3. Can the Illini contain Ron Harper Jr.?
Rutgers has not started the season off well, as they are now 4-3 and have lost three out of their last four games.
In the group of losses for the Scarlet Knights was a stinker to Lafayette 53-51. Rutgers is not playing good basketball, to say the least.
But the Scarlet Knights rebounded nicely to beat Clemson in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge. Ron Harper Jr. led the way for Rutgers with 23 points, nine rebounds, and three assists while going 4-of-6 from three-point range.
Rutgers hasn’t done particularly well against Illinois since Harper has joined the program, though. The Scarlet Knights are just 2-3 against the Illini with Harper on the court. If he wasn’t playing, I would imagine their record would have been 0-5 against the Orange and Blue.
In the five contests against Illinois, Harper is averaging 20 points and 5.6 rebounds per game while shooting 54.5% from the field and 44% from three-point range. That 44% from deep includes an 0-of-7 night back in 2018 when Harper was a freshman.
I think saying Harper has done well against Illinois might be an understatement. He has the Illini’s number. On Friday night, I will be watching to see if we can stop Harper from dominating once again. This will be a challenge with his great size and shooting ability. It is a test I want Illinois to pass.