Takeaways | Rutgers basketball fends off No. 23 Illinois as Dylan Harper returns

Posted by author February 6, 2025 Basketball

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PISCATAWAY – The first sign Dylan Harper could be returning to the court came about three hours before Rutgers basketball tipped off against No. 23 Illinois when the star freshman point guard was listed as questionable on the team’s availability report.

The heralded Don Bosco Prep product has been battling a high-ankle sprain, leaving his status in question.

Less than two hours prior to tipoff, Harper took the Jersey Mike’s Arena court for pre-game warmups, moving well and looking like his usual self.

Then the news officially came down 45 minutes prior to tipoff, with the team announcing on social media that Harper would, indeed, be back.

For one half, it looked like Harper’s return would be all the Scarlet Knights would need. The second half told a different story.

In the end, Rutgers survived a spirited second-half fight from the Illini and emerged with a 82-73 victory Wednesday night at Jersey Mike’s Arena.

“Just a great win,” coach Steve Pikiell said. “Nice to have Dylan back obviously.”

Harper finished with 28 points, six rebounds, five assists and four steals in his return. He also went 11-of-12 from the free-throw line.

“I’m just grateful to be back,” Harper said.

Jeremiah Williams, who finished with 13 points, drained two huge free throws with a minute remaining to put the Scarlet Knights up by eight, all but locking up a badly needed win.

Rutgers built a first-half lead that swelled to 17 points before Illinois sliced it to eight going into halftime.

The rest of the game was a battle.

Nothing came nearly as easily for the Scarlet Knights in the second half as it did in the first – their defense, mostly stifling prior to the break, began to slip and Illinois hit some key three-pointers after an ice cold (2-of-17 from the perimeter) first half.

But Rutgers made key shots and free throws late to secure the victory. It also regained its footing on the defensive end to make some big stops.

“Down the stretch, we were able to lock in,” Pikiell said.

The Scarlet Knights, not a great free-throw shooting team, finished 28-of-34 from the foul line. Every make was crucial.

Rutgers also scored 18 points off 13 Illinois turnovers and nearly matched Illinois on the boards (41-40). The

“Give Rutgers all the credit,” Illinois coach Brad Underwood said. “They deserved the win. They played much, much harder and more focused than we did.”

FIVE TAKEAWAYS

1. Dylan Harper’s return

First off, give credit to Harper for putting in the work to return so quickly. That’s not easy to do – especially off what Pikiell said was a high-ankle sprain.

It’s especially true considering Harper’s status as a projected lottery pick in June’s NBA Draft. It would’ve been easy for Harper to shut it down to preserve his healthy, especially given the way this season has gone.

But Harper, who also battled a bad case of the flu last month that cost him time, didn’t do that.

“The people around me just been helping,” Harper said. “I’m in the treatment two to three hours per game trying to get the ankle back ready to go.”

The Franklin Lakes native certainly provided a spark against Illinois. He hit a jumper early on that put Rutgers up by six, then with just less than eight minutes to go in the first half he nailed a three from the left wing that put the Scarlet Knights up 27-11.

Harper, who made two free throws right before the break to put Rutgers up 37-29, had 13 points, five rebounds and two assists in the first half.

It was a welcome sight for Rutgers – and Scarlet Knight fans.

“The ankle doesn’t hurt,” Harper said after the game. “It’s just a little sore. I played 33 minutes, it’s going to be sore. But I think as long as I keep doing what I’m doing every day in the training room, I’m going to be good.”

Harper in the second half kept it going, draining a triple from the right corner that put his team up by four with 6:30 remaining. On a night like this, that was a huge shot.

“I thought we fought him the first half,” Underwood said. “Then he did a nice job in the second half, especially getting fouled.”

In case you’re wondering about the impact Harper has, Rutgers is 4-1 with him at or close to full strength against Big Ten teams.

“To not have him the whole month of January,” Pikiell said, “you could see what he does on the court, it makes a huge difference.”

2. Ace Bailey’s performance

The other half of Rutgers’ star freshmen duo had a pretty good night, too.

Ace Bailey finished with 18 points on 7-of-13 shooting with 11 rebounds and two assists.

Bailey had an impressive sequence in the first half, blocking a three-pointer off the hands of Illinois’ Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn. Jamichael Davis came down with the ball and threw a long pass to Bailey, who threw down a thunderous dunk that elicited a roar from the crowd, giving Rutgers a nine-point lead.

3. Illinois’ second-half offensive rebounding

A key reason Illinois was able to climb back in the second half stemmed from its efforts on the offensive glass.

The Illini had 10 offensive rebounds in the second half, leading to 16 second-chance points.

They only had four such points before the break.

4. What it means

Right now, Rutgers’ chances of earning an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament are on life support to say the least.

That being said, it’s not out of the realm of possibility. But it’s going to take a lot of work.

Bracketologist Brad Wachtel said on an episode of The Jersey Jumpshot earlier this week that if Rutgers can win seven of its final nine games, it would be in the discussion of earning an at-large bid. The fact that the bubble is relatively weak also helps.

Beating Illinois was an important step in this process, but the road ahead is challenging – including a west-coast trip with a game at Oregon.

The Scarlet Knights have chances. Whether they can actually capitalize on those chances remains to be seen.

“We’ve never been healthy, full strength, full force,” Harper said. “When we finally get somewhat there, you see what happens.”

5. The raucous RAC

The season has been a disappointing one, but Rutgers fans still showed up for a late tipoff Wednesday night.

It was another packed crowd, including a student section that was packed to capacity.

“The fans do a great job,” Harper said. “All the highs, all the lows. They’re still going to be there.”

The fans roared much of the game, giving the Scarlet Knights the homecourt advantage they’ve come to rely on.

Underwood, though, said he’s heard Jersey Mike’s Arena be louder in the past.

Harper didn’t quite agree.

“He’s lying,” Harper said. “That’s one of the loudest I ever heard it. He’s a great coach, he’s been here a lot of times. He knows what the atmosphere is like.”