As the regular season wraps up, let's dive into the Big Ten standings to see where Rutgers’ basketball teams stand as the tournaments approach. With different scenarios for the men’s and women’s teams, there’s plenty to unpack.
Men’s Team: Eyeing a Single Bye
The Scarlet Knights’ men’s team finds itself in a promising spot to secure a single bye, avoiding an early start in the tournament. Despite a tough loss to Minnesota, Rutgers holds 14th place, ahead of Maryland, Northwestern, Oregon, and Penn State-all teams they’ve bested this season. With an overall record of 11-16 and 4-12 in the Big Ten, the Knights have a real shot at maintaining or improving their position.
Next on the schedule is Washington, a team struggling at 5-11 in conference play. The Huskies have lost to Penn State and Maryland, both of whom Rutgers defeated soundly. However, Washington did notch a win against Minnesota, a team that recently toppled Rutgers.
Following Washington, Rutgers will face Maryland in College Park, head to East Lansing for a rematch with Michigan State, and conclude the season at home against Penn State. Winning two of these three games seems feasible, with the Spartans posing the biggest challenge. Remember, Rutgers nearly pulled off an upset against MSU in an overtime thriller last month, so anything’s possible.
Women’s Team: Facing Tournament Challenges
The Rutgers women’s basketball team has faced a challenging stretch, notching their last win on January 18th against Penn State. Since then, a nine-game losing streak has ensued, with several tough losses along the way. Games against Michigan, Washington, and Oregon at home, and a tough road trip to USC and UCLA, have been particularly challenging.
In a recent rematch against Penn State, Rutgers fought hard but fell short. The Nittany Lions shot impressively, with former Scarlet Knight Kiyomi McMiller scoring 37 points and Gracie Merkle adding 26. Despite their efforts, Rutgers couldn’t secure the season sweep.
Currently last in the Big Ten standings, the Knights missed a crucial opportunity to climb the ranks. Facing losses to Penn State and Northwestern, both outside the tournament bubble, has dimmed their tournament hopes.
Looking ahead, Rutgers will host Indiana, a team with just three conference wins, followed by a season finale at Nebraska. Even with potential wins, which would be a tall order given recent performances, making the Big Ten Tournament remains unlikely.
Rutgers will aim to end the season positively and hope for a postseason tournament invitation. Last season, they made a surprising run to the WNIT’s Great 8, and a similar journey isn’t off the table if they can finish strong.