There's a lot to unpack with a title like that but let's get right into it. Rutgers basketball has finally made its way back into college basketball's top 25 for the FIRST time since 1979. 41 fucking years since the Scarlet Knights last were able to sniff the top 25. Simply unreal. If I were a jerk I would mention that the Michigan State Spartans spent all of last year ranked comfortably inside of the top 25, but that's not the point of this blog. I could also highlight that since they've joined the Big 10 the most conference games they have won in a season is 7. I could keep going with the crazy bad stats but honestly they're pretty sad and I only give a shit about their dumb Big 10 era.
However, I will give a tip of the cap to Steve Pikiell for the job that he's done at Rutgers thus far. Obviously, there's a lot of basketball left to be played in the season but it seems as though he has the Knights on track for the NCAA tourney. Right now they own a 14-4 record and a 5-2 conference record that has them tied with Illinois for 2nd in the Big 10 (I typed this part a few days ago, before Rutgers loss to Iowa). And much of their success this season has come with out a true "star" on the roster, although Ron Harper Jr. or Geo Baker would be described as their best players. Without getting too analytical, this Rutgers team plays a sexier version of Virginia basketball. Meaning they really muddy things up on defense but score more than Virginia.
As I previously mentioned, it has been 41 years since the Rutgers hoops team was ranked in the top 25. But I feel that it is super important that we put that ridiculous drought in to perspective with things that have been invented during that 41 year window. We'll work from the 1980's to present day. Let's ride.
1980s
Debuting in 1986, Top Gun is a movie of cinematic genius. The movie stars Tom Cruise and features some super era appropriate drama and effects. Top Gun is also an all-time nickname movie too. So many good ones like, Maverick, Goose and even Iceman. Unbelievable that during this movie's existence, Rutgers basketball has not been ranked in the top 25. Additionally, my hopes are pretty high for the new Top Gun movie that is set to debut later this year.
1990s
Some people classify these guys as "guilty pleasure" music but I think they're worth so much more than just that. I get that some people might not be as in to the boy band scene, but you have to admit that Backstreet Boys go super hard. Whether you want a slow jam or something to get you going, the Backstreet Boys have it. Do I listen to them every day? No. But I don't skip a song if it comes on. Hilarious to think that the last time Rutgers was ranked in basketball, the boy band era as we know it, was no where to be found.
2000sish
In 1979, the great people of America were not doing the Dougie dance. While people were certainly dancing at that time, their lame ass dance moves couldn't compare to the Dougie. I must admit that I cannot Dougie, I'm kind of a loser and can't really dance. I just "move" as I see fit and generally just look and feel awkward. But this isn't a blog about me, it's about Rutgers basketball being ranked for the first time since 1979 and the fact that this song and dance was not around in 1979. Also upon reflection, the Dougie was kinda the first modern viral dance craze.
2010s
I want to set the record straight here, Vine walked so that Tik Tok could run. Vines were the 6 second videos that created famous people with little talent and changed social media. When I think of my time in high school, I can't help but to think about Vine. A personal favorite of mine was the trashy girl who got hit in the head by a shovel. Sadly, Vine is gone and dead. Twitter or somebody bought the website/app and just killed it off. But it's okay because at that time Rutgers basketball was dead too. Bummer that the Rutgers social team never got to make any viral videos. But hey, at least they're finally ranked inside the top 25.
While Rutgers is finally ranked in the AP top 25 for the first time since 1979, I must sadly report that they lost yesterday on the road at Iowa. Though, they shouldn't drop from the ranking because it was an away game to another ranked team. The loss however, does seem to be pretty on brand for Rutgers basketball. Is Rutgers back to being Buttgers? Not at the moment, but college basketball is a very weird sport so it's hard to tell if they'll win 5 straight or lose 5 more. Don't let this loss or Rutgers national rank distract you from the fact that Top Gun, boy bands, the Dougie and Vine all were not around the last time Rutgers basketball was ranked.
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