Rutgers Scarlet Knights women's basketball

Rutgers Scarlet Knights
women's basketball
2026–27 Rutgers Scarlet Knights women's basketball team
UniversityRutgers University–New Brunswick
Head coachGary Redus II (1st season)
LocationPiscataway, New Jersey
ArenaJersey Mike's Arena
(capacity: 8,000)
ConferenceBig Ten
NicknameScarlet Knights
ColorsScarlet[1]
 
NCAA Division I tournament runner-up
2007
Other NCAA Division I tournament results
Final Four2000, 2007
Elite Eight1986, 1987, 1999, 2000, 2005, 2007, 2008
Sweet Sixteen1986, 1987, 1988, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009
Appearances1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2021
AIAW tournament champions
1982
Other AIAW tournament results
Final Four1982
Quarterfinals1982
Appearances1979, 1980, 1981, 1982
Conference tournament champions
A-10: 1987, 1988, 1993, 1994
Big East: 2007
Conference regular-season champions
1984, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1993, 1994, 1998, 1999, 2005, 2006
Uniforms
Home
Away

The Rutgers Scarlet Knights women's basketball team is the intercollegiate women's basketball program representing Rutgers University–New Brunswick. The school competes in the Big Ten Conference in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The Scarlet Knights play home basketball games at the Louis Brown Athletic Center on the university campus in Piscataway, New Jersey.[2][3]

History

The Scarlet Knights (known as the Lady Knights until 1995) began play in 1974, winning their first ever game against Princeton 76–60. In 1976, Theresa Shank Grentz was hired as head coach, becoming the first full-time female basketball coach. The Scarlet Knights won the AIAW National Tournament 83–77 over Texas at the Palestra with the help of Restrepo-Pinero, who scored 30 points while being named MVP. In 2007, C. Vivian Stringer became the first coach to ever lead three teams (including Rutgers) to the Final Four.

Retired Numbers

Rutgers Scarlet Knights retired numbers
No. Player Date of retirement Career
23 Sue Wicks April 26, 1998 1984–1988
25 Cappie Pondexter December 1, 2016 2002–2006 [4]
45 June Olkowski January 2, 1988 1978–1982

All-Time Statistical Leaders

Career leaders

  • Points scored: 2,655 (Sue Wicks – 1984–88)
  • Assists: 839 (Tasha Pointer – 1997-01)
  • Rebounds: 1,357 (Sue Wicks – 1984–88)
  • Steals: 294 (Cappie Pondexter – 2002–06)
  • Blocks: 332 (Rachel Hollivay – 2012–2016)

Single season leaders

  • Points scored: 793 (Sue Wicks- 1987–88)
  • Assists: 257 (Tasha Pointer – 2000–01)
  • Rebounds: 404 (Sue Wicks – 1986–87)
  • Steals: 117 (Liz Hanson – 1993–94)
  • Blocks: 127 (Rachel Hollivay – 2013–14)

Single game leaders

  • Points scored: (44 by Sue Wicks vs George Washington −12/05/1987)
  • Assists: (18 by Tasha Pointer vs Stephen F. Austin – 03/17/2001)
  • Rebounds: (26 by Sandy Tupurins vs William Paterson – 03/01/1977)
  • Steals: (10 by Syessence Davis vs Penn State – 01/10/2015 & 10 by Denise Kenney vs Saint Joseph’s – 02/16/1978)
  • Blocks: (11 by Sue Wicks vs West Virginia – 01/03/1987)

Awards and honors

  • Naismith/U.S. Basketball Writers Association/Women’s Basketball News Service/Street & Smith’s National Player of the Year – Sue Wicks, 1988 winner.
  • Big East Conference Coach of the Year – C. Vivian Stringer, 1998 & 2005.
  • Atlantic-10 Conference Coach of the Year – Theresa Grentz, 1986, 1988 (co), 1993, & 1994.

International

Coaching history

As of the beginning of the 2024–25 season, the Knights have had five head coaches and two interim coaches.

