It was inconceivable a month ago to think that Rutgers basketball could be in a position to make a push for the postseason. But despite winning four of their last five games, ESPN has Rutgers projected for a so-so finish to their Big Ten schedule.
Nevertheless, Rutgers is in a far better position to potentially make the postseason than this time a month ago. And whether it ends up being the NCAA Tournament or the NIT, any tournament berth for Rutgers would be an accomplishment given the hole they found themselves in around mid-January.
Rutgers is currently 14-11 (6-8 Big Ten) and needs to continue stacking wins for their NCAA Tournament resume.
With a Big Ten road trip on Thursday night at No. 2 Purdue next on the schedule for the Scarlet Knights, these final six games will determine the viability of Rutgers’ postseason hopes.
Rutgers needs to close out the regular season with at least four wins and they likely needs to nab at least two wins in the Big Ten Tournament to have a resume worthy of tournament consideration.
Here is the breakdown of Rutgers basketball’s outlook according to ESPN Analytics:
- Feb. 22 @ Purdue (Rutgers 3.7 percent chance to win)
- Feb. 25 vs. Maryland (Rutgers 55.7 percent to win)
- Feb. 29 vs. Michigan (Rutgers 76.2 percent to win)
- March 3 @ Nebraska (Rutgers 18.7 percent to win)
- March 7 @ Wisconsin (Rutgers 12.0 percent to win)
- March 10 vs. Ohio State (Rutgers 65.3 percent to win)
- Four wins and two wins in the Big Ten Tournament would likely put Rutgers on the bubble for the NCAA Tournament or the NIT.
This all lines up for that March 3 game at Nebraska to be a potential season-changer. If Rutgers holds serve and wins their home games against Maryland, Michigan and Ohio State, then they will need to flip at least one game to get four wins during this stretch.
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Nebraska (19-8, 9-7 Big Ten) is the game that looms the largest and has the potential to be make or break for Rutgers.
It won’t be easy though, as Nebraska has won their last three games including an impressive result at Indiana.