Rutgers women’s basketball face first ranked opponent of the season

Rutgers women’s basketball has a big test this weekend.

For the first time during the 2023-2024 campaign, Rutgers women’s basketball will face a ranked opponent in Indiana on Saturday afternoon. The Hoosiers are off to a 7-1 start and ranked as the 16th-best team in the country.

Entering this matchup, the Scarlet Knights have been on a roll. They have won their last three games and scored a season high 98 points on Tuesday against La Salle. Against the Explorers, Kaylene Smith led the way offensively with a team-high 21 points.

As Rutgers looks to extend their winning streak to four games, they will need Smith to replicate her performance against La Salle. The Hoosiers will also be tasked with stopping Destiny Adams, who is averaging 13.6 points per game.

 

In order for Rutgers to pull off an upset, they will have to find a way to slow down Indiana’s offense. The Hoosiers are averaging 78.9 points a game this season and have scored less than 70 points once. Their best players have been Mackenzie Holmes and Sara Scalia.

[lawrence-related id=32786,32779]

Additionally, Rutgers will have the home-court advantage, which has been when they are at their best. The Scarlet Knights are 6-2 at Jersey Mike’s Arena this season. While the odds are stacked against them, Rutgers is ready to shock the basketball world.