Coach Tenure Record Conference record
Ellen Johns 1974–1975 6–5 n/a
Dottie McCrea 1975–1976 5–9 n/a
Theresa Grentz 1976–1995 434–150 156–28
C. Vivian Stringer 1995–2022 477–267 243–136†
Coquese Washington 2022–2026 42-84 11-61
Gary Redus II 2026–present 0-0 0-0
Carlene Mitchell (interim) 2010 1–0 0–0
Timothy Eatman (interim) 2018 4–2 3-0
Totals 941–462 404–181

† Denotes combined conference record (202–94 record with the Big East Conference (1979-2013), 12–6 record with the American Athletic Conference, and 19–15 record with the Big Ten Conference)

2026-27 Coaching Staff

Name Position Consecutive season at
Rutgers in current position
Gary Redus II Head coach 1st
Daphne Mitchell Assistant coach 1st

Year by year results

Season Team Overall Conference Standing Postseason Coaches' poll AP poll
Ellen Johns (Independent) (1974–1975)
1974–75 Ellen Johns 6–5 –
Ellen Johns: 6–5 –
Dottie McCrea (Independent) (1975–1976)
1975–76 Dottie McCrea 5–9 –
Dottie McCrea: 5–9 –
Theresa Grentz (Independent) (1976–1981)
1976–77 Theresa Grentz 17–11 –
1977–78 Theresa Grentz 16–12 –
1978–79 Theresa Grentz 26–4 – AIAW Consolation 7
1979–80 Theresa Grentz 28–5 – AIAW Quarterfinals 8
1980–81 Theresa Grentz 27–6 – AIAW second round 9
1981–82 Theresa Grentz 25–7 – AIAW Champions 8
1982–83 Theresa Grentz 19–10 –
Theresa Grentz: 160–55 –
Theresa Grentz (Atlantic 10 Conference) (1983–1995)
1983–84 Theresa Grentz 20–9 7–1 1st
1984–85 Theresa Grentz 19–9 5–3 T-4th
1985–86 Theresa Grentz 29–4 16–0 1st NCAA Elite Eight 10
1986–87 Theresa Grentz 30–3 17–1 1st NCAA Elite Eight 5
1987–88 Theresa Grentz 27–5 17–1 1st NCAA Sweet Sixteen 8
1988–89 Theresa Grentz 24–7 16–2 T-1st NCAA Second Round
1989–90 Theresa Grentz 20–10 16–2 T-1st NCAA First Round
1990–91 Theresa Grentz 23–7 15–3 T-2nd NCAA First Round 20
1991–92 Theresa Grentz 21–11 11–5 T-2nd NCAA Second Round
1992–93 Theresa Grentz 22–9 12–2 1st NCAA Second Round
1993–94 Theresa Grentz 22–8 13–3 T-1st NCAA First Round
1994–95 Theresa Grentz 17–13 11–5 T-3rd
Theresa Grentz: 274–95 156–28
C. Vivian Stringer (Big East Conference) (1995–2013)
1995–96 C. Vivian Stringer 13–15 8–10 5th (BE7)
