COLUMN: There is optimism for Rutgers women's basketball after inconsistent start to season
The Rutgers women's basketball team lost to Indiana in its Big Ten opener on Saturday. The Hoosiers (8-1, 1-0) defeated the Scarlet Knights (6-6, 0-1) by a score of 66-56, and although Rutgers' record sits at 6-6, fans should still be optimistic about the season.
To put some of the Knights' early inconsistencies into perspective, 5 of the 11 players on the roster are new on the Banks. This includes four key rotation players, such as sophomore guard Mya Petticord, freshman guard Jillian Huerter, junior guard and forward Destiny Adams and freshman guard Lisa Thompson.
The integration of new talent into any team requires patience and time. Basketball, after all, isn't just about individual talents. It's about the synergy and chemistry that develops over the course of a season. The progress might not be immediate, but Rutgers is showing positive signs game after game, and the team's chemistry is growing stronger.
Improving on turnovers
The Knights have not taken good care of the ball this season and are averaging 18.8 turnovers per game. Rutgers has turned over the ball 20 times or more in 7 of its 12 games this season and has only recorded less than 15 turnovers in two contests. The Knights have gotten away with the high turnover numbers in some games, but if Rutgers wants to win games consistently, it must take care of the ball better, especially against Big Ten opponents.
The Knights did take a step in the right direction in their explosive 98-67 win against La Salle. Rutgers only committed nine turnovers in that game, which is its lowest by a wide margin this season.
Expect the Knights' turnover numbers to decrease as they build chemistry and become more familiar with playing alongside each other.
Defensive strengths
Rutgers has been active on the defensive end. Whether it's jumping through passing lanes or meeting the opposition at the rim, the Knights have a knack for recording steals and blocks. Rutgers currently leads the Big Ten in blocks, averaging more than five per game. The Knights also lead the conference in total steals, recording 105 through 12 games.
While steals and blocks aren't the only metrics to determine the effectiveness of a team's defense, where Rutgers ranks in these statistics is a testament to the effort and tenacity that it plays with on the defensive end.
Never letting up
Though the Knights took the loss to No. 15 Indiana on Saturday, they were fighting hard until the final buzzer. Close in score for nearly the entire game, it took until the final minutes of the fourth quarter for the Hoosiers to pull away. Even when the game seemed out of reach, everyone on the court gave it their all for Rutgers and did not stop fighting. This late-game effort is great to see, especially as the Knights begin Big Ten play.
Though Rutgers has had some early season struggles, there are promising signs that should keep fans optimistic heading further along into this season.
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