Rutgers

[theoddsfather]

Rutgers-pk



Rutgers was supposed to be a team on the rise this season in the Big East, yet they were dealt a big blow when star Kansas State transfer Wally Judge did not receive a waiver to declare him eligible immediately.




Yet despite being a surprise entry in the loser's bracket of this tournament after getting upset yesterday by Illinois State, Rutgers has found themselves in a favorable matchup today vs a rebuilding Richmond team.




Richmond lost five seniors from last season's sweet sixteen team, which included Justin Harper, who was selected with the 32nd pick in the NBA draft. That kind of talent and experience is not easily replaced at a school like Richmond. This inexperience has shown already this season as Richmond has been beaten easily the only two times they played any competition. They were beaten by 14 points by Davidson in the team's 2nd game this season. The lack of experience and depth may also be a factor today in this back-to-back scenario.




Rutgers has yet to find a real go-to-guy yet this season, but what they do have is depth. There are nine players on this team that average 12 minutes or more per game and no pleyer averages more than 28 minutes. This may be especially beneficial in today's matchup which will be the second for both teams in as many nights




Richmond is in a complete rebuild mode after last season's magical NCAA Tournament run but most of that team is gone and they have not looked good when stepping up at all in competition level. I am always weary of young teams playing in back-to-back scenarios without that senior leadership.




Richmond had to play the late game last night and now will play the early game today. This seems like a bad spot for a young team playing on a quick turnaround against a Rutgers team that is likely to have fresher legs because of the deep rotation they use. While this game will likely be close for much of the first half, look for Rutgers to pull ahead for good in the second half as their depth and experience take over this game.

[BOBBYW]

gl..