Wednesday, February 24
East Lansing, Mich.
3 PM ET
Rutgers University
at
Michigan State
Photo by: (Ben Solomon/Rutgers Athletics)
Game 14: No. 25 Women's Hoops at Michigan State
Feb 23 | Women's Basketball
PISCATAWAY, N.J. - No. 25 Rutgers women's basketball (10-3, 6-3) looks to build on a five-game winning streak on a trip to Michigan State (12-6, 7-6) on Wednesday, Feb. 24 at 3 p.m. ET, airing live on Big Ten Network.
The Scarlet Knights made their debut in the AP Top 25 Poll at No. 25 this week and are ranked No. 11 in the latest NCAA Evaluation Tool (NET) rankings, a new selection guide for at-large bids to the NCAA Tournament valuing offensive and defensive efficiency alongside results-oriented data. Rutgers has won five consecutive games in the Big Ten by an average margin of 22.5 points, including a road victory at then-No.21/20 Northwestern.
With head coach C. Vivian Stringer's patented defense ranked first in the Big Ten with 56.0 points allowed per game, the offense is producing with historic voracity. The Scarlet Knights have scored 70 or more points in five consecutive games for the first time in Big Ten play (since 2014), and the first time in any conference since the 1997-98 squad scored 70-plus in seven-straight in the Big East.
RUTGERS RANKED: Rutgers women's basketball made its debut in the Associated Press Poll on Monday with a No. 25 national ranking. The Scarlet Knights received 50 points to make its way into the Top 25 for the first time since February of 2019, and have now been nationally ranked in three of the last four seasons since 2017-18. Following a five-week hiatus, Rutgers has won five consecutive games in the Big Ten by an average margin of 22.5 points, including a road victory at then-No.21/20 Northwestern.
NET WORKING: Rutgers is listed at No. 11 in the NCAA Evaluation Tool (NET) rankings, which replace RPI as a guide for selecting at-large bids for the NCAA Tournament. The NET rankings take into account Adjusted Net Efficiency (offensive vs. defensive points per possession weighted on quality of opponent) and Team Value Index (results-oriented).
Rutgers is ranked second in the NCAA with 114.8 points per offensive possessions, and fifth in the NCAA with a 32.6 average point margin per 100 possessions.
ARELLA RISING: Redshirt senior guard Arella Guirantes (the reigning Metropolitan Area Player of the Week) is on six national watch lists: The Senior CLASS Award, the Wooden Award for Most Outstanding Player, the Naismith Trophy and Wade Trophy for National Player of the Year, a Top 10 semifinalist for the Meyers Shooting Guard Award, and the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Award.
Only Player to rank Top 5 in Big Ten in scoring, assists, blocks & steals
Triple-double on Dec. 23 vs. Manhattan (6th in RU history) with 17 points, 10 rebounds & 11 assists
Three 30+ point performances vs. No. 9 Maryland, Iowa & Purdue
SHINE ON: True freshman Diamond Johnson, the No. 6 overall recruit in the nation according to ESPN, is one of 10 named to the Nancy Lieberman Award Watch List semifinalists for the country's top point guard. The Neumann Goretti product earned Rutgers' first ever Big Ten Freshman of the Week honor on Dec. 21. Johnson has scored in double-figures in all 13 of her games and has scored 18 or more in eight of her last nine.
Ranks 2nd in the NCAA with a .533 three-point shooting percentage (40-75).
THOU SHALL STEAL: Rutgers ranks fourth in the country with 13.7 steals per game and is fourth in the nation in turnover margin at 8.3 through 13 games. Three Scarlet Knights make up the Top 6 in the Big Ten in steals per game with Tekia Mack (3rd in the nation - 3.6), Arella Guirantes (2.2) and Mael Gilles (2.2).
THAT'S OFFENSIVE: Rutgers has scored 80 or more points in three Big Ten games this season. Before this year, Rutgers has had a total of three 80+ games since joining the conference in 2014-15. RU is on a current five-game streak of scoring 70+ in conference games, the first time that has happened since 1997-98 in the Big East. RU earlier scored 80+ in five consecutive games for the first time since the 1990-91 season. The Scarlet Knights rank sixth in the nation in scoring margin at +23.3, scoring 79.3 points per game (17th in the nation).
WELCOME TO THE B1G: Rutgers is one of the youngest teams in the nation with eight newcomers and 71 percent of the roster starting the season with two years experience or less in Division I. RU is one of just 32 teams across the nation with 10 or more players on the roster with two years experience or less.
FUTURE IS NOW: C. Vivian Stringer and her staff have secured the No. 8 nationally ranked recruiting class for 2020 according to ESPN, led by the signing of No. 6 ranked prospect Diamond Johnson out of Neumann Goretti in Philadelphia, one of four recruits ranked in the Top 55 - Sakima Walker (#21), Chyna Cornwell (#48) and Liz Martino (#53). Blue Star Basketball ranks the class No. 5 in the nation.
• Tekia Mack tied a RAC record with eight steals vs. Minnesota, the most in any Rutgers game since Syessence Davis had 10 at Penn State in Jan. 2015 (the school record), then set a career high with eight assists in the Illinois victory.
