Regardless of result, New Jersey rivalry’s return was a win

Jared Rhoden (14) and Bryce Aiken (1) celebrate Seton Hall’s win over Rutgers, who leaves Newark reflecting on what could have been. (Photo by Bob Dea/Daly Dose Of Hoops)

NEWARK, N.J. — A total of 729 days had elapsed since Rutgers ripped off one of the many cathartic victories of a dream season derailed by COVID-19, a 68-48 pasting of in-state rival Seton Hall that, in many ways, was the most tangible proof at the time that Steve Pikiell and the Scarlet Knights were on the verge of realizing the impossible.

Like many other pre-pandemic moments, that Saturday evening in Piscataway feels like a distant memory now, with greater stretches of open road in the rearview mirror after the one-year hiatus in the annual clash between New Jersey foes and claims of ducking from one side while the other professed to search for an open date that could never be found. But time truly does heal all wounds, and on Sunday, the Garden State Hardwood Classic — the unofficial billing of Seton Hall vs. Rutgers since it became a non-conference affair in 2013 — was back, live and in living color in front of 10,000-plus at the Prudential Center.

And it was exactly what New Jersey basketball, whether you gravitate toward red or blue, was missing.

Seton Hall may have won Sunday — it did, 77-63, prolonging a home winning streak over Rutgers that dates back to 2013 and Mike Rice — and the night was not without its share of controversy between a pair of flagrant-1 fouls in the first half and a brief meeting of the minds when Steve Pikiell attempted to plead his case to official Bo Boroski that the shot clock started prematurely on an inbounds play, but for the most part, the juice and the emotions — good and bad — were on full display.

“I had a bad taste in my mouth from two years ago,” Seton Hall’s Jared Rhoden said in what is sure to be the latest entry in Jerry Carino’s excellent chronicling of the history between both teams. “I have this picture in my phone that I never forget about, some kid on the bench at Rutgers (reserve forward Luke Nathan, actually) that was screaming in my face when I fell on the floor. That’s something that resonated with me forever, and every time I think of Rutgers, I think of that moment, so I knew I was going to try to come out here and be a dog as much as I could.”

Rhoden and his teammate, point guard Bryce Aiken, did exactly that as Seton Hall triggered a 14-0 run at the end of the first half that changed the complexion of the game and gave the senior forward validation for his claim that the Pirates were one of the better teams in the country. And while Rhoden downplayed the importance and significance of the rivalry on a personal level, he recognized its impact on the program and community.

“It’s an amazing feeling,” Rhoden said after allowing the Seton Hall’s latest victory over the Scarlet Knights to sink in. “I think for a kid like Bryce, who grew up in Jersey his whole life, just to have that experience and share that moment with him and a kid like Jamir (Harris) as well, I know how much these types of games mean to them and to Seton Hall fans, and the alumni specifically. It was a big-time win.”

His head coach, though, was more ambivalent about playing the game, treating it no differently than Seton Hall’s last or next contest.

“It doesn’t matter to me at all,” Kevin Willard remarked. “I told the team, we’re 2-1 in the Big Ten (Seton Hall had already defeated Michigan and lost to Ohio State on a last-second shot). I concentrate on my team. When you’re a coach, every game is a big game.”

In a way, Willard cannot really be blamed for this perspective, as he has routinely challenged his teams over the years with bigger non-conference matchups the likes of Michigan State, Louisville, Oregon and Texas, among others. Still, the game carries a meaning beyond the hardwood, one that Steve Pikiell understood when he helped broker the renewal of the battle after it appeared to be lost to the history books.

“As you could see, the environment was unbelievable,” Pikiell said in defending his desire for the rivalry to continue. “I think it’s obviously a great game for New Jersey, I don’t care who the coach is. I’ve said this many times, we should always play this game. I’m thankful Kevin played it, but I wish we played better.”

“I think it’s been awesome. I’ve been in this rivalry for six years and the games have always been very competitive. I think it’s an important game, I’ve said that from the get-go. I’m real glad that we played even though we didn’t play the way I would like to play. I think it’s real important to play this basketball game, it’s healthy for basketball and it’s healthy for this area.”

Sunday night proved that not only does absence make the heart grow fonder, but also that one does not know what one has until it is gone.