We fans all believed that at one point this past season; Coach Fred Hill had finally led Rutgers over the hump. We remember what it was like, watching Rosario heat up, to lead a rattled 9-11 Rutgers squad to two victories over Notre Dame and St. Johns. We remember, after the Louisville loss, squeezing past Caldwell, Georgetown, and DePaul. We recall what it felt like to be cheering for a decent team. And, then, that feeling away, as UConn entered the RAC, sold-out for the first time this season, confidently, believing they could win. And the Huskies did, blowing past Rutgers by eighteen.

Then we thought that the Knights had thrown a clunker. It was okay. They were going to return with a win at Seton Hall. But they didn’t, falling behind the Pirates by as much as eighteen in the first half, before coming back only to lose by six. We began to forget about the three-week winning streak, as our beloved Knights failed to win more than one game for the remainder of the season.

Rutgers head coach Fred Hill, on the verge of a brutal firing, remains positive. Without a true center, Hill still expects the Knights to be tournament bound next season. Returning four starters, he expects his talented Knights to have a productive season – not just a productive section.

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Hill enters his fifth year as head coach of the Scarlet Knights. In his time at Rutgers, he has failed to have a winning season. He has had six scholarship athletes transfer out of his program, including Gregory Echenique and Corey Chandler, who, along with Rosario, were supposed to be the faces of the Knight’s new-look talented program.

Last season, “Fire Freddie,” signs appeared across the usually-empty arena. And, when the season came to an end with Rutgers finishing at a miserable and disappointing 15-17 (5-13), firing Hill became a major option. However, considering the economy and his bold statement, Athletic Director Tim Pernetti decided to give Hill a final chance. Hill needs to produce.

By: Justin Sontupe
Big East Fans Staff Writer