• Diamond Johnson has made four or more three-pointers in five-straight games.
• Arella Guirantes' five blocks at Purdue were the most in a game since Caitlin Jenkins had six vs. Siena in December 2017.
• Rutgers' win at No. 21/20 Northwestern was its first ranked road win since a 73-65 victory at No. 4 Maryland on Dec. 31, 2018.
• In consecutive games, Tyia Singleton set new career highs in rebounding (11 vs. Nebraska) and point scoring (17 vs. Northwestern).
• Diamond Johnson has made 19 consecutive free throws heading into the MSU game, and has not missed since at Wisconsin on Dec. 11.
• Currently graded .789 from the charity stripe, RU is strongly challenging its single-season free throw percentage record of .734 ('80-81).
• RU has outscored opponents in the paint in 12 of 13 games this season.
• RU is 8-0 with a lead at halftime.
• The Scarlet Knights have outscored opponents by an average of 16.5 in points off turnovers (27.5 - 11.0).
• Arella Guirantes has five career 30+ point games, all against Big Ten opponents.
• RU's 87 points against Maryland were Rutgers' most in a Big Ten game since joining the conference in 2014-15 ... and most in a conference game since 90 vs. Seton Hall in the Big East in 2013.
• Guirantes' 30+point double-double vs. Maryland was Rutgers' first since Kahleah Copper had 30 and 10 against St. Joseph's on Nov. 13, 2015.
• With Diamond Johnson at 18.7 points per game, a look at the Top 5 freshman scoring averages in team history:
• Diamond Johnson: 3FG% (2nd - .533)
• Team: Steals/gm (4th - 13.7)
• Team: Turnover margin (4th - 8.3)
• Team: Scoring margin (6th - 23.3)
• Team: FG% (7th - .483)
• Team: 3ptFG% (7th - .392)
• Team: Turnovers forced (10th - 21.6)
• Arella Guirantes: FT% (10th - .910)
• Team: FT% (11th - .789)
• Arella Guirantes: Pts/gm (14th - 22.2)
• Team: Scoring offense (17th - 79.3)
• Team: Scoring defense (22nd - 56.0)
Follow Rutgers women's basketball on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
The Scarlet Knights made their debut in the AP Top 25 Poll at No. 25 this week and are ranked No. 11 in the latest NCAA Evaluation Tool (NET) rankings, a new selection guide for at-large bids to the NCAA Tournament valuing offensive and defensive efficiency alongside results-oriented data. Rutgers has won five consecutive games in the Big Ten by an average margin of 22.5 points, including a road victory at then-No.21/20 Northwestern.
With head coach C. Vivian Stringer's patented defense ranked first in the Big Ten with 56.0 points allowed per game, the offense is producing with historic voracity. The Scarlet Knights have scored 70 or more points in five consecutive games for the first time in Big Ten play (since 2014), and the first time in any conference since the 1997-98 squad scored 70-plus in seven-straight in the Big East.
| ON THE AIR |
- Watch on Big Ten Network (Play-by-play: Lisa Byington; Analyst: Christy Winters Scott)
- Listen on WRSU 88.7 FM (Play-by-play: Jake Schmied and Christian Vasquez)
| THE SCOUT |
- The Spartans hold an overall record of 12-6 overall and 7-6 in Big Ten action. Last time out, a Tory Ozment buzzer beater pushed MSU past Purdue, 76-73.
- Despite a season-low six points against Purdue on Feb. 21, junior guard Nia Clouden now has 1,178 points, remaining at the No. 21 spot on MSU's career scoring list. Clouden needs just three points to crack the Top 20, as Rene Haynes (2003-07) holds the No. 20 spot with 1,181 points.
- Five of the Spartans' six losses have come against teams ranked in the top 25, including a pair of losses to No. 8 Maryland. MSU's only loss against a team not ranked is Nebraska on Jan. 10.
- With 19 assists against Purdue, the Spartans now stand ninth in the nation and third in the Big Ten in assists per game (18.1 apg). MSU is also 19th in the country and fifth in the B1G in assist/turnover ratio (1.27).
| HEAD-TO-HEAD |
| KNIGHT NOTES |
NET WORKING: Rutgers is listed at No. 11 in the NCAA Evaluation Tool (NET) rankings, which replace RPI as a guide for selecting at-large bids for the NCAA Tournament. The NET rankings take into account Adjusted Net Efficiency (offensive vs. defensive points per possession weighted on quality of opponent) and Team Value Index (results-oriented).
Rutgers is ranked second in the NCAA with 114.8 points per offensive possessions, and fifth in the NCAA with a 32.6 average point margin per 100 possessions.
ARELLA RISING: Redshirt senior guard Arella Guirantes (the reigning Metropolitan Area Player of the Week) is on six national watch lists: The Senior CLASS Award, the Wooden Award for Most Outstanding Player, the Naismith Trophy and Wade Trophy for National Player of the Year, a Top 10 semifinalist for the Meyers Shooting Guard Award, and the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Award.
