Rutgers AD Pat Hobbs chugs beer on stage at football tailgate party before it gets shut down (VIDEO)

Three days after Rutgers Athletic Director Pat Hobbs chugged a beer on stage before a pumped up parking lot crowd prior to the Scarlet Knights football home game against New Mexico, the Big 10 school has decided to suspend the student tailgate festivities for the rest of the season after only two games because things have gotten so out of hand.

Last Saturday's game drew about 500-800 students but ballooned to nearly 3,000 after word spread about the school-sponsored event.

A video shows Hobbs with a microphone addressing the crowd at the event when somebody offers him a drink.

“No I can’t drink that right now,” Hobbs said as the crowd continued to egg him on until he eventually downed the brewski.

“Hold on,” Hobbs said as he cracked open the can. “I am of age. If they card me I’m okay. Go R-U.”

Rutgers University police chief, Kenneth Cop (that's his name), said citations were issued to a total of four people during the course of the tailgate.

That's when Hobbs apparently arrived and took the stage to try and calm the crowd before succumbing to student peer pressure.

"I regret that any action on my part can be interpreted as promoting the use of alcohol,'' Hobbs said. "That was certainly not my intention.''

Hobbs apologized for his behavior, claiming in a statement that he was just trying to restore order to a tailgate party that was reportedly getting out of control.

“My first concern is always for the safety and well-being of our students,'' Hobbs said. "Anyone who was at the (student tailgate) Saturday knows that I was acting to ensure that.''

St. John's rallies back from 16 down to beat 'out-hearted' Rutgers

It's totally illogical how St. John's could shoot 32.3 percent from the field and make only 13 of 24 foul shots yet come from 16 points down in the second half to pull out a 61-59 win over Rutgers in front of a roaring crowd of 4,540 Thursday night at Carnesecca Arena.

But frustrated Scarlet Knights coach Eddie Jordan had an answer.

"I told my team they 'out-hearted' us," Jordan said. "I've never used that term in my coaching career, but I'm using it tonight."

And Jordan had good reason to fume. It took a big effort for St. John's (3-0) to overcome a 45-29 lead by Rutgers (2-1). The Red Storm didn't score its first point of the second half until 16:20 remained and didn't make its first field goal of the half until Felix Balamou hit a layup at the 13:53 mark.

That Balamou was playing at all was a plus for the Red Storm after he missed the first two games of the season because of an NCAA eligibility issue. He came off the bench to score eight points, grab 11 rebounds, dish out seven assists and commit only one turnover. Red Storm coach Chris Mullin put the ball in his hands for long stretches in the second half, and it solved the St. John's turnover problem.

"He had seven assists and one turnover, and that's huge at any level," Mullin said. " . . . Thanks to [interim athletic director and general counsel] Joe Oliva, we found out he was eligible at 4:30 this afternoon."

After the Red Storm took a 60-59 lead, Mussini forced a Rutgers turnover that led to Christian Jones' foul shot for a 61-59 lead with 6.5 seconds left. Rutgers' Corey Sanders tried to drive to the basket but was shut off and kicked to Daniels, who hit a three-pointer — but it went through after the buzzer.

"At one point, we couldn't make a shot, but we hung in and stayed positive and gave ourselves a shot," Mullin said. "We were fortunate to win in the end."

That's heart.

Domestic violence prevention group wants Ray Rice to get second chance in NFL: Report

A group known as "A CALL TO MEN," which "encourages men to end violence against women," thinks Ray Rice deserves a second chance to play in the NFL.

After seeing the ex-Baltimore Ravens running back speak to high school and college students about the error of his ways over the past nine months, the group's co-founder Ted Bunch told ESPN's Adam Schefter that the disgraced Rice is ready for another shot at resuming his career as professional football player.

"He's held himself accountable," said Bunch. "He is saying everything that you would want him to say and doing everything that you would want him to do. So why wouldn't he deserve another chance? His work in the area of educating young men is more important than him getting back on the field. He knows that and has said that to us. He is seeing the bigger picture. He has a desire to compete again, but also to make a difference in the world. This is what mistakes should be about; learning from them and teaching others. We've been in front of a lot of batterers. He is as transparent as I've seen, and as sincere as I've seen."

The group's other co-founder, Terry Porter, added, "We have been around a lot of abusive men, but our experience with Ray has been tremendously positive. We feel strongly about him having the opportunity of having a second chance. He's deserving of it. ... A lot of people think we should kick him to the curb and his name should be mud forever. But how great would it be if everyone who made a mistake made it their mission to make sure a million people don't make the same mistake?"

