Rutgers on upset alert vs. high-achieving Central Connecticut

After 27 years as a well-travelled high school coach and college assistant, Patrick Sellers took on a challenging assignment at his alma mater, Central Connecticut State, a program that had amassed 10 straight losing seasons when he arrived in 2021.

Talk about a home run hire. The Blue Devils have improved in each of his four seasons, including last year when they went 25-7.

Sellers' mid-major squad gets its second opportunity to knock off a power-conference school when it travels to face Rutgers on Friday in Piscataway, N.J.

Central Connecticut State (2-2) already made headlines on Nov. 11, when it toppled Boston College, 60-59. It was the Blue Devils' first win over a power-conference school since 1999 when it upset Providence of the Big East.

Ten days later, Central Connecticut State goes after another big fish at Rutgers (4-0). In 19 tries, the Blue Devils have never beaten a team from the Big Ten. They are 0-5 all-time against Rutgers.

"Part of the recruiting process, I say, ‘Fellas, we don't have NIL money. We don't fly in a private jet. We don't do this, don't do that,'" Sellers told the Hartford Courant last week. "All we have is really good people, really good character guys."

Darin Smith Jr., who scored the winning basket with three seconds left against Boston College, is the top scorer for the Blue Devils at 15.5 points per game.

Arkansas transfer Melo Sanchez averages 10 points per game, while Jay Rodgers puts up 9.5 points and a team-high 5.3 assists per game.

Rutgers' four wins have come over mid-major schools, all at home. The Scarlet Knights have had trouble putting away its last three opponents, however, winning by 12, 12 and nine points.

"We have to get better. We play a Central Connecticut team who won the league last year," coach Steve Pikiell said after Rutgers' 80-71 win Tuesday over American.

With four of its top six scorers measuring at least 6-foot-7, Rutgers has "elite length," according to Pikiell, who is looking for more consistency, especially on defense.

"We have had some great minutes, but we play in a 40-minute league," he said. "We have a chance, and these guys know it too, but we are not there yet."

Dylan Grant is the top scorer (19.3 points per game) and rebounder (8.0 per game) for Rutgers.

Tariq Francis scored 19 points in the win over American. Emmanuel Ogbole lends defensive presence inside at 6-foot-10. The senior averages 6.8 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game.

--Field Level Media