in games decided by five points or fewer. Zoom Diallo was a standout performer, leading with 19 points, while freshman Hannes Steinbach contributed 14 points, though he struggled on the boards with a season-low three rebounds.
Rutgers, on the other hand, had their two-game winning streak halted with an 80-61 loss at Minnesota. Coach Steve Pikiell expressed his disappointment, citing issues on both offense and defense. "We thought we were prepared," Pikiell said, giving credit to Minnesota's performance.
Freshman guard Lino Mark was a bright spot for the Scarlet Knights, scoring a career-high 16 points and nailing all three of his shots from beyond the arc. Pikiell praised Mark's aggressive play, contrasting it with the tentative approach of his teammates. "Lino keeps showing signs -- we needed five of him," he remarked.
Tariq Francis, Rutgers' leading scorer averaging 16.6 points per game, was held to just 10 points by Minnesota, struggling with a 4-for-12 shooting night.
Adding an interesting subplot to the matchup, Washington's backup center Lathan Sommerville will make a return to familiar territory. Sommerville, who transferred from Rutgers after his freshman year, is currently averaging 3.9 points and 2.8 rebounds in 13 minutes per game.
As these two teams clash in Piscataway, N.J., both are eager to make a late push and avoid the early tournament round, setting the stage for a compelling contest.