Rutgers crushed: 1st NCAA spot in 29 years was but days away

Rutgers forward Akwasi Yeboah (1) shoots in front of Purdue forward Trevion Williams (50) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in West Lafayette, Ind., Saturday, March 7, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

UPDATES TOURNAMENT CANCELLED - Fans enter The Bankers Life Fieldhouse for a game at the Big Ten Conference tournament in Indianapolis, Thursday, March 12, 2020. The Big Ten Conference announced that remainder of the men's NCAA college basketball games tournament was cancelled. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Rutgers guards Geo Baker (0) and Jacob Young (42) celebrate in the closing seconds of overtime in an NCAA college basketball game in West Lafayette, Ind., Saturday, March 7, 2020. Rutgers defeated Purdue 71-68 in overtime. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Rutgers head coach Steve Pikiell yells from the bench during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Purdue in West Lafayette, Ind., Saturday, March 7, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Rutgers guard Geo Baker (0) celebrates in the closing seconds of overtime in an NCAA college basketball game against Purdue in West Lafayette, Ind., Saturday, March 7, 2020. Rutgers defeated Purdue 71-68 in overtime. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Rutgers forward Akwasi Yeboah (1) shoots between Purdue forwards Trevion Williams (50) and Aaron Wheeler (1) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in West Lafayette, Ind., Saturday, March 7, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Rutgers guard Ron Harper Jr. (24) shoots over Purdue center Matt Haarms (32) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in West Lafayette, Ind., Saturday, March 7, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Rutgers guard Ron Harper Jr. (24) goes up for a dunk over Purdue center Matt Haarms (32) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in West Lafayette, Ind., Saturday, March 7, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)