Rutgers’ snub from NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament has followers baffled: ‘Shockingly unhealthy choice’

The Rutgers University males’s basketball group was snubbed from the NCAA Tournament bracket on Selection Sunday, and there was a big contingent that voiced their displeasure on social media.

When the 68 groups that made the dance have been introduced, Rutgers, which owns a 19-14 file on the season (10-10 in convention), was not noted regardless of many believing the choice committee would contain them.  

“Rutgers bought screwed,” The Ringer’s John Jastremski wrote on Twitter. “Don’t perceive how you are taking 4 Mountain West groups…”

Paul Mulcahy #4 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights reacts to a name in the course of the second half of a Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament Quarterfinals recreation in opposition to the Purdue Boilermakers at United Center on March 10, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. The Purdue Boilermakers gained the sport 70-65 over the Rutgers Scarlet Knights. (Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images)

The choice committee considers the schedules for every group, and extra importantly, the power of these schedules. 

But Rutgers Wire’s Kristian Dyer identified how he believed one event group chosen over Rutgers was a “shockingly unhealthy” name. 

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The New York Post’s Ryan Dunleavy added a distinct perspective on the matter.

“Feel unhealthy for #Rutgers seniors however this may be the overdue wake-up name this system must schedule higher in Nov. and Dec. There are higher NJ highschool video games most nights,” he wrote on Twitter.

Caleb McConnell #22 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights dribbles the ball in opposition to Fletcher Loyer #2 of the Purdue Boilermakers in the course of the first half of a Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament Quarterfinals recreation at United Center on March 10, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. (Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images)

Rutgers has been in a position to beat high expertise this season. They defeated one of many No. 1 seeds within the event and the Big Ten Tournament winners in Purdue, 65-64, again on Jan. 2. But they struggled to take care of consistency in opposition to others, together with shedding seven of their final 10 video games. 

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Rutgers wasn’t the one group to be spurned by the event. Oklahoma State was one other one which some believed would make it, however they fell quick within the eyes of the committee. UNC, nevertheless, made some unhealthy historical past after shedding probably the most video games of any AP preseason No. 1 seed, and so they additionally missed the event.

Rutgers, nevertheless, will say sure to a nod to play within the National Invitation Tournament, says head coach Steve Pikiell.

Head coach Steve Pikiell of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights reacts in opposition to the Purdue Boilermakers the primary half within the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Tournament at United Center on March 10, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. (Quinn Harris/Getty Images)

“Yes, completely,” Pikiell mentioned through NJ.com. “We’re going to attempt to proceed enjoying. I need Caleb (McConnell) and Paul (Mulcahy) to play as many video games (as attainable). I don’t need this season to finish. This group has actually been nice and accomplished loads of nice issues for us. … Having possibly a possibility to play a house recreation right here for these guys can be essential and I feel applicable method (to finish the season). I’m not apologizing for postseason play right here at Rutgers. Obviously, our purpose originally of the yr is the NCAA Tournament, however we’ll should shift rapidly right here.”