With sidekick Dylan Harper sidelined, fellow freshman Ace Bailey scored enough points for the two of them in Rutgers’ most recent game.
Now Harper is expected back from illness to team with co-star Bailey when Rutgers battles Wisconsin on Monday night in a Big Ten clash at Piscataway, N.J.
Bailey matched the school record of 39 points for a Rutgers freshman when the Scarlet Knights (8-6, 1-2 Big Ten) lost 84-74 to host Indiana on Thursday night. Corey Sanders also had 39 points in a 110-101 triple-overtime loss against Illinois on Feb. 3, 2016.
Bailey made 16 of 29 field-goal attempts and knocked down four 3-pointers. He also collected eight rebounds and four blocked shots in a scintillating performance.
“My teammates put me in positions and trusted me to make the shots that I make,” Bailey said. “All thanks to my teammates for rebounding, pushing the outlet, setting good screens, spacing the floor and all for me to get to work.”
Rutgers coach Steve Pikiell said the absence of Harper led to the heavy emphasis of relying on Bailey.
“You are always trying to get it to Ace,” Pikiell said. “He has a hot hand and was ready to play.”
Bailey raised his scoring average to 19.9 points per game. Harper has a team-leading 22.8 average and boasts outings of 37 points against Alabama and 36 against Notre Dame.
Pikell insisted that Harper will be on the court against the Badgers.
Rutgers is 7-0 at home this season as the Badgers (11-3, 1-2) arrive in search of their fourth consecutive victory.
Wisconsin is coming off a stellar 116-85 home win over Iowa on Friday. The point total was the most the Badgers have scored in a Big Ten contest.
Wisconsin also set a Big Ten record with 21 3-pointers. John Blackwell drained a career-best six of them while posting a career-high 32 points.
“I got a hot hand early,” Blackwell said. “They found me and we played the right basketball. We were hitting shots, and when you feel it, you just keep shooting.”
Badgers coach Greg Gard was pleased with Blackwell’s aggressiveness.
“He’s becoming more and more comfortable with the ball in his hands,” Gard said. “In the last three games he’s got 15 assists, two turnovers, so he’s seeing things faster, quicker, earlier. He’s getting more comfortable in that role.”
Blackwell is second on the Badgers with a 15.4 scoring average. John Tonje has a team-best 18.6 average.
The teams split two meetings last season. Rutgers posted a 78-56 home victory on Feb. 10 and the Badgers notched a 78-66 win on March 7.
