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Huge win for the Scarlet Knights. Not only did they beat a ranked team for the first time in two years, but it was their first win in the Big East this season. The last win against a Big East team came early last February. It had been a while.

Rutgers had an offensive explosion scoring the most points in conference games for them this season, and second most all season. In the last two year, it's only the third time they scored 80 or more points. Rutgers beat number 18 Villanova 80-68.

Rutgers never trailed in this game and actually looked competent on offense. I don't mean to be so backhanded to the Scarlet Knights, but they have struggled mightily to consistently score points this season. To do so against a good team like Villanova makes it all the more stunning.

Rutgers shot 50% from the field and got to and made a lot of free throws to keep their lead. Guards Anthony Farmer and Mike Coburn each scored 23 points. Rutgers held Villanova scoreless for nearly 10 minutes in the second half. Ten minutes, in large part because the Rutgers defense stifled them. The Wildcats only managed to take 8 shots in that stretch. No second chances and plenty of turnovers.

For Villanova, conference road loss or not, this was an embarrassing loss. How bad? Rutgers came into the game with an RPI of #209. In the six major conferences, only Oregon State (#238) had a lower RPI number. Rutgers isn't even going to make the Big East Tournament, so this is a loss that will haunt the Wildcats.