Rutgers at Michigan State: 2020-21 key storylines for Big Ten clash

Continuing to score without Harper

Prior to Rutgers’ game versus Illinois the question of ” Can the Scarlet Knights score without Ron Harper Jr on the court?” was a legitimate one. The reason this question was a storyline was due to Harper Jr leading the Scarlet Knight in attempted field goals, attempted three-pointers, attempted free-throws, usage percentage, plus/minus, and points per game. In the three-point victory over Illinois, Harper Jr led the team with 28 points and a plus/minus of 19.7,  at least ten better than every teammate.

Then the Purdue game happened and Rutgers was able to score 81 points with Harper out with a sprained ankle. Leading the Scarlet Knights to the 81-76 victory was Montez Mathis with 25 points and Geo Baker with 19. Aside from Harper Jr the Scarlet Knights, essentially, have three other players who average double-digit scoring and did so versus Purdue.

The storyline now, for not only the Michigan State game but going forward, is whether or not Coach Pikiell adjusts Harper Jr’s playing time. The two games prior to the injury Harper Jr logged 35 minutes in a three-point win versus Illinois and 36 minutes in the Scarlet Knights’  twelve-point loss to Ohio State.

Now that the Scarlet Knights have proven to be more than capable of competing with Harper Jr not on the court, the story of who will be the consistent scoring threat when Harper Jr rests. Especially with Harper Jr playing 33 minutes ( one fewer than Young) in their loss to Iowa, does Coach Pikiell return to playing Harper Jr over 35 minutes.