Rutgers went into its meeting with Seton Hall last season as one of the best rebounding teams in the nation. The Scarlet Knights arrived in Newark having out-rebounded 11 of their first 12 opponents, but then got dominated on the boards by Seton Hall, which held a 48-36 edge en route to a 72-61 triumph.
Flash forward to this season, and Rutgers leads the nation in rebounding (45.7) and offensive rebounding (15.92) en route to its 9-3 start. Only two of Rutgers' 12 opponents have held the rebounding edge in games this year.
"It starts with them buying in,'' Rutgers coach Steve Pikiell said of his team's rebounding mindset.