2024-25 Monmouth Basketball Gameday Preview: Game Four

Monmouth Hawks (0-3, 0-0 CAA) at #24 Rutgers Scarlet Knights (2-0, 0-0 Big 10)
Friday, November 15, 2024 - 6:30 p.m.
Jersey Mike's Arena, Piscataway, NJ

TV
Big Ten Network
Play-by-Play: Joe Malfa
Analyst: Austin Johnson
 
RADIO
Monmouth Digital Network
Play-by-Play: Matt Harmon
Analyst: Steve Bazaz

QUICK BULLETS
-Abdi Bashir Jr. had a career-best 25 points the last time out, and has 20+ in two of the first three games this year
-Madison Durr has scored in double figures in all three games this season
-Monmouth is playing a ranked opponent for the first time this season
-This is the first matchup between Monmouth and Rutgers since a 2015 Hawks win at RU, one of five high-major wins for the Hawks
that season
-Justin Ray has scored in double figures in two of his first three collegiate games
-Monmouth returns 10 letterwinners from a season ago
-Jaret Valencia was a Preseason All-CAA Second Team selection
-Jack Collins earned Preseason All-CAA Honorable Mention 
-MU will play its first 11 games away from home, including eight true road games and three neutral site contests

A MONMOUTH WIN WOULD...
-mark the first win of the season for Monmouth
-be the 208th win of King Rice's career
-make the Hawks 1-3 this season
-be the first win in a Monmouth uniform for eight new Hawks
-mark a second straight win for Monmouth over Rutgers
-be MU's first road victory this season
-signify the second win ever over a ranked team in school history
-be the 10th win over a high-major program under King Rice

MORE INFO ON THE ALL-TIME SERIES
-This is the 11th meeting all time between Monmouth and Rutgers
-Eight of the prior 10 games have come at Rutgers, with two being played in West Long Branch
-MU defeated Rutgers in 2015, 73-67
-Monmouth has played Rutgers three times under King Rice, falling in Rice's first season at The RAC in 2011 and dropping one on
a Myles Mack buzzer beater in 2014 at Monmouth before the 2015 victory
-This is the second Big 10 school Monmouth plays this season (Michigan State)
-MU is 3-20 against current Big 10 members, including wins over UCLA and USC in 2015 while PAC 12 members
-The schools are separated by just 33 miles

NOTES FROM THE LAST TIME OUT
-Abdi Bashir scored a career-high 25 points.
-Madison Durr notched double figures for the third game in a row to open his MU career.
-Justin Ray scored in double digits for the second time in three games to open his career.
-Monmouth dropped its first game ever to a MAC opponent.
-Monmouth outrebounded NIU, 43-37.
-MU was better in second-chance points, 16-5.
-The Hawks had 18 offensive rebounds on the night.

NEXT UP
Monmouth visits Wichita State Monday night at 7:30 p.m. Eastern, with the game airing on ESPN+ and on the radio via the
Monmouth Digital Network.