The big question, wondered Schefter, was if any teams would be interested in signing a 28-year-old running back who hasn't played since 2013?

Rice claims he is working out daily and isn't motivated by money. But, it seems, that image of him standing over his then-fiancee in that Atlantic City elevator will be remembered more than any of his achievements on the field.

Rutgers AD Julie Hermann made crude Sandusky remark in staff meeting: Report

Just days after putting her foot down on Rutgers fans who called Penn State "Ped State" and other "regrettable actions," an investigation of the university's athletic director, Julie Herman, claims she reportedly once put that same foot in her mouth and made a questionable joke about the child sex scandal involving former Penn State assistant coach Jerry Sandusky.

A NJ Advance Media investigation that included statements from more than a half-dozen people inside the Rutgers athletic department, university officials acknowledged Hermann made the Sandusky-related remark at a staff meeting last fall.

"Julie's comment was an off the cuff response to a give-and-take interaction urging the fundraising team to reach out and touch the donors,'' said Pete McDonough, senior vice president for external affairs, when pressed for a statement from Rutgers President Robert Barchi. "There probably isn't a person alive today who hasn't made an impromptu remark in a private meeting that probably shouldn't have been said. Even taken out of context, this single comment was not directed at Penn State, its students, staff or faculty.''

Hermann, through spokesman Tom Luicci, declined comment, reported NJ.com. On Thursday, Luicci texted a NJ Advance Media reporter to cancel a meeting that had been scheduled earlier in the week.

Multiple people interviewed by NJ Advance Media — who would speak only on the condition of anonymity because they feared retribution — said Hermann was talking about "reaching out and touching the donors" of the program and her punchline was to not do it "in a Sandusky way."

"Everyone looked at each other and said, 'Say what?'" said a Rutgers official at the meeting. According to a second Rutgers employee, Hermann told her staff they are "all ambassadors for Rutgers. We have to reach out to our donors, fans, everyone, and we need to touch them. Not in a Jerry Sandusky-type way."

A third Rutgers official called Hermann's statement "a simple remark but one that resonated with us."

"I know there were two or three of us that looked at each other, and I said, "You gotta be kidding going down that road," the employee said. "Comparing relationships with donors or with people in organizations that we want to drum up and get money from in that relationship and saying we have to get close to them and touch them? And she goes 'not like Sandusky.' "

It's the latest in a series of missteps that have marked Hermann's rocky 17 months as athletic director at Rutgers. Nevertheless, McDonough issued a statement that strongly endorses Hermann's job performance.

"The University is not going to let a spontaneous, offhand remark obscure the fact that Julie is doing a great job as Athletics Director,'' McDonough said. "Bringing change always ruffles some feathers, but the results are clear -- ticket sales are setting new records for home and away games, the R-Care program is serving our student athletes' academic, social and personal well-being, and our fundraising up.''

Eric LeGrand compares moment he was paralyzed to Beyonce's MTV VMAs performance: Report

Former Rutgers football player Eric LeGrand continues to show how mentally tough it is to handle the paralysis he suffered in a game back in 2010 — but that doesn't mean a little sense of humor can't help.

During the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday night, LeGrand watched a Beyonce performance that left social media buzzing. And the former defensive star joined the fun:

Beyoncé got everyone like this when she performs Drunk in Love pic.twitter.com/9Zbck535Jd
— Eric LeGrand (@EricLeGrand52) August 25, 2014

That photo accompanying the tweet was the hit which paralyzed LeGrand on a kickoff against Army in October of 2010. Some Twitter users were actually shocked and even offended by the tweet, while others took it in stride.

How about this @emesola chick getting all offended over @EricLeGrand52's joke about himself? @BarstoolBigCat pic.twitter.com/VihQsxZNm1
— Brian Elliott (@_BrianElliott) August 25, 2014

Nearly an hour later, LeGrand clarified himself by tweeting this:

With my last tweet you guys can see that I have a sense of humor with my injury gotta enjoy life and laugh I know that cracked me up lol
— Eric LeGrand (@EricLeGrand52) August 25, 2014

Keep 'em laughing Eric.

[NJ.com]

Rutgers football team parties after practice at 'Club Ice' (VIDEO)

What happens when you mix New Jersey football with Jersey Shore culture?  House music and action in the tubs, yo — ice tubs that is.

