In just three days the Rutgers Scarlet Knights will begin Big East Conference play, and what better way to prepare for the talent-loaded league than to host No. 10 Florida Gators Thursday in nationally-televised, non-conference game at Louis Brown Athletic Center in Piscataway, N.J. (7 p.m. on ESPN2). The Scarlet Knights (7-6) will try to shock the nation and extended their current winning streak to four games before it travels to the University of South Florida, Sunday, for their league opener, while the Gators (10-2) are looking to extended their current winning streak to six games.
The Gators will be the first ranked program that the Scarlet Knights will face this season. On Thursday, behind a team-best 16 points from freshman guard Myles Mack and a 18-0, second-half run Rutger defeated NJIT, 77-53. Sophomore center Gilvydas Biruta added 15 points.
Meanwhile, Florida hasn't lost since dropping a road game, Dec. 2 to No. 1-ranked Syracuse Orange, 72-68. The Gators first loss of the season came at No. 3 Ohio St. Buckeyes, 81-74, Nov. 15.
Currently, Florida has the best scoring offense in the Southeastern Conference (85.8 point per game) and is paced by junior guard Kenny Boynton (18.3 ppg).