Rutgers Men and Women Hoops Face Steep Climb in Big Ten as 2025 Begins
As the calendar flips to 2025, college basketball now takes center stage. And for both the Rutgers men’s and women’s teams, now is the time to put the pedal to the metal and make that incredible run toward the Conference Tournament, and of course, March Madness.
On Thursday night both clubs took key losses to conference opponents, the men, an 84-74 loss to Indiana, and the ladies, a 78-61 loss to Maryland on the road. Both clubs stand at 8-6 on the year. Both clubs are right now 16th in the Big Ten standings; the men are 1-2 in conference. The women are 0-3 in conference.
The men have been led by their two freshman sensations Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey all year. On Thursday, they were without Harper who missed the game due to an undisclosed illness.
Bailey went on to have a career game, posting 39 points, which tied the program record for a freshman in a single game, set by Corey Sanders in 2016.
In fact the 39 points for Bailey were the most ever scored by a Rutgers freshman in regulation.
Still, his tremendous night accounted for 53 percent of the Rutgers output against Indiana.
“You are always trying to get it to Ace [Bailey], he has a hot hand and was ready to play,” Head Coach Steve Pikiell said. “I think our other guys got some good opportunities, we did not make free throws, which hurt us, and we also missed a bunch of one-on-ones. But we came on the road, and this league is the best it is, and when you score 74 points you have to do a better job… .”
Pikiell added that he expects Harper to return Monday when Rutgers plays host to Wisconsin at Jersey Mike’s Arena. Then on Thursday, they welcome in rival Purdue. It’s going to be a wild week.
It’s been that kind of year for Rutgers. They won nail-biters against Penn State (80-76 on December 10) and against Seton Hall (66-63 on December 14) when Harper nailed the game-winner as time expired. But Rutgers also sustained some tough losses; four of which were losses by five points or less, including a one-point loss to Princeton.
With Harper expected back on Monday, it will be a fun week.
Rutgers Women’s Hoops Looks to Snap Skid
Meanwhile, the women will try to snap a two-game losing streak on Sunday when they go up against fifth-ranked USC at Jersey Mike’s Arena. Like the men, they have been in every game. Destiny Adams and freshman Kiyomi McMiller have been tremendous.
Against Ohio State last week, Adams led the Scarlet Knights with 31 points. It was the third time this year she has scored 30 or more in a game. Rutgers was able to trim the deficit into single digits by the fourth quarter.
“Destiny’s an incredible player. Her competitiveness is off the charts and that rubs off the team,” Coach Coquese Washington said after the Ohio State contest.”
What can Rutgers do to rebound on Sunday. Coach Washington said the key was the focus.
“One of the things we try to do is be in the moment. Don’t look too far behind. We have 16 games left in the conference, so you have to stay in the moment and take lessons from this game. There are things we want to improve upon. That’s playing in the Big Ten. You have to take the lessons as they come,” Coach Washington added.
It should be an incredible battle on Sunday.
MORE RUTGERS