On Wednesday night with music blaring, smoke machines spraying and strobe lights flashing, the Rutgers football team transformed an area of their training grounds into "Club Ice."

And the dress code allowed cleats and pads.

Even Rutgers head coach Kyle Flood was chillin' with the team.

Check out @KyleFloodRU in the ice tubs! #clubice #chopnation pic.twitter.com/zOdO8BzZT7
— Phil Galiano (@Coach_Galiano) August 7, 2014

The team — in the midst of six straight days of practice to open camp, and the first double-session of the summer — are getting ready for their first season in the Big Ten. And what better way to get ready for those chilly Midwestern stadiums than to wheel those ice baths into the parking lot and cut loose.

That's how the Garden State rolls.

[NJ.com]

Rutgers QB Philip Nelson beat football player into 'critical condition' during fight: Report

A Rutgers University quarterback — who transferred from the University of Minnesota — was arrested on Sunday morning for allegedly assaulting a former Minnesota State-Mankato player who is now in critical condition. 

Philip Nelson was arrested "on suspicion of third-degree assault and underage consumption of alcohol" in Mankato, according to TwinCities.com.

The 20-year-old Nelson was arrested on suspicion of assaulting Isaac Kolstad, a 24-year-old married football player at Minnesota State-Mankato. He is the father of a 3-year-old daughter and Kolstad's wife is expecting the family's second child.

Kolstad is listed in critical condition at the Mayo Clinic Health System in Mankato.

Kolstad's family posted on his CaringBridge.org page that he suffered permanent brain damage and was "fighting for his life."

Police found Kolstad at an intersection at around 2 a.m. on Sunday. Nelson was arrested shortly after and booked into the Blue Earth County Jail. He is expected to be arraigned early this week.

Nelson could face charges for third-degree assault, which is a felony in Minnesota. A third-degree assault indicates the perpetrator inflicted "substantial bodily harm." Nelson was also charged with underage consumption of alcohol.

"We are in the process of gathering information on the situation and reserve comment until the legal process is complete," Rutgers athletic department spokesman Jason Baum said in a statement.

Nelson transferred to Rutgers after starting 16 games in two seasons at Minnesota. He participated in spring practice, but is scheduled to sit out next season due to NCAA transfer rules. He has two years of eligibility remaining beginning in 2015.

Nelson and Kolstad are both Mankato natives. Authorities are reportedly seeking another suspect in the assault.

Eric LeGrand 'upset' at Rutgers for rescinding commencement speech offer: Report

Add another link into the chain of embarrassing situations surrounding the Rutgers athletics department these days. And this might be the biggest public relations blunder of all.

Even with the stench of the Mike Rice scandal still in the air and in the wake of athletic director Julie Hermann telling a journalism class that it would be "great" if the state's biggest newspaper, the Star-Ledger, would close down, the New Jersey university has stubbed its toe once again.

Eric LeGrand, the former Rutgers football player whose perseverance after being paralyzed during a 2010 game and has become an inspiration to Rutgers and the entire country, said Monday he was given the chance to talk at the school’s May 18 commencement ceremony, only to have the offer rescinded, according to MyCentralJersey.com. 

Over the weekend, LeGrand believed he would be Rutgers’ commencement speaker —  after Condoleezza Rice bowed out (another fiasco) due to student backlash — and he was called Saturday by Gregory Jackson, chief of staff for Rutgers President Robert Barchi, asking that he speak at the ceremony. 

On Monday, reports say, LeGrand’s phone rang again, this time with Hermann on the line reversing their decision.

“[T]hey decided to go other ways for political reasons,” LeGrand tweeted. 

  

Now — after a weekend of being told to prepare a keynote speech — Le Grand officially is out, and he’s “very upset” about it.

LeGrand was not given a reason, and Monday the school announced former Gov. Thomas Kean would be the keynote speaker.

“I’m very upset about it,” he said. “I was all excited all weekend thinking about what I was going to say. It’s rough.”

Over the weekend, LeGrand envisioned giving a keynote speech to inspire legions of Scarlet Knights students and share his remarkable story — only to have it yanked away.

"I was just going to tell them my story, about the whole process," LeGrand said . "Starting in 2005, being recruited by Rutgers and what it meant to me to play here and go to school here. And then the way everybody supported me through my injury, I was just going to give inspirational words about how they should attack life.

“All the things I've learned so far. All the (graduates), they're my age so I was going to try to (say) words they could remember, words that would inspire them to do great things in life."

