Rutgers basketball’s loss in the Big Ten conference tournament signaled the end for Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey. The two star freshmen were the talk of college basketball. While the two are projected to forego an additional year and enter the NBA Draft,

Madness frequently serves as a forum for high-profile NBA talents to showcase themselves on the sport's biggest stage. But this year might be even better than in year's past. Projected No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg — the anchor for a likely No.

When it comes to basketball — or even athletic greatness — there are no seals of approval that could possibly carry more weight with a player, with the exception of Michael Jordan.

Harper led Rutgers against USC with 27 points, eight rebounds and eight assists in a losing effort. He put the team on his back in both overtime periods with star teammate Ace Bailey fouling out at the end of regulation. The first-round defeat dropped the Scarlet Knights to 15-17 on the year, far outside of the 2025 March Madness pool.

The students at Jersey Mike’s Arena chanted “ONE MORE YEAR” at Dylan Harper but had to settle for five extra minutes. Maybe, given how his one rocky season of college basketball had unfolded, that was fitting.

From the corner of the tiny Rutgers locker room at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, the team’s two star freshmen were sitting practically shoulder to shoulder when they were asked each of them a natural question after the end of a disappointing season.