1996–97 C. Vivian Stringer 11–17 8–10 T-2nd (BE7)
1997–98 C. Vivian Stringer 22–10 14–4 1st (BE7) NCAA Sweet Sixteen
1998–1999 C. Vivian Stringer 29–6 17–1 T-1st NCAA Elite Eight 9
1999–2000 C. Vivian Stringer 26–8 12–4 T-3rd NCAA Final Four 4 8
2000–01 C. Vivian Stringer 23–8 13–3 3rd NCAA Second Round 17 11
2001–02 C. Vivian Stringer 9–20 5–11 11th
2002–03 C. Vivian Stringer 21–8 13–3 2nd NCAA Second Round 23
2003–04 C. Vivian Stringer 21–12 10–6 T-6th NCAA First Round
2004–05 C. Vivian Stringer 28–7 14–2 1st NCAA Elite Eight 7 9
2005–06 C. Vivian Stringer 27–5 16–0 1st NCAA Sweet Sixteen 9 9
2006–07 C. Vivian Stringer 27–9 12–4 T-2nd NCAA Runner-up 2 15
2007–08 C. Vivian Stringer 27–7 14–2 3rd NCAA Elite Eight 6 7
2008–09 C. Vivian Stringer 21–13 9–7 7th NCAA Sweet Sixteen 21
2009–10 C. Vivian Stringer 18–15 9–7 T–6th NCAA First Round
2010–11 C. Vivian Stringer 20–13 11–5 4th NCAA Second Round
2011–12 C. Vivian Stringer 22–10 10–6 6th NCAA First Round 23
2012–13 C. Vivian Stringer 16–14 7–9 T-9th
C. Vivian Stringer: 381–197 202–94
C. Vivian Stringer (American Athletic Conference) (2013–2014)
2013–14 C. Vivian Stringer 28–9 12–6 4th WNIT Champions
C. Vivian Stringer: 28–9 12–6
C. Vivian Stringer (Big Ten Conference) (2014–2022)
2014–15 C. Vivian Stringer 23–10 12–6 T-4th NCAA Second Round 22
2015–16 C. Vivian Stringer 19–15 7–9 T-9th WNIT Second Round
2016–17 C. Vivian Stringer 6–24 3–13 T-11th
2017–18 C. Vivian Stringer 20–12 7–9 T-9th
2018–19 C. Vivian Stringer 22–10 13–5 3rd NCAA First Round
2019–20 C. Vivian Stringer 22–9 11–7 T-5th Cancelled due to Covid-19
2020–21 C. Vivian Stringer 14–5 10–3 3rd NCAA First Round 21
2021–22 C. Vivian Stringer 11–20 3–14 13th
C. Vivian Stringer: 137–105 66–66
Coquese Washington (Big Ten Conference) (2022–2026)
2022–23 Coquese Washington 12–20 5–13 11th
2023–24 Coquese Washington 8–24 2–16 14th
2024–25 Coquese Washington 13–20 3–15 15th WNIT Great 8
2025–26 Coquese Washington 9–20 1–17 18th
Coquese Washington: 42–84 11–61
Gary Redus II (Big Ten Conference) (2026–present)
2026–27 Gary Redus II 0–0 0–0
Gary Redus II: 0–0 0–0
Total: 1033–559

