"We Weren't Ready For American"
That's how undefeated 1976 Rutgers men's hoops coach Tom Young was quoted in the newspapers on February 22, 1976
MADISON SQUARE GARDEN, NEW YORK - February 22, 1976
“WE WEREN’T READY FOR AMERICAN,” declared Rutgers’ coach Tom Young after yesterday’s game here in 1976, as reported by Moss Klein of the Newark Star-Ledger after Rutgers played American University in Madison Square Garden.
“Maybe it was the noon starting time. Maybe we didn’t respect American. Maybe we’re looking ahead to the post-season tournaments,” Tom Young explained.
Klein reported that American was not bothered by Rutgers’ famed pressure defense and trailed by just 4 points at halftime, 39 - 35, despite having just a 9 - 13 record coming into the game against #4 ranked, 22 - 0, Rutgers.
With 12 minutes to go in the game, American pulled to within a basket at 51 - 49.
With 10 minutes to go it was just a 3 point game at 55 - 52.
It was anybody’s game.
Rutgers extended the lead to 9 at 71 - 62 with 5:27 remaining in the game to gain some breathing room, but they still hadn’t put American away.
Phil Sellers, Rutgers All-American, was shooting just 2 for 14 for the game.
Frosh sensation, center James Bailey, had not scored.
Anything could happen.
And then it did happen.
Here’s how Moss Klein described what took place next. This is great stuff!
“But then the inevitable avalanche began. The Rutgers’ snowball syndrome, when it buries opponents in razzle-dazzle, wham-bam, what happened-to-the-close-game attack.
The metamorphosis took 59 seconds of playing time and American’s butterfly hopes had returned to the cocoon. Rutgers scored eight straight points, opening a sudden 17 point lead, 79 - 62 with 4:28 left. American’s Wright hit a jumper but Rutgers speeded up the dance, scoring six points in 19 seconds, the last four via steals of inbounds passes, and the lead was 21 points at 85 - 64.
American was out of hope, out of breath and out of the game.”
Rutgers coasted in from there and won the game 94 - 79. Sellers shot just 7 for 22 for the game. But the backcourt was brilliant. Dabney and Jordan combined for 21 for 36 shooting, scoring more than half the team’s points with 48 (25 for Mike and 23 for Ed) and a combined 17 rebounds and 11 assists.
But there was something very concerning and mysterious in the game for Rutgers. Center James Bailey played 30 minutes and didn’t score and grabbed only 4 rebounds. Coach Tom Young told Joe Calabrese of the Trenton Sunday Times-Advertiser, “I don’t know what’s wrong with him. He just looked flat. He couldn’t get off the ground.”
The Rutgers Scarlet Knights are now 23 - 0. They have 3 games remaining in the season. No division 1 college in New Jersey basketball history has ever had an undefeated season.
The Sports Time Traveler will continue following this incredibly exciting Rutgers’ team day-by-day here in 1976.