Sunday could be the most significant day in West Point basketball history. Both the Men and Women hope to continue dream seasons in their respective tournaments. Milestone wins are at stake for both teams.
HASTICK! AND-ONE!
— Army Women's Basketball (@ArmyWP_WBB) March 20, 2025
Our first lead of the game with under a minute left! #GoArmy pic.twitter.com/bymhjSlzuO
Beat Rutgers!
After winning their first postseason game since the 1980s, Army Women’s Basketball made their March memorable by beating Bryant in the first round of the WNIT. This marked the team’s first-ever Division 1 postseason tournament win. Sunday, the Black Knights shoot for more milestones when they face one-time blueblood Rutgers. Army seeks their first win over a high major since 2006 (St. John’s) and their first win over the Scarlet Knights ever in the second round of the WNIT.
The Black Knights must perform better than they did against Bryant to beat the Scarlet Knights. Bryant had an uncharacteristically efficient night on offense, shooting nearly 50% from the field. The Bulldogs made seven of their 16 three-pointers, with Mia Mancini proving especially lethal, making five of her eight attempts.
Army did not fare much better on offense, making less than 33% of their shots. Army shot 25 more field goals than Bryant, and that was — just! — enough to win by two points. They will not be as lucky against Rutgers. Fortunately, Rutgers allows fully 71 points/game. Army’s Fiona Hastick looks to build on her 22-point night against the Bulldogs.
Fiona Hastick would not be denied in crunch time! 💪🤩
— Army Women's Basketball (@ArmyWP_WBB) March 21, 2025
Scored our final eight points and this go-ahead three-point play with 48 seconds left to secure the @WomensNIT win! #NRT pic.twitter.com/L2IhSTut4A
On defense, the Black Knights will have their hands full against Rutgers’ elite scoring duo of Kyomi McMiller and Destiny Adams, who both average 18 points/game. Adams is a force in the paint, averaging 9.6 rebounds/game. Army’s relentless defense will be key. The Black Knights forced 23 turnovers against Bryant. They’ll have to steal possessions again to beat a team with a major talent advantage like Rutgers.
Beat Elon!
The Elon Phoenix stand in the way of Army Men’s Basketball’s first postseason win since the Jimmy Carter administration. Army hopes to begin a memorable postseason run in the Purple College Basketball Invitational (CBI) but faces arguably the toughest first-round draw in the entire 11-team tournament.
Elon boasts a respectable resume in the formidable Coastal Athletic Association (CAA). The Phoenix went 17-15 but notched wins against CAA NCAA tournament representative and Quadrant 1 team (RPI rank 1-75) UNC-Wilmington and Notre Dame. Elon has four starters averaging at least 14 points/game in a balanced offense, including twin brothers TK and TJ Simpkins. The Black Knights could have trouble with Elon’s attack after allowing an average of 75 points/game this year, 268th out of 355 Division I teams.
Luckily, Army has multiple proficient scorers. Jalen Rucker, Josh Scovens, Ryan Curry, and AJ Allenspach all averaged double-digit points/game this year. Rucker led the group with nearly 18 points/game.
The Black Knights need Allenspach to control the boards against an Elon squad that averages seven more rebounds/game than their opponents. Allenspach led the team with seven rebounds/game this season; he had nine games where he exceeded double digits. He faces a daunting matchup against 7’4” center Matthew Van Komen, who averaged 8.2 rebounds/game.
Naturally, the odds are against Army in their matchup against Elon. The Phoenix are a better team in a conference ranked an average 13 spots higher in RPI than the Patriot League. However, anything is possible in March, even in an overshadowed tournament like the CBI.
Like the Women, the Army Men have postseason demons to exorcise. Beating Elon would be a signature win for the program and put Coach Kevin Kuwick ahead of schedule in rebuilding the program. FAU made the Final Four a year after playing in the CBI. High Point and UC-San Diego used the CBI as a springboard to the NCAA Tournament this year. Meanwhile, the women have an opportunity to gain a rare win over a high major and former blueblood.
Both teams have an opportunity to gain momentum for the 2025-2026 season and earn rare NCAA Tournament bids. There has hardly ever been a more important day in Army basketball history.
Go Army! Beat Rutgers!!! Beat Elon!!!
