Rutgers Basketball: Bailey & Harper Are Struggling To Win Games

Rutgers basketball made a huge splash by recruiting star players Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper to their program.

For a program that’s been in the college basketball gutter for some years, Bailey and Harper were supposed to change that.

So far, the Scarlet Knights have struggled mightily this season. They are 10-9 and sit at 13th place in the Big Ten Conference. The two potential top five draft picks in the 2025 NBA Draft have not led Rutgers to the promised land as people hoped.

Underwhelming Hoops

Rutgers has been inconsistent all season thus far. They are 5-5 in their last ten games, which proves the mediocrity.

Although Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper are combining for over 40 points a contest, the rest of the team is struggling heavily.

Rutgers PPG Leaders:

Ace Bailey – 19.9

Dylan Harper – 19.3

Jeremiah Williams – 7.2

Lathan Sommerville – 7.2

Jordan Derkack – 6.7

Dylan Grant – 5.0

Zach Martini – 4.1

Tyson Acuff – 4.0

Jamichael Davis – 3.6

Emmanuel Ogbole – 3.5

PJ Hayes IV – 3.5

Rutgers needs more than star power in order to win games. Ace Bailey is making $1.6 million off of his NIL deal and Dylan Harper’s is worth $1.7 million.

NIL Conflicting With Winning?

Rutgers went all out to snag the two stars, but they don’t have anything to show for it. In the 2023-24 season, the Scarlet Knights finished 15-17 to end the season. 2024-25 isn’t looking much different and that says a lot.

NIL has changed many players and schools, which has been both a blessing and curse. Some schools like Rutgers have signed big names to bring in revenue to the program, but not fulfilling a complete and competitive roster.

Rutgers has a tough schedule ahead, facing many teams in the Big Ten. Bailey and Harper will continue to try to lift the lopsided Scarlet Knights into the postseason.