So here comes Rutgers again, one of the Big East basketball teams without much tradition, without much respect, a team Louisville defeated 64-49 a couple of weeks ago. U of L should do even better at home, right? Maybe, maybe not. Take someone for granted in the Big East at your own peril.
The Scarlet Knights showed glimpses of being a good team in the first game with U of L before running out of gas. Over the next few games, they surprised everyone by kayoing No. 18 Villanova 80-68 at home and shocking a good Pittsburgh team 77-64 on the road, just the eighth loss for the Panthers in 100 games at the Peterson Center.
Rutgers guard Mike Coburn, a freshman who managed only one point in the first game, is playing with a new found confidence. He was named National Freshman of the Week by Rivals after scoring 23 against Villanova and followed up with 17 points and five assistants against Pittsburgh. He also had 23 in Rutgers’ overtime loss to Seton Hall this week.
RU has gained a lot of respect lately and will be looking for more at Freedom Hall. Don’t take the Knights lightly. As fellow blogger Tom Heiser might add, let’s hope the game isn’t close.
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FAN APPRECIATION — Ten thousand dollars worth of prizes — hopefully no cheap T-shirts — will be given away during Fan Appreciation Night as the U of L Lady Cards host South Florida at 7 p.m. Saturday at Freedom Hall. Free tickets are available from Rally’s
Prizes include free gas for a year from Thornton’s, lawn tractor from Hartland Equipment, a night’s stay, dinner and golf for two from Caesar’s, and restaurant gift packs from Hall of Fame Cafe, Stony River, Texas Roadhouse and Tumbleweed’s.
That’s not all. The Shane Company and Sam Swope, local purveyors of diamonds and cars, are giving away the “featured prizes.”