Illinois vs. Rutgers: 5 storyline for matchup of top-25 Big Ten teams
Scoring with Ron Harper off the floor
This is in no way to suggest that Ron Harper Jr is the sole point producer on the Rutgers Scarlet Knights. Two other starters average double digits in Jacob Young (15 ppg) and Montez Mathis (13.4 ppg) and they compliment Harper’s over 23 points per game nicely. The relationship is reciprocal as playing alongside Harper Jr affords them scoring opportunities as well. It is when Harper Jr is not on the court that Rutgers tends to struggle.
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Although Harper Jr averages under three assists per game he demands so much of the defense’s attention, whether it be straight-up double-teams or causing his defender to be unable to commit to helping fully, Harper Jr creates scoring opportunities aside from the assist category. The leading assist man for Rutgers is Jacob Young who averages six assists per game.
Versus Syracuse Young distributed a season high10 assists, four of which were to Harper Jr at the three-point line. Just one assist resulted in a dunk when he dished to Myles Johnson. In the first game of the season which was against easier competition, Young’s passes resulted in three baskets at the rim.
The return of Geo Baker from an injured ankle into the starting line-up will give Coach Steve Pikiel an opportunity to work his rotation as the game progresses and hopefully have Baker carry the scoring when Harper Jr is off.
That, however, has yet to be seen, and considering Harper Jr has a Usage Percentage of 26.2 which is just two or three percent higher than that of Young and Montez Mathis, it is impressive that Harper Jr’s turnover percentage is15 percent and nine percent lower than his two teammates.
The greatest sign that Rutgers is going to need to find scoring with Harper Jr off the court, is the 10 point differential between him and any other starter with regards to plus/minus per 100 possessions. It is not until you include Geo Baker and his plus nine that you can start comparing to Harper Jr’s plus 16.5.