Too bad. Maybe Rutgers would have learned something about dignity.

UPDATE: Eric LeGrand will be speaking at the school's 2014 commencement after Rutgers changes its mind due to pressure from RU students and social media.

Ex-Rutgers basketball player Derrick Randall sues school for Mike Rice incident: Report

Derrick Randall, a former Rutgers basketball player who transferred to Pittsburgh this spring, is suing his former school relating to the incidents that ultimately led to basketball coach Mike Rice being fired.

The lawsuit was filed in federal court, according to a report by Courthouse News Services, and names the school, Rice, Rutgers president Robert Barchi, former athletic director Tim Pernetti, former assistant coach James Martelli, CFO Janine Purcaro, and chairman of the board of governors, Mark Hershhorn, are all named as defendants.

The complaint was filed Friday in Trenton, according to The Star-Ledger.

The lawsuit says that the incidents caused Randall to lose confidence in himself and affected his play. Rice was fired after videos surfaced of him throwing basketballs at players and hurling slurs at them as well.

Randall alleges that Rice "assaulted and battered him," according to the report and that the other defendants knew about it.

"Stuff still pops up about like Mike Rice stuff," Randall told The Star-Ledger last month, before knowledge of the lawsuit arose. "I just don't want that to ever happen to me again because it was the worst time of my life."

The complaint states, in part: "The outrageous, intimidating and abusive conduct to which Derrick was subjected included Coach Rice hurling basketballs at his head and legs and hitting, grabbing, striking and shoving him. Coach Rice verbally, mentally, and emotionally abused Derrick through violent screaming, cursing and other humiliation tactics, including the use of homophobic slurs and other shockingly derogatory and discriminatory name calling."

"It's an important and serious case," Daniel Kohba, Randall's lawyer told The Star-Ledger.

Randall is seeking damages and punitive damages in the suit.

Rutgers to hire woman as new athletic director: Report

As Rutgers takes a giant step into its future by joining the Big Ten Conference in 2014, the university just might be taking an even bigger leap right now by hiring a woman the run the athletic department for the first time in the New Jersey school's history.

Julie Hermann, most recently the No. 2 athletic administrator at Louisville, has been named the school’s new athletic director -- making her one of just three women at a BCS program to currently hold the athletic department’s top position (N.C. State’s Debbie Yow and California’s Sandy Barbour are the others), according to two people familiar with the process. Both people requested anonymity because they are not authorized to speak on behalf of the school. Hermann, 49, has most recently served as the Cardinals’ senior associate athletic director and senior woman administrator, reports NJ.com.

Hermann was chosen for the position at Rutgers over Wisconsin deputy athletic director Sean Frazier following an emergency voting session this morning by the school’s 11-member Board of Governors. That session was necessitated after Rutgers’ six-member Executive Athletic Committee deadlocked at 3-3 in trying to choose between Hermann and Frazier as Tim Pernetti’s successor.

Pernetti resigned on April 5 in the wake of the Mike Rice scandal.

Though she lacks direct football experience, Hermann oversaw 20 of Louisville’s 23 sports. The school is coming off a victory in a BCS bowl game (Sugar Bowl), a national championship in men’s basketball and a Final Four appearance in women's basketball.

She has worked in the Louisville athletic department since 1998. An introductory press conference is expected to take place later today.

Rutgers sues Big East while on its way out

Outgoing Rutgers is suing the Big East in an attempt to avoid paying a fee for leaving the conference two years before it plans to play in the Big Ten citing breach of contract.

The university filed a lawsuit Wednesday in Middlesex County Courthouse against the Big East in an attempt to avoid paying the $5 million to $10 million exit fee, recover millions it claims the league owes the school in withdrawal fees and financial damages and avoid giving a 27-month notice of withdrawal.

The suit is just a taste of what the ransacked conference is going through.

Rutgers is planning to join the Big Ten at the start of the 2014 football season.  In order for that to happen, the university needs the court to void by July 1, 2013 the contractual bylaw that forces the school to remain in the Big East until early 2015.

Maryland and Rutgers may join Big Ten conference says report

Pick a conference, any conference.  That seems to be the all too common practice in NCAA sports these days and it looks like another shakeup could move two more teams to the Big Ten — Maryland and Rutgers.

According to an ESPN report, Maryland is in "serious negotiations" to join the Big Ten conference.  If it does, then Rutgers would follow suit, says the report.

The announcement could come as soon as Monday.

