Rutgers basketball: Dylan Harper records program's 1st triple-double since 1983

Rutgers basketball: Dylan Harper records program’s 1st triple-double since 1983

Posted by Admin December 30, 2024 Basketball

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PISCATAWAY – Dylan Harper grabbed a defensive rebound late in Rutgers basketball’s comfortable win over Columbia Monday.

The packed house of 8,000 fans at Jersey Mike’s Arena roared.

Then he fed fellow freshman Ace Bailey for a layup on the other end.

The crowd erupted.

The commotion wasn’t about the score. The win was well in hand as the Scarlet Knights wrapped up their non-conference schedule with a 91-64 runaway over the Lions. It was about another historic moment for the special guard out of Don Bosco Prep, and this is a rarity.

Harper recorded the program’s first triple-double since 1983, posting 16 points, 11 rebounds and 12 assists while shooting 6-of-10 from the field and adding three steals. Chants of “Dylan Harper” echoed through the arena during a timeout that was called immediately after he reached the magic statistical line. Though there was no acknowledgement by the public address announcer, everyone knew they had witnessed an effort for the annals.

The Scarlet Knights’ last triple-double came in March of 1983, when star center Roy Hinson racked up 24 points, 10 rebounds and 10 blocks against Rhode Island. Hinson, a Franklin High School graduate who was Atlantic-10 Player of the Year that season, became a first-round NBA Draft pick who played eight seasons in the league.

The last triple-double in a college men’s game at the RAC took place Feb. 8, 2015, when Ohio State freshman guard D’Angelo Russell racked up 23 points, 11 boards and 11 assists in a 79-60 win over the Scarlet Knights.

Though triple-doubles are rare, Harper’s was actually the third by a New Jersey collegian in 2024. Seton Hall’s Kadary Richmond notched 21 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assist in a triple-overtime loss to Creighton in January and Princeton’s Xaivian Lee racked up 18 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assist in a win at Saint Joseph’s in early December.

Harper laid the foundation in the first half, taking just four shots while handing out six assists and grabbing seven boards. Showing great maturity, he attacked Columbia’s 2-3 zone by facilitating — in particular hitting Bailey in the soft spot at the elbow. Bailey made the Lions pay with 17 first-half points and finished with 24 points and eight boards.

Harper was treated to a standing ovation as he checked out for the final time with 2 minutes left.

FIVE TAKEAWAYS

1. Columbia’s not bad

No Rutgers fan should dismiss this win as beating up on lowly competition. Columbia came in with an 11-1 record and a victory at Villanova. They boasted a top-100 offense and a nucleus that’s been together for three full seasons, making the Lions the fourth-most experienced team in Division I.

2. Jamichael Davis contributes again

After a solid performance against Princeton, Davis remained in the starting lineup and delivered 11 points, 7 assists and 3 steals. He also played well defensively.

3. Big moment for walk-on

Freshman guard Peter Noble, a CBA grad, electrified the crowd by draining a 30-foot 3-pointer in the final minute. Noble was a teammate of Steve Pikiell’s son Kevin with the Colts last season.

4. Full house

All you need to know about fan interest in this Rutgers squad is that 8,000 supporters filled about every seat by 5 p.m., Monday tip-off against Columbia. And the student section was filled with students during break (some years, non-students infiltrate the baseline section during the holiday week).

Though the building was full, you could feel the nerves from the crowd as Columbia hung around.

An entire fan base is waiting on edge for this team to hit stride.

5. Indiana the cure?

Throughout the past seven seasons, the best medicine for Rutgers basketball has been facing Indiana. The Scarlet Knights are 6-2 against the once-mighty Hoosiers since 2018, and they’re headed to Bloomington to begin the teeth of the Big Ten slate Thursday (8:30 p.m., Big Ten Network). Over that span Indiana’s had plenty of talent on the floor – but routinely has gotten outhustled and outmuscled by the Scarlet Knights.

A fashionable, if misguided, preseason pick to win the Big Ten, Indiana (10-3 overall, 1-1 Big Ten) hasn’t shown much, losing by 17 at Nebraska and by a combined 44 points to Gonzaga and Louisville in the Bahamas.

The Hoosiers are poorly coached and undisciplined once again under NBA guy Mike Woodson, with the latest rudderless sign coming Sunday afternoon. They squeezed by Winthrop at home after star big man Oumar Ballo (12.4 ppg, 9.2 rpg) did not play for undisclosed reasons – but was photographed at a local bar around midnight on the eve of the contest.

It would be surprising is Ballo doesn’t play against the Scarlet Knights, but as long as Woodson shows up, Rutgers will have a better-than-decent chance.

Jerry Carino has covered the New Jersey sports scene since 1996 and the college basketball beat since 2003. Contact him at jcarino@gannettnj.com.