Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Overall Rank: #32
Conference Rank: #6 Big Ten
Rutgers returned to the NCAA Tournament after a three year absence and that is a good stepping stone to get the program on the path to their former glory. The Scarlet Knights have won 20 or more games in each of the last two seasons and that has this program heading in the right direction. However, Coach C. Vivian Stringer must replace four starters and she will have to rely on quite a few younger players to get Rutgers back to the NCAA Tournament.
2018-19 Record: 22-10, 13-5
2018-19 Postseason: NCAA
Coach: C. Vivian Stringer
Coach Record: 480-267 at Rutgers, 1,000-402 overall
Key Departed Players (starters in bold)
Stasha Carey, Forward, 12.3 ppg
Ciani Cryor, Guard, 8.1 ppg
Charise Wilson, Guard, 7.4 ppg
Victoria Harris, Center/Forward, 4.5 ppg
Caitlin Jenkins, Forward, 6.0 ppg
Key Returning Players (starters in bold)
Arella Guirantes, Junior, Guard, 12.1 ppg
Tekia Mack, Junior, Forward/Guard, 5.3 ppg
Noga Peleg Pelc, Sophomore, Guard, 5.2 ppg
Zipporah Broughton, Sophomore, Guard, 3.9 ppg
Jordan Wallace, Senior, Center, 2.2 ppg
Mael Gilles, Junior, Forward, 2.0 ppg
Tyia Singleton, Sophomore, Forward, 1.0 ppg
Khadaizha Sanders, Senior, Guard, DNP last season
Key New Players
Maori Davenport, Freshman, Center
Joiya Maddox, Freshman, Guard
Danielle Migliore, Senior, Guard, Grad Transfer from St. Bonaventure
Alexis Morris, Sophomore, Guard, Transfer from Baylor, eligible 2nd semester
Projection:
Arella Guirantes is the team’s top returning scorer. The 5-11 junior averaged 12.1 points per game and is very dangerous inside the arc. If she can add a more consistent outside shot to her game, Guirantes will be in for a big junior campaign. The return of Khadaizha Sanders, who missed last season with an injury, will help keep this a relatively experienced team. Sanders was a starter the previous two seasons and dished out an average of 3.9 assists over those two campaigns. Sophomore Noga Peleg Pelc started a dozen games as a freshman and averaged 5.2 points per game. At the least she will be a dangerous outside shooter. Rutgers will need Tekia Mack to use her size to help out on the glass. The 6-1 junior was not asked to do much on the glass last season, but she could step into a much larger role this year. Tyia Singleton and Jordan Wallace are the only returning frontcourt players on the roster and neither played much of a role last season. Newcomers Maori Davenport and Tyia Singleton at least have some size and should be able to help out in the rebounding department. Davenport, a 6-4 Troy, Alabama native, is a top 15 recruit and has the talent to make a big impact right away. The addition of St. Bonaventure grad transfer Danielle Migliore and Baylor transfer Alexis Morris will give Rutgers more than enough experience and talent to keep this program moving in the right direction.
Projected Postseason Tournament: NCAA
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 64.1 (184th in nation, 13th in conference)
Scoring Defense: 58.2 (38, 1)
Field-Goal Percentage: 41.8 (105, 8)
Field-Goal Defense: 37.5 (62, 2)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 5.1 (244, 10)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 28.7 (278, 14)
Free-Throw Percentage: 72.5 (93, 5)
Rebound Margin: 3.0 (94, 6)
Assists Per Game: 13.4 (144, 11)
Turnovers Per Game: 15.7 (175, 12)
Madness 2019 Women’s Basketball Recruit Rankings:
#15 Maori Davenport
