Playing in his first home game of the season, Jeremiah Williams made a triumphant return for Rutgers as they secured a dominating 78-56 win over No. 11 Wisconsin on Saturday. Williams, who had been sidelined due to injury and NCAA eligibility concerns, made an immediate impact on the court, filling up the stat sheet with 18 points, seven assists, and five rebounds. The Scarlet Knights relied on their stifling defense throughout the game, capitalizing on Wisconsin turnovers to secure their third consecutive victory.
Noah Fernandes also had an impressive performance, contributing 17 points, while Clifford Omoruyi added 13 points and 13 rebounds for Rutgers. The 22-point victory over a ranked opponent marked a historic milestone for the program, as it was their largest margin of victory against a ranked team.
Williams, a transfer from Iowa State, had endured a long absence from college basketball prior to his activation in early February. He had suffered a season-ending Achilles injury last year and subsequently had to sit out 20 games this season after violating the NCAA's gambling policy. However, he quickly made his presence felt in his first two games, helping Rutgers secure wins against Michigan and Maryland.
Making his highly anticipated home debut in front of a crowd of 8,000 at Jersey Mike's Arena, Williams expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to play on such a stage. Reflecting on his time away from the game, he shared, 'I just kept working and staying positive. It's everything to play on this stage.'
Rutgers coach Steve Pikiell also commended Williams for his impact on the team, highlighting not only his ability to score and distribute, but also his infectious personality and positive attitude. Pikiell emphasized, 'I love his personality. He's always smiling, he loves practice, and he's given us a voice on the court. I'm thankful he's out there.'
On the other side of the court, Wisconsin struggled to gain momentum in the game. Connor Essegian and AJ Storr led the Badgers' offense with 15 and 14 points, respectively, but their efforts fell short as they failed to close the gap to single digits in the second half. Wisconsin coach Greg Gard acknowledged his team's lack of aggression and admitted disappointment in their response to Rutgers' defensive pressure.
The Scarlet Knights capitalized on Wisconsin's 11 first-half turnovers to build a solid 37-28 lead at halftime, limiting the Badgers to their lowest first-half point total in a Big Ten game this season.
As a result of their loss to Rutgers, Wisconsin is expected to drop in the rankings, having previously suffered close defeats to No. 2 Purdue and Michigan. The Badgers' struggles from beyond the arc continued in this game, as they shot a mere 5 of 21 on 3-pointers.
On the other hand, Rutgers has found stability with the return of Williams. His emergence has provided much-needed support to a roster that had been plagued by transfers and injuries. In his first two games back, Williams has averaged 12 points and 5.5 rebounds while shooting an impressive 42.9% from the field.
Looking ahead, Wisconsin will aim to bounce back as they host Ohio State on Tuesday night. Meanwhile, Rutgers will seek to extend their winning streak when they host Northwestern on Thursday.
Overall, Saturday's victory showcased the impact of Jeremiah Williams on the Rutgers team and marked a significant moment in the program's history with their largest margin of victory against a ranked opponent. With their defense and the return of key players, the Scarlet Knights have shown resilience and a renewed sense of confidence as they navigate the remainder of the season.
