BYU Seeks Upset Against Rutgers In First Round Of Women’s NCAA Tournament

PROVO, Utah – The BYU Cougars earned an at-large bid to the 2021 Women’s NCAA Tournament and will now look to make the most of their opportunity. BYU will take on the Rutgers Scarlet Knights for the first time in program history on Monday, March 22nd, 2021.

💰💰💰 pic.twitter.com/idcBFWgGL9

— BYU Women's Hoops (@byuwbb) March 21, 2021

This NCAA Tournament bid marks the 14th in BYU Women’s Basketball history. It’s the 10th appearance under head coach Jeff Judkins, who is the winningest coach in BYU basketball history (men’s or women’s).

Here are all the nitty-gritty details on BYU taking on the Rutgers Scarlet Knights.

What You Need To Know: (11) BYU vs. (6) Rutgers

BYU is led by a trio of stars in the starting five in WCC Co-Player of the Year Shaylee Gonzales, AP Honorable Mention All-American Lauren Gustin, and First Team All-WCC guard Paisley Harding. Gonzales and Harding led BYU to a round of 32 appearance in the last NCAA Tournament appearance two years ago.

Gustin is a walking double-double and one of the nation’s best rebounders this season. The Salt Lake Community College transfer is averaging 11.5 points and 12.8 rebounds per game this season.

Work with what you got 💯 pic.twitter.com/MM0MRZcp8L

— BYU Women's Hoops (@byuwbb) March 20, 2021

BYU finished the season 18-5 and it closed on a heartbreaking buzzer-beater loss to the Gonzaga Bulldogs in the WCC Tournament championship game. That loss put BYU on the bubble entering Selection Monday, but the Cougars landed an at-large bid and now gear up for a matchup against one of college basketball’s greatest coaches.

Rutgers coach C. Vivian Stringer is one of the iconic names in women’s hoops. This is her 28th NCAA Tournament appearance as a head coach. Stringer is in her 28th year at Rutgers and 50th season overall directing a college basketball program.

Rutgers finished the 2020-21 season with a 14-4 record (10-3 Big Ten Conference). The Knights are No. 12 in the final NET rankings entering the Women’s NCAA Tournament.

BYU vs. Rutgers – Women’s NCAA Tournament First Round

Where: Strahan Arena

Location: San Marcos, Texas

When: Monday, March 22nd, 2021, 10 a.m. (MT)

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗶𝗴 𝗗𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲#ncaaW 1st Round
No. 21/23 #RHoops(6)
vs. BYU (11)

Mon. March 22 | 12 p.m. ET
live on @ESPNU

Notes, nuggets, news and how to follow ⬇️https://t.co/cDreytMvKB pic.twitter.com/StUK6c8hVj

— Rutgers W.Basketball (@RutgersWBB) March 21, 2021

BYU/Rutgers: How To Watch Women’s NCAA Tournament

TV: ESPNU

Announcers: Kevin Fitzgerald (play-by-play), Christ Thomaskutty (analyst)

Which Channel: DirecTV (208), Dish (141), AT&T U-Verse (1605), Verizon FiOS (573), Comcast XFinity (Utah – 400)

How To Stream

Stream: ESPN app or watchespn.com. Log in with your television provider credentials.

AP ALL-AMERICA HONORABLE MENTION

We see you @laurengus10 🙌 pic.twitter.com/lBGCaj3QgH

— BYU Women's Hoops (@byuwbb) March 19, 2021

BYU Fast Facts heading into NCAA Tournament

2020-21 Record: 18-5 overall

Head Coach: Jeff Judkins (20th year at BYU, 20th year as Division I head coach)

Judkins Coaching Record in NCAA Tournament: (7-9)

Last NCAA Tournament Appearance: 2019

Rutgers Fast Facts

2020-21 Record: 14-4

Head Coach: C. Vivian Stringer (26th year at Rutgers, 50th year as college basketball head coach)

Stringer Coaching Record in NCAA Tournament: (50-26)

Last NCAA Tournament Appearance: 2019

Last Game Starting Lineups

BYU

G – Shaylee Gonzales, R-Soph.; 5-10

G – Paisley Harding, Sr.; 5-9

G – Maria Albiero, Sr.; 5-8

F – Lauren Gustin, Soph.

C – Sara Hamson, Sr.; 6-7

Rutgers

G – Diamond Johnson, Fr.; 5-5

G – Ariella Guirantes, R-Sr.; 5-11

F – Tekia Mack, Sr.; 6-1

F – Mael Gilles, Sr.; 6-0

F – Tyia Singleton, R-Soph.; 6-2

Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for sports.ksl.com and host of the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (Saturday from 12–3 p.m., KSL Newsradio). Follow him on Twitter: @Mitch_Harper and the KSL Sports app.