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Big Ten Basketball: Early takeaways after first week of 2020-21 season

By Trevor Sinodhinos

CHAMPAIGN, IL - MARCH 08: Ayo Dosunmu #11 of the Illinois Fighting Illini is seen during the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at State Farm Center on March 8, 2020 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL - MARCH 08: Ayo Dosunmu #11 of the Illinois Fighting Illini is seen during the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at State Farm Center on March 8, 2020 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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Rutgers Basketball
Ron Harper Jr. Rutgers Scarlet Knights Big Ten Basketball (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

Analyzing Ron Harper Jr as Rutgers’ best player

Coming off a historic 2019-20 season where Rutgers was going to make the NCAA Division I Tournament for the first time since the 1990-91 season, fans of the Scarlet Knights have a lot to be optimistic about. Despite losing their third-leading scorer Akwasi Yeboah to graduation the 2020-21 season was going to be led by Geo Baker and Ron Harper Jr.

Then in the first half of their opener versus Scared Heart, Geo Baker sprained an ankle and would not return to that game or dress versus Fairleigh Dickenson. As reported on Rutgers.com

"Rutgers head coach Steve Pikiell said that Baker is out “until further notice” in a pregame radio interview."

Geo’s absence has now left Harper Jr as the sole team leader with primary scoring responsibilities, and Harper Jr has embraced the situation as Rutgers have won three straight to begin the season. Harper Jr is leading the team in points with 21 per game and is also grabbing the most boards on Rutgers with almost eight per game, but to be a leader, you need teammates to lead and Harper Jr has those too.

Montez Mathis and Jacob Young are both averaging 15.5 points while averaging just two fewer field goal attempts. Harper Jr is connecting on 69 percent of his two-point field goals yet his usage rate is 25.7 percent to Mathis and Young’s 24.6 percent. Despite being the clear first option on offense, Harper Jr is not ball-dominant and leads by example. Just wait until Geo Baker returns.

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