PISCATAWAY -- Rutgers men's basketball returned to Jersey Mike's Arena for the first time in 19 days, falling 66-63 to Michigan Saturday afternoon.
The Scarlet Knights remained shorthanded - freshman Dylan Harper was sidelined for the second straight game with a right ankle injury and captain Jeremiah Williams exited with an illness after only playing nine minutes.
Rutgers' bench accounted for 40 of its 66 total points (61 percent). Sophomore Jamichael Davis led all scorers with a career-high 20 points and four steals on 57 percent shooting while grad student Tyson Acuff added 14 points. Davis and Acuff combined for eight of RU's 10 three-pointers, though the team shot 28 percent from deep overall (10-for-36).
Five-star Ace Bailey was quiet with 10 points and six rebounds but brought Rutgers nation to its feet with a highlight reverse dunk over his defender in the first half.
Captain Zach Martini drilled a corner three as the shot clock expired to make it a two-point game with under eight minutes remaining, but Rutgers was unable to overcome its deficit. Martini finished a team-high +10 on the floor.
RU's defense forced 17 turnovers including 13 steals but was only able to capitalize with 14 points off those cough-ups. RU won the rebounding battle 37-36 including 15 offensive, though only scored six second-chance points.
Rutgers falls to 11-11 (4-7 in conference play) while Michigan improves to 16-5 (8-2).
The Scarlet Knights stay at home to host No. 18 Illinois (14-7, 6-5) on Wednesday, Feb. 5 - 8:30 pm on BTN.
Postgame Notes
Jamichael Davis
- Career-high 20 points
- Career-high four made three-pointers
- Had his second double-digit scoring game this season (first against a Big Ten team)
Tyson Acuff
- 14 points, reaching double-figures for the fourth time in the past nine games
- RU's fewest points allowed in a Big Ten game this season
- Forced 17 Michigan turnovers, matching their most in a Big Ten game this year
Postgame Notes
Rutgers Head Coach Steve Pikiell
Opening Statements:
"Thanks for being here, awesome crowd today. I want to thank the fans, they were awesome.
and we needed them. I want to also thank Jeremiah Williams, he cut it out today and was trying to go. He's been sick for the last four or five days and you know, just some of the obstacles that we have to go through. I thought we played hard today.
This was one of our better defensive games. They averaged 84 points a game. I give Michigan credit; they are really good offensively. He's a good coach.
They got size, they got a lot of answers. We were down a few guys. But I love the way these guys play. They played hard, they played until the end. Our crowd was great, but we came up one possession short. We have to go back to work and it doesn't get easier. Illinois is really good".
Coach Pikiell on the advantage of playing at Jersey Mike's Arena
"We have a great home court advantage, I think we are winning 80 percent of our home games over the last five years. You know we are playing really good teams. Michigan is ranked, Illinois is coming in and they are ranked. This is a really good league, 18 teams. And we added four more high level basketball teams. We got to play well, we were one possession away. The fans are great, they come and they support. As they should, these guys play really hard. We had a lot of obstacles, we had the flu this week. It happens to every team. Not having 3 starters out of our rotation is not an easy thing. Especially in a league like this. We will keep fighting through it, and we will keep making sure this is a great home court advantage".
Coach Pikiell on converting 15 offensive rebounds to more than 6 points.
"Once you read that stat you are usually scoring 12 points, on second chance points. We weren't able to. Sometimes we kicked it back out and tried to get back into our offense. You need to be able to finish, which we weren't able to do. They have two 7 footers, and tremendous length around the rim. We took a lot of shots, and they didn't fall. Those days happen, you still need to figure out a way to win. But when you get 15 offensive rebounds you would think you'd have better numbers in second chance points".
Coach Pikiell on Jamichael Davis's career high scoring performance
"We had 13 steals as a team that has got to be a season high. We played hard, you get 15 rebounds and 13 steals. Jamike is an everyday guy, he comes to work everyday. I love him. He hasn't missed a practice in two years. He never takes a day off. He was really good today, and we needed it obviously. We thought we were going to have Jwill for a little bit, but we didn't. We were down Jwill and Dylan. Jamike and Jordan had to play a lot of minutes, and stay out of foul trouble. Jmike is awesome to coach."
Coach Pikiell on the importance of winning the Illinois game
"They are all so important, we have a lot of great opportunities left. We have been there before and we need to figure it out. I do love the improvement of our guys. I think we are a better basketball team. Today's result didn't show, the other day they did. We came up one possession short, but we are improving. Whether that be on the defensive and our communication. Someday we will have the whole rotation back, that will definitely help".
Coach Pikiell On Michigan's two seven foot centers
"You know, I mean, they got a lot of good players first and foremost. One's a perimeter guy that can really pass the ball and shoots threes. And the other guy's a big center down low,. He's an old-fashioned guy, but he can step out and shoot the ball too. It's a real luxury to have him and they're very skilled. And they're older guys who have been through a lot. He's a good coach. And they've been ranked almost the entire season. They shoot the ball at the highest level. We did a good job defending them.
Every guy in their roster shoots threes, which is very unique for college basketball, including their seven foot centers".
Coach Pikiell on Dylan Harper's Return:
"He has a high ankle sprain. I do not know if any of you have had one before, but it is not a good injury. When he is 100% is when he will return. He has been trying really hard to do all that he can for his team. We all know he loves basketball and wants to be out here with his teammates. High ankle sprains are tough. You have to let it heal then get in the rhythm of practice. It is not easy. He is still in his boot and we will keep him in rehab, as well as do other things to have him push forward.
Coach Pikiell on Dylan Harper and the remainder of the season:
"I would not know any of that. It is an ankle sprain. He will try to be back. He has played on it, but it did not go so well. I wish I had a timeline, but all I know is he needs to feel good to be back. That is what we are hoping for. He is the best guard in the country, we need him back."
Jamichael Davis on his efforts regarding Jeremiah Williams and Dylan Harper not playing:
"The key to this has been coming in and getting better. I am trying to be a better person. I want to do the right thing for the team and do whatever I can do to help us win. Anything Coach Pikiell asks of me, I am ready to take on that challenge."
Michigan Head Coach Dusty May
Opening Statement:
"I think our players showed great awareness by how they finished around the rim. We needed Ace Bailey. Tyson Acuff and Jamichael Davis played really well with a combination of Eight Three point shots. You pick your poison when you are going against a generational talent like Ace Bailey."
Coach Dusty May on how to maintain current record for away games:
"We have to build our defense up. Rutgers played very aggressively. They are quicker than the ball on the glass. I think the biggest disappointment in this game is that Rutgers was able to handle us.
Coach Dusty May on defending Ace Bailey if Dylan Harper were playing tonight:
"Dyland Harper's absence changed everything drastically. Ace Bailey made some really good plays for his teammates. He gave his teammates some really good shots. Sometimes you will have both of them (Ace and Dylan) and sometimes you will have one of them. It is such a different role day in and day out. I definitely see their growth. This game would have looked a lot different had Dylan Harper played. These guys are mature and they know how to compete. As a basketball junkie, they are fun to scout."
Coach Dusty May on defending Ace Bailey:
"We knew that if we were going to get underneath him, we would have to play like the old NBA elbow block defense. We would risk giving up some shots. It was a calculated risk. Jamichael Davis and Tyson Acuff had a few shots that were clean and open."
Coach Dusty May on the environment:
"It was a great college basketball environment. It was loud and they had ana amazing crowd. They were extremely into the game. Every single Big 10 arena will have teams fighting and competing for every possession. It has to be fun for everyone, especially when you have generational talents on your roster. Thank you so much guys."
