Rutgers’ Harper, Bailey wow Bama’s Oats in loss

• Myron Medcalf, ESPN

  • Staff WriterNov 28, 2024, 02:44 AM ET Close Covers college basketball
  • Signed up with ESPN.com in 2011
  • Graduate of Minnesota State University, Mankato

LAS VEGAS– Given that he was worked with in 2019, Nate Oats has actually coached 3 freshmen who ultimately ended up being first-round NBA draft picks, including Brandon Miller, the former SEC Gamer of the Year and the No. 2 choice in 2023.

After forecasted top-five choices Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey integrated to score 59 points for Rutgers, albeit in a 95-90 loss to No. 9 Alabama on Wednesday in the Players Period Celebration, Oats said he was convinced the duo belongs in the exact same discussion with the other elite freshmen he has seen in college basketball.

“We have actually had a couple ourselves,” the Alabama coach said, “and these guys are up there.”

Harper, a 6-foot-6 guard, scored a career-high 37 points, becoming the first Big 10 freshman in the previous 20 seasons to score 94 points in a three-game period and the very first Department I freshman because span to tape-record back-to-back efforts of 35-plus points, according to ESPN Research.Editor’s Picks 2 Associated Harper, who shot 11-of-19 from the

field and 15-of-16 from the free throw line, produced his finest game thus far at the MGM Grand Garden Arena as his father, former NBA standout Ron Harper Sr., sat courtside.Oats said he couldn’t find a formula to slow down Harper

, whose layup with 2:23 left cut Alabama’s lead to one before the Tide liquidated the game at the complimentary throw line.”[ Harper], I imply he practically gets to the rim whenever he wants,”he said. “We didn’t have anyone that could remain in front of him on ball screens. We didn’t do a very good task. I mean he’s got some force, some physicality, some strength boiling down the hill.”Bailey, a 6-foot-10 talent who might challenge Duke’s Cooper Flagg for the top spot in the upcoming NBA draft, likewise stood out Wednesday, primarily with high-arching jump shots that seemed unblockable.Bailey ended up a first-half quick break with a dunk that stimulated the Rutgers fans who made the trip. Bailey pounded his chest and flexed on his way to

22 points on 9-of-18 shooting from the field. Rutgers ‘Dylan Harper scored 37 points on Wednesday, becoming the first Department I freshman in the past 20 seasons to record back-to-back efforts of 35-plus points. Picture by Marc Sanchez/Icon Sportswire”He’s the best midrange shot-maker I have actually seen, “Oats said about Bailey.”He just kind of rise over guys. The floaters with the touch, he’s tough. We didn’t do an excellent task. We needed more size on him. He’s a guy that if you do not have size on him, he’s just shooting over 6-2, 6-3, 6-4 guards and he’s going to trigger some issues. “Rutgers head coach Steve Pikiell said the tough tests early will assist his group later on in the season. For now, he has a group that is still learning while depending on a number of elite first-year skills, he stated

.”I believe it’s like anything, the journey,”he stated.” You grow through your seasons and you grow through the games and this is as talented a team as we’re probably going to face. It’s certainly the deepest team

.” Harper said he’s more focused on the loss than his private effort. But he also said the growing pains his group endured Wednesday will show to be advantageous as he and Bailey continue to develop throughout their very first season of college basketball.”I believe we simply revealed that we can compete with anybody in the nation,”he said after the game.”I suggest, clearly we failed, but I seem like as a group, often you need to fall brief in order to have the season you wish to have.

“Regardless of the triumph, Oats talked like a coach who believed his team had lost. Alabama, which is ranked No. 3 in the country in adjusted offensive performance on KenPom, had 20 turnovers and also weathered a prolonged scoring drought in the second half.Oats said Rutgers would continue to improve, specifically as Harper and Bailey develop. And that reality will create issues for the remainder of the teams on its schedule.”If they play like they did this evening, they’re one of the best teams in the nation,” Oats said.”They’ve got two of the most skilled players, regardless of class. “