Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Overall Rank: #41
Conference Rank: #7 Big Ten
Since joining the Big Ten in 2014, Rutgers has continued to be a very good program under the leadership of C. Vivian Stringer. They have won at least19 games in five of those six seasons. However, it has only resulted in two trips to the NCAA Tournament and neither resulted in advancing past the first weekend. Last year would have been their third tournament appearance and with three starters back and talented newcomers coming in, Rutgers should find themselves right on the cusp of another tournament appearance.
2019-20 Record: 22-9, 11-7
Coach: C. Vivian Stringer
Coach Record: 521-286 at Rutgers, 1,041-421 overall
Key Departed Players (starters in bold)
Khadaizha Sanders, Guard, 9.5 ppg
Jordan Wallace, Center, 7.6 ppg
Maori Davenport, Center, 2.7 ppg
Danielle Migliore, Guard, 2.5 ppg
Key Returning Players (starters in bold)
Arella Guirantes, Senior, Guard, 20.6 ppg
Tekia Mack, Senior, Guard/Forward, 11.5 ppg
Mael Gilles, Senior, Forward, 6.5 ppg
Zipporah Broughton, Junior, Guard, 3.6 ppg
Joiya Maddox, Sophomore, Guard, 2.7 ppg
Key New Players
Chyna Cornwell, Freshman, Forward
Stephanie Guihon, Junior, Guard, Transfer from Longwood
Diamond Johnson, Freshman, Guard
Erica Lafayette, Freshman, Guard/Forward
Destiny Marshall, Junior, Guard, Transfer from Jacksonville, not eligible
Elizabeth Martino, Freshman, Guard
Aicha Ndour, Freshman, Center
Sakima Walker, Freshman, Center
Projection:
Arella Guirantes will again lead the Scarlet Knights after averaging 20.5 points, 6.0 rebounds and 3.1 assists during her junior season. Guirantes was the most prolific and consistent three-point shooter on a team that rarely shot from long range. Obviously she does not have to hoist up a bunch of three’s to be a prolific scorer, but it is helpful that Guirantes can remain a threat from beyond the arc in order to open up more space for the rest of the team. Tekia Mack, a 5-11 wing, is another returning senior starter. She tallied 11.5 points and a team high 7.0 rebounds in 2019-2020. Mael Gilles brings that experience to the frontcourt, where she can use her shooting ability to stretch the defense. Diamond Johnson highlights a very impressive recruiting class. She is widely regarded as one of the best point guards in this class and she is expected to take over for the departed Khadaizha Sanders right away. Chyna Cornwell and Sakima Walker will add some depth to the frontcourt as freshmen and that will give Rutgers enough depth to remain competitive in the always difficult Big Ten.
Projected Postseason Tournament: NCAA
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 66.5 (149th in nation, 11th in conference)
Scoring Defense: 56.7 (28, 1)
Field-Goal Percentage: 42.2 (80, 8)
Field-Goal Defense: 35.6 (20, 1)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 4.7 (275, 13)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 31.0 (179, 12)
Free-Throw Percentage: 69.7 (175, 8)
Rebound Margin: 3.7 (85, 4)
Assists Per Game: 13.0 (162, 11)
Turnovers Per Game: 14.3 (81, 4)
Madness 2020 Women’s Basketball Recruit Rankings:
#23 Diamond Johnson
#41 Sakima Walker
#55 Chyna Cornwell
#84 Liz Martino
