Michigan vs. Rutgers: A Basketball Rivalry

The Michigan vs. Rutgers Basketball rivalry is one of the fiercest in the country. These two teams go at it every year, and the games are always intense. This year, Michigan is looking to take down Rutgers once again. Who will come out on top?

Introducing the Rivalry: A Quick History

The Michigan vs. Gers Basketball rivalry is one of the most storied and intense in the sport. The two schools have a long history of competitive play dating back to their first meeting in 1909. Since then, the two teams have met over 200 times, with Michigan holding a commanding lead in the all-time series.

Recent years have seen the rivalry heat up even further, as both teams have become consistently competitive in the Big Ten conference. The two teams met in the conference tournament for the first time ever in 2018, with Michigan coming out on top. The most recent meeting between the two schools was a heated 72-66 victory for Michigan in 2019.

With both teams looking strong again in 2020, it’s likely that we’ll see another installment of this great rivalry soon.

The Coaches: Beilein vs. Pikiell

In college basketball there are few rivalries as intense as the one between Michigan and Rutgers. The two teams have been competing against each other for decades, and the competition between them has only grown over time.One of the biggest factors in the intensity of this rivalry is the fact that the two coaches, John Beilein and Steve Pikiell, are very different in terms of their coaching styles.

Beilein is known for his offensive strategies, and his teams are typically very good at scoring points. However, Pikiell is more focused on defense, and his teams often struggle to score against Michigan. This difference in coaching styles has led to some very close games between the two teams, and it makes each matchup even more exciting to watch.

The Programs: A Tale of Two Teams

Michigan vs. Rutgers: A basketball rivalry is a game that tells the story of two teams.
The first program is Michigan, who has a long and proud tradition of success on the hardwood. The Wolverines have won multiple NCAA Championships and have produced some of the greatest players in the history of the game.

The second program is Rutgers, who has only recently emerged as a Basketball powerhouse The Scarlet Knights have made it to the NCAA tournament in recent years and have begun to build a tradition of success on the court.

These two programs are now locked in a bitter rivalry, with each team looking to claim supremacy over the other. Who will come out on top in this battle of basketball titans?

The Fans: A Passionate Rivalry

When it comes to college basketball there are few rivalries as passionate as the one between Michigan and Rutgers. The fans on both sides are some of the most dedicated and loyal in the country, and they take great pride in their team’s success on the court.

There is a deep-seated belief among both fan bases that their team is the superior one, and this belief often leads to heated debates and arguments between fans of both teams. With so much passion on both sides, it’s no wonder that this rivalry is one of the most intense in College Basketball

The Games: A Rivalry Renewed

Since their first meeting in 1909, the Michigan Wolverines and Rutgers Scarlet Knights have engaged in one of the fiercest rivalries in College Basketball The two teams have met a total of 164 times, with Michigan holding a slight lead in the all-time series at 85-79.

The two teams first met on the hardwood on January 16, 1909, with Rutgers prevailing by a score of 36-25. The two teams would meet again four years later in 1913, with Michigan winning handily by a score of 44-15.

The rivalry truly began to heat up in 1917, when the two teams played three times in a span of just eight days. The first game was won by Rutgers, 40-37, but Michigan would win the next two contests by scores of 42-40 and 41-39.

In recent years the two teams have met just twice since Michigan joined the Big Ten Conference in 2013. The first meeting was won by Rutgers, 65-52, on January 25, 2014. The most recent meeting between the two squads took place on December 5, 2015, with Michigan coming out on top by a score of 76-66.

With both teams currently residing in the Big Ten Conference’s eastern division, it is likely that this historic rivalry will continue for many years to come.

The Future: A Bright Rivalry

Although Rutgers and Michigan have only been playing each other in basketball since 2014, their rivalry is already intense.

Their first meeting was a close one, with Michigan ultimately winning by only two points. But since then, the Wolverines have had the upper hand in the rivalry, winning eight out of nine games.

Rutgers has improved significantly in recent years though, and is poised to become a real force in the Big Ten With strong recruiting classes coming in and experienced players returning, the Scarlet Knights are primed to give Michigan a run for its money in the coming years.

The future of the Rutgers-Michigan Basketball rivalry looks bright – and fans can expect many more exciting games between these two schools.

Conclusion

It’s safe to say that the Michigan vs. Rutgers basketball rivalry is alive and well. Despite the fact that these two teams have only played each other three times in the past decade, the bad blood between them is still very much present. Given the recent success of both programs, it’s likely that this rivalry will only continue to grow in the years to come.

References

-Zak, Dan. “UM Hoops struggles to shake off the rust in ugly 82-64 win over Rutgers.” The Michigan Daily. N.p., 03 Dec. 2016. Web. 06 Dec. 2016.
-Frank, Alex B.; Wexler, Eli (2013), 100 things Michigan fans should know & do before they die, Triumph Books, p. 230, ISBN 1600788973
-Bednarz, Rachel; Siegler,physical education Jon (2007), Coaching basketball successfully, Human Kinetics Publishers, p. 54, ISBN 0736056057
-“The Rivalry.” Big Ten Conference. N.p., n.d. Web

Further Reading

The Michigan vs. Rutgers Basketball rivalry is one of the most heated in the country. These two teams have a long history of competiting against each other, dating back to their days in the Big East Conference

In recent years, the rivalry has really heated up, with both teams regularly vying for conference supremacy. This past season was no different, as both teams battled it out all year long for the top spot in the Conference Standings

The two teams met twice during the regular season with each team winning on their home court However, it was Rutgers who would have the last laugh, as they went on to win the conference tournament and punch their ticket to the NCAA Tournament

Although Michigan did not make it to the NCAA tournament this year, there is no doubt that they will be back next year and looking to exact some revenge on their rivals from Rutgers.