Rutgers star freshmen embracing Steve Pikiell’s tough coaching love

On By Littum

Everything about Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper is different than what Rutgers is used to, except for the way they want to be coached.

Close friends Bailey and Harper — the No. 2 and No. 3 ranked recruits in the Class of 2024 — sent shockwaves through the college basketball landscape by spurning countless blue bloods to team up at Rutgers.

It’s an uneven matchup between two potential one-and-done NBA lottery picks with a program that has an NCAA Tournament win since 1984 and a defensive-minded coach in Steve Pikiell who made his reputation developing overlooked recruits into stars with a chip on. their shoulder.

The key to making it work is that Bailey and Harper — along with three other freshmen in Rutgers’ highest-rated recruiting class ever — say they want to be coached hard.

Rutgers coach Steve Pikiell talks to Dylan Harper during the second half of their game against St. John’s. Getty Images

“I don’t want any sugarcoating,” Bailey told The Post. “I don’t want something nice for me. I want to work for it and earn it, and that’s what he gets us. I want it to be real and loyal.”

Bailey committed first, but Harper’s family ties and New Jersey roots—plus independently earned NIL endorsements—made this unique situation possible.

One of Pikiell’s hidden gems was Ron Harper Jr., Dylan’s older brother and a star on the team that ended a 30-year NCAA tournament drought in 2021.

The goals today are much bigger.

“I have it in the back of my mind to change the culture and the narrative and know that you can win anywhere,” Dylan Harper said. “It doesn’t have to be all these (same) schools. Me and Ace, when we come in with the rest of our guys, we’re going to take the world by storm.”

First things first.

Rutgers guard Airious Bailey (4) reacts after making a three-point shot against St. John’s guard Aaron Scott (0) during the second half at Jersey Mike’s Arena, Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, in New Jersey. Noah K. Murray-NY Post

Bailey and Harper glided around the floor at a recent practice and played with ease leading up to Wednesday’s season opener against Wagner in Piscataway.

“You don’t see these types of dunks every day in Ivy League practice,” said transfer Zach Martini, a member of Princeton’s Sweet 16 team in 2023. “Ace has unwavering confidence and Dylan is a great passer.”

But Pikiell’s film sessions are unlimited.

“Who doesn’t want to be trained hard?” Harper said. “If somebody tells you things you want to hear all the time, how are you going to get better? We go to film sessions and he yells at us, but we take it as he just wants us to get better. He wants like to win like us.”

It won’t be easy for teenagers to block expectations when the practice crowd regularly includes NBA scouts and general managers — one of whom showed up for a week in a row.

St. John’s guard RJ Luis Jr. (12) defends against Rutgers guard Dylan Harper (2) in the second half at Jersey Mike’s Arena. Noah K. Murray-NY Post

“We’re not concerned about the outside noise,” Bailey said. “We know what we have and we’re trying to reach our goals: Focus on getting each other better, win the Big Ten and then win it all.”

Every home game has been sold out since June for the chance to see the dynamic duo, and what Pikiell promises is a more up-tempo brand of basketball.

“They’re big enough to post up, but I can iso them, yet they’re also really good in pick-and-rolls,” Pikiell said. “Moving them around with the guys that complement their talents has been a fun exercise. Heck, they pass the ball, too. Sometimes I have to bring them in and say, ‘Whoa, whoa, it’s time to you score now.’ “

If Bailey and Harper stay healthy, it will be Rutgers with the chance to score big in March.

Why Rutgers will be in the NCAA Tournament

The talent level is the best in Piscataway in decades. Four transfers fit around Harper and Bailey like pieces of a puzzle: An on-ball defender (Jordan Derkack), a sharpshooter (PJ Hayes IV), a scorer (Tyson Acuff), a been-there-done-that leader (Martini). ). Gone are the days of trying to win by holding points in the 50s.

Why Rutgers Will Miss the NCAA Tournament

How quickly can a team with nine newcomers and three returnees gel? Non-blue bloods with No. 1 overall NBA draft picks have failed before (see: Ben Simmons at LSU, Markelle Fultz at Washington and Anthony Edwards at Georgia). The Big Ten is a rugged, defensive-oriented league. Rutgers can fall short on that end of the floor.

3 key questions

Is there enough defense and rebounds?

Emmanuel Ogbole gets the first crack at center, replacing one of the country’s best shot-blockers, outgoing transfer Cliff Omoruyi. Freshman Lathan Sommerville waits in the wings. Martini is only 6-foot-8. “I don’t love sitting in a room trying to figure out why we can’t score,” Pikiell said. “I love finding out we have to get better on the defensive end and rebounding.”

Emmanuel Ogbole of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights grabs a rebound in the first half of their game against St. John’s at Jersey Mike’s Arena. Getty Images

Can Rutgers live in a fishbowl?

Stars attract scrutiny. Already, the athletic department is moving away from its apparel deal with Adidas — a move timed with the arrival of Nike-endorsed Harper and Bailey. Every game will be overanalyzed. Each fall was magnified. Only one of 12 rotation players has lasted a full season at the high level (Jamichael Davis) to know what’s in store. “Our youth helps us in that we have this contagious belief that our standard is something we shouldn’t run from, but run to,” Martini said.

What is the role of Jeremiah Williams?

Unrealistically cast as the savior of a wayward 2023-24 season when he became eligible after an NCAA suspension, Williams scored 12.2 points per game. match. He is co-captain this season. But does he want to take an offensive back seat? “The three guys that we brought back into our program were our three toughest players,” Pikiell said of Williams, Davis and Ogbole.

The X Factor

PJ Hayes IV

The San Diego transfer was the last player added to the roster. He knocked down 73 3-pointers at a 39.7 percent clip in 32 starts last season. Coming off the Rutgers bench, he made all seven of his shots against St. John’s in one game (two 2s, two 3s, three free throws). “He’s a go-between and a guy who gives Dylan and Ace room to go downhill,” Pikiell said.

Rutgers guard PJ Hayes IV (23) passes the ball between St. John’s guards Simeon Wilcher (7) and Deivon Smith (5) during the second half at Jersey Mike’s Arena. Noah K. Murray-NY Post

Games to watch

No. 2 Alabama at Las Vegas (Nov. 27)

Often criticized for soft non-conference scheduling, Pikiell raised the bar to live up to expectations. The second of three games at the Players Era Festival is an opportunity for a national statement against the Crimson Tide, which went to the 2024 Final Four and then crawled Omoruyi in the portal. The tournament prize is a large NIL check.

Seton Hall (December 14)

The Garden State Hardwood Classic is an annual high-intensity rivalry. The defending NIT champions have modest expectations, but don’t underestimate Seton Hall’s desire to upset all of Rutgers’ preseason hype. The game will be shown on Fox for the first time. The last six meetings were split and spoilers often appear.

No. 22 UCLA (Jan. 13)

In the new Big Ten, this game comes four days after facing preseason conference favorite Purdue and two weeks before against Michigan State (possibly at Madison Square Garden). But these programs haven’t met since a Rutgers win in 1981 — and most notably met in the 1976 Final Four third place.

Forecast

22-9, fifth in Big Ten, NCAA Tournament Sweet 16

Advancing to Rutgers’ first Sweet 16 since 1979 is the bare minimum for this lottery ticket to be considered a success. There will be bumps in the roller coaster ride, as is to be expected with any freshman-driven team, but one of the best home court advantages in the Big Ten should steady the ship.