Myles Johnson a major key in order for Rutgers Basketball to upset Houston

Feed Ron Harper Jr. early

Clemson’s defense gave Rutgers some problems offensively, which wasn’t a huge surprise. Houston’s defense is likely to have the same effect.

Houston allowed only 57.8 points per game this season, the second-best mark in the entire nation. The Scarlet Knights, meanwhile, averaging 69.6 points per game, which doesn’t even crack the top 200 in the nation: Advantage Cougars.

Overcoming that defense means focusing attention into the best offensive player Rutgers has, Ron Harper Jr. Sure, Jacob Young is good for aggressiveness and Caleb McConnell stepped up in a big way on Friday. But this offense goes as far as Harper will take it.

Harper did not have a great offensive game against Clemson. He scored 10 points, none of them coming from the three-point line, where he missed all six attempts. He also turned the ball over three times. It was the lowest scoring output for Harper since February 21.

Harper can’t have another dud like that if Rutgers expects to win. The key will be getting his three-point shot going again. In three of the last five games, Harper has failed to hit a three ball. That’s a stark contrast from when he hit at least five in four of the team’s first six games of the season.

Feeding Harper early and getting his confidence going can help the forward find his stroke. That will help get Rutgers’ offense back in gear.