The only hurdle would be is Maryland's $50 million exit fee from the ACC.  The exit price for Rutgers would be only $10 million to leave the Big East and a 27 month waiting period.  However, that waiting period has been waived for West Virginia, Pittsburgh and Syracuse after they paid higher fees.

The source told ESPN:

The Big Ten has been itchy about further expansion since Notre Dame made its official move to the ACC two months ago in all sports other than football.  The source said the Big Ten can justify Maryland and then possibly Rutgers since they are all contiguous states to the Big Ten footprint.

Rutgers — a charter member of the Big East — would be the sixth school to leave the conference in the past year.

Cappie Pondexter Apologizes For Tasteless Japan Tweets

New York Liberty star Cappie Pondexter apologized yesterday for tweeting over the weekend that Japan was to blame for the devastation of last week's earthquake and tsunami on it's northern coast and then used a derogatory term to describe the Japanese people.

In another case of an athlete's poor timing and worse, poor taste, Pondexter tweeted: "What if God was tired of the way they treated their own people in there own country!  Idk guys he makes no mistakes."

She continued the incriminating tweet: "U just never knw!  They did pearl harbor so u can't expect anything less."

After thousands saw the post, Pondexter had an exchange with an resentful reader, and she used a derogatory word for the Japanese.

Since posting her twisted point-of-view, Pondexter was bombarded with criticism and stepped back from her tweet.

"I wanna apologize to anyone I may have hurt or offended during this tragic time," she tweeted on Monday.  "I didn't realize that my words could be interpreted in the manner which they were.  People that knw me would tell u 1st hand I'm a very spiritual person and believe that everything , even disasters happen 4 a reason and that God will shouldn't be questioned but this is a very sensitive subject at a very tragic time and I shouldn't have even given a reason for the choice of words I used."

Pondexter, who is playing in Russia, declined to comment further.  Her agent, Boris Lelchitski, said the player's comments were taken out-of-context.  "She is very sorry she hurt anyone," said Lelchitski.

The Liberty released a statement, "We have spoken to  Cappie and the content of that conversation will remain internal.  She made a mistake and quickly apologized for that mistake."

It seems unlikely that the team will discipline Pondexter.

This is just another case of an athlete putting their foot in their mouth or their quick fingers to 'SEND.' By now, public figures should know there are a few subjects which should never be trivialized including 9/11, the Holocaust or a natural disaster.  What was she thinking?

Pondexter was a star at Rutgers right before Don Imus got suspended for his insensitive and derogatory remarks about the African-American members of that team on his radio show.

You think Pondexter would have remembered that incident and used better judgement.  At least she won't lose her job...or her home.

Don't Hold It Against St. John's For Victory Over Rutgers

There were still a few defiant Rutgers fans at Madison Square Garden this morning wanting to get their money's worth and waiting to for the final 1.7 seconds to run out in the second round game against St. John's.  Somebody ought to gently tell them the Scarlet Knights team will not be seeing any more action at this year's Big East Tournament. 

While bitter Rutgers fans--and authority figure haters-- have plenty to gripe about after yesterday's controversial 65-63 loss to the Red Storm, don't let it ruin one of the best feel-good-stories in college basketball--St. John's basketball.

Sure, the officials blew a couple of foul-calls against St. John's down the stretch and swallowed the whistle when Justin Brownlee grabbed a bobbled in-bounds toss with 4.9 seconds left in a frantic scramble for the ball.

Sure, the St. John's forward took three long steps (an obvious walk), planted one foot out-of-bounds and tossed the game ball into the stands with 1.7 seconds remaining while the officials scurried off the court, eliminating any chance for the pleading Rutgers players to tie or win the game. 

Sure, the officials, Jim Burr, Tim Higgins and Earl Walton, refused to take a look at the video-tape which clearly showed everyone--including a national television audience--there was still time on the clock, but don't blame the St. John's team.

It's too bad the St. John's team, no matter how far they go in the tournament, will be known less for their win streak and return to prominence, than the tarnished victory.

The blame must be squarely laid on the referees and not the St. John's players.  But others are not immune to the blatant non-calls.

The three veteran officials announced they were voluntarily stepping away from the rest of the tournament.  An admission of guilt?  Maybe.  An admission by the Big East that the three lost control of the game in the waning moment?  Not yet.

A lot of people have to wonder how 19,375 spectators at the Garden saw the infractions and the clueless refs didn't even let out a tweet from their whistles.

Home crowd favoritism--maybe?  It is Madison Square Garden and not the Garden State.

