Wednesday night in the college hoops world provided some great matchups and interesting results, but the story remains in the improbable month unfolding in Piscataway, N.J.
RANKINGS: Check out the latest Power 36
Rutgers continues its fabulous February
With a 70-59 win over No. 12 Illinois, the Scarlet Knights have now won four straight games against opponents ranked in the AP Top 25. The upset win continues their late push for a Big Ten regular-season title, now just one game out of a tie for first place.
Led by 15 points and 13 rebounds by center Clifford Omoruyi, Rutgers dominated the Fighting Illini on the boards, besting the Big Ten’s best rebounding team by 18.
The Scarlet Knights’ month does not slow down yet, as they have a road trip to No. 5 Purdue coming in just a few days. For what it’s worth, coach Steve Pikiell’s team already defeated the then-No. 1 Boilermakers at home back in December.
If you've got a number in front of your name, watch out.
— Rutgers Scarlet Knights (@RUAthletics) February 17, 2022
Def. No. 1 Purdue, 70-68
Def. No. 13 Michigan State, 84-63
Def. No. 16 Ohio State, 66-64
Def. No. 14 Wisconsin, 73-65
Def. No 12 Illinois, 70-59#GoRU | #GardenStatement pic.twitter.com/jdG1ypPNSo
MARCH MADNESS: Bracket predictions, less than one month away
No. 11 Texas Tech remains perfect at home
The Red Raiders have yet to lose inside United Supermarkets Arena, with the upset win over No. 7 Baylor tightening the race for the Big 12 regular-season crown.
Swept 'Em 🧹 pic.twitter.com/gRyB4lGIPX
— Texas Tech Basketball (@TexasTechMBB) February 17, 2022
Senior forward Kevin Obanor had his best scoring output of the season with a game-high 23 points on 8-of-13 shooting while also corralling 13 boards.
Tech is now tied for second place with the Bears and sits just a game and a half behind No. 6 Kansas.
Although the near-sell-out crowd in Lubbock made plenty of noise in support of their Red Raiders, one particular fan sitting courtside caught some eyes.
And the crowd goes wild as Patrick Mahomes enters the arena for Texas Tech vs. Baylor... pic.twitter.com/5OKrR6ZpO9
— KCBD NewsChannel11 (@KCBD11) February 17, 2022
The star quarterback returned to his alma mater and watched an electric second half where Tech outscored the Bears 51-34.
Best atmosphere in basketball no question about it! @TexasTechMBB
— Patrick Mahomes II (@PatrickMahomes) February 17, 2022
If you also can't get enough of Mark Adams' red-hot Raiders, you won't have to wait long. The team will travel to Austin for a hotly-anticipated rematch against No. 20 Texas on Saturday afternoon.
