When his Rutgers team had a chance to play at the grand ball last year, Steve Pikiell was in no mood to call on the NCAA to draw a 68-team ceremonial key that would likely include the Scarlet Knights.
“Our players are all at home now,” said the Rutgers coach after the NCAA canceled last year’s men’s basketball tournament. “When they do that (key draw), you want your team around you. ”
Pikiell finally got that chance on Sunday.
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For the first time in 30 years, Rutgers appeared on the NCAA tournament selection program. Yes, the Scarlet Knights are dancing.
Rutgers (15-11) tied a 10-seed and a matchup against No. 7-seed Clemson (16-7) in the midwest region. The game will be Friday in Indiana. The exact time and location will be determined by the committee.
With a win, Rutgers will face the winner in the clash between runner-up Houston and 15th Cleveland State on Sunday.
“Our guys are excited to be in the tournament for the first time in 30 years,” said Pikiell. “The chance to play in a national championship. We are here in Indy and we are sailing in COVID. We never had a break, we never had a stoppage, a real tip on the lid. I am very excited for Rutgers Nation. It is an incredible opportunity. I’m excited about it. We have to go to work now and find out (Clemson). ”
After being eliminated from the Big Ten Tournament on Friday night, Rutgers remained in Indianapolis. The team went through their daily COVID-19 tests on Sunday morning at Lucas Oil Stadium and performed an afternoon workout at the Jim Irsay Family YMCA before heading to Indianapolis Motor Speedway, where they celebrated their NCAA tournament offer during a party watchtower.
Officially speaking, it was the first time that Rutgers had won a spot in the NCAA tournament since 1991. But Pikiell considered his team’s race a two-year journey since last season ended without the opportunity to experience March Madness.
“For two years, this has been a journey, ” Pikiell said after the announcement of the draw. “The past year has never ended. The season is over. So not being able to play last year was just for this year. And this year has been challenging in many ways, but this team has continued to work. This league was scary – you saw nine great teams come in – so each night was a challenge.
“But happy for our boys. They made all the sacrifices. They did all the work. They made history. They were the only team that was able to do that. I know that last year we did it, but no one gives you credit for the past year. These guys get the credit they deserve this year. ”
Rutgers’ chances at the NCAA tournament seemed to be decreasing just two weeks ago, as a result of four losses in six games. But a road win in overtime in Minnesota at the end of the regular season reversed the momentum, and the Scarlet Knights validated themselves as an NCAA Tournament with a convincing triumph over Indiana in the second round of the Big Ten Tournament.
“If we bring that courage from Rutgers basketball to the NCAA tournament, ” striker Ron Harper Jr. said:“ I am confident of facing anyone. ”
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Keith Sargeant can be contacted at [email protected]. Tell us your coronavirus story or send a tip on here.