Rutgers basketball isn’t just improved or simply good. This team proved in a 91-88 victory over no. 13 Illinois that they are legitimate contenders to win the Big Ten title.
After a subpar first half that saw Ron Harper Jr. and Geo Baker struggle, poor defense and as a team only made 2 of 8 from the free throw line, Rutgers only trailed by 4 points at the break. They had trailed by as many as 11 in the opening frame. I looked at it as an optimistic sign that things would be different in the second half.