Purdue vs. Rutgers rating, takeaways: Scarlet Knights hand No. 1 Boilermakers their first lack of season once more

Rutgers surprised No. 1 Purdue 65-64 on the street Monday handy the Boilermakers’ their first loss for a second straight season. The Scarlet Knights have now gained 5 of their final six video games in opposition to Purdue after additionally knocking off the Boilermakers final season after they ascended to No. 1 for the primary time in program historical past.

Final season, Ron Harper Jr. was the hero for hitting a buzzer-beater from simply inside half court docket on the buzzer. This season, the hero was Cam Spencer, who drilled a 3-pointer with 13.3 seconds remaining to place Rutgers forward 65-64. The senior guard, who transferred from Loyola-Maryland, completed with 14 factors. Paul Mulcahy added 16 to tempo the Scarlet Knights.

Purdue acquired 60 of 61 doable first-place votes within the new AP Prime 25 ballot on Monday however will want a win at Ohio State on Thursday to take care of any hope of sticking atop the ballot after struggling offensively in opposition to Rutgers. The Scarlet Knights led 34-24 at halftime and held on late to go away New Mexico because the lone undefeated workforce in faculty basketball.

The win marked Rutgers’ first true street victory of the season and improved the Scarlet Knights to 10-4 (2-1 Large Ten). Whereas the Boilermakers clearly muddied the battle for No. 1 with the loss, it should not be too catastrophic of a blemish on their resume. Rutgers entered at No. 20 within the NET, which means it’s going to go down as a Quad 1 loss for Purdue.

Protection units tone

Rutgers entered the sport ranked No. 3 at KenPom.com in defensive effectivity, and the Scarlet Knights turned in one other wonderful defensive efficiency. The Boilermakers shot simply 24% from the sphere within the first half as star middle Zach Edey made only one of three pictures from the sphere. Edey was additionally restricted within the first half by two fouls. Although he ultimately received going to steer all scorers with 19 factors, Edey’s early struggles in opposition to Rutgers’ protection set the tone for the sport.

Rutgers is right here to remain

Again within the 2019-20 season, the Scarlet Knights have been a feel-good story. Rutgers completed 20-11 that season and sure would have made its first NCAA Event look since 1991 if not for the occasion’s cancellation because of the COVID-19 pandemic. After making the Large Dance previously two seasons since then, this Rutgers workforce seems to be on its method again as soon as once more. In his seventh season as coach, Steve Pikiell has turned Rutgers right into a legit power in Large Ten basketball. The Scarlet Knights aren’t a heartwarming underdog. They’re a bodily and veteran-laden squad able to making noise on the nationwide stage.

Mulcahy magic

Along with his 16 factors, Mulcahy completed with eight rebounds and 6 assists. Most of his manufacturing got here within the second half as Purdue staged its rally. The 6-foot-7 senior has all the time been a pass-first guard all through his profession however got here up with well timed buckets for Rutgers as seven of his factors got here within the ultimate 4 minutes.