Tim Higgins looked like the grumpy old guy in "Up" as he scampered off the court through the tunnel.  The other two scattered like rats in an alley too.

Many others saw the final gaff by the officials.  One St. John's assistant pulled his jacket over his head in disbelief when Brownlee tossed the ball into the red seats.  Nobody does a victory cover up.

St. John's head coach, Steve Lavin, who was passed over for Big East Coach of the Year, but may have an Academy Award in his future.  Brownlee was walking right at Lavin with an outstretched hand when he touched the sideline. What coach isn't looking at the clock in a close game like this.  Right after the game,  Lavin just said, " Both teams played their fannies off."

It sounds like the majority of Johnnies' fans didn't see the infractions either. It looks like the confessional booths on St. John's campus could be a harder ticket than the tournament quarterfinals at the Garden today.

Blame Rutgers head coach, Mike Rice too.  He saw the whole fandango and bashed his forearms like it was some sort of spastic cheerleading move.  Most Big East coaches would have been over those officials like white-on-rice.  Instead Rutgers fans got Rice-on-Rice.  He should have pulled a Charlie Sheen and dragged those refs backs to the video review table. Even the Rutgers players pleaded with the refs before they brushed past them and ducked off the court.

Give Rice credit though.  He took the high road after consoling his disappointed players.  At a press conference he said, "Would I love to not have it happen?  Of course.  But I made so many mistakes in the game, it's unbelievable."

Chances are slim that the Scarlet Knights could have pulled of the comeback but they deserved to get that 1.7 seconds back.  Now,  St. John's tries to avenge a 76-59 loss in a quarterfinals game against Syracuse.

It would only be fair for the senior-laden St. John's team to get credit for their play after four years of stumbling.  The players deserve credit blending into a cohesive, winning squad and not be labeled fortunate or beneficiaries of a St. John's/Syracuse match-up conspiracy.

 Sometimes tournament play is all about getting a little help along the way.  A tipped ball or a missed call is part of the game.

As Lavin said after the game," We dodged a bullet."  More like four of them.

Officials Leave Court Before St. John's-Rutgers Game Ends. Big East: Game Is Over

In what has to be one of the most embarrassing moments in Big East Tournament history, game officials left the Madison Square Garden court with 1.7 seconds remaining in the game after a player traveled,  stepped out-of-bounds and then threw the game ball into the air.   St. John's was the lucky recipient of the missed call and won the second-round game over Rutgers, 65-63.

The bizarre sequence of events began on a full-court Rutgers inbounds pass, with 4.9 seconds remaining, which was tipped away to St. John's forward Justin Brownlee who dribbled towards the Red Storm bench to shake head coach Steve Lavin's hand but took three steps, touched the sideline and hurled the ball into the air on the way.  While the clock should have been stopped with 1.7 showing on the clock, two veteran officials, James Burr and Tim Higgins, rushed from the court as Rutgers players pleaded and pointed at the clock.  Nothing was discussed.

The non-call which would have given the ball back to Rutgers by either Brownlee stepping out-of-bounds or a travelling call was not the real issue.  Throwing the ball into the stands with time on the clock is a technical foul and would have given the Scarlet Knights two free throws AND the ball.

Lavin, said he didn't see the clock and none of the opposing players or coaches said anything to him during the final handshakes and the frantic play of both teams during the final seconds made it easy for the refs to miss a call.  He would only say that both teams "played their fannies off."

The Red Storm escaped with the win and Rutgers was basically robbed on a couple of other non-calls during the sloppy final minutes.

What's more amazing is the fact that the officials scurried off the court while Rutgers players stood in front of them and pointed out the discretion.  The officials didn't even consider looking at the videotapes.

Conspiracy theorists are having a field day.  Some are accusing the Big East of trying to set up a dream quarterfinal re-match between #4 Syracuse and the local favorites #5 St. John's.  It would be the Red Storm's first Big East quarterfinal game since 2003.

Others are looking at the over/under of 127.5 as a reason for the "muffed" calls, as if Tim Donahay was calling the game and the fix was in.

For now it looks like St. John's will move on in the tournament while Rutgers fans scream and protest the swallowed whistle.  The Big East will not put the two teams on the court tonight and said the game is over.

According to the Mike Francesa Show, the Big East released a statement after the game which said there were "two separate missed calls which occurred during the game...neither error is correctable or reviewable.  The two missed calls were traveling and stepping out of bounds."