Only Player to rank Top 5 in Big Ten in scoring, assists, blocks & steals
Triple-double on Dec. 23 vs. Manhattan (6th in RU history) with 17 points, 10 rebounds & 11 assists
Three 30+ point performances vs. No. 9 Maryland, Iowa & Purdue
SHINE ON: True freshman Diamond Johnson, the No. 6 overall recruit in the nation according to ESPN, is one of 10 named to the Nancy Lieberman Award Watch List semifinalists for the country's top point guard. The Neumann Goretti product earned Rutgers' first ever Big Ten Freshman of the Week honor on Dec. 21. Johnson has scored in double-figures in all 13 of her games and has scored 18 or more in eight of her last nine.
Ranks 2nd in the NCAA with a .533 three-point shooting percentage (40-75).
THOU SHALL STEAL: Rutgers ranks fourth in the country with 13.7 steals per game and is fourth in the nation in turnover margin at 8.3 through 13 games. Three Scarlet Knights make up the Top 6 in the Big Ten in steals per game with Tekia Mack (3rd in the nation - 3.6), Arella Guirantes (2.2) and Mael Gilles (2.2).
THAT'S OFFENSIVE: Rutgers has scored 80 or more points in three Big Ten games this season. Before this year, Rutgers has had a total of three 80+ games since joining the conference in 2014-15. RU is on a current five-game streak of scoring 70+ in conference games, the first time that has happened since 1997-98 in the Big East. RU earlier scored 80+ in five consecutive games for the first time since the 1990-91 season. The Scarlet Knights rank sixth in the nation in scoring margin at +23.3, scoring 79.3 points per game (17th in the nation).
WELCOME TO THE B1G: Rutgers is one of the youngest teams in the nation with eight newcomers and 71 percent of the roster starting the season with two years experience or less in Division I. RU is one of just 32 teams across the nation with 10 or more players on the roster with two years experience or less.
FUTURE IS NOW: C. Vivian Stringer and her staff have secured the No. 8 nationally ranked recruiting class for 2020 according to ESPN, led by the signing of No. 6 ranked prospect Diamond Johnson out of Neumann Goretti in Philadelphia, one of four recruits ranked in the Top 55 - Sakima Walker (#21), Chyna Cornwell (#48) and Liz Martino (#53). Blue Star Basketball ranks the class No. 5 in the nation.
| #TRENDING |
• Diamond Johnson has made four or more three-pointers in five-straight games.
• Arella Guirantes' five blocks at Purdue were the most in a game since Caitlin Jenkins had six vs. Siena in December 2017.
• Rutgers' win at No. 21/20 Northwestern was its first ranked road win since a 73-65 victory at No. 4 Maryland on Dec. 31, 2018.
• In consecutive games, Tyia Singleton set new career highs in rebounding (11 vs. Nebraska) and point scoring (17 vs. Northwestern).
• Diamond Johnson has made 19 consecutive free throws heading into the MSU game, and has not missed since at Wisconsin on Dec. 11.
• Currently graded .789 from the charity stripe, RU is strongly challenging its single-season free throw percentage record of .734 ('80-81).
• RU has outscored opponents in the paint in 12 of 13 games this season.
• RU is 8-0 with a lead at halftime.
• The Scarlet Knights have outscored opponents by an average of 16.5 in points off turnovers (27.5 - 11.0).
• Arella Guirantes has five career 30+ point games, all against Big Ten opponents.
• RU's 87 points against Maryland were Rutgers' most in a Big Ten game since joining the conference in 2014-15 ... and most in a conference game since 90 vs. Seton Hall in the Big East in 2013.
• Guirantes' 30+point double-double vs. Maryland was Rutgers' first since Kahleah Copper had 30 and 10 against St. Joseph's on Nov. 13, 2015.
• With Diamond Johnson at 18.7 points per game, a look at the Top 5 freshman scoring averages in team history:
- 1. Cappie Pondexter (02-03) - 18.3ppg
- 2. Patti Sikorski (76-77) - 15.8ppg
- T3. Kathy Glutz (76-77) - 15.5ppg
- T3. June Olkowski (78-79) - 15.5ppg
- 5. Sue Wicks (84-85) - 14.9 ppg
| NATIONAL RANKS |
• Team: Steals/gm (4th - 13.7)
• Team: Turnover margin (4th - 8.3)
• Team: Scoring margin (6th - 23.3)
• Team: FG% (7th - .483)
• Team: 3ptFG% (7th - .392)
• Team: Turnovers forced (10th - 21.6)
• Arella Guirantes: FT% (10th - .910)
• Team: FT% (11th - .789)
• Arella Guirantes: Pts/gm (14th - 22.2)
• Team: Scoring offense (17th - 79.3)
• Team: Scoring defense (22nd - 56.0)
Follow Rutgers women's basketball on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
- RU -
Players Mentioned
F
/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
F/G
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's Basketball
C
/ Women's BasketballWomen’s Basketball Post Game Press Conference - Lafayette
Saturday, December 20
Women’s Basketball Post Game Press Conference - Saint Peter’s
Sunday, November 30
Women's Basketball Postgame Press Conference - Northeastern
Saturday, November 29
Women's Basketball Postgame Press Conference - Siena
Tuesday, November 25
