Ringing in the New Year: Rutgers WBB Set for Wisconsin, Ohio State Tests

Rutgers women’s basketball enters the first week of January seeking its breakthrough moment in Big Ten play, with a home matchup against Wisconsin on Thursday setting the table for a challenging road trip to Ohio State on Sunday. After pushing No. 24 Michigan State to the wire in a 70–64 defeat, the Knights showed they can hang with ranked league opponents — now the question is whether they can translate that competitiveness into results.

Rutgers’ performance in East Lansing offered hope. They fought through scoring droughts, matched Michigan State punch for punch early, and found late composure that nearly flipped the game. Head coach Coquese Washington has leaned on balanced contributions to generate rhythm, but this week’s slate demands sharper execution, especially in the half-court. If Rutgers can clean up turnovers and generate more consistent interior scoring, the path to a first conference win is within reach.

The homestand continues Thursday with Wisconsin, a program that’s retooling under first-year head coach Robin Pingeton. The Badgers arrive with a winning record and a capable backcourt featuring Destiny Howell, Ronnie Porter, and Lily Krahn — a trio that can stretch defenses and force opponents into mismatches on the perimeter. Wisconsin doesn’t overwhelm teams with raw athleticism, but they compete defensively, score efficiently when they get downhill, and thrive when games slow into deliberate possessions.

For Rutgers, this matchup hinges on controlling the paint and limiting Wisconsin’s rhythm shots early. Establishing inside touches would open up the floor for perimeter movement, while decisive ball security should prevent the Badgers from dictating tempo. It’s the type of game in which Rutgers’ energy at Jersey Mike’s Arena can be a legitimate factor — if the Scarlet Knights can gain the early edge or stay within striking distance.

After Wisconsin, the Scarlet Knights hit the road for an entirely different challenge in Columbus, where Ohio State continues to build toward national contention. Led by standout sophomore guard Jaloni Cambridge, who has emerged as one of the conference’s most dynamic playmakers, the Buckeyes combine explosive guard play with size inside and depth across the rotation. Their near-upset of top-five UCLA showcased not just talent, but composure — something Rutgers must match to keep the game within reach.

The keys on Sunday are straightforward but difficult: rebound with physicality, prevent Cambridge from controlling possessions, and turn OSU’s occasional cold shooting stretches into scoring runs of their own. The Buckeyes can bury opponents with quick scoring swings, especially at home, and Rutgers will need to weather those surges without unraveling. Even competing deep into the fourth quarter would signal continued progress for a team still shaping its identity.

There is an opportunity in this two-game stretch. Beating Wisconsin would place Rutgers firmly in the conference conversation and calm the urgency of finding a first league win. Taking a competitive effort into Columbus would reinforce the growth shown against Michigan State. And an upset of Ohio State — however steep the climb — would instantly recalibrate expectations.

The Scarlet Knights showed last week that they are close to breaking through in the Big Ten. Now they get two early-January chances — one at home on New Year’s Day and one on the road against a national contender — to see how close they truly are.

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