On Thursday, the NCAA informed Rutgers that Madison Square Garden will officially serve as a home away from home. Saturday’s game for Rutgers against Michigan State at MSG has had its designation changed to a home game per the NCAA. It was listed as a neutral court game up until Thursday. The Big Ten required RU to sacrifice an actual home game to take part in the Super Saturday contest.
The change means the game will now count as a Quad 2 contest for NET rankings purposes. Rutgers has updated their schedule to reflect the change. The Scarlet Knights are currently 4-4 in Quad 1 games and 3-2 in Quad 2 games. Their overall NET ranking is No. 20.
After a 35 point win over Minnesota on Wednesday night, Rutgers head coach Steve Pikiell made his pitch to fans to attend the game at the World’s Most Famous Arena.
“Rutgers nation will be there and that’s the most important thing,” stated Pikiell. “We have a lot of alums in that area. It’s a great city. So excited and you’re playing as good a team, as good as a program as the rest of the country. So excited for that opportunity.”
As for preparing his team for the critical Big Ten matchup against the Spartans, Pikiell emphasized the importance of the game.
“These guys know they see Madison Square Garden on TV. You get these opportunities, opportunities come and you’ve got to take advantage of them,” explained Pikiell. “So hopefully, we’ll have the place red and packed. That’s what we need more than anything.”
Oscar Palmquist, who had the best game of his career off the bench against Minnesota, spoke about his mindset regarding Saturday’s opportunity.
“Man, I’m just really excited,” Palmquist said. “I’m from Sweden, so I’ve been dreaming about playing in an arena like that my whole life. So I’m just excited.”
Rutgers lost at Michigan State by the score of 70-57 on January 19. They’ll look to even the series and maintain their second place position in the Big Ten standings. You can purchase tickets here. The game tips off at noon ET and will air live on FOX.
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BataliBoli98
February 2, 2023 at 11:23 pm
I know that I am probably in the minority but my take from day one was that giving up a home game, where RU has a significant advantage, to play at MSG makes little sense. I’m going to the game and certainly it will be fun to watch RU in the Garden, but if you tell me that Izzo would give up a home game at the Breslin Center to play RU at somewhere like Little Caesars Arena (Pistons home court) I would be very, very surprised. I’m not blaming Pikiell for this, but if RU ever loses a tight one on Saturday the car ride home will contain more “what ifs” than normal.
Aaron Breitman
February 3, 2023 at 2:17 am
The Big Ten is making Rutgers play at the Garden. Just like they did in 2017 and 2020. It’s for Super Saturday. Pikiell would play 31 regular season games at the RAC if he could.
BataliBoli98
February 3, 2023 at 4:29 pm
I completely get that. My larger point was that the B1G would never force MSU or the other “blue bloods” to essentially give up an on-campus home game. Like you said, three times in 6 years, or every other season, RU has to go out of state to play a “home” game. It stinks.
Aaron Breitman
February 3, 2023 at 6:49 pm
The 2020 game Rutgers was road and Michigan lost the home game. The difference is NET counted as neutral. The Super Saturday contract is now up with the Garden so this could be it.
RU Serious
February 3, 2023 at 12:55 am
You would think that all of the details (home court / neutral court) would be decided in advance of committing to playing the game.
A skeptical person might conclude this was a bait and switch, and yet another example of the RU Screw.
Aaron Breitman
February 3, 2023 at 2:16 am
The Big Ten booked the game at the Garden, not Rutgers. Third time since 2017 they’ve included them in Super Saturday. The NCAA did this same switch earlier in the season to Penn State when they played Purdue at the Palestra. Agree it should not be this last minute decision.
thevinman
February 3, 2023 at 4:54 pm
I don’t like the idea of calling a Rutgers game at the Garden a Rutgers home game. It devalues a Rutgers win and amplifies the negative consequences of a Rutgers loss.
Aaron Breitman
February 3, 2023 at 6:47 pm
Exactly. The Big Ten did a poor job here and if they continue the series at the Garden or anywhere else, they’ll have to fix this or no one will want to play.