Seton Hall adds sizzle to '07-08 season ender
Mike Vorkunov / Associate Sports Editor
Issue date: 3/7/08 Section: Sports
It's been a dreary season for the Rutgers men's basketball team up to this point.
A 10-20 record. Only two Big East victories. And a nine game losing streak to boot. To some fans the end of the season can't come soon enough, so the hope of next year can begin.
The thought has crept into the minds of some players as well.
"It's got to," Corey Chandler said. "The season is over now. This year is gone by, it's passed. The only thing you can do is talk about the future."
Chandler's teammates backup his assertions that next year may be closer than it seems.
"After the last game of the season, next year is beginning," Mike Coburn said. "So after this game we'll just be thinking about next year and preparing for next year, trying to get our team the best that we can."
JR Inman attributes the forward thinking to a tough year on the court but believes his team hasn't given up on the season because it wants to send out senior Byron Joynes in style.
"When you have a rough year like we did, so many close losses, it could come into your mind the possibility of packing it in early," Inman said.
"Certainly with this being Byron's last game, our captain, that he's done so much for this program, we want to end his career on a positive. And that's by getting a 'W.' So I wouldn't say that we packed it in. It's been hard to play through certain situations, given our circumstances, however we're still looking to go out there and play hard and get a win against a good team."
But there is one team remaining on the schedule before next year begins and that is the game with intra-state rival Seton Hall.
While it may not have as much heat behind it as the previous match-up at the Louis Brown Athletic Center earlier this year, Sunday's game at the Prudential Center still has repercussions for both programs.
For Seton Hall a victory over the Scarlet Knights would keep its sinking NCAA Tournament hopes afloat, while wrapping up a definite NIT berth.
A 10-20 record. Only two Big East victories. And a nine game losing streak to boot. To some fans the end of the season can't come soon enough, so the hope of next year can begin.
The thought has crept into the minds of some players as well.
"It's got to," Corey Chandler said. "The season is over now. This year is gone by, it's passed. The only thing you can do is talk about the future."
Chandler's teammates backup his assertions that next year may be closer than it seems.
"After the last game of the season, next year is beginning," Mike Coburn said. "So after this game we'll just be thinking about next year and preparing for next year, trying to get our team the best that we can."
JR Inman attributes the forward thinking to a tough year on the court but believes his team hasn't given up on the season because it wants to send out senior Byron Joynes in style.
"When you have a rough year like we did, so many close losses, it could come into your mind the possibility of packing it in early," Inman said.
"Certainly with this being Byron's last game, our captain, that he's done so much for this program, we want to end his career on a positive. And that's by getting a 'W.' So I wouldn't say that we packed it in. It's been hard to play through certain situations, given our circumstances, however we're still looking to go out there and play hard and get a win against a good team."
But there is one team remaining on the schedule before next year begins and that is the game with intra-state rival Seton Hall.
While it may not have as much heat behind it as the previous match-up at the Louis Brown Athletic Center earlier this year, Sunday's game at the Prudential Center still has repercussions for both programs.
For Seton Hall a victory over the Scarlet Knights would keep its sinking NCAA Tournament hopes afloat, while wrapping up a definite NIT berth.