It appeared as the ultimate mismatch. The last-place team in the Big East against a team that was 92-7 in the history of Peterson Events Center.
Yet, Rutgers knocked off Pittsburgh on the road – which was the Scarlet Knights second consecutive victory over a ranked team after a home win against Villanova earlier in the week.
Rutgers coach Fred Hill doesn’t want to make excuses for his team’s 0-6 Big East start, but his most talented player, freshman guard Corey Chandler, hasn’t been healthy for most of the season.
Chandler missed two games and still isn’t 100 percent after suffering a stress fracture earlier in the season.
``He came back and was out of sync,” Hill said. “But he’s been terrific the last two games.”
Chandler, who is still coming off the bench, averaged 16 points per game and was 4-of-9 from long distance in the two upset wins.
Hill said that Chandler’s injury also allowed his other freshman guard, Mike Coburn, to gain valuable experience. Coburn has played at least 30 minutes in seven of the last eight games and averaged 20 points and four assists in the victories over Villanova and Pittsburgh.
``We’re in the process of building something here,” Hill said. “Are we taking steps forward? No question. We’re still a long ways away, though.”
``Now people see where we’re headed,” he added. “Now it’s not a question when we’re going to get there. It’s a matter of when we’re going to get there.”
Foxsports.com
Yet, Rutgers knocked off Pittsburgh on the road – which was the Scarlet Knights second consecutive victory over a ranked team after a home win against Villanova earlier in the week.
Rutgers coach Fred Hill doesn’t want to make excuses for his team’s 0-6 Big East start, but his most talented player, freshman guard Corey Chandler, hasn’t been healthy for most of the season.
Chandler missed two games and still isn’t 100 percent after suffering a stress fracture earlier in the season.
``He came back and was out of sync,” Hill said. “But he’s been terrific the last two games.”
Chandler, who is still coming off the bench, averaged 16 points per game and was 4-of-9 from long distance in the two upset wins.
Hill said that Chandler’s injury also allowed his other freshman guard, Mike Coburn, to gain valuable experience. Coburn has played at least 30 minutes in seven of the last eight games and averaged 20 points and four assists in the victories over Villanova and Pittsburgh.
``We’re in the process of building something here,” Hill said. “Are we taking steps forward? No question. We’re still a long ways away, though.”
``Now people see where we’re headed,” he added. “Now it’s not a question when we’re going to get there. It’s a matter of when we’re going to get there.”
Foxsports.com
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