      National champion         Postseason invitational champion  
      Conference regular season champion         Conference regular season and conference tournament champion
      Division regular season champion       Division regular season and conference tournament champion
      Conference tournament champion

Postseason results

NCAA Division I

Rutgers has appeared in the NCAA Division I women's basketball tournament 26 times. They have a record of 36–26.

Year Seed Round Opponent Result
1986 #2 Second Round
Sweet Sixteen
Elite Eight		 #7 Villanova
#3 Penn State
#4 W. Kentucky		 W 85–58
W 85–72
L 74–89
1987 #2 Second Round
Sweet Sixteen
Elite Eight		 #7 Duke
#3 NC State
#1 Texas		 W 78–64
W 75–60
L 77–85
1988 #3 Second Round
Sweet Sixteen		 #6 Old Dominion
#2 Virginia		 W 88–78
L 75–89
1989 #7 First Round
Second Round		 #10 Southern Miss
#2 NC State		 W 95–73
L 73–75
1990 #11 First Round #6 Vanderbilt L 75–78
1991 #6 First Round #11 Toledo L 65–83
1992 #8 First Round
Second Round		 #9 Southern Miss
#1 Tennessee		 W 93–63
L 56–97
1993 #9 First Round
Second Round		 #8 Vermont
#1 Ohio State		 W 80–74
L 60–91
1994 #5 First Round #12 W. Kentucky L 73–84
1998 #5 First Round
Second Round
Sweet Sixteen		 #12 Oregon
#4 Iowa State
#1 Tennessee		 W 79–76
W 62–61
L 60–92
1999 #3 First Round
Second Round
Sweet Sixteen
Elite Eight		 #14 Dartmouth
#6 Arizona
#2 Texas Tech
#1 Purdue		 W 84–70
W 90–47
W 53–42
L 62–75
2000 #2 First Round
Second Round
Sweet Sixteen
Elite Eight
Final Four		 #15 Holy Cross
#10 St. Joseph's
#11 UAB
#1 Georgia
#1 Tennessee		 W 91–70
W 59–39
W 60–45
W 59–51
L 54–64
2001 #4 First Round
Second Round		 #13 Stephen F. Austin
#5 SW Missouri State		 W 80–43
L 53–60
2003 #4 First Round
Second Round		 #13 W. Kentucky
#5 Georgia		 W 64–52
L 64–74
2004 #7 First Round #10 Chattanooga L 69–74
2005 #3 First Round
Second Round
Sweet Sixteen
Elite Eight		 #14 Hartford
#6 Temple
#2 Ohio State
#1 Tennessee		 W 62–37
W 61–54
W 64–58
L 49–59
2006 #3 First Round
Second Round
Sweet Sixteen		 #14 Dartmouth
#11 TCU
#2 Tennessee		 W 63–58
W 82–48
L 69–76
2007 #4 First Round
Second Round
Sweet Sixteen
Elite Eight
Final Four
Title Game		 #13 East Carolina
#5 Michigan State
#1 Duke
#3 Arizona State
#3 LSU
#1 Tennessee		 W 77–34
W 70–57
W 53–52
W 64–45
W 59–35
L 46–59
2008 #2 First Round
Second Round
Sweet Sixteen
Elite Eight		 #15 Robert Morris
#7 Iowa State
#6 George Washington
#1 Connecticut		 W 85–42
W 69–58
W 53–42
L 56–66
2009 #7 First Round
Second Round
Sweet Sixteen		 #10 VCU
#2 Auburn
#6 Purdue		 W 57–51
W 80–52
L 61–67
2010 #9 First Round #8 Iowa L 63–70
2011 #7 First Round
Second Round		 #10 Louisiana Tech
#2 Texas A&M		 W 76–51
L 48–70
2012 #6 First Round #11 Gonzaga L 73–86
2015 #8 First Round
Second Round		 #9 Seton Hall
#1 Connecticut		 W 79–66
L 55–91
2019 #7 First Round #10 Buffalo L 71–82
2021 #6 First Round #11 BYU L 66–69

AIAW Division I

The Scarlet Knights made four appearances in the AIAW National Division I basketball tournament, with a combined record of 7–4.

Year Round Opponent Result
1979 First Round
Quarterfinals 		Tennessee
Long Beach State 		W 73–66
L 51–69
1980 First Round
Quarterfinals 		Central Missouri State
Providence
Old Dominion 		W 87–75
W 70–54
L 62–84
1981 First Round
Quarterfinals 		Clemson
Long Beach State 		W 99–76
L 73–77
1982 First Round
Quarterfinals
Semifinals
Championship Game 		Georgia Southern
Minnesota
Villanova
Texas 		W 89–79
W 83–75
W 83–75
W 83–77

References

  1. ^ "Colors | Visual Identity System". Retrieved April 6, 2017.
  2. ^ "Women's Basketball – Rutgers University". www.scarletknights.com.
  3. ^ "2015-2016 Women's Basketball Guide" (PDF). Rutgers. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 4, 2016.
  4. ^ "Women's Basketball: 2021-22 Media Guide" (PDF). Rutgers. Retrieved March 6, 2024.
  5. ^ "29th Summer Universiade 2017 Main Results". fisu.net. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
  6. ^ Dure, Beau (August 11, 2024). "US survive France charge to clinch eighth consecutive basketball gold medal – as it happened". the Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved August 11, 2024.
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