Rutgers basketball’s recent performance against Iowa was a puzzling turn of events. In the first half, the Scarlet Knights dominated the game, leading 42-33 at the break with impressive ball movement, spacing, and screening. This was largely due to the bench players, who outscored Iowa’s starters 32-12. However, in the second half, the team struggled, with Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey returning to the court, driving the offense into the ground and getting burned on defense.
Coach Steve Pikiell attributed the loss to his own mistakes, saying he didn’t have his players ready defensively in a crucial game. The two freshmen stars, who had been a bright spot for the team, posted a plus/minus of minus-16, tied for the worst of the game. Despite their struggles, Harper and Bailey remain a mystery, with some speculating that they may have hit the freshman wall.
The loss marks a significant disappointment for Rutgers, with the team’s season going down as one of the most underwhelming in recent memory. The Scarlet Knights’ struggles echo those of Seton Hall’s 2001 squad, which also had a talented but disappointing freshman class. Pikiell acknowledged that he mishandled his rotation and should have made adjustments to defend against Iowa’s offense.
The team will face an uphill battle in their upcoming games against Oregon and Washington on the West Coast swing. With six games left in the season, Rutgers needs to regroup and find its momentum if it hopes to make a push for the NCAA Tournament at-large bid. As co-captains Zach Martini and Jeremiah Williams noted, the team must stick together and avoid losing hope after this crushing defeat.
Source: https://eu.app.com/story/sports/college/rutgers/2025/02/12/rutgers-basketball-implodes-vs-iowa-dylan-harper-ace-bailey-struggle/78410259007