Rutgers basketball is heading to the NIT, which isn’t a bad thing. But New Jersey governor Phil Murphy is among those shocked that Rutgers isn’t heading to the NCAA Tournament.
Murphy, an avid sports fan who is a part of NWSL team Gotham FC, tweeted on Monday his reasons why Rutgers basketball should have made the NCAA Tournament. He cites the KenPom Rankings as well as the Scarlet Knights’ success in knocking off then No. 1 Purdue on the road earlier this season.
The points from Murphy are certainly something that can unite the state on both sides of the political aisle. Except for those who went to college at a rival Big Ten program and now reside in New Jersey.
Or are Seton Hall fans.
Murphy posted his tweet on Monday following the bad news on ‘Selection Sunday’ that Rutgers was missing out on the NCAA Tournament. Rutgers had made consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances and was looking to book a third straight appearance for the first time in program history.
#35 in KenPom rankings. Beat #1 seed Purdue on the road and nearly beat them again two days ago. And won against a number of strong teams during the season.
Rutgers should have made the Tourney. Period. Full stop. https://t.co/RPWqesRKZK
— Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) March 13, 2023
Rutgers finished the season 18-13 (10-10 Big Ten) and at No. 40 in the NET Rankings. They were 4-7 against Quad 1 teams and 6-3 against Quad 2 opposition.
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Their NET Ranking was better than several teams that got into the NCAA Tournament including North Carolina State, Providence and Mississippi State. The Quad 1 wins for Rutgers were on par if not better than those three teams.
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